http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-21-nev-quake_N.htm
RENO (AP) — A strong earthquake shook rural northeastern Nevada Thursday, and there were early reports of damage in some communities, authorities said.
The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 and was reported at 6:16 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was centered in a sparsely populated area 11 miles southeast of Wells near the Nevada-Utah line.
"It was pretty bad," said Jane Kelso, who answered the phone at the Motel 6. "Everything in our whole building shook. "We have cracks in our walls."
The temblor was felt across eastern Nevada, Utah and as far away as Southern California. Elko County Undersheriff Rocky Gonzalez said there were unconfirmed reports of some damage to buildings.
RENO (AP) — A strong earthquake shook rural northeastern Nevada Thursday, and there were early reports of damage in some communities, authorities said.
The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 and was reported at 6:16 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was centered in a sparsely populated area 11 miles southeast of Wells near the Nevada-Utah line.
"It was pretty bad," said Jane Kelso, who answered the phone at the Motel 6. "Everything in our whole building shook. "We have cracks in our walls."
The temblor was felt across eastern Nevada, Utah and as far away as Southern California. Elko County Undersheriff Rocky Gonzalez said there were unconfirmed reports of some damage to buildings.
6.8 Nisqually quake here in the Seattle area in February 2001.
It was crazy, bricks fell from buildings down onto cars downtown and even around where I live. There was generally a lot of damage and I think many people hurt, don't think anyone died.
Some places including mine were without power for a short time, also. Nothing too severe though, that came last December during a big windstorm where many areas lost power for WEEKS, including my own. Thankfully I had a generator but many people did not. Some people even froze in their homes and many foreigners died from carbon monoxide poisoning after putting a BBQ grill in their homes to try and heat the place.
It was crazy, bricks fell from buildings down onto cars downtown and even around where I live. There was generally a lot of damage and I think many people hurt, don't think anyone died.
Some places including mine were without power for a short time, also. Nothing too severe though, that came last December during a big windstorm where many areas lost power for WEEKS, including my own. Thankfully I had a generator but many people did not. Some people even froze in their homes and many foreigners died from carbon monoxide poisoning after putting a BBQ grill in their homes to try and heat the place.
Had a (if my memory isnt mistaken) 7.2 and a 7.8 in the early 90's here in Costa Rica. Those were beyond scary.
Measurements however can be tircky because the big 'factor' is the depth of the quake. In other words, a quake can register higher on the Richter Scale but if it is buried very deep in the earths core, it isnt felt as much as one that is lower on the Richter scale but originates near the surface.
Measurements however can be tircky because the big 'factor' is the depth of the quake. In other words, a quake can register higher on the Richter Scale but if it is buried very deep in the earths core, it isnt felt as much as one that is lower on the Richter scale but originates near the surface.
== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==
U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center
Version #9: This report supersedes any earlier reports of this event. This event has been reviewed by a seismologist. A strong earthquake occurred at 6:16:05 AM (PST) on Thursday, February 21, 2008.
The magnitude 6.0 event occurred 18 km (11 miles) ESE of Wells, NV.
The hypocentral depth is 9 km ( 6 miles).
<TABLE width=530 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right width=195>Magnitude</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=body width=330>6.0 - moment magnitude (Mw)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Time</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=body width=330>Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 6:16:05 AM (PST)
Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 14:16:05 (UTC) </TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Distance from</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=body width=330>Wells, NV - 18 km (11 miles) ESE (102 degrees)
Spruce, NV - 32 km (20 miles) NNW (346 degrees)
Wilkins, NV - 39 km (24 miles) S (180 degrees)
West Wendover, NV - 68 km (43 miles) NW (304 degrees)
</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Coordinates</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=body width=330>41 deg. 4.6 min. N (41.077N), 114 deg. 45.1 min. W (114.752W) </TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Depth</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=body width=330>9 km (5.6 miles)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Quality</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=body width=330>Poor</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Location Quality Parameters</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=body width=330>Nst=176, Nph=176, Dmin=55.1 km, Rmss=1.44 sec, Erho=3.3 km, Erzz=0 km, Gp=18 degrees </TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Event ID#</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=body width=330>us2008nsa9</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Additional Information</TD><TD width=5>
</TD><TD width=330>map || </TD></TR><!-- Addons below this line --><TR><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD>ShakeMap shaking intensity maps (Global server)
<!-- type smgl version 01 --></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD>Did you feel it?
<!-- type fr version 01 --></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD>Berkeley moment tensor solution
<!-- type MomentTensor_Berkeley version 01 --></TD></TR><!-- Addons above this line --></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
For more information, see http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/
U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center
Version #9: This report supersedes any earlier reports of this event. This event has been reviewed by a seismologist. A strong earthquake occurred at 6:16:05 AM (PST) on Thursday, February 21, 2008.
The magnitude 6.0 event occurred 18 km (11 miles) ESE of Wells, NV.
The hypocentral depth is 9 km ( 6 miles).
<TABLE width=530 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right width=195>Magnitude</TD><TD width=5>
Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 14:16:05 (UTC) </TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Distance from</TD><TD width=5>
Spruce, NV - 32 km (20 miles) NNW (346 degrees)
Wilkins, NV - 39 km (24 miles) S (180 degrees)
West Wendover, NV - 68 km (43 miles) NW (304 degrees)
</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right width=195>Coordinates</TD><TD width=5>
<!-- type smgl version 01 --></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD>Did you feel it?
<!-- type fr version 01 --></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD>Berkeley moment tensor solution
<!-- type MomentTensor_Berkeley version 01 --></TD></TR><!-- Addons above this line --></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Wells, in Northeastern Nevada is in the high desert over 5600 feet. I guess earthquakes aren't common but its in an area with plenty of uplifted mountains.
Driving back to the Pacific Northwest from Las Vegas route 93 through Eastern Nevada is very scenic and much better than going through Reno.
Was working as a clerk in the Dominican during 1989 during the world series and I had a bettor on the phone when the quake hit...I'm watching the devastation on TV and this idiot is trying to make a bet on the Giant game which was obviously going to get cancelled...never let him forget it for the next few years...friend of mine was at Candlestick and he said the infield was moving like ocean waves....
