Another Quake Felt In Mother Lode

Tuolumne County, CA – A Nevada earthquake shook the Mother Lode around 4:10 this afternoon. The United States Geological Survey is reporting the 5.2 magnitude quake was centered in Tonopah Junction, Nevada. Tonopah is between Reno and Las Vegas.

 Several residents say the quake felt like a wave rolling towards them. People on Big Hill and in Groveland reported feeling their homes shake. A second quake in the same area after the first one was only a 3.3 magnitude. A 3.3 magnitude would be only a slight tremor, magnitude 2.5 to 5.4 are often felt, but only causes minor damage. Above 5.5 can cause some damage depending on how long and where the quake is.

The previous earthquake that was felt in the Mother Lode was centered 13 miles southeast of Markleeville in Alpine County. The January 24th news story “Earthquake Felt In Mother Lode” is here.

Nevada has many fault lines and several small earthquakes that can’t be felt are tracked daily by the United States Geological Survey.