Historical ID earthquakes | U of U Seismograph Stations

1975 – Pocatello Valley, ID – M 6.0

Posted on January 11, 2020January 11, 2020 by webdev

Intermountain Seismic Belt Historical Earthquake Project

March 27, 1975 – Pocatello Valley, ID – M 6.0

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred approximately 15 miles southwest of Malad City, Idaho, on Thursday, March 27, 1975 at 7:31 p.m.

Shaking from the earthquake was reported felt as far north as Idaho Falls, Idaho, as far south as Richfield, Utah, as far east as Rock Springs, Wyoming, and as far west as Wells, Nevada. However, the greatest amount of property damage occurred in Malad City, located about 40 miles from the epicenter.

The damage in Malad City was widespread—almost every home and building was affected. An April 11 newspaper report noted that 520 homes and 26 businesses were damaged by the earthquake shaking with seven homes completely destroyed.

Damage included: cracked and collapsed walls, cracked and fallen plaster, cracked foundations, buildings shifted from foundations, downed chimneys and damaged roofs, broken windows and at least one collapsed fireplace. Additionally, dishes and goods fell from shelves and were broken and pictures fell from walls. In some places in town, fallen bricks and mortar littered the streets. Phone service in some areas was temporarily interrupted.

No deaths were reported in connection with the earthquake. There was one reported injury consisting of minor cuts and bruises caused by a falling roof panel.

In the Pocatello Valley, seasonal-use buildings showed damage including: shifting off foundations, cracked walls and downed chimneys. Dishes and goods in cupboards were spilled onto floors. A silo in the area collapsed, spilling grain out onto the ground. Some irrigation wells in the area were also feared to be damaged.

Two large ground fractures north of the Utah-Idaho border were discovered. One fracture, a mile in length, and the other, 200 feet in length were later determined to be fault lines.

In some Utah communities, telephone circuits were overloaded with calls, causing temporary service outages. The earthquake caused a broken water main in Bothwell, Utah. A broken water line and damage to a school building in Salt Lake City were both attributed to the earthquake.

For additional information about this earthquake:

For more information about this project:

1994 – Draney Peak, ID – M 5.9

Posted on January 8, 2020January 8, 2020 by webdev

Intermountain Seismic Belt Historical Earthquake Project

February 3, 1994 – Draney Peak, ID – M 5.9

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred approximately 10 miles west of Afton, Wyoming at 2:05 a.m. on Thursday, February 3, 1994.

The earthquake was felt in parts of four states: Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. The strongest shaking was reported felt in and around the Star Valley, Wyoming area. Other cities where shaking was felt included: Pocatello, Soda Springs and Montpelier, Idaho; Jackson, Wyoming; Salt Lake City and Moab, Utah; and Grand Junction, Colorado.

Reports from Afton, Wyoming, noted that the earthquake was accompanied by a loud roaring sound. Heavy furniture and large appliances were moved by the shaking. Lamps overturned, items fell from shelves and pictures from walls. Some private water wells were muddied in Star Valley, Wyoming. Some areas reported that their pets appeared to be upset by the earthquake.

In Utah’s Salt Lake Valley, the earthquake set off a number of burglar alarms. The Salt Lake City Dispatch Center was overwhelmed with calls seeking information, making it difficult to respond had there been calls reporting serious damage or injuries.

In the epicentral area, property damage included cracked foundations, structural shifting, damage to plaster walls and chimneys, broken windows, broken dishes and food bottles. A fish hatchery near Auburn, Wyoming reported that the earthquake shifted a support wall, causing the roof of the building to sag.

No deaths or major injuries were reported for this earthquake.

For additional information about this earthquake:

For more information about this project:

1884 – Bear Lake, ID – M 6.3

Posted on December 18, 2019December 18, 2019 by webdev

Intermountain Seismic Belt Historical Earthquake Project

November 10, 1884 – Bear Lake, ID – M 6.3

On Monday, November 10, 1884, at 1:50 a.m., a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred on the east shore of Bear Lake, Idaho, near the Idaho-Utah border, approximately 10 miles southeast of Saint Charles, Idaho.

