Evanston, WY – A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck southwestern Wyoming Thursday afternoon, shaking communities near Evanston and being felt across parts of northern Utah, according to seismologists.
According to the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, the earthquake occurred Thursday at 2:49 p.m. UTC, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Evanston, Wyoming. The quake originated at a depth of approximately 13.6 kilometers, classifying it as a shallow earthquake capable of producing noticeable ground shaking.
Residents in Evanston, along with parts of the Salt Lake City metro area, reported feeling light to moderate shaking. The U.S. Geological Survey’s “Did You Feel It?” program received more than 1,400 public responses within hours of the quake, indicating widespread but generally mild effects.
No immediate reports of injuries or significant damage were released Thursday afternoon. However, officials note that minor shaking events like this can still cause items to fall from shelves or lead to brief structural creaking, especially in older buildings.
Seismologists identified the earthquake as the potential mainshock in a sequence, meaning smaller aftershocks could follow. According to the USGS aftershock forecast, there is a 59% chance of at least one magnitude 3 or greater aftershock within the next week. The probability of a magnitude 5 or stronger aftershock remains low, estimated at about 3%.
Wyoming and northern Utah sit within the Intermountain Seismic Belt, a region known for periodic earthquakes due to crustal fault activity. While large earthquakes are rare, moderate events are not uncommon.
Officials encourage residents who felt the shaking to submit reports through the USGS website, which helps scientists better understand how earthquakes impact communities.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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