PLANETARY TREMORS: Earthquake Swarm In Northwest Arizona Keeps Rolling On - 21 Tremors Along The Arizona-Nevada Border; Puzzling Geologists; Could There Be Additional Potentially Active Faults Nearby?!

(Source: Arizona Geological Survey)

April 25, 2016 - ARIZONA, UNITED STATES - More small earthquakes shook northwest Arizona Sunday adding to the list of temblors that have struck the area since March 29.

The Arizona Geological Survey said two quakes occurred, including a magnitude 2.6 quake at 12:07 a.m.

There has been a swarm of 21 quakes in an area along the Arizona-Nevada line south-southwest of Littlefield, AZ, which is also close to southwestern Utah and the frequency and span puzzles geologists.

NW Arizona earthquake swarm keeps rolling on with two events today, including M2.6 at 12:07 am. pic.twitter.com/9jYcHj9Hlx

— AZ Geological Survey (@AZGeology) April 24, 2016

The survey said the area has several active faults and that its geologic features suggest there could be additional potentially active faults just north of the largest quake.

The largest in the swarm was a magnitude 3.4 quake was reported at 2:23 a.m. on April 8.


- AZ Family.

PLANETARY TREMORS: "Tectonically Active" - Swarm Of Small Earthquakes Hit Northwestern Arizona!

Arizona has been hit by nearly 20 earthquakes since March 29th. The tremors have ranged from magnitude 0.7 to magnitude 2.6. (KGUN/Inform)

April 7, 2016 - ARIZONA, UNITED STATES - A series of small earthquakes swarmed the state's northwest corner after an initial magnitude 2.3 earthquake on the Arizona strip March 29, officials said Tuesday.

The earthquake that struck near Littlefield, Ariz., a community about 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah, was the first of 18 small-magnitude tremors that lasted through Sunday, according to the Arizona Geological Survey.

The largest event was a 2.6 magnitude quake at about 8:36 a.m. Sunday. The Arizona Geological Survey has not reported any injuries or damage from the series of tremors.

While the amount of quakes to hit the area may seem unusual, Geological Survey researcher Michael Conway said the state has seen swarms before.

Conway said the area is "tectonically active," but this was the first time a swarm has been recorded in the northwest corner of the state, bordering Utah and Nevada.

"Active faults in the vicinity of the earthquake swarm include the Mesquite/Overton Arm," according to an Arizona Geological Survey statement. The area has extensive earthquake history.

The tremors were large enough to register with the seismometers installed in the area but small enough to go unnoticed, Conway said.

He pointed out that the Geological Survey has a duty to record, catalog and remind people that Arizona experiences at least 100 small quakes each year.

According to Conway, there hasn't been significant technological advances that can predict naturally occurring quakes, but researchers have been able to predict induced tremors in Oklahoma and Texas likely due to fracking.

There have been moderate-sized earthquakes closer to Phoenix, including the Nov. 2, 2015, quake in Black Canyon City, which had a 4.1 magnitude.

Conway advised that if an earthquake happens, "you drop down, get under a desk and hold on." - AZ Central.

EXTREME WEATHER: Hurricane-Forced Wind Warnings Issued For Oregon, Washington Coast - 90mph Gusts Expected!

© Laura Joki

March 10, 2016 - UNITED STATES - The service issued wind advisories for several areas along Oregon and Washington's coast and inlands, while saying hurricane force winds could occur in coastal waters.

Forecasters expect peak winds of as much as 45 mph to hit the central and northern Oregon coast about 5 p.m. Wednesday and last through 11 p.m. Coastal residents and travelers should expect wind gusts of up to 85 mph along beaches and headlands, the service said.

Warnings for hurricane-force means winds must surpass 64 knots, or about 74 mph, according to the weather service. "We only use the hurricane-force terminology over the coastal waters," but equally strong winds along the coastal beaches carry significant potential damage, said Andy Bryant, a hydrologist with the weather service's Portland office.

Vessels should remain in port or take shelter until winds and waves subside. The winds are expected to be strong enough to damage trees, disrupt power and damage property. Travel could be hazardous. "Based on experience, we've anticipated and prepared for this weather and the outages that could occur," said Curtis Mansfield, vice president of operations for Pacific Power, which serves parts of Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. "Our crews are prepared to respond, and so we encourage our customers to be prepared as well."


WATCH: Wild winds and waves beat Oregon Coast.

Each home should have flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, non-perishable foods, bottled water and blankets.

Further inland, the Portland and Columbia River Gorge areas should see winds peak from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 4 a.m. Thursday. South winds should reach 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Elsewhere, a winter weather advisory remains in effect along the Cascades through 4 p.m. Wednesday. Snow should fall at levels above 3,000 feet then rise to 5,000 later Wednesday. Drivers should be prepared for icy or snow covered roads.

This post was corrected to reflect that hurricane force warning has been issued six times for the Oregon coast since 2007. Early information from the National Weather Service provided an incorrect figure.

- The Oregonian.

 

PLANETARY TREMORS: Strong 4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Rattled Windows And Shook Desks! [MAPS + SEISMIC HISTORY]

USGS earthquake location.

February 27, 2016 - WYOMING, UNITED STATES - An earthquake rumbled across Jackson Hole shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, causing windows to rattle and desks to shake.

The temblor was a magnitude 4.2 with an epicenter just north of Crystal Peak in the Gros Ventre Range, University of Utah professor of geophysics Bob Smith said.

