The Salt Lake Temple is stronger on the 5-year anniversary of Magna quake


14 photos
0
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

SALT LAKE CITY — On March 18, 2020, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake knocked the trumpet out of the Angel Moroni's hand atop the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Five years later, the church has nearly finished all of the seismic upgrades that were just getting started in 2020.

Angel Moroni is raised atop the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
Angel Moroni is raised atop the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo: Stuart Johnson, KSL-TV)

"The seismic work at the Salt Lake Temple is world class," said Andy Kirby, the director of historic temple renovations. "It's amazing engineering and construction, and it's quite beautiful."

Kirby told KSL TV that some of the technology they used in the upgrades didn't exist just ten years ago.

"That base isolator allows the Earth to move around the temple in an earthquake. Up to 10 feet in any direction. That technology didn't exist before," Kirby said.

Officials from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints estimate that all of the reconstruction work should be complete in late 2026. Officials have planned an open house celebration in 2027.

Contributing: Alex Cabrero

Photos

Most recent Religion stories

Related topics

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsUtahSalt Lake CountyReligion
Becky Bruce, KSL NewsRadioBecky Bruce
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TVAlex Cabrero
Alex Cabrero is an Emmy award-winning journalist and reporter for KSL-TV since 2004. He covers various topics and events but particularly enjoys sharing stories that show what's good in the world.

STAY IN THE KNOW

Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Newsletter Signup

KSL Weather Forecast

KSL Weather Forecast
Play button