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Contents
Salt Lake City, Utah
Much has been learned about the result from damage to poorly construct-
ed, older buildings and their unre-
earthquake threat and vulner- strained contents. Improved building
Many earthquake-vulnerable homes and
ability in Utah: codes are now in force statewide, some buildings exist in Utah, placing occupants at
We know earthquakes occur here older buildings have been strengthened, risk. The State of Utah reconstructed the State
Utah has experienced sixteen earth- and steps are being taken to upgrade Capitol Building to preserve a historic building
schools and other critical facilities. Some and to ensure public safety and continuity
quakes greater than magnitude 5.5 since of government in the event of a large
pioneer settlement in 1847, and geolog- Utah residents have secured their homes
earthquake. (Photo courtesy of UGS, taken on
ic studies of Utah’s faults indicate a long to better withstand shaking, created September 24, 2006)
history of repeated large earthquakes emergency plans and disaster supply
of magnitude 6.5 and greater prior to kits, and held home earthquake drills. Don’t be fooled!—Myth number 1
settlement. Utah is not on a boundary
between tectonic plates where most BUT we have not done enough
of the world’s earthquakes occur, but
rather is in the western part of the North
to be prepared for the next large
American plate. However, earthquakes earthquake:
in Utah are indirectly caused by interac- Few households have disaster plans
tions with the Pacific plate along the If an earthquake occurred right now,
plate margin on the west coast of the where would you go to be safe? If you
United States. Also, many small earth- are at work and your children are at
quakes in east-central Utah are induced school when the earthquake occurs,
by underground coal mining. how will you get back together? “WHAT EARTHQUAKE HAZARD?”
Many Utah residents discount the earthquake
We know where earthquakes are likely Few households have disaster hazard based on the near absence of moder-
to occur and what they can do supply kits ate to large earthquakes, particularly along
Large, damaging earthquakes in Utah
You will likely be on your own without
the Wasatch Front, since pioneer settlement
are most likely to occur in a belt that in 1847. Most people living in Utah today have
vital services in the hours and days fol-
extends north-south through the not experienced a damaging earthquake in
lowing an earthquake. Are you prepared
center of the state (page 4), essentially the state. They are unaware of the long time
with water, food, first aid supplies, and
following Interstate Highway 15, where
medications? intervals between large earthquakes on faults
there are many active faults capable of
producing earthquakes. Moderate to
in the Basin and Range Province (average time
large earthquakes (generally magni- Few owners have taken steps to between large earthquakes measured in hun-
tude 6 and greater) can kill and injure retrofit their older homes dreds to many thousands of years, compared
many people and cause substantial Utah has many houses that predate mod- with tens to hundreds of years for parts of the
damage to buildings, roads, bridges, ern earthquake building codes. Is your San Andreas fault in California). Comparing the
and utilities. home bolted to its foundation? If you average recurrence interval with the amount of
live in an older building, has it been ret- time since the last large earthquake indicates
rofitted? Is your water heater strapped? that the next large earthquake is becoming in-
We know how to reduce losses in
Could unsecured furniture or objects fall creasingly likely on certain parts of the Wasatch
future large earthquakes and cause injury or damage?
Most casualties and economic losses fault (see pages 6 and 7).
1
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
are Seismically Active Between Utah’s Wasatch Range and California’s Sierra Nevada,
tectonic forces within the western part of the North American
plate combine with high heat flow from the underlying mantle
to literally stretch the crust in an east-west direction at the rate
of about one-half inch per year. In response to this stretching,
Geologic evidence shows that movement on the rigid crust breaks and shifts along faults, and the fault
the Wasatch fault and other faults in Utah can movement produces earthquakes.
cause earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 to 7.5, with
potentially catastrophic effects. However, it can
be difficult to use this knowledge to make us
Intermountain Seismic Belt
Utah straddles the boundary between the extending Basin
safer in our daily lives. Should we care only if we
and Range Province to the west and the relatively more stable
live along the Wasatch Front, or are other places
Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau to the east. This
in Utah also dangerous?
boundary coincides with an area of earthquake activity called
the Intermountain Seismic Belt (ISB; page 3). Utah’s longest
This section (pages 2-11) describes where
and most active fault, the Wasatch fault, lies within the ISB.
earthquakes occur in Utah and explains how
earthquakes will shake the ground and cause
Unfortunately, the heavily populated Wasatch Front (Ogden –
damage in other ways, such as liquefaction and Salt Lake City – Provo urban corridor) and the rapidly growing
landslides (pages 10 and 11). Technical terms St. George and Cedar City areas are also within the ISB, putting
used throughout this pamphlet are explained most of Utah’s residents at risk.
in the Glossary (page 33).