The U.S. Geologic Survey listed it as a 4.1 on Earthquakes.USGS.gov.

USGS shakemap intensity.

Still, he said it “qualifies as small.”

People as far away as Dubois reported feeling the quake. Teton County Dispatch reported several phone calls about it, but no one had immediately reported any damage or injuries. 

Smith encouraged anyone who experienced the bump to let the U.S Geological Survey know by visiting Earthquake.USGS.gov/data/dyfi. - JHN&G.

Earthquake History

The first earthquake known to originate in Wyoming occurred on June 25, 1894, near Casper. Dishes fell to the floor, and a number of people were thrown from their beds (MM V). The Platte River was thick with mud, apparently stirred up by the tremor. On November 14, 1897, another shock caused considerable damage to the Grand Central Hotel at Casper. A 2- to 4-inch crack extended from the third to the first story (MM VI-VII). Frightened citizens dashed into the streets.

A moderate earthquake on July 25, 1910, shook houses (MM V) and was felt in mine shafts at Rock Springs. On May 8, 1915, a shock was felt (MM V) in the north-central part of Yellowstone National Park. Thirteen minor shocks were felt (MM V) at Kelly during the March 23 - April 12, 1923, period. A strong earthquake with noticeable rumbling (MM V) occurred at Big Horn on November 17, 1925. The tremor was felt in Johnson and Sheridan Counties, an area of approximately 7800 square kilometers. Mine props near Thermopolis were loosened during an earthquake on February 13, 1928, and later became tight (MM V). Bumping and trembling sensations were reported at Thermopolis; there were sounds noted before the shock was felt. The earthquake was also felt at Crosby, Gebo, Kirby, Owl Creek, and Worland. The felt area covered about 7800 km square.

USGS Yellowstone Quaternary Fault Map

One brick building, at Grover was cracked from a June 12, 1930, tremor (MM VI). Also, a concrete swimming pool about 5 kilometers northwest of town was cracked. Minor aftershocks continued sporadically until November 16. Another long series of moderate shocks occurred in the Yellowstone Park area from August 24 to December 22, 1930. Dishes fell, and other light damage occurred (MM V). Cracked plaster and broken dishes were also reported from a January 26, 1932, earthquake south of Yellowstone Park. At Grovemont, Jackson, Kelly, and Moran, people were awakened (MM V-VI) by the shock. The telephone line westward into Idaho was put out of order, presumably by the earthquake. The tremor was also felt at DuBois and Lander. There were a number of aftershocks felt at Jackson on January 26 and 27.

Persons vacated office buildings at Lander during a moderate earthquake on November 23, 1934. Slight damage occurred (MM V). The tremor was strong at Atlantic City and was also felt at Riverton and Rock Springs. The total felt area included approximately 21,000 km square. Two brick chimneys were cracked (MM VI), and small objects were moved near the south entrance to Yellowstone Park on January 14, 1936. The shock was also felt at Moran, where beds rocked from the 9:40 PM jolt. Another earthquake was felt by everyone (MM V) at the West Thumb Ranger Station in Yellowstone Park on August 5, 1942. Windows and dishes rattled from the tremor.

The region south of Yellowstone Park was disturbed again on February 23, 1948. Intensity VI effects were observed at Jackson, Moran, and Wilson; windows, doors, and dishes rattled, hanging objects swung, buildings creaked, and so forth. At Moran, a piano and a bed shifted. The shock was felt over an area of approximately 3900 km square.

Medicine Bow National Forest in southeastern Wyoming was jolted by an earthquake on January 20, 1954. Furnishings shifted and windows rattled (MM V) at Albany; buildings shook at Centennial and Laramie. It was also strongly felt at Foxpark and Jelm, where a lighter aftershock was felt about 5 hours after the 1:50 PM tremor. Felt reports were received from Cowdrey, Colo., and Tie Siding, Wyo.; the total area affected was about 5200 km square. Yellowstone Park was shaken again on July 4, 1954. Many residents at Mammoth were awakened (MM V) by a 12:40 AM tremor. Another shock at 9:32 AM caused buildings to creak and small objects to shift; also, windows, doors, and dishes rattled loudly. Four or five minor shocks with the same type of effects (MM V) were felt in the Old Faithful area on April 28, 1958.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake centered near Hebgen Lake, Montana, occurred just before midnight on August 17, 1959. At least 28 persons died, and over \$11 million damage resulted. In Yellowstone National Park, about 18,000 people were vacationing. No one was killed or badly injured, although huge boulders smashed down onto roads and buildings in the park were shaken noticeably and did sustain some minor damage. The well-known thermal features of the park were disrupted by the tremor. Old Faithful's eruptions slowed slightly from an average 61-minute cycle to 65 minutes. Other geysers changed eruption times, new ones began to erupt, and many bubbling springs burst into violent activity. The earthquake was felt over one-half of Wyoming, an area included within a diagonal running from southwest to northeast. Minor felt reports were received from Casper and from Hat Creek, near the Nebraska State line.

USGS Seismicity Map of Wyoming

Numerous aftershocks continued in Yellowstone Park through 1963. Maximum intensities were V and VI, and the felt areas generally were small. Dates and descriptions of these events are contained in Earthquake History of the United States Many additional shocks of intensity IV or less are listed in the annual United States Earthquakes publications.

