Utah Geological Survey Releases May 2026 Issue of Survey Notes

From cutting-edge laser mapping to Hollywood backdrops and ancient Roman concrete, the latest issue of the state’s geoscience division explores the dynamic intersection of Utah’s geology, history, and pop culture.

Salt Lake City (May 6, 2026) – The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is excited to announce the publication of the May 2026 issue of Survey Notes (Volume 58, Number 2). This latest edition highlights the remarkable diversity of geological research happening across the state, blending critical scientific updates with engaging popular geology that connects Utah’s natural landscapes to cinema, history, and everyday life.

Whether you are an industry professional tracking the future of Utah’s energy portfolio or a movie buff curious about the stunning landscapes behind your favorite films, this issue offers a compelling look at how geology shapes our world.

Inside the May 2026 Issue

How Green Lasers are Illuminating the Underwater Secrets of Great Salt Lake

• UGS scientists are using innovative green laser technology, known as bathymetric lidar, to map the Great Salt Lake’s shallow floor in unprecedented detail. This first-of-its-kind effort for a high-elevation saline lake will provide crucial modeling data to help protect its delicate ecosystem and industries amid fluctuating water levels.

New Energy & Minerals Interactive Web Applications

• To accelerate energy development and research across the state, the UGS has launched newly upgraded, centralized digital portals for carbon storage and geothermal data. These interactive web applications consolidate decades of scattered subsurface data, making it easier for scientists and industry professionals to explore Utah’s vast energy potential.

Pozzolan – Ancient Technology, Future Resource

• Building off the enduring secrets of ancient Roman concrete, geologists are mapping natural pozzolan deposits across Utah as a sustainable alternative to traditional cement. By replacing energy-intensive cement with these naturally reactive volcanic rocks, the construction industry could significantly reduce its global carbon footprint while adding resilience to infrastructure projects.

GeoSights: Silver Reef, Washington County, Utah

• Take a step back in time to Silver Reef, an abandoned ghost town and rare geologic anomaly where 19th-century miners successfully extracted millions of dollars of silver directly from sandstone. This article guides readers through the history, unique geology, and modern reclamation efforts of this iconic southwestern Utah mining district.

Glad You Asked: What Movies Feature Utah Geology? Part 2

• Celebrating over a century of Utah filmmaking, this piece explores the fascinating geologic history behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic natural backdrops. From the wind-swept Coral Pink Sand Dunes and the shores of the Great Salt Lake to the imposing peaks of Mount Timpanogos, discover how Utah’s geology has shared the silver screen with cinematic legends.

The latest issue of Survey Notes is available now. To read these articles in full and learn more about the ongoing research at the Utah Geological Survey, visit the UGS website or stop by the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore in Salt Lake City.

UGS News Release: Utah Geological Survey Releases Geologic Hazard Studies for Bryce Canyon and Cedar Valley

Salt Lake City (May 5, 2026) – The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) has announced the publication of two comprehensive geologic-hazard investigations targeting high-growth and high-visitation areas in southwestern Utah. The studies provide new information for Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Valley in Iron County, identifying risks ranging from rockfalls and radon gas to costly infrastructure threats like collapsible soils and earth fissures. “Southwestern Utah is an extraordinary place to live and visit thanks to the active geology that sculpted its stunning, yet precarious, landscapes,” states report author Tyler Knudsen. “Identifying where these processes occur allows us to proactively manage risks to life and property, ensuring these iconic areas remain safe for residents and visitors alike.”

As Bryce Canyon National Park attracts nearly 2 million visitors annually, the UGS conducted a 265-square-mile investigation centered on the park and the communities of Tropic and Bryce Canyon City. The study highlights that the same erosional processes that sculpted the “Pink Cliffs”—the park’s world-famous collection of hoodoos, spires, and slot canyons—remain active today. While rockfall is a risk along the popular Navajo Loop and other ‘under-the-rim’ trails, it can be mitigated by visitor behavior. The UGS advises hikers to remain observant and avoid stopping for long periods under precarious rock formations. The study also brings to light significant new data regarding the Paunsaugunt fault, which runs through the study area. New mapping confirms that the fault has displaced geologically young deposits within the last 2.6 million years. This discovery classifies the fault as “hazardous,” and the study’s results were used to update the statewide hazardous-fault database.

