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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 SE of Mina, Nevada
Period:
4 Jan 2022 13:46:43 - 11 Jan 2022 04:43:02 (6 days 14 hours 56 minutes)
Volcanoes in 100km radius:
None
Earthquakes:
106
24 swarms found nearby.
2003
S20030529.1(10.2km)
29 May
4 days 7 hours
164 earthquakes
15 Nov
2 days 1 hours
52 earthquakes
2013
S20130120.1(11.3km)
19 Jan
2 days 18 hours
65 earthquakes
S20130213.1(21.3km)
12 Feb
11 days 5 hours
345 earthquakes
2020
15 May
295 days 1 hours
21711 earthquakes
S20200516.1(22.7km)
15 May
32 days 11 hours
1150 earthquakes
S20200516.2(14.7km)
15 May
22 hours
26 earthquakes
S20200517.1(11.5km)
16 May
11 days 1 hours
418 earthquakes
S20200528.1(14.9km)
27 May
17 days 11 hours
384 earthquakes
S20200615.1(18.3km)
14 Jun
31 days 0 hours
472 earthquakes
S20200708.2(22.4km)
7 Jul
5 days 6 hours
63 earthquakes
S20200726.1(23.6km)
25 Jul
11 days 0 hours
125 earthquakes
S20201020.3(11.7km)
19 Oct
1 day 23 hours
31 earthquakes
S20201203.1(10.3km)
2 Dec
8 days 6 hours
153 earthquakes
S20201211.1(21.6km)
10 Dec
1 day 1 hours
42 earthquakes
19 Dec
7 days 21 hours
133 earthquakes
2021
S20210101.1(21.8km)
1 Jan
16 hours
24 earthquakes
S20210117.2(24.9km)
17 Jan
1 day 7 hours
25 earthquakes
29 Mar
19 days 16 hours
285 earthquakes
4 May
16 days 21 hours
229 earthquakes
26 Sep
2 days 0 hours
31 earthquakes
30 Sep
6 days 14 hours
87 earthquakes
15 Oct
7 days 7 hours
86 earthquakes
28 Oct
10 days 4 hours
136 earthquakes
AI-generated article — for informational and entertainment purposes only. May contain inaccuracies. Full disclaimerFound an error?

Seismic Swarm S20220105.1: Analysis of Activity Near Mina, Nevada

A seismic swarm designated S20220105.1 occurred 33 km southeast of Mina, Nevada, from 13:46 on 4 January 2022 to 04:43 on 11 January 2022. Over 158 hours and 56 minutes, the sequence produced 106 earthquakes. Analysis of the first 100 events reveals a typical swarm pattern dominated by low-magnitude activity with a single notable peak.

The sequence initiated with events of magnitude 0.9–1.6 at depths of 7–8 km. Activity remained subdued until 5 January, when a magnitude-2.6 event at 9 km depth preceded the largest shock—a magnitude-4.2 earthquake at 9 km depth at 07:21. Subsequent events included magnitudes of 2.8, 2.4, and 2.1, with most occurring between 5–10 km depth. Later stages showed a gradual decline, featuring isolated events up to magnitude 3.4 on 6 January and 2.9 on 7 January, before tapering to smaller shocks through 10 January. Depths clustered predominantly in the upper crust (0–14 km), consistent with regional faulting styles.

This swarm fits within the broader seismotectonic framework of western Nevada. The Mina area lies within the Walker Lane belt, a northwest-trending zone of distributed right-lateral shear that accommodates approximately 20% of Pacific–North America relative plate motion. The belt comprises en-échelon strike-slip faults, normal faults, and pull-apart basins developed since the Miocene. Seismicity here reflects ongoing transtensional deformation superimposed on Basin and Range extension.

Historical records indicate elevated swarm activity in the region. Since 2000, 24 swarms have been documented near Mina, with notable clusters in 2020 (12 swarms) and 2021 (8 swarms). Earlier episodes occurred in 2003 and 2013. Such recurrent swarms suggest episodic fluid migration or aseismic slip triggering on favorably oriented faults within the Walker Lane shear zone.

The 2022 swarm’s characteristics—high event count, low-to-moderate magnitudes, and shallow focal depths—align with patterns observed in prior sequences. No surface rupture was reported, and maximum magnitudes remained well below levels capable of widespread damage. Continued monitoring is warranted given the region’s structural complexity and history of swarm recurrence.

References

USGS Earthquake Catalog (earthquake.usgs.gov)
Nevada Seismological Laboratory regional reports
Walker Lane tectonic summaries (USGS Professional Papers)