The Friday, April 18, earthquake was felt by many in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana, but no damage was sustained to CountryMark's Mount Vernon, Ind., refinery.

Although the refinery is just 40 miles from the center of the quake, John Deaton, Senior Vice President of Operations, said the refinery continued to operate with no disruptions.

“Our equipment is designed for the earthquake zone that we are in," said Deaton. "Steel structures are very resilient. The problem you have in earthquakes is concrete and mortar and wood type structures, but everything that we have is steel.”

Deaton also said there was no effect on the CountryMark pipeline. “We have measurement systems on the pipeline. You have a meter on one end of the pipeline, and you have a meter on the other end of the pipeline, and they constantly compare those measurements.” Deaton said variations in the meter readings would indicate a leak or a rupture, but the CountryMark pipeline readings have been stable.

John Deaton's interview on the CountryMark refinery and the April 18 earthquake can be heard at Hoosier Ag Today.