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Written and Designed by: Taylor Pitcher

I n early 2019 a series of minor earthquakes near the south end of Salt Lake County
caused many people to wonder if the residence in Salt Lake County and surrounding areas
should be concerned about the impending “big one” that has been predicted in this region
for quite some time. This Disaster Preparedness Plan will take a look into the science of a
potential earthquake hitting the Salt Lake County area and more specifically the potential
primary and secondary effects on the residence of this neighborhood area. It will look at
the geography of the area in which we reside and how that will impact those in this area
as well. It will also examine the potential magnitude of such and event and look back at
the frequency and cycles of earthquakes in the area to give a better indication of the
potential for this type of event to occur. We will also look at ways to mitigate and prevent
loss from occurring in the geographic are of this neighborhood.
Science of the Hazard

Earthquakes are brought on when two


blocks of earth, also known as tectonic
plates, slip past one another. The area
where the two blocks of earth slip is called
a fault. As the edges or place boundaries
slip past one another this causes an
earthquake. The place below the surface
where the slip or earthquake starts is
called the hypocenter and the location on
the surface directly above the hypocenter
is called the epicenter. Some earthquakes
have what are called foreshocks. These are
smaller earthquakes that occur leading up
to a larger earthquake, also known as the
mainshock. The larger earthquakes always
have aftershocks or smaller earthquakes
that occur in the same place after the Image rom: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epicenter_Diagram.svg
mainshock. Depending on how large the
mainshock is, aftershocks can continue for weeks, months, or even years.
The primary hazard of earthquakes would be from ground shaking. The reason that ground shaking is felt
not just at the epicenter is because while the plate boundaries are stuck together the rest of the ground is
moving around them. This movement creates energy build
up. The longer the energy builds the greater the size of the
earthquake when the boundaries become unstuck. At that
point the energy is released through ground shaking.
Ground shaking generally lasts only a few seconds ranging
from 10 to 30 seconds. The effects of ground shaking on
the geographic area depends on the geologic conditions.
For our neighborhood and this specific geographic area,
the geologic conditions are made up of lacustrine and
gravel deposits. These conditions can result in the
magnification of ground shaking. These geologic conditions
can also produce other hazards such as surface fault
rupture, tectonic subsidence, soil liquefaction, and
landslides.

Geography of the Hazard


This neighborhoods geographic area is approximately 8-10
miles from the nearest fault line on the Salt Lake segments
of the Wasatch fault. The neighborhoods geographical area
covers approximately one square mile. The elevation for the
geographic area of the neighborhood ranges from
approximately 4800 ft. at the low point to 5070 ft. at the
high point.

Earthquakes can occur almost anywhere in Utah, but


geologists believe that the greatest potential for a large
earthquake (7.0 or greater) would likely occur within the
Image from : http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/prepare/factsheets/ Intermountain seismic belt, which extends over 800 miles
Wasatch/FaultMap.gif from Montana through Utah south into northern Arizona.
With regard to the potential for an earthquake that quicksand, losing their strength and will flow freely.
would affect this specific geographic area, it would This causes structures to sink in this type of
most likely generate from the Wasatch fault which condition and results in significant structural
lies along the Wasatch Mountain Range and extends damage to buildings and homes. While the risk of
some 240 miles from Malad City, Idaho to Fayette, liquefaction for this neighborhood area is not as high
Utah. The fault consists of 10 segments that average as some areas of the Salt Lake valley if liquefaction
approximately 25 miles in length. The cause of a were to occur it would be disastrous for most homes
hazard that would have the greatest effect on this and businesses in the area due to the slope that they
geographic area would be if the Salt Lake City have been built on.
segment of the fault ruptures.
Another hazard that exists due to the slope the
Impacts of the Hazard homes are built on is landslides. Landslides generally
only occur within 25 miles from the epicenter of an
According to the Utah Natural Hazards Handbook,
earthquake. While liquefaction is less likely to occur
published in 2008, each segment along the Wasatch
in this area,
Front from
landslides would
Brigham City, UT
be the likely cause
to Nephi, UT have
of most major
shown evidence of
damage, due to
three to five major
the gravel deposits
surface-faulting
in the area
earthquakes over
loosening and
the past 6000
shifting down-hill.
years. The
recurrence The primary
intervals or effects from such
average time a catastrophe
between faulting would be
events for a large substantial. A
earthquake of 7.0- large earthquake
7.5 is measuring 7.0 or
approximately 300 greater along the
-400 years. The Salt Lake segment
most recent of the Wasatch
occurrence of one fault would cause
of these large an estimated $40
earthquakes along billion in damage
Image from: https://tremblingearth.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/the-great-utah-shakeout-this
the Wasatch Fault for just buildings,
-morning-1015am/
was between 350 not including
and 500 years ago. Based on these estimated other structures and financial losses. It is also
intervals a large surface-faulting along the Wasatch estimated that the worse case scenario would be
Fault is expected within the next 50 years. approximately 9000 fatalities and at least 150,000
people displace from their homes. For this geographic
A large surface-faulting of this magnitude along the
area these losses would be considerable. The slope of
Salt Lake segment of the Wasatch Fault would be
this area would likely cause substantial damage to
catastrophic for those living in the Salt Lake valley.
homes and other property due to the high likelihood
There is a high probability of liquefaction occurring
of landslides and the potential for liquefaction. Roads
in a large area of the Salt Lake valley, however there
and other infrastructure would also be likely be
is a less probability of that type of hazard occurring
affected which could add to the loss of life due to the
in this neighborhood geographical area due to the
inability to transport those who are severely injured
type of geologic conditions of this area. Liquefaction
and that emergency response would be significantly
occurs in sandy soils that are water bearing and
delayed.
cohesionless. Essentially these soils become like
Image from: http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/

