New Earthquake Network Online
Log On To See Where Quake Hit

Sunday's earthquake in Magna was just big enough to get people's attention, but too small to cause any real damage.

Still, it's a big step forward for geologists and for Utah residents, who might want to know which places are most likely to shake when the earth rattles and rolls.

Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst has details.

Links Shake Map Report Your Earthquake Experience General Quake Info U of U Seismograph Stations How to Prepare, What To Do USGS National Earthquake Info Center Related Stories Quake Shakes Magna July 8 Chance of Big Earthquake Lower Than Predicted June 2000 Lake Fault Poses High Risk Oct. 2000

Instruments at the University of Utah record small shakes and shivers across the region every few minutes.

The Magna quake was significant, but nothing special.

SUE NAVA/UNIV. OF UTAH: "MAGNITUDE 3 AND LARGER EARTHQUAKES STATEWIDE HAPPEN ON AVERAGE ONCE A MONTH."

But this quake was noteworthy because it's the first real test of a new network of seismic instruments installed up and down the Wasatch Front.

They measure ground-shaking at various locations, and it's swiftly analyzed by computers.

Shortly after a quake, anyone can now click in on the Internet and see a map for themselves.

It will tell residents and officials within seconds where the quake was and exactly where ground shaking was weak or strong.

SUE NAVA/UNIV. OF UTAH: "WITH THIS SHAKE MAP INFORMATION, EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, GIVEN A LARGER SIZED EVENT, CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS INFORMATION TO LEARN WHERE THE GROUND-SHAKING WAS STRONGEST AND THEREFORE KNOW WHERE THEY SHOULD DEPLOY THEIR RESOURCES."

JOHN HOLLENHORST: "AN EARTHQUAKE NEAR LEHI AWHILE BACK GAVE THE SYSTEM ITS FIRST TEST. BUT THIS ONE IN MAGNA IS THE FIRST IN THE HEART OF THE MONITORING NETWORK."

The network is now beginning to build a data-base of g-forces that can bring down buildings in a big quake.

SUE NAVA/UNIV. OF UTAH: "WE CAN THEN ANALYZE IT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HAZARD IS THAT PEOPLE ARE FACING IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE VALLEY."

After the Magna quake, dozens of residents took advantage of another new feature on the internet: they logged in by zipcode and reported their own sensations during the quake.

SUE NAVA/UNIV. OF UTAH: "THEY'RE TELLING US MAYBE SOMETHING WAS KNOCKED OFF A SHELF, THEY FELT A VIBRATION. NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE."

All of it helps geologists understand what's happening under our feet.

--July 9, 2001--