Moderate earthquake in Nevada shakes southwestern Utah


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SALT LAKE CITY — A moderate earthquake near Caliente, Nevada was felt in southwest Utah, according to a United States Geological Survey report.

The 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at 12:47 p.m. Friday in southwestern Nevada, about 48 miles outside of Mesquite, Nevada, according to the USGS. The instruments originally reported a 5.4 magnitude, but seismologists later adjusted that number.

A second quake of 3.8 occurred in the same location at 1:05 p.m.

Residents in Las Vegas and Mesquite felt weak to light shaking, according to USGS. Las Vegas Fire and Rescue said that no fire or medical-related 911 calls had come in response to the earthquake as of 1:30 p.m.

Nevada Department of Transportation was inspecting a freeway ramp in Las Vegas on US-95 southbound to I-15 southbound for possible damage . No other damage was reported, Clark County Emergency reported.

"NDOT inspects its 1,100 bridges statewide at least twice a year," NDOT said in a statement. "All of our bridge structures are designed to withstand rigorous wind and earthquake loading. Nevada lies within an active seismic zone, which is something that we take into account during the project design and engineering phase. Nevada consequently has some of the best rated bridges in the country, according to a recent report by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association."

Instruments at the U. of U.'s seismology laboratory also noted the quake. Residents in St. George, Hurricane, Cedar City and Parowan felt “weak” shaking as a result of the earthquake.

Photo credit: University of Utah

"I think they probably would have felt a good shake," said Katherine Whidden, research seismologist.

She said that damage would begin to occur around a 5.5 if an earthquake occurred directly underneath the city.

Whidden did not expect that the earthquake would affect the Wasatch fault line. She did, however, remind people to be prepared with a 72-hour kit in the event of a large earthquake in Utah.

There was a 4.0 magnitude earthquake in Utah last year, she said.

Contributing: Brianna Bodily

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