Vincent Matthews and Lauren HeerschapColorado Geological Survey

Photographs from FEMA Photo Library

                                                 

A Repeat of Colorado’s Largest Historical Earthquake

If a repeat of the 1882 M6.6 were to occur near Estes Park, we would have…

• $2.8 billion in economic losses statewide

• 35,000 buildings with moderate or higher damage

• 190 casualties requiring hospitalization

• 2,650 displaced households

If a M6.25 were to occur near the Rocky Mountain Arsenal today…

• $14.9 billion in economic losses statewide

• 152,000 buildings with moderate or higher damage

• 2,500 casualties requiring hospitalization

• 28,500 displaced households

• $5.6 billion loss in Denver County alone

Deterministic Scenarios for Known Faults

Known faults that displace Miocene or younger strata and

deposits

Known faults that displace Quaternary

deposits

Faults and epicenters evaluated for this

study

1882 Earthquake

Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Rampart RangeRampart RangeFaultFault

goldenSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Golden Fault

M 6.5 $ 21.9 billion

Ute passSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Ute Pass Fault

M 7.0 $ 16.8 billion

rampartSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Rampart Range Fault

M 7.0 $ 23.1 billion

cherawSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Cheraw Fault

M 7.0 $ 1.3 billion

N sangreSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

N Sangre de Cristo Fault

M 7.5 $ 8.0 billion

cannibalSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Cannibal Fault

M 7.0 $ 675 million

Busted boilerSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Busted Boiler Fault

M 6.5 $ 694 million

RoubideauSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Roubideau Creek Fault

M 5.5 $ 94 million

cimarronSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Cimarron Fault

M 6.75 $ 808 million

S SawatchSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

South Sawatch Fault

M 7.25 $ 4.7 billion

mosquitoSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Mosquito Fault

M 7.0 $ 6.2 billion

frontalSelected Hazus

Scenario Results

Frontal Fault

M 7.0 $ 6.7 billion

Williams forkSelected Hazus

Scenario ResultsWilliams Fork Fault

M 6.75 $ 3.5 billion

The City that Waits