ST. GEORGE — A small earthquake was reported Wednesday morning south of St. George.
The earthquake, originally measured at magnitude 3.6, was reported to have occurred at 8:41 a.m. about 8 miles south of St. George, according to the United States Geological Survey.
One St. George News reader reported feeling the earthquake “big time” in the Bloomington area, further describing the quake as one that “felt like two rocks crashed against each other – a jolt, not a roll.”
Another St. George resident, Donna Rode, said she was at her office on Mall Drive and Riverside Drive when she felt the Wednesday morning quake.
“I was in my office at busybusy software,’ Rode said. “It was nice and quiet when the quake hit. It was not a rolling motion – the quakes that roll are farther away. It was a shaking motion. (It) went on for about 5 seconds then finished with a large jolt.”
In addition to St. George, residents in Bloomington, Bloomington Hills, Santa Clara, Ivins, Washington City and Virgin, as well as Beaver Dam, Arizona, reported feeling the quake.
The quake was later downgraded to a 3.4 magnitude.
Southern Utah and the surrounding area is seismically active and is no stranger to earthquakes. Quakes measuring 5.0 or above struck Cedar City in 1942, Kanab in 1959 and St. George in 1992.
The 1992 5.6 magnitude earthquake occurred along the Hurricane fault and triggered a large landslide that destroyed three homes in Springdale.
Earthquakes cannot be accurately forecast, but preparations can be made in the event that a large quake does strike.
The USGS recommends the following in case of a severe earthquake:
- If you are indoors: Stay there. Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (drop, cover, and hold on) or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces and heavy furniture or appliances. Get out of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). Don’t run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.
- If you are outside: Get into the open, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys and anything else that might fall on you.
- If you are driving: Stop carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. Do not stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines or signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. When you resume driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.
- If you are in a mountainous area: Watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.
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Fires from earthquakes are one of the biggest sources of destruction.
The majority of devastation in the 1906 San Francisco shaker was not from the earthquakes but from fires. The 1994 Northridge California earthquake occurred on January 17. It had a duration of approximately 10–20 seconds. This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.7, producing ground acceleration that was the highest ever instrumentally recorded in an urban area in North America location. 33 people died immediately or within a few days from injuries sustained.
Unsecured and even strapped-in water heaters ripping away from their wall mounted straps were the main cause of the residential and apartment fires.
Even though many states still require water heaters to be “anchored, strapped or braced”, unfortunately, millions of residents still use plumbers tape or metal straps screwed into walls to support the 350-500 pound water heaters.
In a moderate earthquake, there is still enough energy to tear the water heater away from walls and break the gas lines.
Now, I’m not one that pushes consumer products, but, I found a product that “anchors, straps AND braces” the water heater to the FLOOR. This is by far the best water heater bracing device I found.
This website: http://holdrite.com/products/water-heater-accessories/ has all the info.
Besides, we now have a secured source of 50 gallons of potable water in the event of a catastrophe.
Very thought provoking reply Sedona. You have me double checking my hot water tank.
I felt it I live in the Dixie Downs area I was on my bed watching t.v. my bed is up against the wall and all of a sudden loud boom I was pushed forward like my wall shoved me forward I felt it a little go through me. If my coffee didn’t wake me that sure did. Lol I remember when I was younger in San Diego I was playing in the driveway and the ground moved it was a 6.5 earthquake yikes
Was that the one in the late 60’s? Felt it too. We went out to Borrego Springs or Salton Sea area to see the looooooong crack there.
Hi no it was early 80’s I was born in 69′
Here in my 2nd Floor condo in Green Valley, I felt a sudden shaking of the building and a noise for about 3 seconds. Went outside to see what the ruckus was and found nothing amiss. When I saw this report, I realized it was an earthquake.
I was sitting in my parked car and it started rocking. Thought my husband or kids were playing a trick on me at first… wish that were the case!
Hope you have your Earthquake insurance paid up…