Emergency

Preparedness
Shelbie Reynoso
Geography 1000
Wasatch Fault Line
The WFZ is a series of fault
segments, rather than a single fault.
This fault is around 220 miles long
going from Idaho to Utah. The WFZ
is a series of faults running North to
South.
Prepare for a Disaster
To prepare for an earthquake can be tricky. Earthquakes are unplanned, sudden, and the rapid shaking of the ground. Earthquakes can
cause may different effects. The best way to stay prepared is to have prepared kits for the emergencies. But knowing what to do during
the earthquake can help prepare anyone. The best technique to remember is to Drop, Cover and Hold On. Making sure to cover
your head and neck with your arms, or a desk if near one.

Having kits prepared for emergencies is important for any situation that may be causes. These kits could be the difference between
living and dying in certain occasions. There may be days where you are stranded. Being prepared with kits can make those days easier.
These kits should include:

● Three days worth of water and food (nonperishable) for each person, and pets
● First aid kits
● Flashlights with extra batteries
● Essential items (medication, tooth paste/brush, toilet paper, garbage bags, personal documents)
● Extra pairs of clothing
● Power packs for phones
● Cash
Impact of Earthquakes
There are many hazards that are caused by earthquakes. An earthquake on the Wasatch Fault may cause soil
liquefaction (saturated soil), flooding, slope failure (downslope movement of debris), and surface fault rupturing (fault
expands to the earth’s surface). These hazards cause damage to buildings and homes, which harms people and
animals. These hazards may also cause damage to water tanks, roads, railroads, airports and many other objects.
These hazards may occur miles from the epicenter. Causing risks to different areas around the fault movement.
Geography of Earthquakes
Earthquakes in Utah happen almost 700 times a year. On the Wasatch Fault there are only around 500 earthquakes
that happen. Luckily only around two percent of those earthquakes and aftershocks are felt. A year there are only
about thirteen earthquakes with a 3.0 magnitude or larger a year. That’s probably why we don’t feel all the
earthquakes that actually happen.

In Utah, earthquakes can happen anywhere. In March of 2020 at 7:09 AM, there was an earthquake in Magna. This
earthquake had a magnitude of 5.7. This earthquake caused damage to Magna and surrounding cities. Nearly 73,000
homes and buildings lose electricity. Many families had to move to shelters, buildings and roads were damaged or
destroyed. This was the biggest earthquake in Utah since 1992. The damage caused by the earthquake in 2020 costed
about sixty-two million dollars in structural damage, and around 629 million dollars in economic lost.

In Utah, magnitudes of 5 or larger occur about once in every ten years. While as magnitudes of 6 or larger only
happen once in every fifty years.
SOURCES
5.7 magnitude earthquake HITS Salt Lake city, area, unnerving residents. (2020). Retrieved April 24, 2021, from
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2863406001

Cea - how to make an earthquake emergency kit. (2019). Retrieved April 24, 2021, from
https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/Blog/2019/How-to-Make-an-Earthquake-Emergency-Kit

Earthquakes. (2021). Retrieved April 24, 2021, from https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

How big and how frequent are earthquakes on the WASATCH FAULT? (2015). Retrieved April 24, 2021, from
https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/how-big-and-how-frequent-are-earthquakes-wasatch-fault?qt-
science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

The Wasatch Fault. (1996). Retrieved April 23, 2021, from https://ugspub.nr.utah.gov/publications/public_information/pi-40.pdf