Here’s the Big Earthquakes in Utah’s Past to Help Predict the Future

A recent earthquake near Heber in Utah registered 3.9 and woke people soon after midnight. As they dug into where it happened, they discovered it is not on a known fault and was near a magnitude 5.0 earthquake that happened back in 1958. 

Site of the Biggest Earthquakes in Utah 

The largest earthquake recorded in Utah happened in Richfield right in the middle of the state that hit 6.5 and knocked over chimneys and broke dishes. At the time residents reported a roaring sound that accompanied the shaking. 

Since then, there has been a 6.0 in Elsinore, Utah that is also near I-70 that was followed by a 5.7 aftershock. This happened back in 1921. There have been some earthquakes in the 5.7 range in the Wasatch Front the last being the one in Magna five years ago. 

In Southern Utah, near Washington a 5.8 earthquake shook the ground in the early morning back in 1992. It caused a land slide in Springdale and destroyed a few homes near Zion National Park. 

Studying Quakes from the Past Helps Predict the Future 

Like the earthquake near Heber that was close to a previous one 67 years ago, understanding where these faults are and how often the move gives us an idea when they could shake again. 

The Utah Geological Survey says there is a 57% chance of earthquake of 6.0 or greater happening in the Wasatch Front area in the next 50 years. This is an active earthquake zone and continues to see movement in different areas. 

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Southern Utah is at moderate risk for another earthquake. There has also been an increase in activity throughout the state in recent years.