July 8, 2004

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) has released its newest CD publication, Earthquake-Hazards Scenario for a M7 Earthquake on the Salt Lake City Segment of the Wasatch Fault Zone, Utah.

The authors mapped geologic hazards posed by a magnitude 7 earthquake in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area on the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch fault zone, a major active zone of normal faulting. This event is typical of large earthquakes expected in the central Wasatch Front region of northern Utah.

This publication will be a valuable tool for scientists and emergency-response planners to estimate the extent of damage and disruption, approximate number of casualties, repair and replacement costs, losses of function for critical facilities, and extent of induced hazards. The CD includes a map showing the severity of ground shaking for the entire Wasatch Front that could be caused by such an earthquake in the Salt Lake area. Other maps in the publication show areas where surface faulting, liquefaction, and landslides may occur.

This CD is available at the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore, 1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City (801-537-3320 or 1-888-UTAHMAP; http://mapstore.utah.gov) at a cost of $24.95.