ST. GEORGE — An earthquake rumbled through the Mojave Desert not far from St. George Saturday morning, preliminarily reported as a 3.5 magnitude quake but later reassessed at 3.1 magnitude.
The temblor hit at 5:05 a.m. PDT, centered about 20 miles southwest of Alamo, 31.5 miles north of Moapa and 63 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada.
The U.S. Geological Survey / Nevada Seismological Survey registered the 3.1 magnitude earthquake 6.5 miles deep, which is considered a shallow quake.
Several other mild quakes were reported in the immediate area as well. Four hours before the quake hit, a 1.1 and a 1.3 tapped the area, too small to be felt, but measurable with seismographic instruments. Four other small quakes below 2.0 struck between noon PDT Thursday and 6:30 p.m. PDT Friday, the USGS web site reported.
Phone calls to local businesses indicated no damage or loss from the quake.
Seismic zone
Southern Utah and its surrounding region is seismically active, and the area has had its share of 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.
In 1902, an earthquake in Pine Valley estimated at magnitude 6.0 was felt over a wide area from Salt Lake City to St. George. Several distinct shocks were felt in addition to numerous aftershocks. The quake brought down large boulders in the mountains, collapsed ceilings, knocked down chimneys and destroyed a house in Pine Valley.
Earthquakes cannot be accurately forecast; however, preparations can be made in the event that a large quake does strike Southern Utah. A good guide to preparations and what to do in case of a quake is located here.
Read more: Southern Utah is earthquake country
St. George News reporter Julie Applegate contributed to this report.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews | @NewsWayman
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
that ain’t nothing. Where I’m at there was a 5.6 earthquake 70 miles away this morning at 7:02. Shook the whole building and lasted about 20 seconds. I haven’t felt an earthquake in a long time. I thought there were only tornados here. I was told last week that there are earthquakes here. Whaaaaat? And today we had a decent one. Many opportunities here: geologist? Storm chaser? Tornado chase? Casino worker?
I have been in several tornados and went through 2 hurricanes and that was it for me. no more tornado alley and no more living on the coast. and went through 2 bad earthquakes while my Dad was stationed in Japan. I know at times its easier said than done… brush yourself off and keep going
Wow Dumpster, ur just a regular Indiana JOnes adventure type, aint ya… Tell us about the time u climbed mt. everent. LOL
*everest, LOL
Hey Bob tell us about the government owned big pharma conspiracy theory. Lmao
LOL Dump, just calm down and relax. Where did i ever say government owned big pharma? Go find that post for us, Dump. It’ll be like a fun scavenger hunt for u, LOL!
typical state of denial eh Bob ? well that’s what happens when you put your foot in your mouth. but I’m still waiting for you to tell how the government took possession of big pharma . any time Bob
Dump, i think u got things all mixed up. my comments are there. go find where u think i said government owned big pharma. post the link. stop being lazy and dumb. LOL
Tell us all about your government owned big pharma again. it was funny then and still is
Hey Bob I did climb Mt Everest. so what’s your point ?
I’m sure in your own mind u did. that why they gave u those meds. take ’em! 😉
I did take my meds so what’s your point ?
I haven’t experienced a tornado yet, so when I do, it will be my first. I’m a little excited that I might like it and find a new hobby.
The worst earthquake I’ve been through was in 1987. The Whittier earthquake. I was less than 7 miles away. I was getting ready school and I was scared. The floor came up, it look like a foot high, and rolled. I called my mom at work crying, I don’t want to go to school. But good ole mom said, “you’re going to school”
I was awakened on the morning of my birthday in 1981 when my bed started swaying. Thought someone was playing a joke on me, but then the windows started to rattle – yikes! Ended up it was a 5.5 magnitude earthquake, the strongest to hit LA in over 10 years.
Had several experiences with tornados on the Plains. You’re right, Ladybug, you’ll get excited about them – but it might not be in a positive way! : )
Oh Henry, don’t burst my bubble LOL.
whre u at? kansas? nebraska? oklahoma
Oklahoma, outside edge of Tulsa
One thing about a tornado if your caught in it you will never forget the sound it makes. I won’t forget that sound. we came out of the storm cellar and there was absolutely nothing left both houses. barns. both silos. storage sheds. cars. trucks. tractors.the entire corn field. fence. garages. water tank. gone within a matter of seconds there was absolutely nothing left.
the part of the road the tornado went over was gone to. it’s amazing the amount of damage that wind can do
I could probably live comfortably for the rest of my life without experiencing my house being ripped away by a tornado ?
You like it out there ladybug ? I know it’s got to be a severe culture change from here
I love it! A lot of churches here but they are not LDS. And no plygs at Wal-Mart. Shocker!
Your comment is awaiting moderation. are we forbidden to troll the troll?
Don’t worry about Bob he’s upset because he feels left out
God Bless you Bob
No Bob you troll yourself because you are the troll
Your map shows the center 20 miles East Southeast of Alamo, or directly west of St Geo. Not southwest as the story indicated.
Well written article.