A magnitude 4.6, intensity IV earthquake occurred 36 miles east of Lima, in extreme southwestern Montana, at 8:25 p.m. MST on February 4, 2006. Although this earthquake occurred in Montana, it was felt as intensity II in Jackson and intensity III in Wilson.

No damage has been reported in Wyoming (or Montana) from the earthquake. This earthquake was reported to the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) by the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado. The USGS estimated the depth of the earthquake at about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). The epicenter was located about 40 miles west of West Yellowstone and about 30 miles southwest of the site of the 1959 7.1-magnitude Hebgen Lake earthquake.

Seismological characterizations of all Wyoming counties have been generated by the WSGS (see http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/wsgs/hazards/quakes/seischar/seischar.html). The characterizations include an analysis of historic seismicity as well as a projection of possible future earthquakes.

Contact: Seth Wittke, Phone (307) 766-2286, ext 244, e-mail wittkesj@uwyo.edu

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