Earthquakes in Idaho Falls (Boise, Pocatello: houses, earthquake, live in)

[Grizz1]

Hello there.. hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!

I wanted to ask, as I heard that the Boise area just had a pretty large earthquake a few weeks back, what is the earthquake risk in Idaho Falls? How common are they, and what is the risk of a big one hitting the area? And also, with the one that just hit the Boise area, how well could you feel it there in the Idaho Falls area?

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by Grizz1

Hello there.. hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!

I wanted to ask, as I heard that the Boise area just had a pretty large earthquake a few weeks back, what is the earthquake risk in Idaho Falls? How common are they, and what is the risk of a big one hitting the area? And also, with the one that just hit the Boise area, how well could you feel it there in the Idaho Falls area?

iT was 6.5 in the Challis Forrest area?

[pnwguy2]

This is a decent map of the threat of earthquakes in Idaho:

https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...g&action=click

Notice Idaho Falls is very close to the extreme hazard and high hazard area, likely due to IF's proximity to the north central mountains (Challis area) and the Yellowstone area. Anecdotally, I never felt a quake in my eight years in IF/Poky. But according to the map, Pocatello is in the extreme risk area. My guess is quakes can occasionally be felt in IF/Poky, but are somewhat rare. Of course, if Yellowstone erupts that would be the end of everything in North America, but fortunately that has not happened in about 640,000 years.

[nm9stheham]

There are no faults running right under or through IF, per the Idaho state geological map. There are faults to the east in the hills and mountains from SE to NE, but IDK how active they are.

The last largest one nearby that I know of was up NW about 80 miles, at Borah Peak, in the early 80's, which was a 6.8 or 6.9 IIRC. The nearest one prior to that was up at Hebgen Lake west of West Yellowstone in 1959.

I have not yet found the seismic class for houses in the IF area. Looks like there are some specific areas where liquifaction is of some concern. I ran across some liquifaction susceptibility maps of the IF area online.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

This is a decent map of the threat of earthquakes in Idaho:

https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...g&action=click

Notice Idaho Falls is very close to the extreme hazard and high hazard area, likely due to IF's proximity to the north central mountains (Challis area) and the Yellowstone area. Anecdotally, I never felt a quake in my eight years in IF/Poky. But according to the map, Pocatello is in the extreme risk area. My guess is quakes can occasionally be felt in IF/Poky, but are somewhat rare. Of course, if Yellowstone erupts that would be the end of everything in North America, but fortunately that has not happened in about 640,000 years.

tHAT'S what I keep hearing about the eruption of Thermopolis in Wyoming will affect more than just Wyoming but will affect everything.

[volosong]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

tHAT'S what I keep hearing about the eruption of Thermopolis in Wyoming will affect more than just Wyoming but will affect everything.

You don't have to be concerned about Thermopolis "erupting". There are no volcanoes anywhere nearby, other than the super volcano at Yellowstone, which is about 150 miles away as the crow flies, albeit downwind.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by volosong

You don't have to be concerned about Thermopolis "erupting". There are no volcanoes anywhere nearby, other than the super volcano at Yellowstone, which is about 150 miles away as the crow flies, albeit downwind.

I won't. We live in a world of uncertainty. "Don't worry be happy". We must live for the now and not worry about what if or what happens.