(CAIRO, IL) — The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a 2.6 magnitude earthquake struck Southern Illinois Thursday night. According to the U.S.G.S., the earthquake struck about 5 miles south-southwest of Cairo around 5:25 p.m. The quake, which was at a depth of about 5.8 miles, was registered within a region known as the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) is the most active seismic area in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and was responsible for the biggest earthquakes in U.S. history. From December 16, 1811, to March 1812 there were over 2,000 quakes in the region, some felt as far away as New York City, Boston, Montreal, and Washington D.C. The New Madrid is located in southeastern Missouri, northeastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.