Intermountain Seismic Belt Historical Earthquake Project
July 15, 1915 – Provo, UT – M 5.0
According to newspaper accounts this earthquake was felt throughout the Utah, Salt Lake, and Bear River Valleys, and also in Provo Canyon, Tooele, Parley’s Canyon, and Park City, Utah. The felt area measured 13,000 square kilometers.
In parts of Utah Valley buildings swayed, chimneys toppled, building walls were cracked, and individuals were knocked from chairs and couches. Wallpaper was split over doors and plaster was cracked and shaken loose. Dishes and pans rattled. In Provo Canyon shaking from the earthquake caused rockslides which blocked at least one road. At Utah Lake an upheaval of water, like a small tidal wave, was sighted.
In the Salt Lake Valley clocks stopped, windows and dishes rattled, and furniture was knocked over. Cans and packages were shaken from grocery store shelves.
Shaking appeared to be more pronounced in the upper floors of taller buildings both in Provo and Salt Lake City. In some locations both in the Utah and Salt Lake Valleys, the shaking caused individuals to rush out of buildings. This was the case throughout Provo where people hurried into the streets wondering what had happened. It was reported that more than an hour passed before the city resumed normal activities.
There were no reports of injuries or significant damage from the earthquake.
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