Term Project
GEOG 1800: Geospatial Technology
Spring 2012
Julie Jensen
Potential Earthquake Hazards in Salt Lake County
Implications for Olympus Cove Residential Area
Olympus Cove is a residential community nestled in an arc at the base of Olympus
Mountain high on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley. 4427 Mathews Way, located in
the upper reaches of Olympus Cove, is the base location for this study. Olympus Cove
is geographically isolated with limited access in all directions to the main traffic corridors
that lead to important emergency resources in the Salt Lake Valley. All the local feeder
roads run east to west down a steep slope from the base of Mt. Olympus and connect to
the only non-freeway thoroughfare in this area, Wasatch Boulevard. All traffic corridors
are dependent on the structural viability of Wasatch Boulevard and I-215.
4427 South Mathews Way (4115 East), Olympus Cove, Salt Lake City, UT
Description of Transportation Corridors
Wasatch Boulevard is located east of and runs north-south parallel to I-215. There are a
limited number of access points to the Salt Lake Valley along this important three-mile
traffic corridor of I-215. All traffic corridors, except Wasatch Boulevard that heads south
against the foothills, are interdependent with I-215.
Three east-west traffic corridors:
 3300 South, which is an overpass above I-215
 3900 South, which is an underpass below I-215
 4500 South, which is an overpass above I-215
Two north access traffic corridors:
 3300 South onto North I-215 is a ground access
 3800 South onto North I-215 is a ground access
Four south access traffic corridors:
 3300 South onto South I-215, which is an overpass above I-215
 3900 South onto South I-215, which is an underpass above I-215
 4500 South onto South I-215, which is an overpass above I-215
 Wasatch Blvd. running north-south along the base of the foothills
Identification of Faults
Wasatch Boulevard is located proximal to segments of the Wasatch Fault. 4427
Mathews Way is 1.8 miles from an identified fault line which has a northern extent that
terminates at approximately 4500 South and 2800 East. This part of the Wasatch Fault
parallels I-215 and intersects the freeway before I-215 turns west. The fault then
continues south crisscrossing Wasatch Boulevard. Another small fault line occurs just
north of the entrance to I-215 from 3300 South. This entrance to I-215 is the only
ground access to this freeway and connects to I-80 East at the only access point from
the area.
Near Fault line at 4500 South
Significant rise in elevation can be seen at fault line’s northern extent
Pertinent Earthquake Hazards
There are two principle earthquake hazards that are pertinent to this location:
Liquefaction and Ground Shaking.

The Liquefaction Relative Hazard is low at this location due to the bedrock
substrate. (Refer to maps below. Also posted on this website under Course
Assignments: jjensen_cs1_layout” and “jjensen_cs1.1_layout.”)

There is a significant risk of Ground Shaking according to the “Ground Shaking
Map for Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake on the Wasatch Fault, Salt Lake City, Utah,
Metropolitan Area,” published by the Utah Geologic Survey, Public Information
Series 76, 2002. This map identifies the Mathews Way location to be in the
lower range of the violent shaking category which consists of “considerable
damage in specially designed structures; well-designed frame structures thrown
out of plumb; great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse.” (Refer to
“Ground Shaking Map” posted under “Course Assignments” on this website.)
Location of Emergency Services

The single emergency service east of Wasatch Boulevard and I-215 is a fire
station 1.2 miles away. This is potentially the only resource in this area if other
identified primary traffic corridors are impacted.
Nearby Fire Station


