Press Release

Nevada Seismological Laboratory

27 December 2004

12:00 PM PST

M 2.5 Earthquake In Sun Valley, north of Reno, Nevada.

A magnitude 2.5 earthquake was felt today at 7:12 AM, PST (December 27, 2004). It was located at 39.594 N, 119.795 W, with a preliminary depth of 3.4 km (~2 miles). This location is approximately 5 miles north of downtown Reno, Nevada in the Sun Valley area. This is the largest of a swarm of over 100 microearthquakes seen in this area since 1 AM today by the Nevada Seismological Laboratory. The M 2.5 earthquake was reported to be felt by at least three people. Earthquakes with magnitudes as small as M 2 have been reported in the Reno vicinity in the past.

map of the earthquake location

The data reported here has been reviewed. For more information, contact the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, (775) 784-4975. The free pamphlet "Earthquakes in Nevada and How to Survive Them," is available on request. The NSL operates a statewide network of seismographic stations and investigates the sizes, frequencies of occurrence, and distribution of earthquakes in the region, and other problems related to seismic risk in Nevada. Visit the NSL web site at www.seismo.unr.edu for further information.