An earthquake struck near Summerlin Thursday afternoon, shaking residents in the Las Vegas Valley and prompting thousands of reports from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake occurred at approximately 2 p.m. on June 4, with its epicenter approximately 7 miles south-northwest of Summerlin. Preliminary measurements showed the earthquake had a magnitude of between 3.8 and 4.1, which was strong enough to be widely felt in southern Nevada.
A video shared on social media captured the moment the quake was felt, and residents reported shaking in Summerlin, Henderson and other areas of the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Within minutes of the earthquake, more than 1,000 reports were submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey in the region. Most were described as mild shaking, corresponding to level IV on the modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.
This level of shaking is typically felt by many people indoors and can cause rattling in windows, dishes and doors, as well as slight shaking in parked vehicles, according to the USGS.
Reports also came from communities outside Las Vegas, including Pahrump near the Nevada-California border.
Authorities did not receive any immediate reports of injuries or significant damage following the quake. The earthquake originated near Summerlin South, a residential neighborhood on the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley near Red Rock Canyon.
Seismologists noted that magnitude estimates may be adjusted as additional data from monitoring stations continues to be analyzed.
Following the earthquake, U.S. Geological Survey forecast models indicated that additional seismic activity in the area was unlikely.
Scientists estimate that the probability of an aftershock of magnitude 3.0 or above occurring within the next 24 hours is about 26%. The probability of an aftershock of magnitude 4.0 or above is estimated to be about 5%, while the probability of an aftershock of magnitude 5.0 remains less than 1%.
The agency also estimated that the probability of a larger earthquake during the same period was about 4%.
Although Nevada has a lower probability of earthquakes than neighboring California, the state is still among the most seismically active areas in the United States.
Nevada is located within the Basin Province, where the earth’s crust gradually separates. This geological process creates numerous fault systems capable of producing frequent earthquakes throughout the state.
Unlike California, where seismic activity is concentrated along major fault lines such as the San Andreas Fault, earthquakes in Nevada occur on an extensive network of faults distributed throughout the region.
The Las Vegas earthquake was one of several seismic events recorded in the western United States on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, a series of moderate offshore earthquakes struck near the Mendocino Triple Junction, a highly active tectonic region near Northern California where three tectonic plates meet.
The strongest of these events was a magnitude 5.7 earthquake about 120 miles offshore of McKinleyville, California. A separate magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck west of Petrolia in Humboldt County, followed soon after by a magnitude 4.5 aftershock in almost the same area.
Another strong earthquake struck west-southwest of Pistol River, Oregon, shortly before 4 a.m. Pacific time.
Despite a series of offshore earthquakes, officials reported no tsunami threat and no major damage.
People indoors should stay put and immediately get down, cover and hold on, according to guidance from the U.S. Geological Survey. Experts recommend hiding under a sturdy table or moving against an interior wall, away from windows, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances.
The agency advises against running outside or using stairs when the ground shakes because doing so increases the risk of injury from falling debris or broken glass.
People who are outdoors should move to an open area away from buildings, utility poles, power lines and other structures that may collapse.
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