PLANETARY TREMORS: 3.7 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Near Helena, Montana - USGS!

USGS earthquake location.

February 4, 2016 - MONTANA, UNITED STATES - A 3.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded near Helena early Thursday morning, according to an initial report from the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake was centered six miles south of Helena at 12:47 a.m.

An earthquake of that size could be felt quite noticeably by people indoors, according to the USGS.

Clancy, mt - Shook the knobs on dresser Helena - Windows were rattling, woke me up. Clancy - happened about 1am local time, thought it was the wind or somebody in the house jumping, enough to wake up the wife Clancy - Violent rattling of windows that woke us up at 12:46 AM, house shaking and creaking. Clancy - About 12:35am and woke up from sleep due to shaking and our huskies howling, felt several aftershocks too. We live at the end of Halford Rd up Lump Gulch in Clancy, Mt Clancy - It woke me just around 1:00 am. Felt very similar to the last one. I had to get out of bed to see if something fell over or a person was in my house.

Thursday's quake came on the heels of a 4.3 magnitude earthquake centered 12 miles east of Lincoln at 12:31 p.m. Saturday, according to an updated USGS report.

USGS shakemap intensity.

An online search of USGS archives did not show any earthquakes with a magnitude of greater than 3.4 within 40 miles of Helena in all of 2015. - IR.

Seismicity of Yellowstone

Earthquake epicenters in Yellowstone reveal a pattern of intense seismicity related to faults and volcanic features. Plotted here are Yellowstone's 1973-1996 earthquakes on digital topography showing their relation of epicenters to faults and post-caldera (post 631,000 year old) volcanic vents.

Intense swarms of shallow earthquakes and occasional moderate-sized earthquakes as large as the MS = 6.1 earthquake in 1975 near Norris Junction, characterize the seismicity of Yellowstone. Norris also has the highest temperature hydrothemal system in the park. The geophysical evidence suggests that earthquakes of Yellowstone are influenced by the presence of magmas, partial melts, and hydrothermal activity at crustal depths from near surface to depths of ~5 km. Earthquakes occur on faults that form boundaries of small upper-crustal blocks and reflect a combination of deformation caused by local transport of magma and hydrothermal fluids as well as by the regional northeast extension superimposed from the Basin-Range tectonic stress field.

USGS earthquake historic seismicity.

Earthquakes reveal a pattern of seismicity over the Yellowstone-Hebgen Lake region that extends into the Yellowstone caldera along northwesting trending clusters of epicenters. Earthquakes extend ~25 km from Hebgen Lake, Montana, along an east-west trend into Yellowstone National Park where they take on a northwest trend along distinct seismic zones about 25 km long that cross the caldera boundary. Within the caldera, earthquakes have not exceeded magnitude MS = 5.0 and generally have scattered epicenters; in the western part of the caldera, northwest-trending clusters of epicenters, together with aligned volcanic vents, may be related to buried, but still active, Quaternary faults. In several cases, there are good correlations between earthquake swarms and major changes in hydrothermal activity. Local faulting along the west side of Yellowstone Lake has Holocene displacements and appears to be seismically active.

Parts of the Gallatin and Teton normal fault systems, which generally have a northerly trends outside the Yellowstone region, presumably lie beneath the area now covered by the Quaternary volcanics of the Yellowstone Plateau. A broader view of Yellowstone seismicity and that of Teton region is shown here.

Focal depths of earthquakes in Yellowstone reveal notable variations across the caldera that are related to variations in heat flux and rock composition.

Earthquake historic seismicity. University of Utah.

Maximum focal depths outside the caldera are generally less than 15 to 20 km, and mostly less than 5 km beneath the inner caldera. This pattern of earthquake- shallowing suggests a thin seismogenic brittle upper crust beneath the thermally active inner caldera. Rheologic models imply that below about 5 km, the crust is in a quasi-plastic, ductile state at temperatures in excess of 350°C - incapable of supporting large stresses. Note that the MS = 6.1 earthquake in 1975 occurred along the caldera's northwest boundary. On a regional scale, earthquakes are most intense on the west side of Yellowstone National Park. The most seismically active area is associated with the 1959, MS = 7.5, Hebgen Lake main shock that occurred within about 30 km of the northwestern side of the Yellowstone caldera. This large earthquake may have resulted from unusual lithospheric uplift and viscoelastic relaxation associated with the Yellowstone hotspot.

Along the northwest side of the eastern Snake River Plain, earthquakes have a notable northwest alignment of epicenters in central Idaho, which is aftershock activity of the 1983, MS = 7.3, Borah Peak earthquake on the Lost River fault. This pattern contrasts with the scatter of what we have called background seismicity elsewhere in the central ISB. The "turning on" of earthquakes on the Lost River fault emphasizes the relative seismic quiescence of the neighboring Lemhi and Beaverhead faults to the northeast. All three faults are part of a domain of active, latest Quaternary basin-range normal faulting northwest of the SRP. Hence, the paucity of earthquakes between the Lost River fault and the Idaho-Montana border marks an important seismic gap in the central ISB. Seismic surveillance by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory reveals few earthquakes within the Snake River Plain itself. The lack of earthquakes is thought to be related to increased crustal strength resisting earthquakes, to high temperatures that inhibit earthquakes, or to complex stresses related to the Yellowstone hotspot. - The Yellowstone-Teton Epicenter.

