Nevada rocked by quake swarm

Historic Virginia City faces earthquake danger

VIRGINIA CITY, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- If you live in south Reno or Virginia City, you may have felt the recent swarm of earthquakes. More than 100 small quakes have been recorded near the area.

Many people from Lockwood to Damonte Ranch and the Virginia Highlands are feeling them. Experts are concerned about the historic buildings in Virginia City.

The epicenter is located between Virginia City and Lockwood. Since Tuesday, four of the more than 100 quakes had a magnitude greater than 3.0.

No damage has been reported, but Storey County Emergency Management Director Joe Curtis said his department is "all over this."

That's because earthquakes are unpredictable and no one knows if, or when, a big one will hit. In Virginia City, in addition to the potential danger posed, there is another concern.

"We have completed a survey of all of our historic structures," Curtis said. "Most of them for the most part are un-reinforced masonry structures."

Curtis said there is a potential of losing an irreplaceable piece of history. "Should we have a major, upwards of high six into the seven area earthquake, we would probably lose many of these historical structures."

These historic buildings in virginia city were built back in the 1800's, prior to building codes and regulations, but they have withstood major earthquakes before. Two long-time Nevada residents remember some of the recent big ones very well.