Thousands of people took part in the Great Utah Shakeout—an exercise to help Utahns prepare for a big earthquake.
According to Experts like Utah State University Geology Professor Susanne Janecke, Utah is overdue for an earthquake.
“We live in earthquake country and at any time a major earthquake could occur,” Janecke said. “And the Wasatch fault is overdue.”
A report released this week from the Working Group on Utah Earthquake Probabilities reports a 43 percent chance the Wasatch Front will have at least one magnitude 6.7 earthquake in the next 50 years.
“It’s a major, major disaster that we would have,” Janecke said.
She also said, when the earthquake does come, it’s important to know beforehand what to do.
“The most intense shaking will be in the valley and initially you’d feel a jolt and then another jolt and then the big surface waves are going to come and that’s the continued long wavelength energy that is likely to shake your house down,” Janecke said.
According to experts, during an earthquake you should stop what you’re doing, take cover under a desk or table and then hold on till the shaking stops.
Janecke said it’s also important to have an emergency plan set up.
“Make a plan for somebody out of state that you and your loved ones can call because you won’t be able to call each other in Utah. Everybody will get on their cell phones. The cell phone lines will be overloaded,” Janecke said. “But you’re likely to be able to call out of state.”
Janecke also suggests having a bag with food, water and important documents ready for an emergency.