5.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Nevada, Felt Across California
Sacramento, Tuesday, 10 December 2024.
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit near Yerington, Nevada, on December 9, 2024, causing tremors felt across California. No significant damage reported, but aftershocks continue.
Initial Impact and Response
The earthquake struck at 3:08 PM PST on Monday, initially recorded as a 5.8 magnitude before being adjusted to 5.5 by some agencies [1][5]. The epicenter was located approximately 17 miles southeast of Silver Springs, between Carson City and Naval Air Station Fallon [1]. The seismic event triggered immediate response from emergency services, with the California Office of Emergency Services coordinating with local, state, and federal partners to assess impacts [5].
Widespread Effects
The earthquake’s impact reached far beyond its epicenter, with shaking reported across a significant geographical area. Over 2.4 million people across two countries felt the tremors [4]. The quake reached a maximum intensity of level VII (Very strong) near the epicenter, with approximately 12,000 people experiencing strong shaking at level VI [4]. Communities as far as Sacramento and Modesto reported feeling the movement, with light to weak shaking detected as far south as Merced and Fresno [1][5].
Aftershocks and Monitoring
In the hours following the main shock, the region experienced multiple aftershocks [1][6]. At least nine significant aftershocks were recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 3.6 [2][6]. The USGS has classified the economic risk as Level GREEN, with a 0.9% chance of losses exceeding 1 million USD [4]. The Carson City Sheriff’s Department reported no injuries or damage from the earthquake [5].
Regional Seismic Context
This event comes just four days after a more powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Northern California coast near Humboldt County [5][6]. That earlier event had prompted a tsunami warning, highlighting the region’s ongoing seismic activity [5]. The proximity of these events serves as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness in the western United States [GPT].