Seismicity of Yellowstone.

Earthquake epicenters in Yellowstone reveal a pattern of intense seismicity related to faults and volcanic features. Plotted here are Yellowstone's 1973-1996 earthquakes on digital topography showing their relation of epicenters to faults and post-caldera (post 631,000 year old) volcanic vents.

Intense swarms of shallow earthquakes and occasional moderate-sized earthquakes as large as the MS = 6.1 earthquake in 1975 near Norris Junction, characterize the seismicity of Yellowstone. Norris also has the highest temperature hydrothemal system in the park. The geophysical evidence suggests that earthquakes of Yellowstone are influenced by the presence of magmas, partial melts, and hydrothermal activity at crustal depths from near surface to depths of ~5 km. Earthquakes occur on faults that form boundaries of small upper-crustal blocks and reflect a combination of deformation caused by local transport of magma and hydrothermal fluids as well as by the regional northeast extension superimposed from the Basin-Range tectonic stress field.

USGS earthquake historic seismicity.

Earthquakes reveal a pattern of seismicity over the Yellowstone-Hebgen Lake region that extends into the Yellowstone caldera along northwesting trending clusters of epicenters. Earthquakes extend ~25 km from Hebgen Lake, Montana, along an east-west trend into Yellowstone National Park where they take on a northwest trend along distinct seismic zones about 25 km long that cross the caldera boundary. Within the caldera, earthquakes have not exceeded magnitude MS = 5.0 and generally have scattered epicenters; in the western part of the caldera, northwest-trending clusters of epicenters, together with aligned volcanic vents, may be related to buried, but still active, Quaternary faults. In several cases, there are good correlations between earthquake swarms and major changes in hydrothermal activity. Local faulting along the west side of Yellowstone Lake has Holocene displacements and appears to be seismically active.

Parts of the Gallatin and Teton normal fault systems, which generally have a northerly trends outside the Yellowstone region, presumably lie beneath the area now covered by the Quaternary volcanics of the Yellowstone Plateau. A broader view of Yellowstone seismicity and that of Teton region is shown here.

Focal depths of earthquakes in Yellowstone reveal notable variations across the caldera that are related to variations in heat flux and rock composition.

Earthquake historic seismicity. University of Utah.

Maximum focal depths outside the caldera are generally less than 15 to 20 km, and mostly less than 5 km beneath the inner caldera. This pattern of earthquake- shallowing suggests a thin seismogenic brittle upper crust beneath the thermally active inner caldera. Rheologic models imply that below about 5 km, the crust is in a quasi-plastic, ductile state at temperatures in excess of 350°C - incapable of supporting large stresses. Note that the MS = 6.1 earthquake in 1975 occurred along the caldera's northwest boundary. On a regional scale, earthquakes are most intense on the west side of Yellowstone National Park. The most seismically active area is associated with the 1959, MS = 7.5, Hebgen Lake main shock that occurred within about 30 km of the northwestern side of the Yellowstone caldera. This large earthquake may have resulted from unusual lithospheric uplift and viscoelastic relaxation associated with the Yellowstone hotspot.

Along the northwest side of the eastern Snake River Plain, earthquakes have a notable northwest alignment of epicenters in central Idaho, which is aftershock activity of the 1983, MS = 7.3, Borah Peak earthquake on the Lost River fault. This pattern contrasts with the scatter of what we have called background seismicity elsewhere in the central ISB. The "turning on" of earthquakes on the Lost River fault emphasizes the relative seismic quiescence of the neighboring Lemhi and Beaverhead faults to the northeast. All three faults are part of a domain of active, latest Quaternary basin-range normal faulting northwest of the SRP. Hence, the paucity of earthquakes between the Lost River fault and the Idaho-Montana border marks an important seismic gap in the central ISB. Seismic surveillance by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory reveals few earthquakes within the Snake River Plain itself. The lack of earthquakes is thought to be related to increased crustal strength resisting earthquakes, to high temperatures that inhibit earthquakes, or to complex stresses related to the Yellowstone hotspot. - The Yellowstone-Teton Epicenter. - See more at: http://thecelestialconvergence.blogspot.com/2013/03/planetary-tremors-32-magnitude.html#sthash.5tKgK5Mw.dpuf

INFRASTRUCTURE & SOCIETAL COLLAPSE: High Winds Derail Train In Montana, United States - No Injuries Reported; Wind Gusts Topped 100 Miles Per Hour!

January 14, 2014 - UNITED STATES - Gusty winds are not being ruled out in a train derailment that happened near Austin, where 25 train cars were derailed.

Train derails northwest of Helena, no injuries reported.

High winds caused a train derailment near Helena. Authorities were at the scene cleaning up the debris on Monday.

