Note: The map shows areas with a shaking intensity of 3 or higher, which the USGS defines as “weak,” but earthquakes may be felt outside of the marked areas. new york times
A small magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck Nevada on Thursday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The earthquake sparked a variety of stories online, but no widespread damage was reported.
The quake occurred at 1:47 p.m. Pacific time about 7 miles northwest of Summerlin South, Nevada, agency data show.
On social media, residents in the area described the quake as shaking their homes and rattling their windows and doors. Some people said they heard a loud explosion, while others described feeling nothing or a small commotion without any major impact.
Brian Cohen was putting away groceries at his home in Lone Mountain, about 30 minutes west of the Las Vegas Strip, when he felt his entire house rattle violently for about three seconds just before 2 p.m.
“The whole house seemed to feel better,” said Mr. Cohen, who is in his 60s. He said he went outside and saw his neighbor, who was also shocked.
Cohen, who has lived in the Las Vegas area since 1994, said this was not his first earthquake. “This is the strongest I’ve ever felt,” he said, adding that there was no damage to his home.
Seismologists may revise reported earthquake magnitudes as they review available data. Additional information collected about the earthquake may allow USGS scientists to update shaking severity maps.
Aftershock Forecast
Although individual earthquakes cannot be predicted, geologists can use statistical models of past events to calculate the likelihood of more earthquakes occurring after the initial one.
According to the USGS, this earthquake makes the area about four times more likely to be hit by a larger quake the next day. Below are predictions for aftershocks of different magnitudes.
3.0 mag. or stronger
maybe
26%
—
4.0 mag. or stronger
unlikely
5%
—
5.0 mag. or stronger
unlikely
<1%
—
Source: U.S. Geological Survey. William B. Davis, Joel Eastwood, John Keefe/New York Times
The rate of aftershocks generally decreases over time, and forecasts are provided for the following week, month, and year.
Aftershocks were detected
An earthquake was later reported in the same area. These earthquakes are usually aftershocks caused by minor adjustments in the portion of the fault that slipped during the initial earthquake.
Earthquakes and aftershocks within 100 miles
Aftershocks can occur days, weeks, or even years after the first earthquake. These events may be of the same or greater magnitude as the initial earthquake and may continue to impact locations that have already suffered damage.
When an earthquake or aftershock occurs
new york times
Source: U.S. Geological Survey (epicenter, aftershocks, shaking intensity); LandScan (population density) via Oak Ridge National Laboratory | Note: Tremor categories are based on the modified Mercalli intensity scale. When aftershock data is available, the maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and within 7 days of the initial earthquake. All times above are Pacific Standard Time. Shake data is as of 5:25 PM ET on Thursday, June 4. Aftershock data is as of 4:40 PM ET on Friday, June 5.
