Colorado’s Largest Recorded Earthquake Rumbled In West Fort Collins

When you think of Colorado, you don't really think of earthquakes.

But did you know the earth has rumbled here significantly in the past?

According to the Poudre Fire Authority, the largest recorded earthquake ever to hit the Centennial State occurred right here in our backyard of West Fort Collins on November 7, 1882, when an earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale. It was actually the first earthquake to ever cause recorded damage to Denver.

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Apparently, we have a very complex geological structure running under our feet. It makes sense, there are mountains, valleys, plains, canyons, and high desert areas depending on where you are in the state.

There are also over 200 known fault lines under Colorado and if something like that 6.6 earthquakes back in 1882 hit today, it was causing significant danger not only to Fort Collins but to bridges, buildings, dams, pretty much our entire infrastructure.

While nothing of that magnitude has been registered under our area for a very long time, the Greeley area has seen some rumblings (that you probably didn't even feel) over the past few years with several earthquakes being registered.

Wanna be prepared and know what to do and maybe more importantly what NOT to do during an earthquake, click HERE. 

I know moving here from a VERY earthquake-prone region (the Pacific Northwest), it honestly wasn't thought of much if at all but over the last few years. We've seen some stories about earthquakes hitting in random places Oklahoma and even on the East Coast.

I recently found this site that shows a map of exactly where every earthquake was registered in the United States daily and for me, it's kind of addicting to look at. (I know I'm weird).

This is also a good follow on Twitter too for info on earthquakes and other cool science stuff.