2
UTAH IS YOUR HOME
WA MT
1959 WY
te
M7.5 ND
la
Intermountain
P 1983
ca
M7.3 Ro Seismic Belt
Fu
ck
y
de
ID
Mo
OR un
Wa
1934
ta
sat
M6.6 Ogden ins
ch
No NV Salt Lake City
R
CA
ang
WASATCH
rth
Provo
Basin
e
1915
FAULT
M7.6
1954
Am
UTAH
Moab
M7.2
and
eri
can
1932 o
Colorad
CO
M7.2
NM
e AZ
Rang
St. George
u
Platea
Pla
Sie
rra
te
SA
nce
Ne
Provi
NA
vad
ND
a
Relative movement of
REA
plate boundary fault
S FA
General direction of Basin ULT
and Range extension
Area of Intermountain
Seismic Belt (ISB)
Location, year, and magnitude
1934 of large Basin and Range/ISB
M6.6 Source: Utah Geological Survey
surface-faulting earthquakes
3
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Historical quakes of
about magnitude (M) 5.5 and
larger in the Utah region*
1884 M6 Bear Lake Valley
1887 M 5.5 Kanab
1900 M 5.5 Eureka
1901 M 6.5 Richfield
1902 M6 Pine Valley
1909 M6 Hansel Valley
1910 M5.5 Salt Lake City
1914 M 5.5 Ogden
1921 M6 Elsinore (two events)
1934 M 6.6 Hansel Valley
1959 M 5.7 Utah-Arizona Border
1962 M 5.7 Richmond
1966 M 6.0 Utah-Nevada Border Making a home in Utah’s
1975 M 6.0 Utah-Idaho Border earthquake belt…
1992 M 5.9 St. George Distribution of
*sizes of shocks before 1934 are approximate settlements
in Utah in 1877
Source: Atlas of Utah,
Weber State College,1981
What is UUSS?
The University of Utah Seismograph Stations (UUSS)
is a research, educational, and public-service entity
that operates a monitoring network of more than
200 regional and urban seismic stations in Utah
and neighboring areas, including the Yellowstone
National Park region. For more information about
UUSS, recent earthquakes, and other earthquake
information, see http://quake.utah.edu.
4
UTAH IS YOUR HOME
5
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
B
B: In some areas, the Wasatch fault (white arrows) trends away from the
mountain front, as seen here in this view to the northeast in Salt Lake
Valley along Highland Drive near 3900 South. (Photo courtesy of Rod
Millar)
C
C: At the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake Valley, the
Map showing the Wasatch fault (red line) and other faults (black lines)
G.K. Gilbert Geologic View Park (yellow arrow) is along the Wasatch
in Utah that may be the sources of large earthquakes. Source: Utah fault (white arrows). (Photo courtesy of UGS)
Geological Survey
6
UTAH IS YOUR HOME
fault during the past 10,000 years. All but two of these earthquakes occurred
Malad City on the five central segments (Brigham City to Nephi). The amount of time
Segment between surface-faulting earthquakes on these five segments averages
Idaho about 300-400 years. For any individual central segment, the average
time between such earthquakes is longer—about 1,200 to 2,400 years.
Clarkston Mountain In comparison, segments on the ends of the Wasatch fault have intervals
Segment of 10,000 years or more between surface-faulting earthquakes. The most
Utah
recent large earthquake on the Wasatch fault took place about 350 years
Collinston Segment ago on the Nephi segment.
Brigham City
Segment
Ogden
NO DATA
Weber
Segment
5 CENTRAL SEGMENTS
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City
Segment
Provo
NO DATA
Segment
NO DATA
Nephi
Nephi Segment
Levan
Segment ?
7
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Most Earthquake U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazard Map of Utah
• On this map, the strongest shaking based on long-term forecasts is generally
Damage is Caused
expected near major faults, such as the Wasatch fault, and in areas of greatest
historical seismicity such as the Intermountain Seismic Belt.
• Intense shaking can damage even strong modern buildings and their
by Shaking contents.
• Much of Utah has a moderate to high likelihood of future intense shaking.
Compiled by Utah Geological Survey from: USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps.
Building Life-threat-
Displaced
Wasatch fault segment losses ening injuries
households
($ billions) and fatalities
Brigham City 3 14,000 500
Weber 16 57,000 3,000
Salt Lake City 42 150,000 9,000
Provo 14 48,000 3,000
Nephi 1 4,000 200
I-215
ake
tL
Wa
Sal
sat
eat
Wes
WA
ch
Gr
I-80
t Vall
SA
• This map shows the distribution of different soil types in
TC
Salt Lake Valley.
ey F
H
I-15
au lt
2100 S
• The intensity of shaking is influenced by the type of Zo ne I-8
0
RANGE
• Deep sediment-filled basins and soft soils such as wet clay
Fau
5600 W
lt
1300 E
soils amplify high-frequency shaking.
OQU
I-215
r
IRRH
Jorda n R ive
Zon
e
high
Magnitude or Intensity?
Intensity of ground shaking
MOUNTAINS
9400 S
9
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Earthquakes Also
dams. Hebgen Lake Dam, shown below,
was damaged by ground shaking, and
was also overtopped numerous times as
Fires
Earthquakes in urban areas are often
followed by destructive fires because gas
Although most earthquake damage is caused lines break, electrical shorts ignite fires,
by shaking, other damaging effects of quakes damaged water tanks and broken pipes
limit water for firefighting, and clogged
can be just as devastating. For example, in the roads and collapsed bridges prevent
1992 magnitude 5.9 St. George earthquake, the access for firefighters. The photo above
greatest damage to houses was caused by a is an aerial view of Balboa Boulevard in
massive landslide in Springdale. Granada Hills in the 1994 Northridge
earthquake showing street flooding,
flames due to a broken natural gas line,
Damaged infrastructure and burned homes.
Earthquakes often damage roads and (Photo from U.S. Forest Service
bridges, hindering rescue and recovery Miscellaneous Publication 907)
efforts and causing accidents. Water
and sewer pipeline breaks can result in
contamination of surface and ground Surface fault rupture
water, and cause “sinkholes” that under-
mine roads and buildings. Damage to In a large earthquake, fault movement
natural gas and electrical distribution can break the ground surface, damaging
systems can cause fires and major buildings and other structures. In Utah,
service outages. Damage to petroleum the Wasatch fault extends the entire
pipelines can cause oil spills. The photo length of the Wasatch Front through
below shows damage to a Santa Monica many urban neighborhoods. Near
freeway bridge in Los Angeles in the 1994 Hebgen Lake in Montana, the barn
magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake. shown below was damaged when the
This bridge was similar in construction to Red Canyon fault moved in the 1959
older bridges along Utah freeways. Hebgen Lake earthquake.
(Los Angeles Times photo by Gail Fisher )
Hazardous materials
Earthquake damage can cause releases
of hazardous materials from refineries
and other chemical storage and distri-
bution systems, research and industrial
laboratories, manufacturing plants, and
railroad tank cars. The photo above
shows a train derailment in the 1994
Northridge earthquake that released
sulfuric acid from a tanker car.
Rock fall
One of the most common types of
landslides caused by earthquakes are
rock falls, triggered by ground shaking
in areas of rock outcrops or loose rocks
on hillsides. The photo above shows
dust clouds created by numerous (Photo courtesy of UGS)
rock falls along cliffs near Price in the
1988 magnitude 5.3 San Rafael Swell
(Photo from U.S. Forest Service earthquake. Liquefaction
Miscellaneous Publication 907)
Earthquake shaking can cause certain
soils to behave like a liquid and lose their
ability to support structures. Liquefaction
often causes buried gas and water lines
to break. The highest potential for lique-
faction is in low-lying areas in saturated,
loose, sandy soils and poorly compacted
artificial fill. Geologic evidence in Utah
indicates that severe ground deforma-
tion caused by liquefaction has occurred
during large prehistoric earthquakes. The
photo below shows liquefaction-related
damage to a road at Moss Landing State
Beach on Monterey Bay following the
1989 magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta, Cali-
fornia, earthquake.
Response of Buildings
to Earthquakes A building’s “skeleton” or structure is most important for protecting
the lives and safety of its occupants. But so-called “nonstructural”
elements such as bookcases, shelves, ceiling tiles, and light fixtures
Much like an automobile on a winding roadway, buildings
often fall to the floor or hurtle across rooms during earthquakes,
sway to the effects of earthquakes. Foundations connect
injuring and possibly killing occupants. Such problems can be antici-
structures to the ground, and they play a very important role
pated and addressed before an earthquake. Just as buildings should
in determining how much force a building can resist. Engi-
be designed and braced for earthquakes, nonstructural components
neers study this critical interface and may choose to “cush-
require similar consideration.
ion” the effect by using special foundation designs.
The soil underlying buildings is an important ingredient in
determining the effects of earthquakes on structures.
• Soft, clayey soils tend to increase the motion at the ground Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
surface and thereby amplify the effects on buildings and
structures. One building type of particular concern in Utah is masonry con-
structed without steel reinforcement. Unreinforced masonry
• Rock doesn’t change the motion nearly as much as soil, so buildings were popular when the state was first settled and
shaking is more predictable. continued to be built into the 1970s.
A building’s configuration and height also play an important
Bricks are created from clay which is burned in ovens at high
role in determining the effects an earthquake will have on its
temperatures. This material was both readily available here
performance.
and familiar to the early settlers.
• Square or rectangular buildings typically perform better than
Many residences, in addition to commercial buildings, are
irregular-shaped buildings.
unreinforced masonry buildings and were constructed without
• Tall buildings respond by swaying back and forth. knowledge of how these structures performed in earthquakes.
Unfortunately, experience now shows this is one of the most
• Short structures are jarred from side to side as the earthquake
dangerous building types and evidence of its poor perfor-
releases its force at the ground surface. mance in earthquakes throughout the world is well docu-
The materials from which a building is constructed help mented.
determine how it performs during an earthquake.
• Steel and wood are considered flexible or “ductile” and tend to
absorb the energy.
• Concrete and masonry are more “rigid” and can transfer the ground In addition to buildings, virtually all structures are susceptible to
damage from an earthquake. Dams, bridges, pipelines, storage
motion directly into the structure.
tanks, and roadways are other structures that can be damaged by an
Earthquakes shake buildings from the ground up, and an earthquake’s forces.
important consideration for performance is the length of
time the ground shakes. The longer the ground shakes, the These infrastructure elements are often taken for granted and only
more likely the structure will be unable to resist the effects. after an earthquake are they viewed as critical components, neces-
Building materials can resist temporary “overstress,” but sary for maintaining our standard of living. The infrastructure we rely
when stretched beyond their limits, will break, much like a upon can be fragile in ways we may not understand until after it is
paper clip bent back and forth will eventually break. damaged or disabled in an earthquake.
12
BIG QUAKES WILL AFFECT YOU
13
WHY SHOULD I PREPARE?
14
BIG QUAKES WILL AFFECT YOU
Illustration by Pat Bagley, The Salt Lake Tribune. Sources: Likelihood calculated by the University of Utah
Seismograph Stations from data provided in UGS, USGS,
GeoHaz Consultants, and URS Corporation reports.
“UTAH ISN’T CALIFORNIA” Scientific studies in Utah indicate that “Big Ones” occur somewhere in
True, Utah is not California. However, many earthquakes are recorded and the Wasatch Front area on a time scale of every few hundreds of years.
located each year in the Utah region (page 4)—about 800 per year on These are high-energy earthquakes of about magnitude 7. They suddenly
average, excluding mining seismicity. Most of these earthquakes are small displace the ground vertically about 10 feet at the fault line. Within tens of
and not felt. Since 1850, 16 damaging shocks of about magnitude 5.5 and miles of the epicenter there is a high potential for major structural damage
larger have occurred in the Utah region. California certainly has more and casualties. In Utah, many seismically vulnerable buildings increase
“wake-up calls,” where earthquakes of about magnitude 6.5 and larger the damage potential. On a geologic time table, Utah is due for its next
that cause fatalities and major structural damage typically occur once or “Big One”—and, unfortunately, is a lot like California in this regard.
twice per decade. 15
WHY SHOULD I PREPARE?
am ily be?
Where will your f
day care, or other activities.
• Family members may be at work
or commuting.
• Pets may run away or be injured.
Will you have medical services? Will you be able to get home?
16
BIG QUAKES WILL AFFECT YOU
in your home?
• Your personal property may be
damaged or destroyed.
• Construction materials and labor for
This porch on a wood-frame house repairs will be in limited supply and
failed during the 1989 magnitude costs will increase.
6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake. The • Rebuilding scams may be common.
“red tag” indicates that this home is • Availability of rental housing may
unsafe and must not be entered or
occupied. (Photo courtesy of USGS) be limited due to damage and high
demand.
17
WHY SHOULD I PREPARE?
18
BIG QUAKES WILL AFFECT YOU
19
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
You’ve learned your earthquake hazards, now follow these seven steps:
BEFORE A QUAKE: STEP 1. Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them
(page 22).
STEP 2. Create a disaster-preparedness plan (page 24).
STEP 3. Prepare disaster supply kits (page 25).
STEP 4. Identify your building’s potential weaknesses and begin to fix
them (page 26).
DURING A QUAKE: STEP 5. Protect yourself during earthquake shaking (page 28).
AFTER A QUAKE: STEP 6. After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage (page 29).
STEP 7. When safe, continue to follow your disaster-preparedness plan
(page 30).
20
FOLLOW THE SEVEN STEPS TO EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
5
Protect yourself during earthquake
shaking–DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON.
(page 28) page 28
21
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
22
FOLLOW THE SEVEN STEPS TO EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
oo Have a plumber evaluate, replace, and properly secure oo Secure all cabinet doors,
rusted or worn water and gas pipes. especially those overhead, to
oo If not already done, have a plumber replace rigid gas help prevent contents from
connections to water heaters, stoves, dryers, and other falling out during quakes.
gas appliances with flexible (corrugated) stainless-steel Use latches designed
gas connectors (see below). for child-proofing or
oo Excess-flow gas-shutoff valves for individual appliances, earthquake or boat
which stop gas flow in case of a catastrophic leak, are safety.
also now available for use with flexible connectors. oo Secure refrigerators
and other major
appliances to walls
Water heaters using earthquake
appliance straps.
Unsecured water heaters may fall over, rupturing rigid water
and gas connections.
In the garage or utility room
oo Water heaters should be anchored to wall studs or
masonry with metal straps and lag Items stored in garages and utility rooms can fall, causing
screws. Kits are available at injuries, damage, and hazardous spills or leaks.
hardware stores and home
centers. oo Move flammable or hazardous materials to low areas that
oo If not already are secure.
done, have oo Ensure that items stored above or beside vehicles cannot
a plumber fall, damaging or blocking them.
install flexible
(corrugated) Flexible
copper water water
Home electronics
connectors. connectors
Large electronic devices may fall, causing injuries and
damage. They are also costly to replace.
Flexible
gas connector
23
BEFORE A QUAKE
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
24
FOLLOW THE SEVEN STEPS TO EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
25
BEFORE A QUAKE
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
“WE HAVE GOOD BUILDING CODES, SO WE MUST HAVE SAFE Total points = __________
BUILDINGS.”
If your home scores 17 or more points on the quiz, you probably
The best building code in the world does nothing for buildings built should have an engineer, architect, or contractor evaluate it.
before the code was enacted. Although building codes used in Utah
EXAMPLES:
have strict seismic provisions, many older buildings, particularly
unreinforced masonry buildings, have not been “retrofitted” to meet
1. 1958, 1 story, unreinforced masonry, concrete foundation,
updated codes. Retrofitting—fixing problems in older buildings—
Salt Lake City: 6+1+7+1+8 = 23
is the responsibility of a building’s owner.
2. 1995, 2 story (flat), wood (brick veneer), concrete
foundation, Ogden: 1+3+3+1+8 = 16
3. 2006, 2 story (large openings), wood, slab on grade, St.
George: 1+5+1+0+3 = 10
26
FOLLOW THE SEVEN STEPS TO EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
27
BEFORE A QUAKE
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
28
DURING A QUAKE
FOLLOW THE SEVEN STEPS TO EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
Once earthquake shaking has stopped, fol- • Damaged electrical wiring—Shut suffered moderate damage.
off power at the main breaker switch If you evacuate, tell a neighbor and your
low your disaster preparedness plans (see if there is any damage to your home family point-of-contact where you are
Step 2, page 24). Most importantly: wiring. Leave the power off until the going. Take the following, if possible,
damage is repaired! (Your telephone when you evacuate:
book also has information on this
topic.) Bring to a shelter:
Check for injuries • Downed utility lines—If you see oo Personal disaster supply kits (see
downed power lines, consider them STEP 3, page 25).
NOTE: The manual in your first aid kit and energized and keep yourself and oth- oo Supply of water, food, and snacks.
the front pages of your telephone book ers well away from them. Never touch oo Blanket, pillow, and air mattress or
have instructions on first aid measures. downed power lines or any objects in sleeping pad.
• Check yourself for serious injuries contact with them! oo Change of clothing and a jacket.
before helping others. Protect your oo Towel and washcloth.
mouth, nose, and eyes from dust. • Falling items—Beware of heavy oo Diapers, formula, food, and other
• If a person is bleeding, put direct pres- items tumbling off shelves when you supplies for infants.
sure on the wound. Use clean gauze open closet and cupboard doors. oo A few family pictures or other small
or cloth, if available. • Spills—Use extreme caution; when in comfort items, such as dolls or teddy
• If a person is not breathing, adminis- doubt, leave your home. Spilled med- bears for children.
ter rescue breathing. icines, drugs, or other relatively non- oo Personal identification and copies
• If a person has no pulse, begin CPR toxic substances can be cleaned up. of household and health insurance
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Potentially harmful materials, such as information.
• Do not move seriously injured per- bleach, lye, garden chemicals, paint, oo Books and games (especially for chil-
sons, unless they are in immediate and gasoline or other flammable liq- dren).
danger of further harm. uids should be isolated or covered with
• Cover injured persons with blankets an absorbent material, such as dirt or However, do not bring
or additional clothing to keep them cat litter. • Pets (service animals for people with
warm. disabilities are allowed—bring food
• Damaged masonry—Stay away from for them).
Check for damage causing brick chimneys and walls. They may • Large quantities of unnecessary cloth-
be weakened and could topple dur-
hazardous conditions ing aftershocks. Don’t use a fireplace
ing or other personal items.
• Valuables that might be lost, stolen,
with a damaged chimney, as this or take up needed space.
• Fire—If possible, put out small fires in could start a fire or trap toxic gases in
your home or neighborhood immedi- your home.
ately. Call for help, but don’t wait for
the fire department.
• Gas leaks—Turn off the gas only if
If your home is seriously
you suspect a leak because of broken damaged
pipes or detect the odor or sound of
leaking natural gas. Use a manual gas If your home is structurally unsafe or
shut-off wrench to close your main threatened by a fire or other secondary If you suspect a gas
gas valve by turning it counterclock- disaster, you need to evacuate. However, leak, use a manual
wise. Don’t turn gas back on by your- shelters may be overcrowded and ini- gas shut-off
self—wait for the gas company! (Your tially lack basic services, so do not leave wrench.
telephone book has information on home just because utilities are out of ser-
this topic.) vice or your home and its contents have
29
AFTER A QUAKE
WHAT SHOULD I DO? A F T E RS H O
CK
G o b a c k to
ST E P 5
30
AFTER A QUAKE
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
31
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
“ShakeMap”
Within 5 to 10 minutes of most felt earthquakes
(magnitude 3.0 and greater in the Wasatch Front
area), a “ShakeMap”is posted on the Web. This map
shows the range of shaking intensities across a
region. Every quake has only a single magnitude,
but it produces a wide range of shaking intensity
values over the area in which it is felt.
”ShakeMap” for the
ShakeMaps use data from seismic instruments December 2006
to provide a rapid picture of where the strongest quake near
shaking occurred. These maps help to identify Kaysville, Utah.
areas where a quake’s impact is greatest and are
used by emergency managers to speed disaster
response. ShakeMaps are available at:
http://quake.utah.edu/shake/
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/shakemap/
32
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
Glossary
Aftershocks. Earthquakes that follow on Earth’s surface and on humans Seiche. Waves “sloshing” in a lake as a
the largest shock of an earthquake and their structures. The Modified result of earthquake ground shaking.
sequence. They are smaller than the Mercalli Intensity scale, which uses Waves caused by landsliding into a
“mainshock” and can occur over a Roman numerals, is one way scientists reservoir or displacement of the lake
period of weeks, months, or years. In measure intensity. bed are termed a surge.
general, the larger the mainshock,
the larger and more numerous the Landslide. A mass movement of soil, Seismic hazard. The potential
aftershocks and the longer they will mud, and (or) rock down a slope. for damaging effects caused by
continue. earthquakes. The level of hazard
Liquefaction. The process that depends on the magnitude and
Crust. Earth’s outermost layer occurs when an earthquake shakes
frequency of likely quakes, the distance
consisting of rigid oceanic and wet sandy soil until it behaves like a
from the fault that could cause quakes,
continental tectonic plates. liquid, allowing sand to “boil up” to the
and geologic conditions at a site.
surface, buildings to sink, or sloping
Epicenter. The point on Earth’s surface ground to move.
above where an earthquake begins at Seismic risk. The chance of injury,
depth in Earth’s crust. Magnitude (M). A number that damage, or loss resulting from seismic
represents the size of an earthquake, hazards. There is no risk, even in a
Fault. A fracture or crack along which as determined from seismographic region of high seismic hazard, if there
the two sides slide past one another. observations. An increase of one unit are no people or property that could
of magnitude (for example, from 4.6 be injured or damaged by a quake.
Fault rupture. The area of Earth to 5.6) corresponds approximately to a
through which fault movement occurrs thirty-fold increase in energy released Seismograph. A sensitive instrument
during an earthquake. For large (by definition, a two-unit increase in that detects and records seismic waves
quakes, the section of the fault that magnitude —for example, from 4.7 generated by an earthquake.
ruptures may be several hundred miles to 6.7—represents a thousand-fold
in length. Ruptures may or may not increase in energy). Quakes smaller Strike-slip fault. A generally near-
extend to the ground surface. than magnitude 2.5 generally are not vertical fault along which the two sides
felt by humans. move horizontally past each other. The
Fault scarp. A steep, linear break or most famous example is California’s
slope formed where a fault ruptures Mainshock. The largest quake of San Andreas fault.
the ground surface. an earthquake sequence, possibly
preceded by smaller foreshocks and Surface faulting (surface fault
Fault segment. A part of a fault that is commonly followed by aftershocks. rupture). Propagation of an
thought to rupture independently of
earthquake-generating fault rupture to
other parts of the fault. One or more Mantle. The layer of heated viscous
the surface, displacing the surface and
segments may rupture in a single rock between Earth’s crust and core.
forming a fault scarp.
earthquake.
Normal fault. An inclined fault along
Tectonic plate. Earth’s outer shell is
Foreshock. An earthquake which the upper side moves downward
that precedes the largest quake relative to the lower side. Utah’s composed of large, relatively strong
(“mainshock”) of an earthquake Wasatch fault is a good example. “plates” that move relative to one
sequence. Foreshocks may occur another. Movements on the faults that
seconds to weeks before the Parapet. A wall-like barrier at the edge define plate boundaries produce most
mainshock. Not all mainshocks are of a roof. earthquakes.
preceded by foreshocks.
Retrofit. Strengthening an existing Tectonic subsidence. Downdropping
Intensity. A measure of ground structure to improve its resistance to and tilting of a basin floor on the
shaking describing the local severity the effects of earthquakes. downdropped side of a fault during an
of an earthquake in terms of its effects earthquake.
33
ONLINE RESOURCES
Why should I care? (pages 1-11)
Earthquakes & Utah: http://geology.utah.gov/online/pdf/pi-48.pdf
Overview of Fault Movement in the Western United States:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/imw/imw_bnr_faults/
Recent Earthquakes in Utah: http://quake.utah.edu/
Earthquakes and Geologic Hazards: http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/hazards/index.htm
Earthquake Information Center: http://quake.utah.edu/EQCENTER/eqcenter.htm
University of Utah Seismograph Stations: http://quake.utah.edu
Utah Geological Survey: http://geology.utah.gov
Utah Seismic Safety Commission: http://www.ussc.utah.gov
United States Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
Why should I prepare? (pages 12-19) and What should I do? (pages 20-30)
American Red Cross: http://utahredcross.org
Be Ready Utah: http://beready.utah.gov
Citizen Corps: http://citizencorps.utah.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.fema.gov
Structural Engineers Association of Utah: http://www.seau.org
United States Department of Homeland Security: http://www.ready.gov/business
Utah Association of Contingency Planners: http://www.acputah.org
Utah Division of Homeland Security: http://publicsafety.utah.gov/homelandsecurity/
FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS
USGS