Carson area experiencing swarm of temblors

The Nevada Seismological Laboratory has located 122 earthquakes in a continuing sequence of activity located on the southeastern edge of Carson City.

“It’s not unusual to see earthquake sequences similar to this in the Northern Nevada area,” Graham Kent, director of the Nevada Seismological Lab at the UNR, said in a statement. “Based on the historical record of earthquakes in the region, as earthquakes sequences progress, the probability of larger events that could be felt or that could potentially cause damaging ground shaking increases. We’re working with state emergency managers and are watching this closely so citizens can be informed and prepared.”

This most recent activity began on June 1 at 11:15pm. The largest events of the sequence have been one magnitude 2.9 and two magnitude 2.8 events. The most recent of these occurred at 8:06am June 20. Each of the larger events has been followed by numerous small earthquakes, some too small to be pinpointed, but nonetheless observed on the local seismic network.

“The activity is occurring about 5.5 miles below ground,” said Ken Smith, network administrator and associate director at the Nevada Seismological Lab. “This sequence of events is noteworthy and of concern in that it may be associated with the northern extent of the Genoa Fault Zone, a large range-bounding fault system capable of earthquakes of Magnitude 7 and larger. We cannot forecast or predict how this particular sequence of earthquakes will evolve, or if there will be larger events.”

Large damaging earthquakes are always possible anywhere in the Northern Nevada area.

Earthquake activity in the Carson City area will continue to be closely monitored and additional information will be issued as necessary to ensure public safety.