Location:

Period:

14 Feb 2014 20:21:20 - 16 Feb 2014 11:09:27 (1 day 14 hours 48 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

Ubehebe Craters(77km)

Earthquakes:

16 swarms found nearby.

2002

S20020705.1(18.6km)

4 Jul

2 days 0 hours

33 earthquakes

S20020727.1(3.5km)

26 Jul

1 day 13 hours

35 earthquakes

2005

S20050622.1(26.5km)

22 Jun

2 days 17 hours

137 earthquakes

S20050710.1(24.1km)

10 Jul

22 hours

33 earthquakes

S20051208.1(18.2km)

7 Dec

2 days 17 hours

123 earthquakes

2008

S20080719.1(12.7km)

18 Jul

4 days 11 hours

64 earthquakes

S20081209.1(29.1km)

9 Dec

3 days 19 hours

70 earthquakes

2009

S20090314.1(25.6km)

14 Mar

6 days 18 hours

105 earthquakes

S20090430.1(27.0km)

29 Apr

4 days 8 hours

203 earthquakes

S20090730.1(13.7km)

29 Jul

2 days 2 hours

46 earthquakes

S20090811.1(13.0km)

10 Aug

2 days 7 hours

47 earthquakes

S20090824.1(11.7km)

24 Aug

1 day 21 hours

100 earthquakes

2012

S20120616.1(19.5km)

15 Jun

5 days 20 hours

98 earthquakes

2013

S20130518.1(25.9km)

17 May

1 day 16 hours

45 earthquakes

2014

S20140113.1(6.0km)

12 Jan

3 days 18 hours

70 earthquakes

2019

S20190611.1(29.8km)

11 Jun

1 day 18 hours

29 earthquakes

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Seismic Swarm S20140215.1: Analysis of Activity Near Beatty, Nevada

Seismic swarm S20140215.1 occurred approximately 32 km north-northeast of Beatty, Nevada, from 20:21 UTC on 14 February 2014 to 11:09 UTC on 16 February 2014. Over 38 hours and 48 minutes, the swarm produced 65 earthquakes, all of low magnitude. Magnitudes ranged from -1.0 to 1.1, with the majority falling between -0.5 and 0.0. Focal depths clustered tightly between 5 km and 8 km, indicating a shallow crustal source typical of the region.

The temporal distribution showed peak activity during the first 24 hours, followed by a gradual decline. Early events included a magnitude 0.6 quake at 20:21 on 14 February and a magnitude 1.1 event at 22:38 the same day. Subsequent activity consisted predominantly of microearthquakes, with negative magnitudes reflecting the sensitivity of local seismic networks. Depths remained consistent, suggesting a stable rupture zone rather than progressive migration.

This swarm fits within a documented pattern of seismic activity in the area. Since 2000, fifteen swarms have been recorded near Beatty. Prior episodes occurred in 2002 (two swarms), 2005 (three), 2008 (two), 2009 (five), 2012 (one), 2013 (one), and 2014 (this event). Such recurrent swarms highlight episodic strain release without a dominant mainshock-aftershock sequence.

The Beatty region lies within the Basin and Range province of the western United States, characterized by extensional tectonics driven by right-lateral shear along the Walker Lane belt. Normal faulting predominates, with Quaternary scarps indicating ongoing deformation. The area also hosts volcanic features linked to the Timber Mountain caldera complex, where past silicic eruptions have influenced crustal permeability and fluid pathways. These conditions facilitate swarm-type seismicity, often attributed to fluid migration or aseismic slip along faults rather than tectonic loading alone.

Seismic swarms in this setting typically exhibit low magnitudes and shallow depths, consistent with the observed data. The 2014 event aligns with historical statistics, reinforcing the region's moderate but persistent seismic hazard. Monitoring continues to refine understanding of swarm recurrence and potential links to deeper magmatic or hydrothermal processes.

References

USGS Earthquake Catalog (earthquake.usgs.gov)
Nevada Seismological Laboratory historical records
Basin and Range tectonic summaries from USGS Professional Papers