
Some of Utah's most prominent politicians are urging people along the Wasatch Front to get ready for a major earthquake. Seismic experts have been warning people for years that Utah is overdue. Monday they're trying to warn those who need to know it most. "It's about the only issue that I worry about when I wake up in the middle of the night," said Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Utah State Representative Greg Hughes said people in the Wasatch Front can't ignore the threat of earthquakes in Utah. "Let's start the education process. Let's begin smart ways to address these issues," said Rep. Greg Hughes, (R) Draper. What's the problem? Earthquake experts said over the next 50 years there's 25% chance the Wasatch Front could suffer a 7.0 quake, up to 2300 people would die, and in Salt Lake alone, 30000 old brick homes and masonry buildings would likely crumble and fall. "Those buildings have a history in the United States and throughout the world of being absolutely the worst performers in earthquakes," said Structural Engineer Barry Welliver. A predictive map of Salt Lake City shows the areas of town most vulnerable to destruction during an earthquake, including homes around the Utah State Capitol, the lower Avenues, and everything east of Highland Drive. Experts said during a major quake the walls would be too heavy, and the mortar wouldn't hold the bricks together. So how do you fix the bricks? Experts said each of those homes <b>...</b>
Planetary Tremors
Utah
Wasatch Front
Seismic Experts
Salt Lake
Salt Lake City
Earthquakes
Highland Drive
Mega-Quake
Brick Homes
United States
Disaster Precursors
Utah Seismic Safety