Posted on 04/26/2008 8:24:44 PM PDT by BenLurkin
RENO, Nev. (AP) ― Scientists urged residents of northern Nevada's largest city to prepare for a bigger event as the area continued rumbling Saturday after the largest earthquake in a two-month-long series of temblors.
More than 100 aftershocks were recorded on the western edge of the city after a magnitude 4.7 quake hit Friday night, the strongest quake around Reno since one measuring 5.2 in 1953, said researchers at the seismological laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The latest quake swept store shelves clean, cracked walls in homes and dislodged rocks on hillsides, but there were no reports of injuries or widespread major damage.
Seismologists said the recent activity is unusual because the quakes started out small and continue to build in strength. The normal pattern is for a main quake followed by smaller aftershocks.
"A magnitude 6 quake wouldn't be a scientific surprise," John Anderson, director of the seismological lab, said Saturday. "We certainly hope residents are taking the threat seriously after last night."
But Anderson stressed there was no way to predict what would happen, and said the sequence of quakes also could end without a major one.
Reno's last major quake measured 6.1 on April 24, 1914, and was felt as far away as Berkeley, Calif., said Craig dePolo, research geologist with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology.
A rockslide triggered by Friday night's quake was blamed for causing a 125-foot breach in a wooden flume that carries water to one of two water treatment plants in Reno, a city of about 210,000.
A backup pump was used to divert water to the plant, and the breach was not expected to cause any water shortages, said Aaron Kenneston, Washoe County emergency management officer.
The U.S. Geological Survey said Friday night's quake was centered around Mogul, just west of Reno. The area of upscale homes along the eastern Sierra was rattled by more than 100 quakes the day before, the strongest a magnitude 4.2 that caused high-rise casinos to sway in downtown Reno.
The strongest aftershock measured 3.7 and was recorded early Saturday.
Mike Lentini of Reno said Friday night's quake felt "like a big truck hit the building" and awakened his family.
"It's the unknown. It's shaking, and when's it going to stop?" he said Saturday. "And when stuff starts falling off the shelves it's a whole other ballgame."
Jars of mayonnaise and bottles of ketchup and shampoo fell from shelves at a Wal-Mart store in northwest Reno. Overhead televisions swayed at a sports bar in neighboring Sparks, 11 miles east, where bartender Shawn Jones said the rumble was significantly stronger than Thursday's event.
"The bottles were shaking, so I sent everybody outside," he said.
Hundreds of mostly minor quakes have occurred along one or possibly more faults since the sequence began Feb. 28, said Ken Smith, a seismologist at the Reno laboratory. The quakes have occurred along an area about 2 miles long and a half-mile wide.
"We can't put a number on it, but the probability of a major earthquake has increased with this sequence," Smith said Saturday. "People need to prepare for ground shaking because there's no way to say how this will play out."
Among other things, scientists urged residents to stock up on water and food, to learn how to turn off water and gas, and to strap down bookshelves, televisions and computers.
"It's getting a little bit frightening," Daryl DiBitonto of Reno told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I'm very concerned about this increase in not only activity, but also in magnitude."
The quakes around Reno began a week after a magnitude 6 temblor in the northern Nevada town of Wells, near the Utah border. The Feb. 21 quake caused an estimated $778,000 in damage to homes, schools and historic downtown buildings, dePolo said.
Scientists said they're unsure whether the seismic activity at opposite sides of Nevada is related.
Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the U.S. behind California and Alaska. The Wells quake was the 15th of at least magnitude 6 in the state's 143-year history.
A magnitude-7.4 quake south of Winnemucca in 1915 is the most powerful in state history.
Among other things, scientists urged residents to stock up on water and food, to learn how to turn off water and gas, and to strap down bookshelves, televisions and computers.
They do seem to be getting smaller. Three in the last hour at about 1.7
When the earthquakes shakin'
Said there's gonna be war
Tell the National Guard
Don't mind the grocery store.........
While in Alaska (after the BIG one- '64) our aftershocks were all over 6.0 for about a year. That Reno's are 'building' is strange. Makes me wonder if a new 'peak' isn't about to develope from some magma below.
We've seen a large snowpak on the west slopes. Wonder if all this weight isn't sqeezing out a 'burp' on the Nevada side?
Those doorway thresholds can get mighty crowded when the ground starts shakin. ;^)
Wrong Reno... sigh.....
/johnny/
That photo of Janet Reno! You scared me. My folks live in Reno. I’m worried about them.
Steel-toed boots help.
Last time I was in an earthquake was way back in the '80s. Small quake. 4.3 or something. I was on a road trip, charging everything back to the company, and I had spent a night out with the guys, and by 10AM, I felt bad.
I excused myself, and went and got right with God and the cool bathroom floor. After a while... I cleaned right up and walked out to talk to the VP about our business deal.
An assistant hissed at me "Did you feel that?".
I assumed they were talking about the heaving and blowing and trumpeting from the nearby bathroom.....
A friend from Poland that I had worked with earlier figured it out before I did. She intercepted me and kept me from making (anymore) of a fool out of myself.
I never felt the ground move. It was just gas and rented beer, as far as I was concerned.
/johnny/
There are two major types of quakes .. shakers and rollers.
From the reports, I believe these 4 pt shakes must be the shaker-type. A 4 pt rolling quake does very little damage.
I’ve been through 4.9 rolling quakes here in San Diego - and they did very little damage.
Forgive me....
No more pictures.
/johnny/
Trouble is that if the quake is strong enough you need to get in a doorway, it's also strong enough you probably can't move to get there.
My concern is a new/old volcano vs a 6.0 earthquake. That shaking is all going on virtually on top of a hot springs. Sounds almost like magma moving doesn’t it?
Sorry. Hope your folks are ok.
Prayers for all in that area.
/johnny/
/johnny/
My husband’s family lived there also. I am concerned.
Kaboom! I not sweating it yet.
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