In eastern Iron County, Cedar Valley has seen substantial population growth since the 1990s. As development expands into less stable terrain, the new UGS study covering the Cedar City, Enoch, and Kanarraville area serves as a vital tool for planners and engineers. Collapsible soils and flooding have historically been the costliest hazards in the valley. Additionally, earth fissures (ground cracks) caused by groundwater-level declines are a growing concern, specifically impacting new developments in Enoch City. The study emphasizes that geologically sourced radon gas—an invisible, natural hazard—is locally prevalent in the area, making indoor testing advisable for residents.

Both studies are now available to the public, local administrators, and geotechnical consultants. The findings are integrated into the Utah Geologic Hazards Portal, an interactive map designed to help residents and developers understand the specific risks associated with their location.

View the Hazards Portal: https://maps.geology.utah.gov/hazards

Read the Bryce Canyon Study: https://doi.org/10.34191/SS-178

Read the Cedar Valley Study: https://doi.org/10.34191/SS-177

UGS News Release: The April 2026 Kanosh, Utah Earthquake Swarm

Salt Lake City (April 21, 2026) – On the morning of April 19, 2026, residents in southern Millard County experienced a series of small earthquakes. While earthquakes often spark concern about a larger disaster, seismologists identify these specific events as an earthquake swarm—a common but fascinating geological phenomenon tied to Utah’s tectonic history.

What is an Earthquake Swarm?

Unlike a typical earthquake, which starts with one large “mainshock” followed by smaller aftershocks, a swarm is a cluster of many small-to-moderate earthquakes that occur in a short window of time without a single dominant event.

Think of a standard earthquake like a “snap” of a dry twig. A swarm is more like a bag of popcorn—many small pops occurring rapidly as energy is released in increments across a wide area.

The Kanosh Swarm – Facts

• Start Time: Sunday, April 19, 2026, at approximately 5:45 a.m. MDT.
• Total Events: As of April 20, at least 32 earthquakes have been recorded in this swarm.
• Largest Event: A magnitude 3.6 quake recorded at 8:43 a.m.
• Location: Roughly 8 miles south of Kanosh and 18 miles south of Fillmore, directly east of the Black Rock Desert.

Why Did This Earthquake Swarm Occur Here? 

The location of this swarm is not accidental. This earthquake swarm occurred along the eastern margin of the Basin and Range Province. This zone of earthquake activity is also called the Intermountain Seismic Belt, and stretches down the spine of Utah. In this region, the earth’s crust is thinning and stretching in an east-west direction, causing the crust to break and shift along faults and producing earthquakes in the process.  It also occurred along the eastern side of the Black Rock Desert volcanic field, a region known as being the youngest volcanic area in Utah. 

While this swarm is not evidence of an impending volcanic eruption, the plumbing of the ancient volcanic system in the Black Rock Desert is still active. Its possible earthquake swarms in this area are triggered by fluid migration. Deep underground, heated water or gases (like CO₂) move through tiny cracks in the Earth’s crust. As these fluids move, they act like a lubricant, causing small, “shattered” faults to slip and slide, causing small earthquakes. 

What Does This Earthquake Swarm Mean?

Seismologists from the University of Utah Seismograph Stations (UUSS) emphasize that these swarms are typically self-contained, and typically fizzle out on their own. 

While the shaking can be unsettling, it is completely normal, and a sign of the Earth adjusting to pressure in one of North America’s most geologically active regions! As always, earthquakes and earthquake swarms like this are a good reminder that Utah is earthquake country, and individuals and businesses should always be prepared for a large earthquake. 

For more information on earthquakes in Utah and how to prepare for them, see Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country at https://roots.geology.utah.gov/.

Additional information is available at https://earthquakes.utah.gov/.

For earthquake preparedness information, see BeReadyUtah at https://beready.utah.gov/.

For real-time seismic monitoring of earthquakes in Utah, see the University of Utah Seismograph Stations at https://quake.utah.edu/.

UGS News Release: February 13, 2026 – Magnitude 3.5 Earthquake near West Valley

Salt Lake City (February 17, 2026) – At 6:32 p.m. MST on Friday, February 13, 2026, a magnitude 3.5 earthquake occurred approximately 2 miles northwest of West Valley City, Utah. The earthquake originated at a shallow depth of about 5 miles.

This was a small, common earthquake. While the shaking was felt widely across the Salt Lake Valley and caused a sharp jolt for those near the epicenter, it is important to remember that this was a small earthquake. Seismologists, such as our partners at the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, categorize events of this magnitude as “minor.” They occur regularly in Utah and typically do not cause structural damage. Because the earthquake was shallow and located beneath the densely populated West Valley City area, the ground shaking can feel alarming.