On February 25, 1963, a magnitude 4.3 earthquake jarred windows, doors, and dishes at Fort Washakie (MM V). The rapid 2- to 3-second shock shifted a bed in one home. The shock was also felt at Lander. The area around Van Tassell, near the Nebraska State line, felt a moderate earthquake on March 27, 1964. Doors and dishes rattled and furniture vibrated (MM V). Thunderlike noises were heard. The tremor was also felt in parts of western Nebraska and South Dakota. The same general area felt a magnitude 4.5 shock on August 21, 1964. Intensity V effects were observed at Keeline, Lost Springs, and Lusk; it was also felt at Jay Em, Lance Creek, and Node.

Slight damage (MM V) occurred at Thermopolis from a magnitude 4.1 earthquake on December 8, 1972. The ceiling was cracked at a rest home; the concrete floor of a lumber yard building settled about 7.6 centimeters. The shock was felt in much of the surrounding area. On April 21, 1973, the area between Jeffrey City and Lander was shaken by a magnitude 4.8 earthquake. Many residents were awakened by the 11:07 PM tremor (MM V).

Yellowstone National Park experienced another strong shock on August 30, 1974. Intensity V effects were reported at Norris, Old Faithful, and West Yellowstone. Numerous additional small tremors were recorded on the seismograph at the Old Faithful Visitor Center. Another swarm of minor tremors was recorded on October 17. This increased seismic activity culminated on June 30, 1975, with a magnitude 6.4 earthquake. Rockslides and landslides stopped or hindered traffic on many roads in the park. Some geysers were affected (MM VII). Telephone service was out for several hours. The shock was felt over approximately 50,000 square kilometers of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and scattered places in Nevada, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington. Several aftershocks occurred in the area through July. Still another series of earthquakes originated in the northwestern corner of Yellowstone Park during December 1976. The largest of these shocks, magnitude 5.1, occurred on December 9. Intensity V effects were reported at Canyon Village; intensity IV effects, at Madison Junction and Mammoth Hot Springs; and intensity III effects, at the Old Faithful Visitor Center.

A small earthquake, magnitude 2.3, occurred near Rawlins on January 27, 1976. The tremor knocked a lamp off a table and pictures from a wall (MM V) according to a press report. No other felt reports were received.

The above is from Earthquake Information Bulletin, Volume 10, Number 4, July-August 1978, by Carl von Hake.

For a complete list of earthquakes please use the Earthquake Catalog Search.

- USGS.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR: Disaster Precursors - Beer Attacks People On Turkish Street And Mule Deer Attacks Man In Draper Backyard, Utah?! [VIDEO]

Sedated: Police used a tranquiliser gun to calm the animal

February 9, 2016 - EARTH - The following constitutes the latest reports of animal attacks on humans.

Bear attacks people on Turkish street

This is the terrifying moment a huge bear was let loose in a city - and started attacking local residents.

The huge creature was spotted by horrified passers-by as it ran through the streets in Turkey. The exact location of the footage is not clear.

The video then takes a dark turn, as the bear grabs hold of one man and drags him to the floor.

Panicked bystanders attempt to help him and are eventually able to drag him away from the angry animal.


 WATCH: Terrifying moment huge bear goes on the rampage in city and attacks residents.

Police, with the help of animal experts, were eventually able to sedate the bear with the help of a tranquiliser gun.

It is then seen lying on the pavement as concerned onlookers gather nearby.

It is not clear if anyone was hurt during the incident. - Daily Mirror.

Mule deer attacks man in Draper backyard, Utah

A mule deer attacked a Draper man in his backyard Monday, causing "significant wounds" to the man, as well as an injury to the family dog.

The attack, which occurred around 8 a.m. in the SunCrest subdivision in the southeast area of the city, resulted in officers "putting the deer down" after subduing the animal in a struggle, according to a statement issued by Draper.

The injured man's daughter called police to say the deer had hurt the family dog and "was engaged" with her father, city officials said.

"When Animal Services supervisor Dennis Wilson arrived on scene, he found the man lying on the ground with the deer pushing its antlers down into him," a news release states. "Officer Wilson grabbed the deer and pulled the antlers away from the man. The man was able to get up and walk back to the house."


WATCH: Mule deer attacks man in Draper backyard, Utah.

Wilson said Monday that he struggled with the deer and gained control, taking the animal to the ground in the corner of the yard. Two patrol officers responded to the scene as backup between 10 and 15 minutes later, he said. Police eventually shot and killed the deer, according to city spokeswoman Maridene Alexander.

"If not for the actions of officer Wilson, there could have been far more serious injuries," she said in the statement.

The man suffered multiple puncture wounds that were considered significant, but not life-threatening, said Draper Police Deputy Chief John Eining. He transported himself to Intermountain Medical Center after being treated at the scene. His dog also suffered a puncture wound, but was expected to survive.

Mitch Ingersoll, the victim's brother, said the man was trying to save his dog by approaching the deer. His brother got into a headlock with the deer, but then tripped and fell and the animal began to gore him, according to Ingersoll.

At that point, Ingersoll said, his brother did everything he could to prevent the animal from gashing him even worse.

"If it was a child or an older person, it could have ended very tragically," Ingersoll said. "(My brother) said, 'I thought it was going to kill me.'"

The man's punctures were to an arm and both legs, and he also suffered cuts on his face, Ingersoll said.

Wilson said he suffered a minor scratch and several holes were poked in his clothes by the deer's antlers. Several of his buttons were popped off by the deer, which was kicking him and trying to spear him with its antlers.

