dailyloe.com – A magnitude 5.5 earthquake shook western Nevada on Monday evening. The quake was centered about 12 miles from Silver Springs in Lyon County. This event draws attention to one of Nevada’s most active seismic regions. It ranks among the biggest earthquakes in the state in decades.
Kyren Bogolub, a network seismologist with the UNR Laboratory, provided context. “I want to say in the last 60 years or so, I think it’s about the seventh largest earthquake in Nevada,” Bogolub said. The shaking is tied to the Walker Lane fault system. This system runs for about 600 miles along the Nevada-California border.
Bogolub explained the seismic activity of the area. “So the Walker Lane is probably the most seismically active part of Nevada,” she said. “It’s not necessarily where we have the largest earthquakes, but it’s where we have the most.” The seismologist also commented on future possibilities. She said she wouldn’t be surprised to see a larger quake.
“I would say getting a magnitude 7 would not be shocking to me,” Bogolub said. The recent event underscores ongoing seismic risk. Meanwhile, a related training exercise occurred at the University of Nevada, Reno. About 180 medical students took part in a disaster drill on Tuesday.
The training focused on responding after a major earthquake. It included a scenario where patients exceed available space. Jennifer Delaney, UNR’s training and exercise coordinator, explained the rationale. “Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the Union, following California and Alaska,” Delaney said.
“So it is absolutely plausible that we could have this situation,” she added. Delaney said the drill gives students valuable career experience. The training was scheduled before Monday’s actual earthquake. Students noted the coincidental timing made the exercise more impactful.
UNR medical student Ozzie Tavares commented on the experience. “It was… very interesting timing… to have an earthquake like that happen just one day before we had a training,” Tavares said. “I think it made us all take it a lot more seriously.” He emphasized the persistent risk for the state.
“Nevada is always at risk for something like this to happen,” Tavares concluded. The earthquake and the training highlight regional preparedness needs. Both events occurred within a short timeframe of each other. They collectively underscore the seismic reality for Nevada residents.[]
Source: KOLO | 8 News Now