Wind gusts of up to 75 mph were reported in the area with sustained winds around 45 mph.

The derailment wad reported around 5 a.m. on Monday, and is only affecting the east side tracks.

It was reported that most of the cars which were double-stacked were empty; no hazardous material was reported in the ones that were.

Train traffic was able to continue with use of the other tracks but is very slow due to gusty winds.

There are no reports of injuries.

(UPDATE, 2:15 pm) Montana Rail Link released the following information:

At approximately 4:55 am today there was a five-car Montana Rail Link derailment 13 miles west of Helena.

A preliminary investigation indicates the train was impacted by high winds while moving through a curve on the Continental Divide.

Montana saw some of the strongest wind gusts in years on Monday. Wind gusts topped 100 miles per hour in some locations. By far, the highest winds occurred in the higher elevations of the Northern Rockies.

 Here are the top wind gusts from Monday:

Those winds were strong enough to trigger power outages, cause property damage, derail a train, and spark a wildfire in Big Sky Country. Click here to see a complete list of the peak wind gusts from the National Weather Service.

Four of the derailed five-pack cars and their containers are currently strewn along the slight embankment at the scene.

There were no hazardous materials in those containers located on the hillside nor were there any injuries.

Further investigation is continuing.

- KRTV.

EXTREME WEATHER: Winter Storm Brutus Breaks Snowfall Record in Helena, Montana - 8.8 Inches of Snow, Highest Since 1903!

November 13, 2012 - UNITED STATES - Helena crushed a snowfall record Thursday, and was on the way to doing the same Friday as winter storm Brutus brutalized the town. Helena saw 8.8 inches of snow Thursday. The previous snowfall record for Nov. 8 was 2.3 inches, set in 1903. Zach Uttech, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Great Falls, said the south-west flowing air mass from Canada has created an ideal scenario for widespread snow over the region, blanketing Montana with an abundance of snow.

Maintenance crews work to remove snow from Nelson Stadium Friday for Carroll College's final game of the
season Saturday against Dickerson State. In the last 48 hours the Helena area has received about 12 inches
of snow, which made for intense work to clear the stands and field.

Total snow accumulation could hit nearly 14 inches in downtown Helena, which would put Thursday and Friday among the top for highest snowfall in a two-day period for the month of November, Uttech said. As of noon on Friday, the two-day total was 12.6 inches. Higher elevations should see an additional 5-10 inches, he added. The City of Helena said they will be plowing and sanding the streets throughout the weekend. If it's possible, they are requesting residents to remove their vehicles from the streets to allow snow plows clear access. Emergency Snow Routes, arterial and collector roads will be cleared first, and then, as time allows, residential areas. The snow has been so plentiful that Kevin Taylor, owner of Great Divide Ski Area, is opening the Good Luck Chair from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets will be $20. "The snow started at 8 a.m. (Thursday)," Taylor said Friday. "We now have about 20 inches on the ground and it's still snowing, 1,100-foot visibility right now. No wind, that's just snow. It's as good as you could hope for. It's a fabulous start." Bruce Parker, athletic director at Carroll College, said Saturday's game against Dickenson State is a go-ahead. "First of all, this isn't our first snow game and people here really put the jets on to get on board." Even though Carroll College has experience with winter games, Parker said this storm has been especially difficult getting the field ready because the snow was wet and heavy. "We have probably 40 people on the ground preparing the stadium and the stands," he said. "The track team and student work force are clearing out the stands, so people will be comfortable." He said there were also three machines being used Friday to move snow.

The storm has thrown a wrench in other sports teams' as well. The Rocky Mountain College and MSU Northern football game has been moved from Herb Klindt Field, which was scheduled for a noon kickoff, to Daylis Stadium at 6 p.m. "It didn't make any sense to put anyone at risk with this weather, so we'd rather MSU Northern arrive safely to play," Robert Beers, Rocky Mountain College athletic director, said in a press release. The Class AA football playoff game between Great Falls C.M. Russell High School and Butte High has also been rescheduled. They will play Saturday at 1 p.m in Butte at Naranche Stadium. Montana High School Association reported the rescheduling occurred because the Montana Department of Transportation had issued a severe driving conditions warning on Interstate 15 between Great Falls and Wolf Creek. As of 4 p.m. Friday, Montana Highway Patrol reported 46 wrecks across the whole state, including four jack-knifed semitrailers. According to NWS on Friday, the snowfall should start tapering off in the evening, slowing down to scattered showers Saturday. "The main thing now is preparing for the cold temperatures," Uttech said. "After the wind dies down, Helena could get into the single digits Saturday." He also said Saturday night will probably dip below zero with a 15 to 20 below zero wind chill. Uttech said Sunday and Monday should be sunny, which would help clear off the roads and sidewalks. But he did emphasize that the melted water will probably refreeze after sundown, making things slippery. The temperatures over the next week or so should stay low, primarily because as Uttech explained it, "When we get this much snow on the ground, it's hard to warm up." - Helenair.