Expert speaks on seismic activity after 4.0 magnitude earthquake in Southern Utah

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WAYNE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A 4.0 magnitude earthquake occurred around 10:32 p.m. on Monday night near Cainesville, Utah.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there was a 4.0 magnitude earthquake approximately 30 kilometers to the northeast of Torrey, Utah. The earthquake occurred around 10:32 p.m. at a depth of 2.8 km.

USGS says there is a 6% chance that a 4.0 magnitude earthquake has at least one aftershock within a week of the initial occurrence, a 7% chance that an aftershock occurs within a month, and a 9% chance that an aftershock occurs within a year.

Notably, many aftershocks and even initial earthquakes can be too small to feel. Below a 2.0 magnitude, the majority of people cannot feel an earthquake, according to USGS.

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According to the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, Utah had 16 earthquakes on March 9. All but one, this 4.0 magnitude earthquake, was under 2.0 magnitude.

ABC4 also spoke with Katherine Whidden, a research scientist with the University of Utah seismograph stations, who gave us a little insight into this earthquake. Whidden said, “It’s in an area that we don’t usually have a whole lot of earthquakes, but Utah is a seismically active state and it’s not unusual to have an earthquake of this size really anywhere.”

Whidden noted that Utah has had several earthquakes this year, but they don’t appear to be related to each other.

“Earthquakes happen kind of in a random distribution… so we wouldn’t expect them to happen perfectly evenly in time. An analogy is like if you think about raindrops falling on dry pavement… they fall in little groups and clusters,” Whidden said.

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“It seems like there’s a lot of seismicity, and it is a little bit higher than normal, but it’s not unusual,” She continued. “We do know where larger events are likely to happen. Here in Northern Utah, we do live in earthquake country, Southern Utah as well, actually.”

According to Whidden, there are multiple things you can do to prepare if you live in an area where earthquakes are frequent. She recommends having a 72-hour kit with food, water, and medicine. Additionally, she said bereadyutah.gov has several online resources.

While Whidden says it is good to be prepared, she said this earthquake does not guarantee a bigger one occurring along the Wasatch Front, “The earthquake that we had last night is not really part of that system. It’s not really close to the Wasatch Fault. I don’t think it’s going to affect it whatsoever.”

Did you feel the earthquake? Let us know where you felt it and send us any videos of the earthquake at news@abc4.com for a chance to be featured!

Earthquake safety

While it is difficult to prepare for earthquakes ahead of time, it is important to stay aware of what to do if one occurs.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that you should immediately drop down onto your hands and knees, cover your head and neck underneath a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on to your shelter.

If you cannot drop to the ground or get underneath a shelter, the CDC recommends that you sit down or remain seated. You should find something to protect your head and neck, such as a large book, a pillow, or your arms.

If you’re outside when the earthquake starts, it’s best to go to an open area away from trees, telephone poles and buildings. However, if you’re inside during an earthquake, you should stay inside.

After an earthquake

Once the initial earthquake is over, there still may be aftershocks. The CDC says you should avoid taking elevators, because the power could go out. Gas lines or water lines could also burst, leading to potential hazards.

If you are a shoreline following an earthquake, you should immediately head to higher ground and move inland, as the earthquake may have generated a tsunami.

It’s possible that there will be fallen debris and other hazards in the area, so the CDC says you may need to travel on foot. If you’re in a moving vehicle, they recommend stopping as quickly and safely as possible and set the parking brake. If a downed power line falls on the car, you should stay inside until a trained individual removes the wire.

You can learn more about earthquake safety here.

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