The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) and the University of Wyoming Television (UWTV), a division of the Outreach School, recently received recognition and a national Award in Excellence from the Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC) for their video production Earthquakes in Wyoming. The award was presented on Tuesday, September 17, 2002, at the annual meeting of WSSPC in Denver, Colorado. WSSPC is composed of representatives from thirteen western states, three U.S. territories, a Canadian province, and a Canadian territory.

The video, which has been shown numerous times on Wyoming Public Television, explains what an earthquake is, why and where earthquakes occur in Wyoming, how to prepare for earthquakes, and what the future holds. It also addresses landslides and how earthquakes and landslides affect roads, pipelines, and other infrastructure.

Earthquakes have occurred in all counties in Wyoming. In the future, earthquakes as large as magnitude 7.5 are expected in western Wyoming, while earthquakes as large as magnitude 6.5 can occur in the rest of the state. In 1882, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake occurred between Laramie and Estes Park, Colorado. In 1959, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred just outside of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Copies of the video have been supplied to all county libraries and county Emergency Management Coordinators in Wyoming. Additional copies can be obtained from the WSGS or UWTV upon request; Blockbuster Video stores in the state have copies available for free checkout. For additional information, contact the WSGS (see below) or UWTV at (307) 766-6629.

For more information on this topic please contact:
Jim Case, jcase@uwyo.edu
Phone: 307 766-2286 x225

Sales: (307)766-2286 x224
Fax: (307)766-2605
Email: sales-wsgs@uwyo.edu

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