  | |
| UTC time | 2011-08-23 05:46:18 |
|---|---|
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | August 22, 2011 |
| Local time | 23:46:18 MDT[1] |
| Magnitude | 5.3Mw[1] |
| Depth | 2.6 mi (4.2 km)[1] |
| Epicenter | 37°04′N104°42′W / 37.07°N 104.7°W /37.07; -104.7 |
| Type | Dip-slip |
| Areas affected | Colorado United States |
| Max. intensity | MMI VII (Very strong)[1][2] |
The2011 Colorado earthquake occurred on August 22 at11:46 PM MDT with amoment magnitude of 5.3 and a maximumMercalli intensity of VII (Very Strong). Theepicenter of theintraplate earthquake was 10 mi (20 km) west northwest ofTrinidad, Colorado, and 180 mi (290 km) south ofDenver, according to theUnited States Geological Survey (USGS).[1][3][4][5][6] It was the largest natural earthquake to affect Colorado for more than a hundred years.[3]
The earthquake occurred as part of aswarm of smaller quakes that started the previous day. The last time the Colorado region received a series of earthquakes was in 2001, when about a dozen smaller-sized temblors were recorded.[1] The shock occurred as a result ofnormal faulting and was similar in depth, style and location to the events that made up the 2001 swarm.
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