An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 was recorded on February 26 at the southern borders of Yellowstone Park - within the Teton Ridge. The earthquake occurred at 23:00 UTC 31 kilometers east of Jackson, Wyoming. The epicenter of the seismic event was located at a depth of 5 km.
The region on the borders of Teton and Yellowstone is considered the most seismically dangerous in the Rocky Mountain system. In this place, there is the Teton Fault, on which, on average, every 200 years there are large earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.5 to 7.0. In a study carried out in 2007, it was found that the Teton Fault itself is characterized by low seismic activity. Most of the powerful earthquakes on it are associated with the Yellowstone hotspot, which, as it bulges, pushes the northern edge of the Jackson Hole Valley and leads to the subsidence of the Teton ridges.
The Teton Fault is believed to be capable of generating seismic events of magnitude up to 7.5, which could cause severe shaking and potential soil liquefaction in the Jackson Hole Valley. The consequences of such a push will be the destruction of infrastructure and buildings, the deviation of rivers and streams to the west, a change in the level of groundwater, followed by the flooding of large areas.