August 15, 1997

But if you want to know about either event, the Utah Geological Survey has two Public Information Series pamphlets just for you. "Earthquakes & Utah" discusses Utah's seismic history and answers commonly asked questions of where, why, and how often earthquakes occur in Utah; how big they are; how they are measured; and what may happen during one. "Utah Gold: History, Placers, and Recreational Regulations" examines the history of gold discoveries in Utah, reveals the locations of gold placers (sand or gravel deposits containing concentrations of gold), describes Fool's Gold, and outlines recreational gold panning and dredging regulations in the state. Both publications are available in the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore, 1594 West North Temple.

Utah is a seismically active area, with moderate, potentially damaging earthquakes occurring on average every 10 to 50 years. Damage in quakes depends on the number and types of structures in the area, as well as local geologic conditions, so the more powerful earthquakes are not always the most damaging. Over the past 6,000 years, at least 19 earthquakes powerful enough to rupture the ground surface occurred along the Wasatch fault.

Gold deposits are far more rare, and those that are known have been worked heavily in the past 100 years. Still, for the adventuresome, finding gold is possible in any stream or river that crosses a gold-mineralized area. There are nine identifiable areas of the state where placer deposits have been reported. Recreational panning and dredging is still possible in some locations, but there are regulations that need to be followed.