Seismologists Look for Better Ways to Track Nevada Quake Swarm

Seismologists have taken steps to better track an earthquake swarm in the sparsely populated northwest corner of Nevada near Oregon and California.

Ken Smith of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nevada Seismological Laboratory says the placement of equipment closer to the activity will improve experts’ ability to locate temblors and learn more about them.

He says the activity “quieted down somewhat this week” with about 50 small quakes including ones measuring magnitude 4.0 on Friday and 4.3 on Nov. 17.

In all, about 1,350 quakes have been recorded in the swarm that began in July around the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, 40 miles southeast of Lakeview, Oregon, and 250 miles north of Reno.

Residents at ranches and farms have felt the quakes, but no major damage has been reported.