Utah's Earthquake Threat: Cartoon of a Typical Misconception About What Happens in an Earthquake  

Caption

Now that we know Utah is "Earthquake Country," let's look at what happens in an earthquake. First, the earth does not split open and close again swallowing people and neighborhoods. This is a common misconception that Hollywood reinforces. Many movies and cartoons depict swallowing in earthquakes (e.g.; Superman, Shogun, Land Before Time, etc.). Now let's look at what really happens in earthquakes. The geologic setting relevant to faulting and earthquake hazards is similar throughout the ISB. Data gathered in the last fifty years from large earthquakes that have occurred throughout the ISB, give us excellent information about what we can expect in Utah when a similar event occurs here.