Eining said deer attacks are "extremely rare" and described Monday's ordeal as an isolated incident. Wilson agreed, saying it's his first such call in 26 years of public service. He advised that residents avoid all potentially dangerous wildlife just in case. Those whose pets are being attacked should call police rather than confronting the animal, Wilson said.

Police believe it's likely the deer was trapped in the yard after jumping a fence to get in. The deer was also injured while trying to get out of the yard and may have been startled by the dog, which could have contributed to the animal's behavior. - KSL.

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

MONUMENTAL EARTH CHANGES: Global Food & Water Crisis - Drought Has Caused The Great Salt Lake In Utah To Drop To HISTORIC Low Levels!

A gage to measure water levels of the Great Salt Lake stands in a dry bed at Lakeside, Utah, on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015. For the first time since it was opened in 1984, water has stopped flowing through the Great Salt Lake causeway breach, an area that allows water to travel between the southern and northern parts of the lake.
(Photo: Mike Freeman)

December 30, 2015 - UTAH, UNITED STATES - The north arm of the Great Salt Lake has reached its lowest levels for the second consecutive year, triggering state officials to implement portions of a lakewide management plan to ensure its continued economic and ecological health.

The November measurement logged the elevation at 4,191.6 feet, 1 foot lower than last year's record low recorded by water watchers.

Hydrologists, scientists and others involved in monitoring the status of the lake note that since the Union Pacific Railroad Causeway breach opened in 1984 as a flood control mechanism, water is no longer freely flowing between the southern and northern arms of the lake.

Utah's entrenched drought has already presented an array of complicating challenges for the Great Salt Lake and its users, with lawmakers approving an emergency appropriation early this year to pay to dredge the Great Salt Lake Marina, which has been rendered useless because of the silt and sludge.

A lower lake could also impact air quality along the Wasatch Front, in addition to economic impacts, officials said.

Depending on the behavior of this season's snowpack, authorities fear the south arm of the world's fourth largest terminal lake could also dip to a historic low — it sits only 1 foot above a previous low recorded 52 years ago.

"There is a chance the south arm of the Great Salt Lake could reach a historic low in 2016, but it depends on the amount of precipitation we get through the winter and spring months," said Cory Angeroth, scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey. "The condition of the current mountain snowpack is definitely a positive for the lake and hopefully the storms will keep coming."

The problems are more than just low lake levels.

 Water flows through the Great Salt Lake breach at Lakeside, Utah, on May 25, 2011, when lake levels were high due to above average snowfall in the Wasatch and Uinta
mountains. The Great Salt Lake breach is an area that allows water to travel between the southern and northern parts of the lake. (Photo: Mike Freeman)

Erosion has chewed away at the railroad's 20-mile causeway, leading to the risk it might collapse. Initially, the railroad wanted to close off two rock-filled culverts, but a study of the water and salt exchange in the ecosystem led to final design of a 150-foot bridge. Construction began this fall, in partnership with multiple state agencies and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Because the lake's size and health is so tied to the historic fluctuation of its elevation, state and federal agencies, along with other partners, developed a Great Salt Lake Comprehensive Management Plan in 2013 to direct how and to what extent its resources are utilized and what protective actions can be put into place to ensure its long-term health.

As much as five times saltier than the ocean and with a maximum depth of only 35 feet, the lake is the Great Basin "hub" in North America for migratory birds — supporting as many as 5 million shorebirds on a major north-south route called the Pacific Flyway.

Lynn de Freitas, executive director of Friends of the Great Salt Lake, said its clear that the lake's ecosystem is taking a hit from the years of drought, with islands that are no longer islands and exposed lake beds creating difficulties for certain breeds of nesting birds.

"Gunnison Island has been experiencing the pinch of being landlocked for sometime," de Freitas said, adding she's pleased state agencies are taking serious note of the lake's declining levels.

The lake also supports eight companies that mine it for salt, with about 2.5 million tons that are extracted on an annual basis.

Because 95 percent of the fresh water that enters the Great Salt Lake comes in from the south arm and the causeway breach is no longer facilitating any exchange between the two segments, Angeroth said the water in the north arm will continue to diminish over the next few months.

"The north arm is cut off, sitting up there by itself and is evaporating away," he said. "The north arm is at saturation when it comes to salt, holding about as much salt as it can get."

Satellite photo from August 2003 after five years of drought, reaching near-record lows. Note the difference in colors between the northern and southern portions of the lake, the result of a railroad causeway.
Location	Utah, United States
Coordinates	41°10′N 112°35′W / 41.167°N 112.583°W
Type	Endorheic, hypersaline, generally 27% salinity
Primary inflows	Bear, Jordan, Weber rivers
Catchment area	21,500 sq mi (55,685 km²)
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	75 mi (120 km)
Max. width	28 mi (45 km)
Surface area	1,700 sq mi (4,400 km²)
Average depth	16 ft (4.9 m), when lake is at average level
Max. depth	33 ft (10 m) average, high of 45 ft (14 m) in 1987, low of 24 ft (7.3 m) in 1963
Water volume	15,338,693.6 acre·ft (18.92 km)
Surface elevation	historical average of 4,200 feet (1,283 m), 4,196.6 feet (1,279 m) as of 2006 August 24
Islands	8-15 (variable, see Islands)
Settlements	Salt Lake and Ogden metropolitan areas.