A report indicated that the earthquake was felt by people throughout the Bear Lake Valley. Felt reports were received from individuals in the Idaho cities of Paris, Montpelier, Soda Springs and Pocatello. Reports were also received from Evanston, Wyoming and the Utah cities of Blaine, Brigham City, Logan, Ogden and Salt Lake City.

It was reported that much damage was done to houses in Paris, Idaho, including cracked walls. The shaking rattled dishes and threw some unsecured items from shelves. Some people reported feeling seasick. People in Montpelier, Idaho, reported hearing a rumbling noise and rattling windows. Houses were shaken and items were thrown from shelves.

In Ogden, Utah, the shaking rattled windows and furniture and awakened people, but no serious damage was done. A report from Brigham City, Utah, noted that people were awakened, beds were shaken and items were shaken from tables. In Salt Lake City, Utah, it was reported that the earthquake was accompanied by a low rumbling sound. Windows, lamps, beds and other furniture were shaken. The shaking awakened some people.

For additional information about this earthquake:

For more information about this project:

1905 – Shoshone, ID – M 5½ ±

Posted on November 13, 2019 by webdev

Intermountain Seismic Belt Historical Earthquake Project

November 11, 1905 – Shoshone, ID – M 5½ ±

At 3:26 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, 1905, a magnitude 5 ½ ± earthquake occurred approximately 5 miles southwest of Shoshone, Idaho.

Reports from the town of Shoshone indicated that dishes were knocked from shelves, and cracks occurred in some stone and brick buildings. Widespread damage to ceiling plaster was also reported.

The earthquake was reported felt to the west in Glenns Ferry, Idaho where dishes rattled; northeast in Hailey, Idaho where dishes rattled and glass was broken in some window panes; and to the northwest in Idaho City where the earthquake was widely felt but no damage was done. Felt reports from Boise, Idaho indicated that the earthquake was particularly felt by individuals working on higher floors of buildings where the shaking caused furniture and light fixtures to move.

The earthquake was distinctly felt to the southeast in Ogden, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah—particularly by those working in upper floors of buildings. The shaking caused many individuals to flee from buildings. Some reported that bookcases, furniture, pictures, light fixtures and appliances moved. Dishes rattled and some clocks stopped. Some individuals reported feeling dizzy and nauseous. However, no significant damage or injuries were reported.

For additional information about this earthquake:

For more information about this project:

1945 – Central Idaho – M 6.0

Posted on August 14, 2019 by webdev

Intermountain Seismic Belt Historical Earthquake Project

February 13, 1945 – Central Idaho – M 6.0

The second large earthquake to strike Central Idaho in less than a year, occurred Tuesday, February 13 at 8:01 p.m. (local time). The earthquake, located approximately 25 miles west northwest of Custer, Idaho, caused buildings and light fixtures to sway, and rattled dishes and window blinds. No injuries or significant damage were reported.

The earthquake was reported generally felt throughout central and north Idaho and southeastern Washington. Felt reports were received from the Idaho communities of Moscow, Boise, Lewiston, Star, Eagle, and Cascade; and from Spokane, Washington and Seattle, Washington.

Telephone switchboards at radio stations, fire stations, police departments and newspaper offices in Boise were flooded with calls.

One newspaper reported, in jest, that the earth tremors might be the result of comments made by Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Yalta Conference held in the Soviet Union, February 4-11, 1945.

For additional information about this earthquake:

For more information about this project:

1944 – Central Idaho – M 6.1

Posted on August 14, 2019August 14, 2019 by webdev

Intermountain Seismic Belt Historical Earthquake Project

July 12, 1944 – Central Idaho – M 6.1

On Wednesday, July 12, 1944 at 12:30 p.m. (local time), a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in the Central Idaho area, approximately 20 miles west of Custer, Idaho.

The shaking caused some individuals to flee homes and other buildings, but no injuries were reported.

There were reports of swaying buildings and light fixtures, moving furniture and stopped clocks. Some minor damage occurred from falling dishes.

The earthquake was reported felt in local cities of Boise, Nampa, Garden Valley and Idaho City, Weiser, Caldwell and Payette. Individuals in Juntura, Oregon; Ontario, Oregon; Spokane, Washington; and Helena, Montana also reported ground shaking.

In Idaho City, telephone lines were overwhelmed with calls inquiring if the shaking was due to explosions or bombs.

For additional information about this earthquake:

For more information about this project: