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MAGNA — No, that wasn't your imagination — the Magna area is still experiencing aftershocks tied to a large 5.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the area three years ago.
University of Utah Seismograph Stations officials confirmed that a small 2.5 magnitude earthquake that rattled the Magna area late Wednesday morning was yet another aftershock tied to the much larger earthquake in March of 2020. In fact, they note that the small quake is the largest of four earthquakes reported over the past day, all centered in the ground just north of state Route 201 near 7200 West.
More than 50 people reported feeling the earthquake, though no damage or injuries were reported. The earthquake had a reported depth of about 6.5 miles underneath the ground.
Mark Hale, a seismologist with the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, wrote in a statement that they were four of about 2,800 aftershocks since the 2020 earthquake. That includes another noticeable 2.5 magnitude earthquake that shook the area in June 2022.
"Though the aftershocks have slowed considerably, the earthquake rate near Magna is still above the background seismicity level, indicating that the aftershock sequence is still ongoing," he wrote. "It is normal for aftershocks to continue for years following an earthquake of this size."
The initial mainshock occurred right as Utah's COVID-19 pandemic response began, resulting in millions of dollars in structural and public infrastructure damage. It also helped researchers better understand the Wasatch Fault that lies under Salt Lake County, including that it is shallower than originally believed.
