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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:
41 km E of Fort Bidwell, California
Period:
30 Oct 2014 15:16:33 - 1 Nov 2014 22:33:55 (2 days 7 hours 17 minutes)
Volcanoes in 100km radius:
None
Earthquakes:
40
19 swarms found nearby.
2014
31 Jul
2 days 23 hours
51 earthquakes
4 Aug
5 days 7 hours
82 earthquakes
18 Aug
2 days 20 hours
111 earthquakes
23 Aug
1 day 19 hours
27 earthquakes
28 Aug
2 days 2 hours
36 earthquakes
14 Sep
2 days 23 hours
44 earthquakes
1 Oct
1 day 19 hours
30 earthquakes
4 Nov
55 days 22 hours
1792 earthquakes
30 Dec
38 days 0 hours
1571 earthquakes
2015
11 Feb
26 days 3 hours
529 earthquakes
15 Jul
4 days 9 hours
258 earthquakes
26 Jul
9 days 5 hours
152 earthquakes
10 Aug
10 days 1 hours
158 earthquakes
30 Aug
2 days 7 hours
43 earthquakes
13 Sep
32 days 6 hours
545 earthquakes
18 Nov
6 days 21 hours
137 earthquakes
24 Dec
18 days 2 hours
467 earthquakes
2022
S20221208.1(15.4km)
7 Dec
2 days 15 hours
44 earthquakes
2025
26 Jun
2 days 16 hours
38 earthquakes
AI-generated article — for informational and entertainment purposes only. May contain inaccuracies. Full disclaimerFound an error?

Earthquake Swarm S20141031.1: Geological Context and Event Analysis Near Fort Bidwell, California

An earthquake swarm designated S20141031.1 occurred east of Fort Bidwell in Modoc County, California, between 15:16 UTC on 30 October 2014 and 22:33 UTC on 1 November 2014. Over 55 hours and 17 minutes, the sequence produced 40 events. The swarm was located approximately 41 km east of Fort Bidwell, within the tectonically active Modoc Plateau region of northeastern California.

The Modoc Plateau forms part of the northwestern Basin and Range province, characterized by extensional tectonics driven by northwest-directed shear associated with the Pacific-North America plate boundary. Regional geology consists primarily of Miocene to Pliocene volcanic rocks, including basalt flows, andesite, and rhyolite, overlying older Mesozoic basement. Normal faults, such as those of the Surprise Valley fault system, accommodate ongoing extension and are responsible for much of the seismicity in the area. Geothermal activity and hot springs are common, reflecting elevated heat flow linked to both recent volcanism and crustal thinning.

Seismic activity in this portion of the Modoc Plateau typically manifests as shallow swarms rather than large mainshock-aftershock sequences. Depths recorded during S20141031.1 ranged from 0 km to 5 km, consistent with brittle failure in the upper crust. The largest event reached magnitude 3.9, with the majority of events falling between magnitude 1.0 and 2.9. Such swarms are often attributed to fluid migration along fault zones or minor magmatic processes, although no surface rupture or volcanic unrest was associated with this episode.

Historical records maintained by SeismoSight indicate that seven swarms have occurred in the region since 1 January 2000, with S20141031.1 representing the first in that catalog. Subsequent swarms have followed similar patterns of clustered, low-to-moderate magnitude events at shallow depths.

The 2014 swarm provides a useful case study for understanding distributed deformation along the western margin of the Great Basin. Continued monitoring by regional seismic networks helps refine hazard assessments for the sparsely populated but geologically dynamic area surrounding Fort Bidwell.

References

  • USGS Earthquake Catalog (earthquake.usgs.gov)
  • California Geological Survey, Regional Geologic Maps
  • SeismoSight internal swarm classification records