Source: Wikipedia

Once the railroad gets the new bridge in at the causeway — which is expected to be done by late spring or early summer — Angeroth said the south arm's elevation will decline, the north arm will begin to fill up and there will be some equalization.

"We will be able to re-establish moving salt from the north arm into the south arm."

The lake's management plan provides a matrix of protective actions that authorities begin to take once lake levels either dip to low or enter a stage that poses a risk of flooding.

As the lake has continued to drop because of the drought, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands has taken a number of steps to minimize impacts, such as boosting law enforcement patrols on the lake bed and posting closure notices to specifically protect nesting birds on Egg Island.

There are also new studies being carried out to better understand the lake's role in the creation of ozone — a pollutant at the heart of summertime air quality issues — and the lake's meteorological influences.

Laura Ault, the agency's sovereign lands program manager, said the state does not want to take anything for granted when it comes to the lake's health because it is intertwined with the region's quality of life. "A healthy lake means thriving industry, which benefits the state's economy," Ault said. " A healthy lake also results in more abundant water resources upstream, flourishing wildlife, recreational opportunities, improved ecosystems and better air quality. We're concerned about low lake levels because it can negatively impact the Wasatch Front's overall health." - KSL.

EXTREME WEATHER: Winter Storm Sends Temperatures Plummeting Across United States West - Arizona Hits Zero!

Salt Lake City on Monday, December 14, 2015. © AP/Rick Bowner

December 15, 2015 - UNITED STATES - A storm that drenched California over the weekend has turned an Arizona town into one of the coldest cities in the lower 48 while making for a rainy commute in Phoenix, where it was colder than New York City.

Here's a look at the winter weather across the West:

Arizona

An icy storm in northern Arizona left Bellemont, a small community west of Flagstaff, with a temperature of zero at sunrise Sunday - one of the chilliest temperatures in the lower 48 states at the time, said David Vonderheide of the National Weather Service.

The morning commute in the region Monday was slow as an initial band of snow showers neared an end and a second wave arrived. The Arizona Department of Transportation urged people to stay off major highways if possible.

Weather forecasters said wind gusts up to 40 mph would send snow swirling and further complicate travel.

Meanwhile, rain fell in central and southern Arizona, dropping temperatures in Phoenix to the mid-40s - some 10 degrees colder than New York City.

Bellemont's low temperatures were due to its location in a flat area surrounded by low hills where cold air struggles to escape, Vonderheide said. At 7,100 feet, it's slightly higher in elevation than Flagstaff.

"There are mornings every winter where Bellemont is the coldest in the lower 48," he said.

Utah

The state's first major winter storm dumped a foot of snow in some parts of the Salt Lake City area, creating harrowing commutes.

Highway troopers reported more than 140 accidents and slide-offs in three northern Utah counties early Monday, but none were serious, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce said.

As much as 16 inches of snow was expected by Tuesday in some areas, National Weather Service meteorologist Christine Kruse said. Snow also fell in lighter doses in the Logan and Provo areas and as far south as Zion National Park, where the higher elevations of red rock landscapes were covered in a dusting of snow.

Many city streets were littered with cars stuck in the snow, causing backups and gridlock at some stoplights. The Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City closed and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City cancelled evening classes.

While city residents slogged their way around, ski resort officials celebrated the huge snowstorm that dumped up to a foot at many sites. "Who's excited for some Powder?" Brighton Ski Resort tweeted.

Only minor delays were reported at Salt Lake City International Airport.

The massive storm marked the latest twist in a topsy-turvy early winter in Utah that saw record high temperatures in the 60s last week.

California

A storm that dumped rain and snow across California moved out of the soaked state Monday, leaving behind cold temperatures, powerful winds and pounding surf.

The National Weather Service said temperatures would be about 10 degrees colder than normal in Southern California and would barely top 60 during the day.

A high-surf advisory was in effect for San Diego County through Tuesday, with unpredictable waves up to 8 feet lashing the coast, accompanied by dangerous rip currents.

Drivers were urged to use caution on mountain roads where gusts up to 70 mph were predicted.

Higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada received 1 to 2 feet of snow Sunday, adding to the powder that fell last week to the delight of skiers and snowboarders.

Montana and Wyoming

A wintry storm blowing through Montana and Wyoming was expected to dump at least a foot of snow on some lower-elevation areas and more in the mountains. Blowing snow in central and southern Montana made for treacherous driving conditions. A winter storm warning is in effect for much of the two states. - The Associated Press.

EXTREME WEATHER: Winter Storm Warnings And Watches Issued For 15 American States!

© NOAA

December 15, 2015 - UNITED STATES - Heavy snow warnings for parts of Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan and Maine.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND
344 AM CST TUE DEC 15 2015

MNZ002-003-022-027>032-040-NDZ024-028>030-038-039-049-052-053-
170000-
/O.CON.KFGF.WS.A.0003.151216T0000Z-151217T0000Z/
NORMAN-CLAY-MAHNOMEN-WEST BECKER-EAST BECKER-WILKIN-
WEST OTTER TAIL-EAST OTTER TAIL-WADENA-GRANT-EDDY-GRIGGS-STEELE-
TRAILL-BARNES-CASS-RANSOM-SARGENT-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ADA...TWIN VALLEY...HALSTAD...
MOORHEAD...MAHNOMEN...NAYTAHWAUSH...WAUBUN...DETROIT LAKES...
WOLF LAKE...BRECKENRIDGE...FERGUS FALLS...PERHAM...
NEW YORK MILLS...PARKERS PRAIRIE...HENNING...BATTLE LAKE...
WADENA...MENAHGA...ELBOW LAKE...HOFFMAN...ASHBY...HERMAN...
BARRETT...NEW ROCKFORD...COOPERSTOWN...FINLEY...HOPE...MAYVILLE...
HILLSBORO...HATTON...PORTLAND...VALLEY CITY...FARGO...LISBON...
ENDERLIN...GWINNER...MILNOR...FORMAN...RUTLAND...WAHPETON
344 AM CST TUE DEC 15 2015

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

* TIMING...SNOW WILL SPREAD NORTH INTO SOUTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA
  AND PARTS OF WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA EARLY TUESDAY EVENING AND
  WILL CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...POTENTIAL FOR 4 TO 7 INCHES.

