Good evening, Netizens...

I am just now hearing of a 4.7 earthquake that hit Reno, Nevada last night at 11:40 PM, damaging houses near the epicenter, tossing things off store shelves, and severely damaging a wastewater flume. What makes this quake so interesting to seismologists is that more than 100 aftershocks were recorded on the west side of the city after the quake, which was the strongest quake to hit around Reno since a 5.1 quake in 1953.

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.

According to the story carried by Associated Press, John Anderson, director of the seismology lab in Reno is quoted as saying, “A magnitude 6 quake wouldn’t be a scientific surprise,” and urging residents will take the threat seriously.

Judging by the early pictures of some of the damage, a 6.0 earthquake, if it materializes, could easily devastate a considerable number of the homes in Reno, most of which are not built to withstand major earthquakes.

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Dave

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