Earthquake swarm sparks panic as shockwaves are felt from Nevada to California

Residents of Nevada and parts of California were surprised Wednesday after a series of earthquakes sent shock waves hundreds of miles.

At least four notable tremors were detected near Carson City, Nevada, ranging in magnitude from 2.6 to 4.8.

The swarm struck at 10:23 a.m. PT near Silver Springs, Nevada, an area that has seen an increase in seismic activity in recent weeks.

A local posted on Facebook: “This is the same neighborhood that shook us last week. It doesn’t stop; I’m afraid of volcanic activity.

There are volcanic features in this region, but officials say they are generally considered extinct or dormant rather than active and immediate threats.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that shaking was felt as far west as areas outside of Sacramento, California. A California man shared on Facebook that he felt tremors in Colfax, which is about 140 miles west of Nevada’s epicenter.

Residents in western Nevada reported feeling the ground shake for several seconds after the magnitude 4.8 quake, which followed a series of smaller tremors recorded minutes earlier.

A local shared on Facebook: “Our house shook pretty good. It lasted longer than most people. Another added: “Here in Yerington it was louder than the last one.”

At least four notable tremors were detected near Carson City, Nevada, ranging in magnitude from 2.6 to 4.8. In the photo, magnitude 4.8

Many residents reported feeling the swarm on Wednesday, with the first significant quake, measuring 3.5, hitting around 10:22 a.m. PT.

“Our house shook, then started moving, which definitely gets the dogs excited,” one Nevada resident shared on Facebook.

Silver Lake is located in the Basin and Range Province, a large region that spans much of the western United States.

In this area, the Earth’s crust gradually stretches and thins, creating frequent faults and seismic activity.

As the crust breaks apart, fractures called faults form, and movement along these faults produces earthquakes.

The epicenter is also located in the Walker Lane seismic zone, a very active area where tectonic plates tear away land, creating numerous strike-slip faults.

The USGS also detected dozens of smaller earthquakes amid the swarm.

Multiple earthquakes in Silver Lake can be caused by several factors, but the most common reason is movement along faults, which are fractures in the Earth’s crust where blocks of rock slide past each other.

The swarm struck at 10:23 a.m. PT near Silver Springs, Nevada, an area that has seen an increase in seismic activity in recent weeks. Pictured are the aftermath of an earthquake swarm that hit the same region last week.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the tremors were felt as far west as areas outside of Sacramento, California.

When stresses build up in the crust and are suddenly released, it creates earthquakes. Another cause may be regional tectonic activity.

Because Nevada is in an area where the Earth’s crust is stretching and breaking apart, this stretching creates frequent faulting and seismic activity.

In some cases, aftershocks may occur after a larger earthquake, producing a series of smaller earthquakes over several days or weeks.

Sometimes human activity can trigger earthquakes, such as geothermal energy operations, mining, or underground fluid injection.

However, most earthquakes in Nevada are of natural origin.

Volcanic or geothermal processes can also cause shaking, particularly if underground heat and fluids move, although this is less common than tectonic causes.

Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the country, after California and Alaska.