A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck Utah just before 8 a.m. on Thursday, according to reports from seismic authorities.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately six miles south of the Wyoming state line and a few miles west of State Route 150, according to Keith Koper, director of the University of Utah Seismological Observatory.
Residents across a wide area reported feeling the shaking. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, people as far north as Richmond and as far south as Provo submitted reports confirming they felt the quake. On social media, several users said the tremor was strong enough to wake them from sleep, while others initially mistook it for a passing train or household movement.
By mid-morning, seismologists had recorded at least six aftershocks following the main earthquake, Koper said.
The event drew particular interest from scientists because it occurred in an unusual location, east of the main Wasatch Fault Zone. “For us, it’s sort of like a puzzle,” Koper explained. “Why exactly did this earthquake happen where it did? What can we learn about the faults in this area?”
Despite the shaking, officials said the earthquake likely caused little to no damage. However, Koper reminded residents that Utah remains seismically active and encouraged preparedness measures, including securing water heaters and ensuring that heavy objects are not placed above beds.
He also advised residents to review earthquake safety guidelines provided by the Utah Seismic Safety Commission.
