GeoJournal 2: Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics in the News

Recently, there has been a lot of natural disasters throughout the United States. We had Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Irma in Florida. In addition to these hurricanes, there had been earthquakes too, notably in Mexico and Idaho.

Figure 1.0-A quake in Mexico last week leveled the city hall in Juchitán de Zaragoza and left dozens dead.

Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

In page 44 of the text, the theory of plate tectonics is defined as " A theory which proposes that Earth's outer shell consists of individual plates that interact in various ways and thereby produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and the crust itself".

Now I ask myself: "Is there a possibility that there may be earthquakes here in Salt Lake City?"

The answer is yes. 

Although the chances are fairly small, there are still many faults in Utah. Notably in my local area, there is the Wasatch Fault. This fault runs through Salt Lake City, "which is built on the sediments of a former lake bed — terrain which is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because the softness of the ground amplifies shaking and potentially increases damage"(Young, para. 7). 

Figure 2.0--Primary Faults in Utah. Credit to USGS

This Wasatch Fault is a normal active fault. If there was an earthquake along this fault, especially in Salt Lake City, it would be catastrophic, especially since there is a lot of people in the city.

I have spoken about it before, but where I am literally surrounded by mountains. And it isn't like small hill around me. No. Mountains.  I will be honest. Sometimes I take the Earth for granted because I was genuinely surprised that there was a chance there can be an earthquake here. It was ignorant to believe that in a valley, there would not be even the slightest chance of an earthquake.

I can see how some people may think "why would anyone want to build a city where there is a chance (very slim) for a devastating disaster?". In all fairness, the earth has been here long before people settled on the land. 

Thank you everyone for joining me today. Feel free to leave your comments and hope to see you all next week!

source: https://www.decodedscience.org/watching-wasatch-earthquakes-utah/60465