M 3.7 under Yellowstone Lake, YNP

PRESS RELEASE

University of Utah Seismograph Stations 

Released: March 29, 11:30 AM (MDT)

Earthquake Swarm on March 29, 2023

The University of Utah Seismograph Stations reports a sequence of earthquakes beneath the northern portion of Yellowstone Lake, WY, approximately 3 mi SSE of Lake, WY. The sequence began with a magnitude 0.7 earthquake at 11:18 PM (MDT) on March 28. As of 11:30 AM on March 29, 60 earthquakes have been recorded, with magnitudes ranging from -0.1 to 3.7. Additional smaller magnitude events are still being reviewed. Two earthquakes in the sequence were above magnitude 3.0. These were a magnitude 3.1 at 7:05 AM and a magnitude 3.7 at 8:24 AM.

Earthquake sequences like these are common and account for roughly 50% of the total seismicity in the Yellowstone region.

A total of 44 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater have occurred within 16 mi of the epicenter of the M3.7 event since 1962.  The largest of these events was a magnitude 3.9 on December 27, 2008, 4.3 mi SSE of Fishing Bridge, WY.  One earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or greater has occurred within 32 mi of the epicenter of this event since 1962.  This was a magnitude 4.8 on March 30, 2014, 2.8 mi N of Norris Junc., WY.

Anyone who felt an earthquake is encouraged to fill out a survey form on the US Geological Survey website: earthquake.usgs.gov.