Ongoing Earthquake Swarm In Nevada Increasing Chances For A ‘Big One’

RENO (CBS SF) — A swarm of earthquakes in a remote northwest area of Nevada that started in July this year has grown in intensity over the past several days, increasing the probability for a larger quake.

During that past three months, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and U.S. Geological Survey recorded over 42 earthquakes larger than magnitude 3, and about 550 earthquakes larger than magnitude 2. Four earthquakes over a magnitude 4 have occurred since Oct. 30 with the largest event a magnitude 4.7 at 5:54 a.m. PST on Nov. 7.

The activity is located about 40 miles southeast of Lakeview, Oregon and 40 miles northeast of Cedarville, California. Seismologists say the activity resembles the 1968 Adel, Oregon earthquake swarm, which also lasted several months and included three events of magnitude 5. The swarm caused moderate damage, as did another sequence of quakes in west Reno during 2008.

Following any sequence of earthquakes similar to what is occurring in northwest Nevada, there is a small increase in the possibility of a larger event, according to the Nevada Seismological Laboratory.