Patricia Gamarra Vargas

Natural Disasters 1700

April 27, 2015
Shake and Partake

Salt Lake City is overdue for a large-scale earthquake. Seismologists predict that the severity of
the quake will reach between 6.5 to 7.5 on the Richter scale (Schuske, 2). According to Kim Schuske
of Explore Utah Science -- an online journal dedicated to uncovering science stories in Utah major
earthquakes in Utah are rare, and have been rare for many years. Schuske worked with Chris DuRoss
from the Utah Geological Survey. During her research she said, "Unlike in California, there have not
been any large earthquakes over the past 150 years since the Wasatch Front was settled. In fact,
DuRoss group and others have found that there have only been about four earthquakes in the last 5,000
years along the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch Fault" (Schuske, 4). This brings fear into the
informed. Seismologists have warned the public about the dangers of living on the biggest fault line in
Utah. Some have even warned of flooding due to a tidal wave lifting from the Great Salt Lake and
crashing into urban and suburban areas just east of the East Great Salt Lake Fault Line (Huffington, 5).
The Huffington Post claims that this is a problem that has many experts worried. The Post also
describes the threat of land slides in canyons. These are imminent threats, and many are worried that
the earthquake could happen any day.
Earthquakes occur in Salt Lake City more often then we think. According
to earthquaketrack.com, the state has experienced twenty-two earth quakes in the past two years. These
ranged from central Utah to Ogden. All of them followed the Wasatch Fault line. However, with the
clock ticking many worry that the time is up for the big quake to hit, and when it does hit many of
those worries will become reality.
Damage to the city from this earthquake will be massive for many reasons. One reason is that

Salt Lake City rests above soft lake sediment. When quakes happen in areas such as
this, liquefaction occurs. According to the University of Washington, liquefaction is a process where
water beneath the surface softens the soil and the space between particles fills with water, so when an
earthquake strikes the water pressure changes and structures are at risk of more harm than most
earthquakes of similar magnitudes. For example, buildings, bridges, vehicles, and dams are likely to
sink, shift, and burst in severe areas (Ce.washington.edu, 3). For the Salt Lake Valley, structural
damage is likely to be worse because of this contributing factor.
Some areas of the valley are at greater risk of damage than others. According to the Utah
Geological Survey, among the three fault lines in the valley, those just above and below the Wasatch
Front Fault Line will suffer the greatest damage. The MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) indicates that
the strength severity of the quake in these areas reach between .9 and 1.1 -- the highest rating on the
scale (UGS).
The Deseret News provided information about scenarios which can help reduce the number of
casualties when this earthquake happens. They claimed that during the workday it was more likely that
people would be in safer commercial buildings which were newer as opposed to homes made of brick
which are unstable in such instances. They also claimed that during rush hour in the morning or
evening would help prevent deaths, because those in-transit have a better chance of survival since there
is a less likely occurrence of debris falling. Besides this, if debris does fall, it might cause less damage
to the person, since the vehicles would, at times, act as a good enough shield to save their life. They
also explained that the worst time to strike would be in winter in the middle of the night, since many
would be sleeping and have less time to reach a safer area of the house. Besides this, since many would
be displaced from homes and would be forced to go outside in harsh conditions after the quake (Lee,
10). The best preparation in such an occurrence is to move to a safer location with better structural
integrity and otherwise prepare for an earthquake by having a strategy when it strikes.

References

Ce.washington.edu,. 'What Is Soil Liquefaction'. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.

Davidson, Lee. '7.0 Earthquake: If The Big One Hits Utah's Wasatch Front'. DeseretNews.com. N.p.,
2010. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
LiveScience.com,. 'Salt Lake City Could See Bigger Earthquakes'. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Schuske, Kim. 'Explore Utah Science - Earthquake Risk In The Salt Lake
Valley'.Exploreutahscience.org. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
The Huffington Post,. 'Salt Lake City Could See Bigger Earthquakes'. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015.
Utah Geological Survey,. 'Ground-Shaking Map For 7.0 Earthquake Of The Wasatch Fault'. N.p., 2015.
Web. 23 Apr. 2015.