However, a magnitude 3.5 earthquake releases significantly less energy than the “major” earthquakes that emergency planners prepare for. This earthquake was approximately 150 times smaller and released 2000 times less energy than the 2020 magnitude 5.7 Manga earthquake many Utahns remember vividly (data from U.S. Geological Survey’s “How Much Bigger…?” calculator). It’s also important to remember that the 2020 Magna earthquake was not “the big one;” the Wasatch fault zone is capable of generating larger earthquakes.

It is natural to feel anxious or worried about “the big one” when the ground shakes. However, it is important to emphasize that a small quake like February 13th’s is not a signal that a larger disaster is imminent. In the vast majority of cases, these small tremors are simply part of Utah’s normal background seismic activity. There have been no reports of injuries or significant damage. We encourage residents to use this as a gentle reminder to check their emergency kits and practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” but otherwise to rest easy knowing that February 13th’s event was a minor occurrence in our seismically active state.

For official updates on this earthquake and aftershocks please visit the University of Utah Seismograph Stations: https://quake.utah.edu/.

To report if you felt the shaking, please visit the U.S. Geological Surveys “Did you feel it?” page: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/uu80129556/tellus.

For information on earthquakes in Utah, please see Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country (https://roots.geology.utah.gov/) and the Utah Earthquakes website (https://earthquakes.utah.gov/).

Finally, for information on building an earthquake kit and preparing your family for a large earthquake, please visit Be Ready Utah: https://beready.utah.gov/

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked earthquake questions and answers from the Utah Division of Emergency Management, Utah Geological Survey, and University of Utah Seismograph Stations. For a full list of general earthquake FAQs, visit the earthquakes.utah.gov homepage.

What do I do during an earthquake?

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Earthquakes last a matter of seconds, and rarely more than a minute or two. You do not have time to try to run out of a building. Just stay where you are and take cover under sturdy furniture like a desk, table, or chair; or get up against a wall without any glass overhead.

• If you are in an area without furniture offering cover then kneel down against a wall that doesn’t have any glass overhead (window, mirror, picture frame, etc.).

• If you are in bed, stay in bed and pull your pillow over your head to protect your face from glass, debris, and other objects. Don’t try to run out of a building where bricks, glass, porches, and chimneys could be falling.

• If you are driving, try to pull over as soon as safely possible; try not to stop on a bridge or under an overpass, or underneath power lines, big trees, or tall buildings.

What do I do after an earthquake?

• Expect aftershocks (additional earthquakes). Drop, Cover, and Hold-on for aftershocks. If you need to move to a different room to assist children, try to do so between the shaking.

• If you can do so safely, exit the building. Go to your family meeting place, work rally point, or other appointed area. Take accountability to see if anyone is missing. Provide first aid to those who need it.

• Inspect your home or buildings for visible signs of structural damage. If significant damage is discovered, do not re-enter the building.

• Check on neighbors and friends, providing assistance if needed.

• Only turn off the natural gas service valve to the building if you suspect a leak, meaning you can smell a rotten egg odor, hear a hissing sound, or visibly see a gas leak, or if your building is twisted or falling from its foundation; otherwise, leave the valve open. It is recommended that a professional (gas company tech or licensed plumber) turn your gas on, and relight your appliances. Unnecessarily turning off the gas valve causes significant extra work for utility companies and delays for customers in getting the gas turned on.

Am I safer inside or outside my house during an earthquake?

• It is unlikely your home will collapse from a moderate to large earthquake. Running out of a building during an earthquake subjects you to falling objects and flying glass. It is much safer to Drop, Cover, and Hold on wherever you are inside the building, taking cover under a desk, table, or other sturdy furniture.

• If you live in an unreinforced masonry home, such as those built with brick or concrete blocks before about 1975, it’s unlikely you would see a total collapse. In a worst-case scenario (7.0 magnitude or greater quake for Utah), we expect thousands of unreinforced masonry buildings to collapse, which is still a small percentage of them.

Where can I find the most reliable earthquake information?

• Please be very wary of non-official information, such as from various social media feeds. Reliable information on earthquakes is available from the Utah Geological Survey, the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, the Utah Division of Emergency Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey. As with all information, determine if it is from a reliable source and plausible before making decisions and if the information is questionable, verify it first.