The secondary effects from this type of large earthquake would also be considerable. Roads would most likely
be damaged which would make travel very difficult and/or impossible. Finding shelter for those families
displaced due to the loss of their homes would also be a concern. Due to the substantial losses that are
likely to occur there is a good chance that the utilities will be out for a significant period of time. The
financial impact this kind of earthquake could have on individual families is also significant, due to damages
to homes and other assets, as well as personal property.

Mitigation and Preparedness

Mitigation efforts when it comes to earthquakes can be tricky. Much of the mitigation efforts for homes and
businesses should have been done during the zoning and building phases. During the zoning phases for
neighborhoods, land-use planning is critically important in mitigating damage to homes and other
structures. Through community master plans, zoning ordinances, and geologic-hazards ordinances are
supposed to define hazard areas. They require the developers to show that these hazards have been
investigated and that any buildings or homes will not be at risk. Since all of the homes in the geographic
area of this neighborhood were built within the past 20 years they shouldn’t require any type of retrofitting
to make sure they are earthquake safe. Some homeowners may still choose to have their homes inspected to
see if there is anything there are any concerns or issues that should be addressed.

Another type of loss that we can help mitigate is the loss of life. It is important for people to be educated
about earthquake safety. The more we know and understand about earthquakes the better prepared we can
be in the event that and earthquake occurs. Have things like food storage, extra water, and other supplies on
hand is important in the case of a large earthquake which has the potential to affect utilities such as water,
gas, and electricity. Understanding these risks and preparing ways to overcome the challenges they present
will allow us to better survive this type of hazard. It is recommended that families should have enough to
sustain themselves for several weeks if necessary until relief efforts from groups like the American Red Cross
arrive. Another thing that can help in the mitigation of loss of life is if people are trained in basic first aid
skills and can help care for those that may become injured in an earthquake. Being able to provide some
type of care until emergency medical professionals can respond is important. Taking a basic first aid class
and CPR course could potentially save someone’s life in this type of event.

In the end it all comes down to preparation and understanding that we live in an area that has the potential
to be affected by a significant earthquake and that we need to prepare ourselves, our families, and our
homes in the event that such a hazard were to occur. Things done by the state such as the “Great Shake
Out” drills is another way to help prepare yourself and family for such an event. Also, reading publications
like, “Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country” which is produced by the Utah Seismic Safety
Commission, can have very big impact on preparing your family and loved ones for the “big one.”

References
Eldridge, Sandra N. and Christenson, Gary E. 2008. Earthquakes.
Utah Natural Hazards Handbook. Pg. 3– 15.

Wald, Lisa. The Science of Earthquakes. USGS


https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php

Castleton, Jessica J., Elliott, Ashley S., and McDonald, Greg N. 2014. Geologic Hazards
Of the Copperton Quadrangle, Salt Lake County, Utah,
https://ugspub.nr.utah.gov/publications/special_studies/ss-152/ss-152.pdf

Solomon, Barry J.; Storey, Niel; Wong, Ivan; Silva, Walter; Gregor, Nick; Wright, Douglas;
and McDonald, Greg; 2004. Earthquake-Hazards Scenario for a M7 Earthquake on the Salt Lake
City Segment of the Wasatch Fault Zone, Utah. https://ugspub.nr.utah.gov/publications/special_studies/ss-111.pdf

UGS—Gary Christenson, Christopher DuRoss, Sandra Eldredge, Michael Hylland; UDHS—Robert Carey; UUSS—Walter Arabasz,
Kristine Pankow; SEAU— Barry Welliver. Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country: Your Handbook for Earthquakes in Utah. Utah
Seismic Safety Commission, 2008. Salt Lake City, Utah. Printed by Utah Geologic Survey, 2008.

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