how often does utah get earthquakes

Utah experiences hundreds of small earthquakes each year, with about 6 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater annually. More moderate and potentially damaging earthquakes occur less frequently: approximately one magnitude 5.0 earthquake per year, one magnitude 5.5 earthquake every 4 years, one magnitude 6.0 every 10 years, and larger earthquakes happen on longer intervals—magnitude 7.0 earthquakes about every 150 years. The Wasatch Fault, a major fault in Utah, has a long history of large earthquakes (magnitude 7.0 or greater) occurring roughly every 900 to 1,300 years on each fault segment, and about every 350 years along the entire central segments combined. Utah averages a magnitude 6 earthquake about once every 15 to 20 years. Preparedness is crucial as the state faces a significant earthquake hazard, especially along the Wasatch Front where most of the population lives.