• For general Utah earthquake information, earthquakes.utah.gov is the combined effort of all the above organizations and more to streamline all earthquake information to the public. Start there for preparedness information, latest earthquakes, earthquake geology, and frequently asked questions.

Where can I see the locations of recent earthquakes?

• Real-time earthquake maps are available from the University of Utah Seismograph Stations and the U.S. Geological Survey. The University of Utah Seismograph Stations operates the seismograph network in Utah.

Can Utah have a magnitude 9.0 earthquake?

• No, earthquakes greater than about magnitude 7.6 are not possible from the Wasatch fault zone or other faults in Utah. Faults in Utah are not long enough and are a different type than those off the coast of Alaska, Washington State, and the west coast of South America (Chile area), where earthquakes of magnitude 8 or greater are possible.

How can I be notified of the next earthquake?

• Anyone can sign up for Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) and receive emails or text messages about earthquakes as the locations are published. You may set up your own geographic area and magnitude threshold. All University of Utah Seismograph Stations earthquake locations are sent out via the ENS system. Sign up here.

After an earthquake, where do I report damage to my home or business?

• Report damage directly to your city building department or fill out the county-managed report forms set up in the days following a major earthquake. If you have earthquake insurance, contact your agent or carrier. However, earthquake damage is not covered by regular homeowner’s policies.

PRESS RELEASE: Utah Geological Survey selected for BHP Xplor program

Salt Lake City (February 3, 2026) –The Utah Geological Survey today announced it has been selected to join the 2026 BHP Xplor accelerator program. BHP is one of the largest global mining companies and its Xplor program is an innovative partnership model to support new geologic concepts within the early-stage exploration ecosystem. This year’s Xplor cohort included the largest number of applications since the program began in 2023, reflecting strong global interest in progressing concepts for future-facing commodities. UGS’s Xplor team, led by Senior Geologist Dr. Stephanie Mills and Project Geologist James McVey, progressed through multiple rounds of technical interviews to be selected as a cohort participant. UGS is the first ever geological survey accepted into the program.

As part of the Xplor program, UGS will receive a grant of US$500,000 for geological research across the western part of the state aimed at understanding the potential for undiscovered mineral resources. The study will integrate new regional datasets released in recent years by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth MRI program for a modern assessment of mineral potential in western Utah. In addition to research funding, UGS will also have access to BHP’s world class technical specialists and structured support to advance the regional mineral systems analysis. “The opportunity to work with the technical specialists at BHP is truly fantastic,” says Dr. Stephanie Mills. “This is a chance for our team to learn from some of the best in the world and apply that knowledge and technical excellence in our state.”

Utah Geological Survey director Darlene Batatian said, “This is a significant milestone for the Utah Geological Survey, and a strong endorsement of the quality of work done by UGS staff. Being selected for the 2026 Xplor program provides access to technical expertise, experienced mentors, and industry perspectives that will help us strengthen our geological framework and build capability within our team. We welcome the opportunity to work with BHP and the other cohort participants over the months ahead.”

Tim O’Connor, BHP Group Exploration Officer, said: “The Utah Geological Survey demonstrated a clear and well-supported geological concept with potential in future-facing commodities. Their technical approach, combined with the capability of their team, make them a strong addition to this year’s cohort. The Xplor program supports early-stage projects that are working to progress and mature their concepts. We look forward to supporting the Utah Geological Survey as they advance their work through the program.”

Marley Palin, Head of BHP Xplor, said: “The groups joining this year’s cohort presented concepts supported by well-considered technical thinking and strong fundamentals. The Utah Geological Survey showed a clear commitment to progressing their project responsibly and systematically, which aligns with the focus of the Xplor program. Our aim is to provide access to the expertise, tools and guidance needed at this point in their concept. We are pleased to welcome the Utah Geological Survey to the 2026 cohort.”

PRESS RELEASE: A Clearer View of Earthquake Risk: New High-Resolution Maps Reveal Central Utah’s Active Faults

Salt Lake City (Jan. 27, 2026) – The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) announced the completion of a major hazard mapping project focused on defining active faults in central Utah. These detailed new maps provide communities, planners, and developers in one of the state’s fastest-growing rural regions with the information needed to mitigate earthquake hazards and build more resilient communities.

These types of projects conducted by the UGS directly lead to safer communities and provide essential scientific information which helps local leaders ensure we build smarter and plan our future more responsibly. For us geoscientists and the broader scientific community, it is very validating to see our work and data directly used by local communities to protect the citizens of Utah.

Adam Hiscock, UGS Project Geologist