SALT LAKE CITY: Just after 8am this morning Utah residents from Loagan, UT down to Payson, Utah reported violent shaking from an earthquake. The University of Utah Seismograph Station has reported the following: “An earthquake coming in at a magnitude 3.7 struck Utah south of Salt Lake City at 0509 hours local time, according to a preliminary report from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This was enough to be felt by plenty of people in the region, and as a result the tricky tremblor is trending on social media.”

There has been no reports of infrastructural damage, and it’s very unlikely there will be. This quake, which appears to be nearest to the city of Bluffdale, was of a fairly low magnitude but just powerful enough – and at 8.8 kilometres (5.5 miles), shallow enough – to be felt by people.

Church: Salt Lake Temple sustains minor damage

The Salt Lake Temple sustained some minor damage, including the Angel Moroni statue atop the building losing his trumpet, due to Wednesday’s earthquake, according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A church spokesman issued the following statement Wednesday morning:

“The Salt Lake Temple, which is undergoing a seismic upgrade, sustained some minor damage during Wednesday morning’s earthquake. The trumpet on the Angel Moroni statue fell off, and there is minor displacement of some of the temple’s smaller spire stones. No workers were injured. Crews on the job site have been sent home for the day, and a full assessment is underway to determine needs going forward. This event emphasizes why this project is so necessary to preserve this historic building and create a safer environment for all our patrons and visitors.”

Condition of Salt Lake Temple After Utah Earthquake

Sacred structure sustained minor damage

Daniel Woodruff, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, released the following statement Wednesday morning to media:

This morning at 7:09 a.m. MDT, Salt Lake City experienced a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. No injuries have been reported to Church employees. Until further notice, all Church headquarter facilities are closed to evaluate the safety of our buildings.

The Salt Lake Temple, which is undergoing a seismic upgrade, sustained minor damage during Wednesday morning’s earthquake. The trumpet on the Angel Moroni statue fell off, and there is minor displacement of some of the temple’s smaller spire stones. No workers were injured. Crews on the job site have been sent home for the day, and a full assessment is underway to determine needs going forward. This event emphasizes why this project is so necessary to preserve this historic building and create a safer environment for all our patrons and visitors.