‘Earthquake Swarm’ Occurring South Of Milford
Mar 30, 2021, 9:23 AM | Updated: 9:24 am
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MILFORD, Utah – An area south of Milford is experiencing an “earthquake swarm,” according to the University of Utah Seismograph Stations.
Unlike the 5.7 magnitude quake that rattled northern Utah last year, these swarms of smaller quakes have no clear mainshock, UUSS tweeted.
According to KSL TV’s Earthquake Tracker, dozens of quakes have been recorded an area just over five miles south of Milford over the past several days. They range in magnitude from about 1.1 – 3.2.
“(Earthquake) swarms are often associated with fluids or in areas of weak crust,” according to UUSS.
The account also noted that larger events often occur hours to days laters in earthquake swarms, and there can be multiple larger earthquakes with similar magnitudes. In the Milford area, larger magnitude events happened March 28 and 29 with quakes registering 3.2 and 3.0.
the largest eq occurred first followed by aftershocks w/ magnitudes distinctly smaller than the mainshock. In a swarm, the larger events often occur later, hrs to days, in the sequence & there can be multiple larger eqs with similar magnitudes, like March 28 & 29 M 3.2 & 3.0 eqs.
— UUSS (@UUSSquake) March 30, 2021
“Swarms are usually short-lived, but they can continue for days, weeks, or sometimes even months,” according to the US Geological Survey. “They often recur at the same locations. Most swarms are associated with geothermal activity.”
Earlier in March, University of Utah researchers found some volcanos in the central portion of Utah are still active, but there is no evidence that any of them are going to erupt.
The volcanoes are located near Fillmore in the Black Rock Desert, which is approximately 70 or more miles away from the earthquake swarm south of Milford.
However, not all swarms indicate the presence of water or volcanoes. The USGS notes tectonic forces can also trigger swarms, which can be caused as the western USA extends.
