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SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Geological Survey confirms an earthquake measuring 3.5 in magnitude hit 3.7 miles north and northwest of Saratoga Springs. The temblor struck on Thursday at approximately 12:53 p.m. MST, according to USGS. It followed another 4.7 magnitude earthquake just two weeks prior near the Utah-Wyoming border.Aftershocks were possible in the area, but not expected to cause damage. View KSL's earthquake tracker.
Officials and residents react to earthquake
Dr. Emily Morton, a research scientist with the University of Utah Seismograph Stations said the quake was northwest of Lehi and Saratoga Springs, about seven kilometers deep, which is pretty average. "As far as I can tell, no damage reported," Dr. Morton said. "It was felt pretty extensively. Just looking at all the reports across the valley, as far north as Layton and as far south as Payson." More than 2,500 people reported feeling a rumble and a shake . Jessica, in Saratoga Springs, told KSL she had just gotten into the car when the shaking began. "My car started rocking side to side and I thought, 'Is someone messing with me?' And I looked and there was no one around and I sat there like, 'Is this an earthquake?'" A caller from Bluffdale described it as "a boom, and then a tremor." Those in Saratoga Springs and Lehi seemed to feel it the most, though KSL received texts about it from all over Utah and Salt Lake counties. "My dogs started freaking out and next thing I know my house was shaking and I was like, 'oh boy," said Chris, who called KSL from Saratoga Springs. "I've been though a few quakes before here in Utah including the big 5.7 one that happened in Salt Lake a few years ago, and this felt right along those lines." While some questioned if this quake had anything to do with a 4.7 that struck two weeks, Morton said the two tremors were on different fault lines. Morton explained that smaller aftershocks could be possible, but they do not anticipate anything else of that magnitude. "There's always a small chance that this could lead to a bigger earthquake in this same fault system, the Wasatch fault system, but chances are it'll probably be a couple small aftershocks." View KSL's earthquake tracker.
This story may be updated.
