A recent study suggests some earthquakes in the central and eastern United States may be aftershocks of 1800s quakes.

The researchers used a statistical approach to analyze seismic activity near the epicenters of historical earthquakes.

The study found that up to 65 percent of seismic activity in the New Madrid seismic zone between 1980 and 2016 was likely aftershocks of the 1811-1812 earthquakes.

However, some experts are cautious about the results as earthquakes can be clustered for reasons other than aftershocks.

The study could aid in predicting future earthquake risks and stresses the importance of understanding the origins of seismicity for future disaster risk assessment.