Idaho's A Shakin

Yard Dart · Apr 16, 2014

SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - Hundreds of low-level and medium-sized earthquakes have struck central Idaho since last month, puzzling geologists who wonder whether the ruptures portend a much larger temblor to come or are merely the rumblings of a seismic fault previously thought to be dormant.
The recent earthquake swarm, beginning on March 24 and climaxed by a 4.9 magnitude tremor on Saturday, has produced no reports of injuries or severe damage but has rattled nerves in a region where Idaho's most powerful known quake, measured at 6.9, killed two children in 1983.
Saturday's earthquake was the strongest recorded in the state since 2005 and was followed on Monday by a magnitude 4.4 event that struck 10 miles north of the small ranching community of Challis, Idaho, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The Challis tremor knocked pictures and animal mounts from walls, rattled dishes off tables and was felt by residents in neighboring Montana more than 100 miles from the quake's epicenter, officials said.
The latest seismic surge, including 100 small to moderate quakes on Monday alone, has galvanized government scientists, who planned to install special seismometers in the area as early as Tuesday to more closely track the activity.
The likelihood of a severe earthquake coming on the heels of the recent swarm is low, but much is perplexing about the series of tremors, said Bill Phillips, a geologist with the Idaho Geological Survey at the University of Idaho.
Such earthquake swarms typically are associated with the movement of molten rock below ground, which geologists credited for the recent quake cluster at Yellowstone National Park, or they are linked to an active fault, he said on Tuesday.
"What has many of us scratching our heads is the present-day swarm doesn't appear to be on the big, active fault in the area that ruptured in 1983 and caused the largest earthquake in Idaho," Phillips said.
He was referring to the magnitude 6.9 temblor that struck Mount Borah, Idaho's tallest peak, killing two children in Challis and damaging hundreds of homes and businesses.
Idaho sits at the center of a seismic belt in the intermountain West that runs from northwestern Montana to southern Nevada and contains thousands of faults in the Earth's crust, said Michael Stickney, director of earthquake studies at the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.
Carl Alexander, disaster coordinator in Challis, said schools have stepped up earthquake drills, and he has requested that emergency responders in Idaho and Utah be available if disaster strikes.
Alexander is advising local residents to keep bottled water and canned goods on hand just in case "a big shaker" should strike.
"It does make your heart race a little bit to see your windows vibrating," he said of the recent tremors.
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Hundreds of earthquakes strike central Idaho, rattling nerves - Yahoo News

Dunerunner · Apr 16, 2014

As long as the plates are moving, there will be earthquakes!

ghrit · Apr 16, 2014

Dunerunner said: ↑

As long as the plates are moving, there will be earthquakes!
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And if they are not moving, they will. A BIG move, maybe.

Yard Dart · Apr 16, 2014

My O my..... this was a bad tremor "knocked animal mounts from walls"

Dunerunner · Apr 16, 2014

Motomom34 · Apr 16, 2014

I think this is fascinating. Could the old volcanoes be waking up? I think so, I think that we are going to see something grow from those hills.

Mike · Apr 16, 2014

In the words of Elvis "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin' On!!!!" .... rock me, baby!!!

kellory · Apr 16, 2014

Him...might be the Thunder Boys looking to.make trouble.

I have slept through much larger tremblers than that in LA. Most interesting one was top floor of a public Library and everything was moving and jumping...

Gator 45/70 · Apr 16, 2014

Uh Jerry Lee Lewis chief

Mike · Apr 16, 2014

Gator 45/70 said: ↑

Uh Jerry Lee Lewis chief
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I have OldTimers, CRS, and CRAFT

Gator 45/70 · Apr 16, 2014

I don't think we have earthquakes here or if we did would probally write it off as a train or 18 wheeler passing ?

Motomom34 · Apr 16, 2014

Wouldn't that be something if a volcano awoke in Idaho. Seems to be a place where survivalist, skinheads and leave me alone folks go. I love the place. I wonder how many have prepped for a volcano?

mysterymet · Apr 16, 2014

I might have to lay in a supply of those idaho spid candies just incase a volcano erupts and takes the plant that makes them out!

Mike · Apr 17, 2014

Sat thru one in Panama, the second one I missed.. I was in the water diving... when I got to the beach everyone was running around and pani

Wow, we could sit around and sing Jimmy Buffett's "Volcano"! I don't know I don't know, I don't know where I'm a gonna go, when the volcano blows!!!

Motomom34 · Apr 17, 2014

My husband went thru Mt. St Helen's. One of his favorite stories. He was quite close. If anyone is ever in the area I highly recommend going up St Helen's. the area the blast and ash area is overwhelming.

Quigley_Sharps · Apr 17, 2014

Been earth quakes on all sides of me lately, lets keep them there

whynot · Apr 18, 2014

Location is not far from Yellowstone. In fact the "hot spot" that caused Yellowstone crossed all of Southern Idaho on its way to the current location. Part of down town Boise is heated by geothermal and several other projects to generate electricity through geothermal are starting. Idaho is way more active than you would think.

P.S. If you saw where the spud bars and most of the fast food fries where made you would swear them off.

mysterymet · Apr 18, 2014

Don't tell me. I want to remain ignorant of it then because those spud bars taste so good!

Tevin · Apr 18, 2014

The "American Redoubt" is wayyy overrated anyway.

Motomom34 · Apr 18, 2014

whynot said: ↑

P.S. If you saw where the spud bars and most of the fast food fries where made you would swear them off.
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I have been to Idaho and stayed near one of those french fry plants. The smell of grease was horrid.

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Idaho's A Shakin

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