Possible New Fault Line Found In Central Idaho

(AP) – An Idaho State University geosciences professor said there’s strong evidence a previously unidentified fault line extends 65 miles along the base of the Sawtooth Mountain Range in central Idaho.

Glenn Thackray says his research has led him to conclude that it’s a major, active fault, which would make it Idaho’s fourth major active fault.

Thackray tells the Idaho State Journal that his theory was further validated Tuesday by a magnitude 2.1 earthquake originating along the fault that formed the Sawtooths.

Thackray says the Sawtooth fault has had major episodes 4,100 years ago and 7,000 years ago.

Thackray says his theory on the fault is based on satellite and airborne remote sensing as well as core samples from Redfish Lake.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)