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Note:This page contains AI-generated content for informational and entertainment purposes only. It may contain inaccuracies. Raw event data is from USGS and EMSC. All statistics, lists, and derived information are generated by this site. Full disclaimerFound an error?
Location:
33 km ENE of Beatty, Nevada
Period:
17 May 2013 19:01:12 - 19 May 2013 11:58:56 (1 day 16 hours 57 minutes)
Volcanoes in 100km radius:
Ubehebe Craters(93km)
Earthquakes:
45
16 swarms found nearby.
2000
S20000510.1(28.6km)
9 May
3 days 11 hours
40 earthquakes
2002
4 Jul
2 days 0 hours
33 earthquakes
S20020727.1(24.2km)
26 Jul
1 day 13 hours
35 earthquakes
2005
22 Jun
2 days 17 hours
137 earthquakes
10 Jul
22 hours
33 earthquakes
S20051208.1(18.4km)
7 Dec
2 days 17 hours
123 earthquakes
2008
S20080127.2(20.2km)
26 Jan
1 day 14 hours
32 earthquakes
9 Feb
2 days 7 hours
40 earthquakes
S20081209.1(29.2km)
9 Dec
3 days 19 hours
70 earthquakes
2009
S20090314.1(26.0km)
14 Mar
6 days 18 hours
105 earthquakes
29 Apr
4 days 8 hours
203 earthquakes
S20091114.1(15.8km)
13 Nov
4 days 10 hours
95 earthquakes
2012
S20120604.1(22.7km)
3 Jun
1 day 2 hours
28 earthquakes
S20120616.1(15.6km)
15 Jun
5 days 20 hours
98 earthquakes
2014
S20140113.1(28.6km)
12 Jan
3 days 18 hours
70 earthquakes
S20140215.1(25.9km)
14 Feb
1 day 14 hours
65 earthquakes
AI-generated article — for informational and entertainment purposes only. May contain inaccuracies. Full disclaimerFound an error?

Seismic Swarm S20130518.1 Near Beatty, Nevada

Seismic swarm S20130518.1 was recorded 33 km east-northeast of Beatty, Nevada, between 19:01 UTC on 17 May 2013 and 11:58 UTC on 19 May 2013. Over 40 hours and 57 minutes, 45 earthquakes were detected. Magnitudes ranged from -1.3 to 1.4, with the majority falling below zero. Focal depths clustered between 7 km and 10 km, indicating shallow crustal activity typical of the region.

The sequence began with a magnitude -0.8 event at 9 km depth. Subsequent events showed no clear mainshock-aftershock pattern but rather a diffuse clustering of low-energy releases. The largest shock, magnitude 1.4, occurred on 18 May at 16:25 UTC at 9 km depth. Activity tapered gradually, concluding with two magnitude -0.9 and -1.0 events on 19 May at 8 km depth. Such swarms reflect distributed strain release along minor faults rather than rupture on a single major structure.

The Beatty area lies within the southern Walker Lane belt of western Nevada, a zone of distributed right-lateral shear and normal faulting accommodating Pacific-North America plate motion. This tectonic setting produces frequent small-magnitude seismicity and occasional swarms. The local geology comprises Basin and Range extensional structures superimposed on older volcanic and sedimentary rocks associated with the nearby Nevada Test Site and Amargosa Desert. Depths of 6–10 km align with the brittle-ductile transition in this portion of the crust.

Historical records indicate recurrent swarm activity in the same locale. Since 1 January 2000, fourteen swarms have been identified, occurring in 2000 (one swarm), 2002 (two), 2005 (three), 2008 (three), 2009 (three), and 2012 (two). These episodes demonstrate persistent low-level seismic productivity linked to regional fault networks.

Swarm S20130518.1 fits the established pattern of short-duration, low-magnitude clusters without escalation to damaging events. Continued monitoring remains important given the proximity to critical infrastructure and the broader seismic hazard of the Walker Lane.

References SeismoSight internal classification for swarm S20130518.1 parameters and chronology. USGS Earthquake Hazards Program regional tectonic summaries for the Walker Lane belt.