Swarm of nearly a dozen earthquakes hits near California-Nevada border in 10 hours

Helena Wegner
·2 min read
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A swarm of at least 11 earthquakes reaching up to 3.9-magnitude rattled near the California-Nevada border, the U.S. Geological Survey reports.

A 10-hour series of quakes, ranged from 2.6 to 3.9 in magnitude, according to the USGS.

The first earthquake struck at 10 p.m. March 13. The 3.8-magnitude earthquake rattled about 10 miles north of Deep Springs, about 300 miles southeast of Sacramento in Central California, the USGS reported.

More quakes followed over the next several hours, with the most recent striking at 7:51 a.m. March 14. The 2.8-magnitude quake hit 9 miles north of Deep Springs, according to the USGS.

The largest quake, a 3.9-magnitude, struck at 3:13 a.m. March 14, geologists said.

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Few people reported feeling the swarm to the USGS.

What to do during an earthquake

Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

  • If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking break.

  • If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

  • If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.

  • If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.

“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.

Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”

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