* WINDS / VISIBILITY...SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY ARE
  POSSIBLE. WINDS WILL BE NORTHERLY AT 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO
  30 MPH WEDNESDAY.

* IMPACTS...THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR DIFFICULT DRIVING
  CONDITIONS...INCLUDING DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE ON WEDNESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

- Ice Age Now | NOAA.

WEATHER PHENOMENON: Tsunami In The Sky - Stunning Kelvin-Helmholtz Wave Clouds Appear Over Snowbasin, Utah!

© Brad Peterson‬

December 13, 2015 - UTAH, UNITED STATES - It looks like a tsunami in the sky over Snowbasin, Utah.

Also known as Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds, these ocean waves in the sky formed on December 10, 2015, and look like Van Gogh´s Starry Night.

Look at these clouds, they look like breaking ocean waves in the sky. These amazing pictures were captured by at Snowbasin.

© Brad Peterson‬

© Brad Peterson‬

© Brad Peterson‬

It takes a thin layer of shear for a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability to form - two different layers of air moving at different speeds in our atmosphere. The upper layers of air are moving at higher speeds and will often scoop the top of the cloud layer into these wave-like rolling structures.

These wave clouds often appear on windy days and are good indicators of atmospheric instability. - Strange Sounds.

 

INFRASTRUCTURE COLLAPSE: The Effects Of Magnetic Polar Migration - The Latest Incidents Of Plane Crashes Across The Globe!

Plane crashes in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

December 11, 2015 - EARTH - Here are the latest incidents of plane crashes across the planet over the last few days.

One person killed in plane crash along I-29, Council Bluffs, Iowa

A small plane crashed along Interstate 29 Thursday in Council Bluffs, killing one person inside it, authorities said.

The plane landed in the median, just east of Eppley Airfield.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says it appears the plane was trying to make it to Eppley Airfield. He said the plane took off from the airfield at 11:51 a.m. and turned back.

One witness told investigators the plane clipped a power line.

Investigators say the pilot was headed to Colorado in a 2003 Piper PA-46. His identity has not been released.

The NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash. - KETV.

2 killed in plane crash near Hurricane, Utah

Photo: The Spectrum

A plane crashed Thursday afternoon and police confirmed two people were killed.

The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. near 1365 S. 3325 West, according to Hurricane City police. The St. George Consolidated Dispatch Center received a call about a single-engine plane that was seen traveling very low before it crashed in a remote area between Sullivan Knoll and Floratech Road, police said. A resident who lives in the area called in the crash and officials from Hurricane City police and the Hurricane City Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.

"It took a little bit to find exactly where the plane had gone down," Hurricane City Police Sgt. Brandon Buell said. "But they were able to locate a plane that had crashed."

Officials said a man and woman were killed in the collision, but details about what caused the accident were not immediately known. The victims have not yet been identified, pending family notification.

The area of the crash is a fairly remote area that has a lot of undeveloped private property, Buell said. - KSL.

No plane debris found in suspected crash in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, West Texas

Officials from Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Eddy County Emergency Services and Texas Department of Public Safety consult about next steps in assessing the debris
field on Guadalupe Peak possibly caused by a downed plane.(Photo: JESSICA ONSUREZ CURRENT-ARGUS)

Officials believe a plane crashed in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park on Tuesday night.

Fire could be seen at the top of the mountain and there was a debris field. Officials could not determine if it was caused by a plane or by something else.

A group of park personnel were able to hike to a point where they could monitor the flames to make sure they did not spread. Due to the night and the cold weather they had to suspend all other efforts at about 9 p.m., but would remain on the mountain overnight.

The Carlsbad Police Department, Eddy County Fire Services and Texas State Troopers were also on hand.

The first report of a fire and crash was called in before 6:30 p.m.

John Montoya with Guadalupe Mountains National Park said the Texas Department of Public Safety had deployed a Life Flight helicopter to attempt to get pictures of the elevated scene and potential debris field.

Montoya hoped that the pictures could determine whether or not a plane crash had taken place. The pilot of the helicopter inspecting the scene saw several fields of small debris, but still could not confirm if it was from a plane.

Jackson said that one of the park's main concerns with the fire is that it could potentially spread into a large wildfire.Elizabeth Jackson, a spokeswoman for the park, said they had been reviewing flight plans and had not been able to determine if there were any missing flights. - Current Argus.

Pilot, 81, walks away from Aberdeenshire plane crash uninjured

Druine Condor: Plane similar to Insch-crash aircraft. William Murphy

An 81-year-old pilot walked away from a plane crash uninjured after his aircraft dropped out of the sky and hit a fence.

The man was flying solo between Inverness and Aberdeenshire when he got into difficulty.

