BRIANS HEAD, Utah, July 29, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A 4.5 magnitude earthquake centered near Brian’s Head was felt and reported by people from near Beaver to Nevada’s Mesquite Sunday night, with the most reports to the U.S. Geological Survey coming in the Cedar City, La Verkin and St. George areas.
The quake was reported at 11:29 p.m., and came from a depth of 12.2 miles below the surface, according to information released by the University of Utah. It was 19 miles from Cedar City and 14 from Brian’s Head, according to information from the USGS and the U of U.
The quake was first reported as 4.4 magnitude, then was updated to 4.5. At 4.5, the earthquake is considered “moderate,” a category in which buildings can have moderate damage, depending on construction. Most Utah earthquakes fall into the lower category of “minor.”
By 1 a.m., 1,808 area residents had reported feeling it on the USGS form asking people for reports.
People shared their responses on a Southern Utah Emergency page.
“Middle of town in Cedar City felt it, woke up everyone and my walls. Shook everything,” one person wrote.
“First I’ve felt. Didn’t like it one bit,” wrote another.
“I thought it was my cat until I saw everything else moving. I’m not sleeping tonight,” another commenter wrote.
“Felt like my couch was a vibrating chair. In Ivins,” wrote another.
“Just remember they are temporary and we don’t usually have them bad enough to do major damage,” an earthquake veteran advised.
Gephardt Daily will have more information as the story develops.
