Earthquake rattles Wasatch, Utah counties overnight

INDEPENDENCE, Utah (ABC4) — A 3.9-magnitude earthquake rattled Wasatch and Utah Counties just past midnight on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter of the earthquake was nearly 2 miles from the small town of Independence located on the border of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. While its center hit a more remote area of the state, the earthquake shook areas of Utah County and Salt Lake County.

For reference, the earthquake’s epicenter was 13 miles from Provo and 14 miles from Heber City. Residents reported feeling the earthquake as far out as Tooele, Ogden, and Payson, according to USGS.

The earthquake had a magnitude of 3.9, which the USGS says is often felt but does not cause damage. Other factors also contribute to how an earthquake affects humans and structures, including depth and location. In this case, the earthquake was shallow with a depth of 7 miles.

According to the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, the Wasatch Front has an average of 500 earthquakes annually with 60% of them above a magnitude of three.

For more information or to report if you felt the earthquake, visit the USGS website.