An ‘intensity’ map from the U.S. Geological Survey for Monday’s earthquake near Yerington.
Update Dec. 10:
The University of Nevada, Reno’s Nevada Seismological Laboratory determined Monday’s 5.8 magnitude earthquake occurring at 3:08 p.m. local time occurred on an unnamed fault between Yerington and Silver Springs in Lyon County.
The earthquake occurred at about 11.5 kilometers, or about 7 miles deep, in a fault zone called the Wabuska Lineament, and could be felt as far as San Francisco and along the coast, according to Seismological Laboratory Director Christie Rowe on Tuesday.
Reports initially indicated varying reports of a magnitude 5.8 from the U.S. Geological Survey and downgraded to a 5.7 and 5.5.
“The initial information is an automated algoritm that is posted as quickly as possible,” Rowe explained the process to the Appeal. “Our analysts will go in and carefully locate where the earthquake is. There is a little feedback, and what we saw was what was jumping and as we settled.”
Monday’s earthquake was a left-lateral strike slip along the Wabuska Lineament, a cluster of northeast-striking faults in the mountains east of Reno.
Members of the public who felt the earthquake is requested to fill out a form on the U.S. Geological Survey website indicating the intensity of shaking at their location.
Rowe said the location of the earthquake changed as staff was able to better process the data. Preliminary reports indicated a magnitude of 5.5. near the epicenter and distances ranging approximately 25.6 kilometers north-northeast of Yerington, 52.4 kilometers south-southeast of Fernley and 66.3 kilometers east of Carson City. But the 5.8 magnitude registered as 47.5 kilometers south-southeast of Fernley, 66 kilometers of Carson City and 72.9 kilometers east-southeast of Sparks.
Rowe reminds residents Nevada remains seismically active.
“As a rule, we see 5.0 earthquakes every five years or so and 6.0 almost every 10 years,” she said. “We don’t see something like this often. But we’re feeling relieved nobody was hurt. It’s a safety reminder.”
She said it’s a good time to remind the public to stay up-to-date on their safety drills. Nevada’s schools, many of which participate in the Great Nevada ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org/nevada to encourage students to plan drills to drop, cover and hold.
“If people are inspired by this, then I’d say to make sure they have earthquake safety kids in schools or homes,” she said. “The kids have done great with the Great ShakeOut, and they can go to the (website) to find checklists for their communities.”
Original post Dec. 9
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 5.5 earthquake occurred between 14-16 miles northeast of Yerington, Nev., at 3:08 p.m. Monday.
The seismic activity could be felt in Carson City and Carson Valley, with the Appeal's office in downtown Carson shaking visibly.
Micah Horton, CCFD battalion chief, on his way to what he believed to be an unrelated structure fire at Rand Court, said he had heard of no injuries or damage stemming from the quake as of 3:20 p.m. Monday.
Rick Cooley, deputy director of Carson City Public Works, also said he had no reports of damaged infrastructure, water pipes, sewer line or roadway, as of 3:30 p.m.
There were no major reports of damage in Lyon County as of 3:30 p.m., according to Taylor Allison, emergency management and government affairs director. She said county crews were checking for potential issues.
UNR's Seismological Lab showed Monday afternoon multiple 2.5-3.6 aftershocks in the area following the larger quake.