Location:

Period:

26 Aug 2016 01:01:42 - 28 Aug 2016 06:15:22 (2 days 5 hours 13 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

Soda Lakes(52km)

Earthquakes:

7 swarms found nearby.

2012

S20121012.1(20.3km)

11 Oct

4 days 5 hours

108 earthquakes

2013

S20130304.1(27.2km)

3 Mar

1 day 4 hours

32 earthquakes

S20130827.1(20.1km)

26 Aug

30 days 22 hours

944 earthquakes

2014

S20140110.1(21.2km)

10 Jan

5 days 9 hours

169 earthquakes

S20140120.1(21.2km)

19 Jan

3 days 3 hours

91 earthquakes

2018

S20180801.1(16.4km)

1 Aug

2 days 7 hours

38 earthquakes

2025

S20250406.1(23.1km)

5 Apr

2 days 14 hours

36 earthquakes

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Seismic Swarm S20160826.1 Near Wadsworth, Nevada

A seismic swarm designated S20160826.1 occurred 16 km west-northwest of Wadsworth, Nevada, from 01:01 on 26 August 2016 to 06:15 on 28 August 2016. Over 53 hours and 13 minutes, 37 earthquakes were recorded. Magnitudes ranged from 0.1 to 2.4, with most events below 1.2. Focal depths clustered between 4 km and 9 km, indicating shallow crustal activity typical of the region.

The largest event reached magnitude 2.4 at 12:36 on 27 August at 9 km depth. Earlier activity on 26 August included multiple events of magnitude 0.9–1.2 between 13:47 and 20:36. Activity tapered on 28 August with a final magnitude 1.1 event at 06:15. Depths remained consistent, reflecting brittle failure within the upper crust.

Western Nevada lies within the Basin and Range Province, where east-west extension produces normal faulting. The area near Wadsworth forms part of the Walker Lane belt, a zone of right-lateral shear accommodating roughly 20 percent of Pacific–North American plate motion. Active faults in the vicinity include segments of the Pyramid Lake and Warm Springs Valley fault systems. These structures have generated historical earthquakes and host frequent microseismicity.

Earthquake swarms in this tectonic setting often arise from fluid migration or aseismic slip along faults rather than mainshock-aftershock sequences. Depths of 5–10 km align with the brittle-ductile transition in the region. No surface rupture or damage was associated with the 2016 swarm.

Since 1 January 2000, five swarms have occurred in the same locale. One swarm took place in 2012, two in 2013, and two in 2014. This pattern indicates recurrent episodic activity along local fault segments.

Seismic monitoring by regional networks continues to track background rates and swarm recurrence, supporting hazard assessment for the Reno–Carson City corridor.

References

Nevada Seismological Laboratory, University of Nevada, Reno. Regional seismicity reports, 2016.
U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program. Quaternary fault and fold database of the United States.
Faulds, J.E., and Henry, C.D. (2008). Tectonic influences on the spatial and temporal evolution of the Walker Lane. Geological Society of America Special Paper 439.