Fault Line Responsible for Earthquakes in Southern Utah

A fault line runs from the end of the Cedar Valley, down past Toquerville and Hurricane, across the Grand Canyon and all the way to just east of Kingman Arizona. It is known as the Hurricane Fault and is capable of delivering a 7.0 earthquake. In 1992 this fault moved causing a 5.8 temblor known as the St. George earthquake. 

https://youtu.be/9Tfrpo94vKY?si=NgkcMcnnxu87nzbp
https://youtu.be/9Tfrpo94vKY?si=NgkcMcnnxu87nzbp
loading...

So, what are the chances of it shaking again in the near future? The US Geological Survey notes that the fault has been active for a very long time, and therefore, will likely continue to be. 

Complex geology and variable topography along the 250-kilometer-long Hurricane fault in northwestern Arizona and southwestern Utah combine to create natural conditions that can present a potential danger to life and property.   

Some of those potential dangers are of course the shaking of buildings and houses, but it could also block streams and rivers causing possible flooding. The fault also shows a long history of landslides. This could cause damage to roads and structures close by. 

Read More: Utah is the Highest on National Scale for Landslides

This information from a website about Silver Reef gives a good idea how active the fault has been. By looking at the disruption to ancient lava flows on the ridge, they can get an idea. 

Knowing how much the rocks are offset by faulting (1200 feet) and knowing the age of the flow (850,000 years old), it is a simple matter to calculate a long-term average rate of displacement on the fault of nearly two feet per thousand years. 

If those calculations are correct, we shouldn’t see too much shaking in Southern Utah any time soon. Of course, nothing is for sure and it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

KEEP READING: Get answers to 51 of the most frequently asked weather questions...

More From Star 98