Location:

Period:

24 Aug 2009 06:35:24 - 26 Aug 2009 03:38:57 (1 day 21 hours 3 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

Ubehebe Craters(66km)

Earthquakes:

100

11 swarms found nearby.

2002

S20020705.1(24.4km)

4 Jul

2 days 0 hours

33 earthquakes

S20020727.1(10.0km)

26 Jul

1 day 13 hours

35 earthquakes

2005

S20051208.1(29.3km)

7 Dec

2 days 17 hours

123 earthquakes

2008

S20080719.1(9.6km)

18 Jul

4 days 11 hours

64 earthquakes

S20081209.1(22.8km)

9 Dec

3 days 19 hours

70 earthquakes

2009

S20090314.1(20.2km)

14 Mar

6 days 18 hours

105 earthquakes

S20090730.1(2.7km)

29 Jul

2 days 2 hours

46 earthquakes

S20090811.1(1.9km)

10 Aug

2 days 7 hours

47 earthquakes

2014

S20140113.1(5.7km)

12 Jan

3 days 18 hours

70 earthquakes

S20140215.1(11.7km)

14 Feb

1 day 14 hours

65 earthquakes

2017

S20170612.1(29.7km)

11 Jun

3 days 12 hours

77 earthquakes

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Seismic Swarm S20090824.1: Analysis of Activity Near Beatty, Nevada

Seismic swarm S20090824.1 was recorded 22 km north of Beatty, Nevada, beginning at 06:35 on 24 August 2009 and concluding at 03:38 on 26 August 2009. Over this 45-hour period, 100 earthquakes were detected, providing a detailed record of clustered microseismicity in the region.

The events exhibited low magnitudes, with the majority ranging between -0.2 and 0.8. Peak magnitudes reached 1.6, 1.5, and 1.2, indicating limited energy release consistent with swarm behavior rather than a mainshock-aftershock sequence. Focal depths clustered predominantly between 3 and 6 km, suggesting activity within shallow crustal layers. A few outliers occurred at depths of 0 km and 8 km, though these remained isolated.

Temporal distribution showed highest rates during the first 12 hours on 24 August, with sustained but declining activity through 25 August and minimal events on 26 August. This pattern aligns with fluid-driven or aseismic slip mechanisms often observed in volcanic or geothermal settings.

Regional Geological Context

Beatty lies within the Basin and Range Province of southern Nevada, an area defined by extensional tectonics since the Miocene. The province features numerous north-south trending normal faults that accommodate crustal stretching at rates of approximately 10 mm per year. The local geology includes Paleozoic sedimentary rocks overlain by Tertiary volcanic units, with the Bare Mountain fault system and proximity to the Death Valley fault zone contributing to seismic potential.

Historical seismicity in the area reflects ongoing extension, with microearthquake swarms serving as indicators of fault interaction and possible fluid migration. The Nevada National Security Site, formerly the Nevada Test Site, lies nearby and has hosted extensive geophysical monitoring that documents similar low-magnitude clusters.

Swarm History Since 2000

Since 1 January 2000, eight swarms have been documented in the vicinity. These occurred in 2002 (two events), 2005 (one event), 2008 (two events), and 2009 (three events, including S20090824.1). The recurrence highlights persistent seismic unrest driven by regional tectonics.

Such swarms typically produce no significant surface rupture or damage given their shallow but low-energy character. Continued monitoring supports improved understanding of strain accumulation along Basin and Range structures.

References

USGS Earthquake Catalog (earthquake.usgs.gov)
Nevada Seismological Laboratory reports
Basin and Range Province tectonic summaries (USGS Professional Papers)