On June 6, 2019 at approximately 9:49 PM PST, an earthquake occurred near Washoe County, Nevada. It was estimated to be a magnitude 3.7 and caused disruptions that could have damaged structures in the area.
The Mogul area was disturbed with light shaking during the evening hours. The earthquake was estimated to have occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles with an epicenter located about 4.25 miles to the southwest of Virginia City, Nevada and 16 miles to the southeast of Reno, Nevada.
Earthquake Risk Beyond California
While California receives the most attention for seismic activity, Nevada is also an earthquake-prone state. The western Nevada region sits along active fault systems that produce regular seismic events. Nationwide, earthquakes cause about $4.4 billion of damage to property and crops each year and are often the cause of secondary damage such as landslides and infrastructure failures.
Each year the western United States experiences thousands of earthquakes. Most are small enough that they are not felt, but even moderate events can cause structural damage that may not be immediately apparent. If there is a large earthquake, the aftershock sequence will produce many more earthquakes of all magnitudes for many months after the initial event.
Assessing Damage After an Earthquake
Even light shaking can affect the integrity of older buildings, foundations, and mechanical systems. Property owners who experience an earthquake should have their structures evaluated by a licensed professional engineer. A thorough assessment can identify hidden damage, document conditions for insurance claims, and determine whether repairs or retrofitting are needed to protect against future events.
Earthquake Damage Resource provides expert earthquake damage assessment and forensic engineering guidance throughout California and nationwide. If your property has sustained earthquake damage, contact our team for a professional evaluation.