Earthquakes Continue to Rock Reno, Nevada
By Michele McDonough, published Jun 13, 2008
RENO, Nevada, June 13 - After almost a month of relative calm, this past week saw four more earthquakes with a magnitude of three or higher strike Reno, Nevada. The worst of these temblors measured in with a magnitude of 3.9. While Nevada is the third most active state for earthquakes in the United States, the activity in the Reno area since February 28 has scientists at the Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) warning local residents that these smaller quakes may be a precursor of a larger one to come.
The most severe earthquake since the outbreak began in late February was a magnitude 4.7 that occurred on April 25. In addition to cracking walls in some homes and knocking over shelved contents in stores, this quake triggered a rock slide that caused the breach of a 125-foot wooden water-supply flume that served one of Reno's two water treatment plants. A backup pump was in place to divert the water so no water shortages ensued.
The NSL reports that there are at least two active faults in the Reno area that may be capable of producing an earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher. Earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 3.9 are often felt but rarely cause significant damage. Those between 4.0 and 4.9 can cause noticeable shaking of indoor items, hanging items to fall off walls, and have a slight, but unlikely, chance of causing significant damage. An earthquake of magnitude 7 can cause severe damage over a large area. For comparison purposes, the 1989 San Francisco earthquake had magnitude 6.9. The most powerful earthquake recorded in Nevada history was a magnitude 7.4 that was centered just south of Winnemucca.
Smaller earthquakes can be a warning of larger ones to come. Immediately following an earthquake, there is a 6 percent chance that another quake that size or larger will occur. After about five days, the probability of another quake occurring goes back to normal. This knowledge coupled with the recent increased frequency of earthquakes in Reno and the surrounding area is what has prompted seismologists to issue warnings
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/820091/earthquakes_continue_to_rock_reno_nevada.html
By Michele McDonough, published Jun 13, 2008
RENO, Nevada, June 13 - After almost a month of relative calm, this past week saw four more earthquakes with a magnitude of three or higher strike Reno, Nevada. The worst of these temblors measured in with a magnitude of 3.9. While Nevada is the third most active state for earthquakes in the United States, the activity in the Reno area since February 28 has scientists at the Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) warning local residents that these smaller quakes may be a precursor of a larger one to come.
The most severe earthquake since the outbreak began in late February was a magnitude 4.7 that occurred on April 25. In addition to cracking walls in some homes and knocking over shelved contents in stores, this quake triggered a rock slide that caused the breach of a 125-foot wooden water-supply flume that served one of Reno's two water treatment plants. A backup pump was in place to divert the water so no water shortages ensued.
The NSL reports that there are at least two active faults in the Reno area that may be capable of producing an earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher. Earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 3.9 are often felt but rarely cause significant damage. Those between 4.0 and 4.9 can cause noticeable shaking of indoor items, hanging items to fall off walls, and have a slight, but unlikely, chance of causing significant damage. An earthquake of magnitude 7 can cause severe damage over a large area. For comparison purposes, the 1989 San Francisco earthquake had magnitude 6.9. The most powerful earthquake recorded in Nevada history was a magnitude 7.4 that was centered just south of Winnemucca.
Smaller earthquakes can be a warning of larger ones to come. Immediately following an earthquake, there is a 6 percent chance that another quake that size or larger will occur. After about five days, the probability of another quake occurring goes back to normal. This knowledge coupled with the recent increased frequency of earthquakes in Reno and the surrounding area is what has prompted seismologists to issue warnings
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/820091/earthquakes_continue_to_rock_reno_nevada.html