A recent earthquake startled residents in Saratoga Springs, particularly in the Harvest Hills neighborhood, where the tremors were felt most intensely. The incident provided a real-life lesson for students at Harvest Elementary School, including fifth-grader Jacklynne Thomas, who shared her experience during recess.
Upon feeling the quake, which occurred near the school’s epicenter, the students quickly adapted to the situation. “We were playing kickball,” Thomas recounted. “They kicked the ball and we all just started moving – like really fast.” Many kindergarteners, however, were notably frightened and sought reassurance from their families, as reported by concerned parent Josh Kimball, who was working from home nearby.
Residents experienced varying reactions. Kimball described the shaking, stating, “I’m sitting down and I’m going like this,” while illustrating the swaying sensation. His neighbor, Dallin Hester, who had experienced significant earthquakes before, reported a measured response. “This wasn’t our first rodeo with earthquakes,” he remarked, referring to his experiences during the massive earthquake in Chile in 2010.
The earthquake’s impact varied even within families, as Whitney Hester noted that their son slept through the quake while their daughter felt anxious. In contrast, Jacklynne Thomas remained unfazed, describing the shaking as “cool” rather than alarming.
Dr. Julia Morton, a research scientist at the University of Utah’s Seismograph Stations, provided insight into the phenomenon. She explained that the recent tremors are typical for the area due to normal faulting, with over 2,000 earthquakes recorded annually, most of which go unnoticed. “These earthquakes have been a really good reminder that we are in earthquake country, that we do have earthquakes, and to help prepare for that,” she emphasized.
This event serves as a reminder for the community to stay aware and prepared for potential seismic activity, underscoring the importance of educational preparedness in schools as well as at home.