The next nearby emergency service is a police station 2.8 miles west on 4500
South. This location is between two identified fault lines, which have negative
implications for accessibility in a major event.
The only nearby hospital is St. Marks Hospital, located 4.6 miles west on 3900
South and 1300 East. This hospital is immediately west of a fault line and
located in a liquefaction zone of moderate risk, well beyond the I-215 restrictions.
Refer to maps below or posted on this website under Course Assignments:
jjensen_cs1_layout” and “jjensen_cs1.1_layout for nearby Emergency Services
locations.
Implications for Emergency Services
 Olympus Cove’s close location to fault lines and the fact that it is in the “violent
shaking” range indicates there is a high potential for significant damage from an
earthquake in this area.
 Due to the geographical isolation of Olympus Cove, the fact that there is only one
emergency service (a fire station) in the area, and the limited number of traffic
corridors leading to resources in Salt Lake Valley, this residential area could be
cut off from essential emergency services after a large earthquake.
 The only primary non-freeway road is Wasatch Boulevard. All traffic access
corridors to the Salt Lake Valley are the east-west connections that emerge from
Wasatch Boulevard and must pass over or under I-215.
3900 South Underpass
 I-215 presents a major access inhibitor to important emergency services via the
identified primary traffic corridors of 3300 South, 3900 South and 4500 South.
Due to proximity of nearby fault lines, the overpasses and underpasses of the
traffic corridors north, south and west are at high risk of collapse in an episode of
significant ground shaking. This would limit or possibly eliminate the traffic
corridors leading to the only other emergency services in the area beyond the
fire station.
3300 South Overpass
 The only ground entrance to North I-215, which might remain more viable in an
event, intersects in a short distance with an identified fault. This is the only traffic
corridor that leads to I-80 east and west. I-80 East is the only east access out of
the Salt Lake Valley and travel via this route is potentially restricted by fault line
damage. Access to emergency services further north and northwest via I-80
West are reduced or possibly eliminated.
 The only ground traffic corridor southbound is Wasatch Boulevard. This road
hugs the edge of the hills and closely parallels I-215. Further south, I-215 is
constructed for a short distance on a fault line and eventually crosses fault lines
in several locations further south. These same fault lines eventually intersect
with Wasatch Boulevard further south and east. Therefore, the only possible
access road to the south could be seriously impacted by an earthquake,
reducing or eliminating that corridor to emergency services in south Salt Lake
Valley.
 The closest police station to Olympus Cove is west of I-215 and located between
two fault lines. This resource, which is very important in a civic crisis, would
likely be inaccessible and could have its resources significantly reduced.
 The closest hospital in the area is west of I-215 and located in a moderate
liquefaction zone. The implication is even if the I-215 overpass had not
collapsed after an earthquake there is a high possibility that St. Mark’s Hospital,
in a moderate liquefaction zone and close to a fault line, could have its services
greatly diminished.
 Utility corridors in this area have the potential to be seriously impacted and
services interrupted because they are located adjacent and parallel to I-215 and
Wasatch Boulevard, and consequently run the same risk of disruption due to
ground shaking and surface fault rupture. (Refer to maps below. Also posted on
this website under Course Assignments: jjensen_cs1_layout” and
“jjensen_cs1.1_layout.”)
Conclusion and Recommended Action
This has been an eye-opening assignment. The stark reality of having only one near-by
emergency resource, a fire station, is of great concern. It seems logical to assume that
this single fire station would be ill equipped to meet all the emergency needs, even in
this small residential and commercial area. The limited number and structurally
vulnerable traffic corridors leading in all directions away from Olympus Cove imply a
high possibility of physical isolation after a major earthquake. This isolation reduces or
possibly eliminates accessing or receiving emergency services from the Salt Lake
Valley. If, after an earthquake, it is possible to get beyond the overpasses and
underpasses associated with Wasatch Boulevard and I-215 in order to travel west to
access other identified emergency services, they too, are located in areas vulnerable to
the impact of an earthquake, i.e. near an identified fault and/or in a liquefaction zone.
There would also be a greater number of people living in those areas seeking these
same emergency services, which would reduce the likelihood of effective emergency
response in Olympus Cove. Another significant concern is the location of the utility
corridors that provide water, natural gas and electricity to Olympus Cove. These utility
resources are located next to the vulnerable traffic corridors of Wasatch Boulevard and
I-215 and additionally, both water and electrical lines are located close to and cross fault
lines, putting them at major risk of disruption in an event. It is easy to imagine that
these important utilities will be seriously impacted, definitely in the short term and
possibly for an extended period. The reduction or elimination of access to any or all of
these utilities is a potential safety and health issue. In addition, the resulting hazards of
fire, gas leaks, and downed electrical wires are significant and would contribute to the
difficulty of receiving or seeking emergency services.
In light of all this information it seems prudent to assess personal emergency needs and
assemble resources in the event of utility outages, structural damage or collapse, and
lack of access to or from emergency services.
In terms of viable transportation options, my personal advice is…
GET A HORSE!