His plane stalled as it approached Insch Airfield and plummeted towards the ground, striking a fence and flipping over.

Airfield staff helped free the pilot from the wreckage of the 52-year-old Druine D.62A Condor.

An inquiry by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) reported that the pilot had lowered the aircraft's full flap earlier than usual, causing the stall.

AAIB investigators said: "On arrival at Insch, the pilot descended from 1500ft and lowered full flap.

"As the aircraft turned, it stalled, the left wing dropped and [the aircraft] descended rapidly to the left.

"There was insufficient height to recover and the aircraft struck a stock fence, coming to rest inverted.

"Personnel from the airfield quickly attended the scene and helped the pilot to free himself from the wreckage." - STV.

PLAGUES & PESTILENCES: E.coli Scare Spreads To 155,000 Products Containing Celery In The United States - 19 People Sick Across Seven States!

© Ints Kalnins / Reuters

December 4, 2015 - UNITED STATES - E. coli found in Costco chicken salads made 19 people sick, and once the culprit ingredient was identified, seven other major chain stores became involved.

Now over 155,000 products containing celery are being recalled, and more E. coli cases are predicted. Stores such as 7-Eleven, Albertsons, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Starbucks, Target, and Walmart are some of the chains now involved in the recall that began at Costco.

They all carry various products containing celery distributed by Taylor Farms Pacific, and so are conducting recalls “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The celery grower who sold the leafy green to Taylor Farms has yet to be identified. Taylor Farms, based in Tracy, California, buys from hundreds of growers.

E. coli has appeared in 19 people in California, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Utah, Virginia and Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The FDA is advising anyone who bought chicken salads at Costco on or before November 20 to throw it away.

A strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli known as O157:H7 was found first on an onion in the salad mix; then it was determined that celery was the source. O157:H7 causes kidney failure, which has already been observed in two people. Three other people were also hospitalized.

Symptoms of E. coli sickness are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. E. coli can live in the gut for up to a week before these symptoms appear, giving health officials sufficient reason to worry about more reported cases to come.

News of this outbreak also comes after a November E. coli outbreak at Chipotle spread to six states and poisoned some 45 people. - RT.

 

PLAGUES & PESTILENCES: Costco E. Coli Outbreak Sickens 19 People In Seven States - CDC!

A sample bottle containing E. coli bacteria. © Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters

November 25, 2015 - UNITED STATES - Rotisserie chicken salad from Costco Wholesale has been linked to an E. coli outbreak in seven states that has infected at least 19 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

"The epidemiologic evidence available at this time suggests that rotisserie chicken salad made and sold in Costco Wholesale stores in several states is a likely source of this outbreak," the CDC said on Tuesday.

The outbreak has been linked to seven states: California, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Of the 19 people infected, five have been hospitalized and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported, according to the CDC.

Today's outbreak: Costco chicken salad blamed for E. coli outbreak in 7 states. Yikes. http://on.mktw.net/1I95VvG 
Twitter: ciara linnane

The illnesses were recorded on dates ranging from October 6 to November 3, with ill people ranging from five years of age to 84. Fifty-seven percent of ill people are female.

Evidence suggests that the wholesaler’s rotisserie chicken salad was the likely source of the outbreak, with almost 90 percent of the people saying they purchased or ate the salad in the week before their illness started, according to the CDC. The ongoing investigation has not identified what specific ingredient in the chicken salad is linked to the illness.

The CDC is warning customers who purchased the chicken salad on or before November 20 to either not eat it or throw it away.

Rotisserie chicken salad made/sold in Costco stores has been linked to an E. coli outbreak http://bit.ly/1SiLCMV 
 Twitter: Newsweek

Costco has removed all that remains of the contaminated product from all its stores in the US, and stopped production until further notice. Shares of the company dropped as much as 1.5 percent after the CDC released the report, Bloomberg News reported, ultimately closing down 0.8 percent.

Meanwhile, the CDC is still trying to determine what caused an E. coli outbreak that affected customers of Chipotle Mexican Grill. A total of 45 people were infected, with 43 of the victims reporting that they ate at Chipotle restaurants. While investigation had initially focused on Oregon and Washington, where the outbreak began, it eventually expanded to four additional states on Friday. Chipotle closed 43 restaurants in Oregon and Washington for more than a week as it determine the cause of the outbreak.

Chipotle E. coli outbreaks hit six states, poisons 45 – CDC http://on.rt.com/6x71 
Twitter: RT America

The CDC has said that evidence suggests an ingredient or “common meal item” is to blame for the Chipotle outbreak. Meat was likely not the culprit because vegetarians were among those sickened, the agency said.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally lives in the intestines of people and animals, but some strains can cause illness and, in some cases, death. It is potentially lethal for children under five and senior citizens. The infection can cause vomiting, abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea, so treatment includes hydration.  - RT.

 

WEATHER PHENOMENON: Omen - Utah Storms Bring Sun Halos And Sundogs!

© stgeorgenews.com

May 23, 2015 - UTAH, UNITED STATES - With recent storms moving through Southern Utah on a weekly basis, conditions have been good for seeing two fascinating sights in the sky: sun halos and sundogs.

St. George resident Janna Fox was lucky enough to spot a sun halo Sunday, from her driveway at around 900 South and River Road.

"My 13-year-old son saw it first and came in and told us," Fox told St. George News. "I had never seen a sun halo before, in my 35 years! It was neat!"

