Final answer:
The release of energy that shook the ground in the New Madrid Seismic Zone is an earthquake.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a release of energy that shook the ground occurs in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, it is an example of an earthquake. Earthquakes occur when stress builds up in rocks and is suddenly released, causing the ground to shake. The energy released during an earthquake travels outward in waves.
Learn more about Earthquakes