Idaho rocked by 6.5 Magnitude Earthquake

In a photo provided by Israel Bravo, rocks fall from the north side of the Snake River Canyon during an earthquake, Tuesday, March 31, 2020, near Twin Falls, Idaho. A large earthquake struck north of Boise on Tuesday evening, with people across a large area reporting shaking. (Israel Bravo via AP)

On Tuesday, March 31, Idaho was rocked by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake that was felt in six neighboring states at 5:52 p.m.

Located 45 miles of Challis and 73 miles north of Meridian, 19 miles northwest of Stanley, Idaho. As of Sunday, April 5, the region has experienced over 200 aftershocks including a 4.6 magnitude one that could be felt as far away as the Treasure Valley.

Stanley Mayor Steve Botti told the Idaho Statesman that the shaking was so intense he was unable to walk down the stairs. “Stuff was flying all over the place,” he said.

Structural damages have been recorded at the Custer County Courthouse and the Road and Bridge Services Building, both in Challis.

In the days immediately following the earthquake, widespread avalanche evidence was seen throughout the region, but the area had just received three feet of snow right before the earthquake and the dangers of one was already high so it is not clear which ones transpired before the quake or because of it.

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