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Nothing quite like a good-sized earthquake in a nearby community to reawaken residents of the Wasatch Front to the possibilities of what could happen in the Salt Lake area when the inevitable "big one" hits!
The fact some people throughout the Salt Lake Valley and beyond actually felt last week's quake centered near Wells, Nevada contributes to the anxiety factor. Scientists say the Wasatch Fault is due to shift. Unequivocally, it is a question when, not if.
In many ways, the message about inevitability, thankfully, is getting through.
It is why Utah taxpayers recently spent millions of dollars to seismically retrofit the State Capitol Building. It's why, for example, the historic Tabernacle on Temple Square, the Salt Lake City and County Building, and other public buildings have undergone seismic makeovers. It is why communities have adopted stricter zoning laws and construction regulations.
Beyond buildings, what happened in Wells is a timely and classic reminder of the need for patient, ongoing disaster preparation at every public and private level. Families and individuals, especially, should contemplate more seriously how they would handle such a disaster.
Wasatch Front residents must never overlook the fact they live in a quake zone. They should be grateful for the wake-up call sent their way last Thursday morning.
