Nevada is Earthquake Country

There have been several large earthquakes in Nevada and more will occur. In fact, over the last 150 years, Nevada has been the third most active state in the Union in the number of large earthquakes. Since the 1850s, 62 earthquakes with potentially destructive magnitudes of 5.5 or greater have occurred in the state. Given the many "earthquake-generating" faults there are in Nevada, the geodetic deformation measured between the mountains, and the many historical earthquakes, it is clear that earthquakes will continue to occur in the state. Some of these events will be very large, and some will be near our communities.

For those who experience the next major earthquake that affects Nevada, whether in a rural or urban setting, the financial and psychological impacts can be life changing. If earthquake preparedness is neglected, the shaking from earthquakes can even be life threatening. Recent earthquakes in California, Japan, Turkey, and Taiwan remind us that awareness of the earthquake threat is not enough.

Awareness must lead to action -- YOUR action

Earthquakes will continue to occur, but much of the damange from earthquakes can be avoided. We can construct buildings that will not fall down from shaking, and bridges that will sway but not break. On a personal level, we can secure water heaters and computers to keep them from falling, install cabinet latches to keep glassware and china contained and keep heavy objects away from our beds. We can store water and practice family safety plans to overcome fear and better cope with the aftermath of earthquakes. A big lesson of the last decade of earthquakes is that you can make your home, your workplace, and your family safer.