Cedar City region jolted by 3 minor earthquakes

Salt Lake City • Officials say three minor earthquakes struck southern Utah within 30 minutes and were felt in Cedar City.

The University of Utah Seismograph Stations says the quakes jolted the region starting at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

The earthquakes were measured at magnitude 2, 3.1 and 3.5. The epicenter was 9 miles northwest of Cedar City.

A 2.7 quake hit the same region on Wednesday.

Seismologists say the Cedar City region has been hit by 26 quakes of magnitude 3 or greater since 1962.

The biggest jolt was a magnitude 4.2 in 1992.

In the wake of the quakes, the American Red Cross Utah Region urged Utahns to step up preparedness efforts.

"Today's quake is an important wake-up call," said Logan Sisam, director of emergency services. "Had it been a major quake, tens of thousands of Utahns would likely be without shelter and life-sustaining necessities. Our kids. Our friends and neighbors. Preparing now should be a major priority for all of us."

Sisam noted that it's important to keep emergency survival and first aid kits both at home and in vehicles, and to make sure family members know where to meet up following a disaster.

The American Red Cross offers free preparedness apps for smart phones, including a First Aid/Preparedness App, an Earthquake App and a Hurricane App. These apps provide alerts, important preparedness information, and one-touch "I'm safe" messaging.

To learn more, visit http://www.redcross.org//prepare/mobile-apps