1914 Reno earthquakes

The 1914 Reno earthquakes were a series of earthquakes in February and April 1914 in Reno, Nevada, and the surrounding area. The 6.0 magnitude foreshock occurred on February 18, 1914, at 10:17 am local time.^[1][2] The 6.4 magnitude main quake occurred at 12:34 am local time.^[2][3] This event stands as a pivotal moment in the quivering history of the United States, leaving an indelible mark on the city of Reno, contributing significantly to the understanding of seismic activity in the region.

Geological factors

Nevada, often known by its vast landscapes and natural beauty, masks a seismic history as complex as its terrain. "Tens of thousands of microearthquakes occur in Nevada every year"^[4] with intermittent larger mountain–forming earthquakes leaving lasting impressions on both the land and its inhabitants.

The 1914 Reno earthquakes and their associated series of seismic events were likely caused by the tectonic activity along fault lines in the region.^[2] The western United States is known for its complex tectonic settings, where the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate interact. In this area, earthquakes are commonly associated with the movement of these plates along faults.^[2]

More specifically, the 1914 Reno earthquake was along a fault line near the Nevada-California border.^[4] The shifting of the Earth's crust along faults is a consequence of the broader plate tectonics and the gradual buildup of stress along these fault lines. Once this accumulated stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, it triggers the release of energy in the form of seismic waves, ultimately resulting in earthquakes.

Events leading up to the earthquakes

Nevada's seismic activity became evident in the mid-19th century, particularly marked by a series of earthquakes from the 1840s to the 1860s. Within the timeframe of 1855 to 1869, the region around Reno witnessed a cluster of significant events.^[4] In 1855, the first notable earthquake with a magnitude of 6 struck Sierraville, California.^[4] Two years later, in 1857, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred to the north of Lake Tahoe.^[4] Additionally, a magnitude 6.5 tremor in 1860 shook western Nevada and Eastern California.^[4]

Main earthquakes

February 18, 1914

The first earthquake occurred February 18, with a magnitude of 6, striking at 10:17 am. The event lasted for 10-11 seconds, characterized by intense shaking that gradually subsided within half a minute.^[2]

This earthquake caused damages in Reno, such as broken windows, cracked walls and the collapse of a section of a brick firewall in the downtown area.^[2] At the University of Nevada, Reno, bricks were thrown from chimneys and the seismoscope was active for 20 seconds.^[2][4] In Virginia City, damages included broken windows at the Fourth Ward School, bricks were thrown, and plaster was cracked in buildings.^[2] