What is the history of earthquakes in Utah?
Utah has experienced 17 earthquakes greater than magnitude (M) 5.5 since pioneer settlement in 1847, and geologic investigations of our region’s faults indicate a long history of repeated large earthquakes of M 6.5 and greater prior to settlement
While Utah is not on a boundary between tectonic plates where most of the world’s earthquakes occur, it is in the tectonically extending western part of the North American plate. Thus, earthquakes in Utah are related to interactions with the Pacific plate along the plate margin on the west coast of the United States. Also, many small earthquakes in east-central Utah are induced by underground coal mining. Source: Utah Geological Survey
Click here for more information on earthquakes
Click here for a StoryMap about large earthquakes on the Wasatch Fault
Explore the earthquakes occurring in the Central Wasatch since 1975 by clicking on the earthquake epicenters on the map.
