Utah Natural Disasters By Amanda Davis Geography 1700

Utah Natural Disasters By: Amanda Davis Geography 1700 E-Portfolio Spring ‘ 13

What disasters have happened in Utah? And continue to happen? Utah is known for 3 types of disasters: Earthquakes Floods & Landslides Utah has also had other extreme disasters: Tornados Wild Fires & Windstorms

Utah Earthquakes The largest earthquake ever recorded was a 6. 6 in the year 1934, North of the Great Salt Lake. The second largest recorded was a 6. 5 in the year 1901, in Richfield. An average of about 13 earthquakes occur in Utah, per year, that are of 3. 3 magnitude or larger.

The Wasatch Fault

Utah Floods & Landslides June of 1983 Utah experienced a massive flood, 7 people drowned and it was an estimated $300 million in damages. All caused by excessive amount of snowmelt. In April of 2013 Utah had a catastrophic landslide at the Kennecott Copper Mines. Could be known as the largest landslide of a mine.

Flooding & Landslide Footage

Utah’s Rare Tornado August 11, 1999 rated an F 2 Tornado hit Salt Lake City around 12: 45 and lasted for ten minutes. It was about $170 million in damages and one person died.

Tornado Footage

Utah Wildfires Milford Flat fire in 2007 was the largest wildfire to come across Utah, damaging up to 567 square miles. Two interstates were closed off and two people died. Smoke was seen from about 100 miles away. Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain residents (9, 000 total) were forced to evacuate in 2012. The fire was caused by illegal target shooting in the brush land. Damaging about 4, 000 acres of land. No homes were damaged badly.

Wildfire Footage

Utah Windstorms December of 2011 a windstorm blew through Northern Utah, leaving many residents without power for 48 hours. The wind gusts reached speeds of 102 mph. Damages totaling to about $3. 5 million. Few were injured but there were no deaths.

Windstorm Footage

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