Magnitude 4.4 strongest in series of earthquakes

Quakes centered six miles south of downtown, minor damage reported.

Re-posted on behalf of the University of Nevada

Reno, Nevada. Dec. 23, 2015. The Nevada Seismological Laboratory reports a local magnitude 4.4 earthquake (moment magnitude 4.3) located in a residential area of south Reno Nevada. Location parameters: Latitude: 39.4288N; Longitude; -119.7886W; Depth 6 miles, (9.6 km) at 10:46 p.m. PST, Dec. 22, 2015. There have been reports of minor damage. The initial event of the sequence was a magnitude 1.2 event at 10:18 p.m. followed by magnitude 3.2 (10:22 p.m.), 3.0 (10:36 p.m.) and 3.1 (10:45 p.m.) prior to the magnitude 4.4. A magnitude 3.1 earthquakes occurred at 11:05 p.m. These are the largest events of the sequence at this time.

As of 6:43 a.m. PST Dec. 23, 2015, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory has recorded a total of 32 events associated with this sequence of earthquakes.

The largest event, as well the magnitude 3 earthquakes were strongly felt in the south Reno area.

 “I like to remind everyone that it is always appropriate to make a plan for what to do during a disaster, in this case secure your home before, drop, cover, hold on during, and assess damage after; assemble a kit with at least 72 hours of water, food, first aid supplies, flashlight and battery-powered radio in case of utility disruption; and stay informed about our earthquake risks,” Aaron Kenneston, with Washoe County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program, said.

Updated information for activity associated with this earthquake is available at http://www.seismo.unr.edu/Earthquake.

The Nevada-Eastern California region has a history of large damaging earthquakes and citizens should always consider earthquake preparedness. Nevadans are encouraged to practice aspects of emergency plans and to "secure your space," which includes retrofitting buildings to reduce damage and securing things within buildings to prevent injury. For more information on how to prepare for an earthquake, go to http://www.shakeout.org/nevada/ or www.readywashoe.com.

The Nevada Seismological Laboratory, a public service department at the University of Nevada, Reno, is a member of the USGS Advanced National Seismic System (http://www.anss.org) and operates a network of about 150 real-time seismograph stations throughout the region providing earthquake information to Nevada citizens, the USGS, and local and state officials.

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