May 17, 2009
Earthquake felt in central Wyoming

A magnitude 3.9, intensity III earthquake occurred 15 miles west-northwest of Jeffrey City, Wyoming and 37 miles south-south-east of Riverton, Wyoming at 00:47 MST on May 17th, 2009. The event occurred at a depth of 3.1 miles below the surface. The U.S. Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado reported this earthquake to the Wyoming State Geological Survey. The quake was felt as intensity II in Lander and Rock Springs, Wyoming and as intensity III in Thermopolis, Riverton and Fort Washakie, Wyoming. There has been no reported damage associated with this event.

The WSGS has generated seismological characterizations of all Wyoming counties (see Earthquake Database), which include analyses of historic seismicity as well as projections of possible future earthquakes. For more information, please contact Seth Wittke by phone at (307) 766-2286, ext. 244, or by email at seth.wittke@wyo.gov.

Press Release
from the Office of the Wyoming State Geologist
Ron Surdam, State Geologist