Scores of aftershocks recorded following recent quake

SANDPOINT — More than 40 aftershocks were recorded in the wake of the Magnitude 6.5 earthquake in southern Idaho late last month, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The aftershocks ranged between Magnitude 2.6 to 4.4, USGS reported. The most recent aftershock — a Magnitude 3.1 — was recorded on Monday approximately 44 miles west southwest of Challis.

Scores of Bonner County residents reported feeling the March 31 earthquake, according to USGS.

The service said aftershocks were to be expected near the mainshock.

There is less than a 1-percent chance of one or more aftershocks that are larger than Magnitude 6.5 in the coming week, USGS officials said.

“It is likely that there will be smaller earthquakes over the next 1 Week, with 5 to 44 magnitude 3 or higher aftershocks. Magnitude 3 and above are large enough to be felt near the epicenter. The number of aftershocks will drop off over time, but a large aftershock can increase the numbers again, temporarily,” USGS said in a forecast.

The Idaho Department of Lands said on Wednesday its minerals and oil and gas division is working with operators to conduct initial checks on oil and gas wells in Payette County.

“IDL inspectors will be conducting further inspections of the facilities and wells through the end of the week,” Sharla Arledge, an IDL spokeswoman, said in a news release.

Initial checks on surface mines across the state also have not indicated any problems, IDL said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.