Experts Say Utah Is Due For Major Earthquake Event

A major hurricane just struck the Gulf Coast and made its way up the East Coast. The nation helplessly watched the devastation occur. And now, it has Utahns wondering when their next major disaster could occur.

Be Ready Utah Program Manager Wade Matthews told ABC 4, "What the hurricanes do in and along the coast is what the tornadoes do in the Midwest, and it’s what the earthquakes will do here in Mountain West. Widespread disaster and damage, including injury."

In March of 2020 the state experienced a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that had an epicenter near Magna. Thankfully, no major damage was reported as a result of the earthquake.

Jaime Farrell, researcher and professor at the University of Utah's seismograph station, says that the state was fortunate that the earthquake happened as the pandemic was beginning. Since there were no students in class at Cyprus High School and West Lake Junior High School, there were no injuries reported there.

Farrell says this earthquake should still act as a warning for Utahns to stay prepared. "It seems like the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch Fault is coming up on the time period where you expect another large earthquake to occur."

So what kind of earthquake can we expect?

Farrell said, "I would expect a magnitude 6, mid-6, or low 7s would have a big impact on our area. Not only would you have a lot of damage to buildings, old schools, hospitals, but a lot of the infrastructure, like the utilities and all that kind of stuff."

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