EARTHQUAKES

Safety officials try to quash false rumors after earthquake in Utah

Mar 18, 2020, 5:51 PM | Updated: 5:55 pm

Safety officials try to quash false rumors after earthquake in Utah, President Trump green lit FEMA...

(The broken exterior of Colosimo's in Magna after the quake. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

(The broken exterior of Colosimo's in Magna after the quake. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY – Emergency officials are pointing the fingers at social media after several false rumors were going around after this morning’s earthquake.  They say these rumors caused a lot of unnecessary anxiety, and they want to set the record straight.

A BIGGER QUAKE IS COMING SOON

One of the more prevalent rumors was that the University of Utah seismologists were predicting a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake to hit the Wasatch Front shortly after the 5.7 magnitude quake that hit northern Utah this morning.  Geology and geophysics professor Keith Koper says not only did they not make that prediction, but a quake of that intensity wouldn’t be possible, here.

“The faults that are in Utah are simply not big enough to accommodate a magnitude 9.0,” he says.

Koper says geological evidence shows the largest quake we could expect in Utah is roughly 7.5 on the Richter scale.  He also says there is a small chance that the Wednesday morning quake could be a foreshock to a larger one. However, the chances of that were very small.

Koper says, “There is a slightly increased probability that we could have an earthquake that’s a little bit bigger than a 5.7, but that’s only a few percent probability and it’s going down, with time.”

SHELTER IN PLACE

While there was a chemical spill at a Kennecott facility sparked by the quake, safety officials say the federal government never insisted that people in Salt Lake County “shelter in place.”

Salt Lake City Fire Chief Karl Lieb says, “FEMA is not coming out with that.  We are in touch with FEMA and working with the federal government.  That is not a narrative, though, that we need to panic about or worry about.”

Lieb also says many people have been given a lot of bad information about what to do after a quake hits.  For instance, he says there’s no need to shut off gas lines inside your home unless you either smell or hear a gas leak.  Also, he says it’s a bad idea to brace yourself in a doorway while the quake is happening.

“It is actually best to get under a table, a solid surface or a desk,” Lieb says.

THE REFINERIES STOPPED PRODUCTION

If you bought gas this morning, you may have noticed the lines were longer than normal.  That’s due to another rumor that spread saying the refineries in Utah, and people needed to buy as much gas as possible before the prices go up.  Officials with the Utah Petroleum Association issued a statement saying all of the employees at refineries were safe, and they didn’t expect any significant change in production.

Officials from Chevron also issued a statement…

“The Salt Lake Refinery sustained no known structural damage due to the earthquake the morning of March 18. We maintain and follow robust procedures in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake. These emergency procedures ensure our workforce is accounted for and all structures and equipment are continuing to function as designed. Chevron continues to supply the market and fulfill commitments to our customers.”

RELATED LINKS

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Earthquakes

The annual Great Utah Shake Out will is today, Thursday, April 20. Will you participate? It's a sta...

Simone Seikaly

The Great Utah Shake Out is today, are you ready?

During The Great Utah Shake Out, cities will test emergency equipment and residents are asked to "drop, take cover, and hold on."

11 months ago

Emergency prep is important for preparing for the unexpected...

Carlos Artiles Fortun

Emergency prep: Preparing for the unexpected and learning to prep

Utah Morning News hosts, Tim Hughes and Amanda Dickson spoke with several experts about what we need to know to prepare. 

1 year ago

People react after an earthquake in Antakya in Hatay province, Turkey, Feb. 20, 2023.  REUTERS/Clod...

Jonny Hallam, Yusuf Gezer, Isil Sariyuce, Eyad Kourdi and Jomana Karadsheh, CNN

Magnitude 6.3 aftershock strikes southern Turkey, killing 3 and injuring hundreds

  (CNN) — A magnitude 6.3 aftershock struck southern Turkey Monday, killing at least three people and injuring hundreds more, according to Turkish and Syrian officials, two weeks after a massive earthquake killed tens of thousands of people in both countries. The quake struck Turkey’s southern Hatay province, near the Syrian border, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) said Monday. […]

1 year ago

Earthquake victims injured in Kahramanmaras arrive at Ataturk Airport by military cargo plane for f...

Talia Kayali, Aliza Kassim Khalidi, Rhea Mogul, Sana Noor Haq

Turkey rescuers say voices are still being heard under the rubble

Eight days after the tremor and its violent aftershocks, more than 41,200 people have been confirmed dead across Turkey and Syria.

1 year ago

HATAY, TURKIYE - FEBRUARY 12: Personnel conduct search and rescue operations in debris of the build...

Amarachi Orie, Isil Sariyuce, Eyad Kourdi and Chris Liakos, CNN

Death toll climbs to 33,000 people in Turkey-Syria earthquake

More than 33,000 people have died across Turkey and Syria since a devastating earthquake struck on Monday, as hopes of rescuing more survivors dwindle amid freezing conditions.

1 year ago

Many contributing factors making the earthquakes so devastating to Turkey and Syria. ...

Aubri Wuthrich

Utah expert explains connection between Ukraine and Turkey quake

SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah Professor Amos Guoira spoke Thursday on Inside Sources about the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in a region near Syria and Turkey. Guoira visited with KSL NewsRadio’s Boyd Matheson. Guoira explained why rescue efforts for Turkey and Syria are challenging during this time. There are many contributing factors […]

1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Safety officials try to quash false rumors after earthquake in Utah