Both sun halos and sundogs are caused by sunlight passing through ice crystals in the high, thin cirrus clouds that often move in before a storm system. Sunlight reflects and bends, or refracts, causing these sometimes spectacular sights.

These ice-crystal displays can be seen year-round, because the upper atmosphere always below a freezing temperature.

A ring or circle of light around the sun or moon is called a halo, or, for the more scientifically minded, a parhelic circle or ring.

Sundogs are rainbow-colored splashes often seen to the left or right of the sun. Sundogs are also known as parhelions, and are formed by plate-shaped ice crystals drifting in the clouds, according to NASA.com.

© Janna Fox, St George News

Cirrus clouds are made of millions of hexagonal ice crystals 3 miles to 6 miles up in the atmosphere. Each ice crystal acts as a tiny prism bending the sun's light and throwing it elsewhere into the sky. The spectacular displays in the sky depend on the size and tilt of the ice crystals.

There's an old weather saying, "ring around the moon means rain soon," and there is truth to that, according to Earthsky.org. High thin cirrus clouds often precede a storm system, at 20,000 feet. These clouds contain ice crystals, by the millions. The halos are caused by both refraction and reflection of sunlight.

Sundogs and sun halos are just two of nearly four dozen different kinds of effects produced by sunlight interacting with ice crystals in the sky.

So when's the best way to catch one of these beauties in the sky? Both sun halos and sundogs may be seen whenever and wherever there are cirrus clouds in the sky.

The best displays are most commonly seen in the fall, winter and spring when the northern jet stream descends southward, drawing down Arctic air masses that carry ice crystals.

Sundogs are found at or more than 22 degrees to the left or right of the sun and at the same height above the horizon as the sun.

Because sundogs and sun halos are found near the sun, viewers should protect their eyes while viewing. - St. George Utah.

 

PLANETARY TREMORS: Minor Quake Shakes Portions Of Northern Utah! [MAPS]

USGS earthquake location.

May 9, 2015 - UTAH, UNITED STATES - A minor earthquake shook portions of northern Utah late Saturday morning, but there were no reports of damage.

The University of Utah Seismograph Stations says the epicenter of the magnitude-3.0 temblor was beneath East Canyon in the Wasatch Range, about seven miles north of Summit Park and 17 miles northeast of Salt Lake City.

The 11:41 a.m. earthquake was reported felt in Park City, Salt Lake City and other nearby towns. A magnitude-1.9 aftershock occurred two minutes later.

USGS shakemap intensity.

Dispatchers for the Summit County Sheriff's Office and Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake report receiving no calls from the public about the activity.

Seismologists say the area where the temblors occurred has a history of seismic activity. A widely felt magnitude-3.3 quake occurred on June 12, 2014, in the area. - KSL.

Tectonic Summary - Earthquakes in the Intermountain Seismic Belt (Northern Utah and Vicinity)

The Intermountain seismic belt (ISB) is a prominent north-south-trending zone of recorded seismicity in the Intermountain West, including the Wasatch Front urban corridor. A modern catalog of instrumentally located earthquakes in Utah begins in mid-1962, and historical earthquake records date back to the 1850s. In general, M5 or larger earthquakes occur at an average rate of about one every 10 years and M6 or larger earthquakes about one every 50 years in this area. The largest historical earthquake was the 1934 M6.6 surface-faulting earthquake in Hansel Valley, north of the Great Salt Lake. The ISB in northern Utah includes the Wasatch fault, which has had relatively little historical seismicity despite being Utah's most active fault based on geological evidence.

Because moderate and large earthquakes are likely, expected levels of strong ground shaking are high. Ground shaking from a M5 earthquake can cause significant damage at distances up to 10 km (6 miles), and a M7 at distances up to 50 km (30 miles) and more. Geologic site conditions such as deep sediment-filled basins may locally amplify and prolong ground shaking.

Faults

The ISB in northern Utah coincides with a transition between east-west-directed stretching in the Basin and Range to the west and an area of more stable crust of the Middle Rocky Mountains to the east. The area is characterized by movement along north-trending, east- and west-dipping range-bounding normal faults, resulting in horizontal extension. The ISB in northern Utah contains the Wasatch fault and many of the state's other most active faults, which commonly show evidence of multiple displacements in the past 10,000 years. Average recurrence intervals for large surface-faulting earthquakes on the most active central segments of the Wasatch fault are 1,300-2,500 years; recurrence intervals are typically longer (thousands to 10,000 years or more) on other faults in the area. ISB faults are inferred to be moderate- to high-angle structures extending to depths of 10-15 km (6-10 miles) and capable of causing large earthquakes and strong ground shaking. However, evidence suggests that some normal faults are gently dipping with down-dip movement on underlying shallow, low-angle, west-dipping thrust faults formed during an earlier Cretaceous/early Tertiary period of east-directed compression. The potential for movement on these faults to cause strong ground shaking is less well understood but likely low.

Surface rupture on the Hansel Valley fault occurred during the 1934 Hansel Valley earthquake. However, most small- to moderate-sized earthquakes in the ISB cannot be associated with recognized geologically young faults. Part of the problem of associating seismicity with faults arises from the superposition of late Cenozoic stretching upon older thrust-belt structure, including buried faults having no surface expression.

Impact Text

Felt (III) at Park City and Salt Lake City. Also felt at Bountiful, Coalville and Kamas.

For More Information

• Additional earthquake information for Utah

- USGS.