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USGS - U.S. Geological Survey
09/04/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/04/2024 18:38
The scoop on what USGS hopes to find in a Summit County trench
Members of the media are invited to attend a briefing on what U.S. Geological Survey scientists are digging for evidence of past earthquakes on the Gore Range fault along the Masontown Trail in theWhite River National Forest.
What: Overview of USGS Gore Range fault dig.
Scientists based at the USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center in Golden, Colo., are investigating a paleoseismic trench, with the goal of determining the record of past earthquakes along the Gore Range fault, especially the timing of the most recent seismic event.
When: Friday, Sept. 6, 10:30 a.m.
Where: White River National Forest, Dillon Ranger District, Masontown Trail
Who: USGS scientists
- Alexandra (Alex) Hatem, USGS Research Geologist
- Nadine Reitman, USGS Research Geologist
USFS Representative can be available for questions regarding the permit and permitting process.
Why: The Gore Range Fault has been tectonically active on and off for 100s of millions of years. The Gore Range fault helped build the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, and later the Rocky Mountains known today.
The USGS maintains the U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model which forecasts potential future earthquake shaking across all 50 states and territories. USGS scientists are always collecting information about active faults to maintain accuracy of the model. Policy makers and regional planners us the USNSHM and other similar products to understand the relative hazards communities will face due to earthquake potential. No one can predict earthquakes. But existing faults and past earthquakes provide information about future earthquakes, and geology showshow the ground shakes during an earthquake.
Photo and video opportunities will be included.
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