Salt Lake Telegram | 1932-12-21 | Page 2 | Depth of Quake Saves Severity

Depth of Quake Saves Severity DENVER Dec 21 UP UP-An UP An earthquake earthquake earth earth- quake which shook the west last night would have been a disaster of first magnitude if jf it had not originated originated so far below the crust of ot the earth Father A. A W. W Fo Forstall rs tall seismologist seis seis- of Regis college told the United Press today Father Forstall's prized instruments were almost wrecked by the temblor although a survey showed the quake was not felt in Colorado or Wyoming except possibly in the southwest far em ern corner of the latter state Rock RockSprings RockSprings RockSprings Springs Laramie RawlInS Casper and Cheyenne were unable to confirm reports that the quake had been felt feltin feltin feltin in Wyoming The UThe quake was violent but was very deeply centered Father Forstall Forstall Forstall For For- stall said That is why the quake was felt over such sucha a large area and why despite its subterraneous violence vio yb lence it did little damage at the sur sur- face Had the quake been closer to the surface and of the same violence it would have done tremendous dam dam- age i I could not get a clear record of Jf what occurred because the quake was wasso wasso wasso so violent A little more and it would have wrecked the instruments en en- Father Forstall said the quake doubtless changed the inner str structure of the earth but that its waves lost I force rapidly as the they p pushed toward the surface He said it was impossible to p predict p whether the quake was the forerunner forerun forerun- ner ncr of ot others