And even if there were some compelling new religion, these skeptics argue, why wouldn't the ideas just spread northward?

Though prosperity is spreading slowly northward, almost a fifth of all Britons were living on welfare in 1987.

As the fires spread northward through Greenwood, countless black families continued to flee.

The fire continued spreading northward, driving fleeing residents across bridges on the Chicago River.

The disease has been spreading northward ever since.

From that time on they spread northward, finding use in missions and mines.

Warming is likely to allow tropical diseases, such as malaria, to spread northward in some areas of the world.

Mexico is being torn to shreds and the damage has spread northward.

As the 18th Century continued, settlers spread both northward and westward.

As the weather warms across the country, the occurrence of tornadoes spreads northward.