Utah State University geologists say a close look at a deep trench along the East Cache Fault has uncovered some good news: There’s no evidence of recent earthquakes along that section of the fault.
USU geology associate professor Susanne Janecke said that could mean there’s a smaller chance of a “large, future damaging earthquake” in the southern part of Cache Valley near the community of Avon.
More tests need to be done, but there’s no evidence of any temblors occurring there in the last 10,000 years, the cut-off point for an active fault, USU, geology master’s student Stephanie Davi said.
“I’m just not seeing anything that young,” said Davi, who is leading the study with a grant from the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. “If there is something that is less than 10,000, it sure isn’t expressed. … So I’m thinking it may not be anything that recent. That”s where I’m leaning.”
USU geology professor Jim Evans said an inactive fault would simplify the area’s development rules. Municipal codes restrict building construction to a specific distance from active faults.
“(An active fault) opens up a whole set of issues in terms of design for engineers,” Evans said.
Other parts of the fault have revealed less positive signs. The central strand of the fault registers signs of an earthquake about 4,000 years ago. And the West Cache Fault along the Wellsville Mountains shows extensive recent activity.
Geologists and USU graduate students say the nearby Brigham City also appears overdue for a large quake. That would also shake the Cache Valley.
No research has been done on the northern part of the East Cache Fault which extends into Idaho.
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