Numerous rock falls caused dust clouds in the epicentral region of the earthquake in the San Rafael Swell. The photographer was standing in the BLM Cedar Mountain picnic area, 11 miles from the epicenter at the time of the earthquake.

1988 San Rafael Swell, Utah earthquake; magnitude 5.3

The overlook at the Cedar Mountain Picnic area provided a good view of the dust clouds caused by rock falls in the San Rafael Swell during the earthquake.

1988 San Rafael Swell, Utah earthquake; magnitude 5.3

Rock falls were triggered in the Wasatch Plateau 20 miles northwest of the epicenter. The photographer (at home in Huntington, Utah) estimates he began taking pictures of the rock fall-caused dust clouds 45 seconds to 1 minute after the earthquake.

1988 San Rafael Swell, Utah earthquake; magnitude 5.3

This dust cloud was caused by earthquake-triggered rock fall northwest of Ferron, Utah, along the top ridge of Horn Mountain.

Return to San Rafael Earthquake Summary.