PIERRE — Region 8 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, based in Denver, held their annual “Great Shakeout” exercise last week. Sean McGowan, Earthquake Program Manager for Region 8, says while rare in the region, its good to be prepared for possible shakers…
McGowan says despite relative stability, there may be unknown underground fault lines in the region….
McGowan says earthquake mitigation can be paired with other types of disaster preparation…
McGowan says western Nebraska and South Dakota have had several reported ground shakers over the past few years. A three-point-three magnitude earthquake was reported near Pierre in 2011. In August of 2017 a three-point-zero quake was recorded 10 miles from Onida. In March of 1983 a four-point-four quake was measured 10 miles from Fort Thompson. Last year, on June 16th a two-point-six magnitude earthquake was measured 21 miles west of Philip.
