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Earthquakes

Learn how to prepare for an earthquake, respond during an earthquake, and stay informed about earthquakes. Find out why earthquakes matter and the history of major earthquakes in Utah. Discover resources and apps that can help keep you safe and informed.

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Earthquakes

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  1. Earthquakes How to prepare, respond, and stay informed.

  2. Why do earthquakes matter to us? • Salt Lake County and other heavily populated counties lie directly atop the Wasatch Fault. • The Wasatch Fault is one of the biggest and most active faults along the entire Intermountain Seismic Belt.

  3. A history of major Utah earthquakes. • May 13, 1914: Ogden • Sept. 29, 1921: Elsinore, Monroe, Richmond • Mar. 12, 1934: Kosmo, north of Great Salt Lake • Aug. 30, 1962: East Valley fault zone • Oct. 4, 1967: Marysvale area, southern Utah • Mar. 28, 1975: Utah-Idaho border

  4. Why do earthquakes happen? The crust of the Earth is made of multiple tectonic plates. Heat rising from the Earth’s core pushes the plates along the surface. As the magma cools, it sinks back down and drags the plates down with it.

  5. How do these plates cause earthquakes? Tectonic plates build up tension between others as they move on. When that tension snaps, earthquakes happen.

  6. Examples of plate boundaries. The San andreas faulta transform boundary An underwater divergent boundary

  7. Earthquakes in the United States. Faults located throughout the U.S. cause earthquakes, along with the San Andreas Fault on the West Coast.

  8. What is a fault? Faults are cracks in the tectonic plates, created from heat or pressure. They can crack or split further, creating earthquakes of their own.

  9. Examples of faults. New Madrid Fault A strike-slip fault

  10. Should we be worried? • Utah is due for an enormous, 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the same size of the one that devastated Haiti not too long ago. • Major quakes occur on the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch Fault approximately every 1,300 years on average. • Scientists estimate that it has been about 1,300 years since the last quake.

  11. How can we know if a quake is coming? Quakes send out a weaker, initial wave known as a Primary wave that can be picked up ahead of the more powerful, Secondary waves. Stations set up throughout the state can pick up these weaker waves first and send out warnings before the big ones hit.

  12. How to prepare for an earthquake. There are many ways to mitigate the danger an earthquake might pose, both before and during an earthquake.

  13. Know what to expect during a quake. • Falling objects are the biggest indoor threat. • Buildings can shake wildly, or even collapse. • Earthquakes can leave people confused and disoriented. • The stress can cause medical issues, such as heart attacks. • Utilities can break and pose hazards, like gas or power lines. • Aftershocks can follow after initial shaking has ended.

  14. Mitigate those dangers ahead of time. • Move or secure objects around your house to prevent falling. • Determine safe spots in your house to avoid panicking. • Learn techniques to keep calm during the earthquake. • Keep up a stock of emergency supplies.

  15. Be equipped for special considerations. • Personal care assistance: how can they respond to emergency? • Let neighbors know you may need aid during a disaster. • Preparations like walking aids, extra batteries for hearing aids.

  16. Emergency supplies to have. Water and food. Flashlight. Medical supplies. List of medical needs. Radio or backup cell phone.

  17. What should be the first response to an earthquake? Get under something steady and secure, and hold on.

  18. What to do during an earthquake. • If you are in bed, stay in bed. Otherwise, drop, cover, hold on. • Wheelchair users should get to a safe place and lock their wheels. • If outdoors, get to an open area clear of anything that could fall. • If driving, pull over immediately, preferably away from hazards. • Do not use the elevator.

  19. What to do after an earthquake. • Assist anyone in need of help. • Be careful of hazards. • If you have to move locations, leave a note of some kind for anyone who might come looking. • If you have a radio or phone, pay close attention to stay updated.

  20. What are some resources that can help? Phone apps that can help alert you of an earthquake, or provide help in finding family during disasters.

  21. QuakeFeed Earthquake tracker app for iPhones and iPads. Provides maps, alerts, and news on earthquakes around the world.

  22. Earthquake Alert App for Android devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy. All the same features as QuakeFeed before: alerts, news, maps.

  23. Family Locator Keep in touch with your family on iOS and Android systems. Can alert family members to your location, plus send messages. Helpful during and outside of disasters.

  24. Additional resources at Be Ready Utah. You can follow them on Twitter or Facebook for additional updates and information.

  25. Thank you. • We will be available for questions and help in accessing the apps or website.

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