How long ago did the Mississippi flow backwards?

Answer 1

It happened once in recorded history, in 1812.

On December 16, 1811, there were major earthquakes, 7.0 or greater, centered near New Madrid (now in SE Missouri). There were two more major quakes on January 23 and February 7, 1812.

As a result of this last quake, part of the Mississippi flowed backward (northward) for up to 24 hours, filling a large depression on the Redfoot River, which became Reelfoot Lake in extreme NW Tennessee.

Answer 2

It happened once in recorded history, in 1812.

On December 16, 1811, there were major earthquakes, 7.0 or greater, centered in New Madrid (now the SE tip of Missouri). There were two more major quakes on January 23 and February 7, 1812.

As a result of this last quake, part of the Mississippi flowed backward (northward) for up to 24 hours, filling a large depression on the Redfoot River, which became Reelfoot Lake in extreme NW Tennessee.

Because of the flow of other tributaries, most of the river was still flowing south, except for the short section between Arkansas and Tennessee.

Answer 3

No. but it did once a earthquake was so powerful it made it flow backwards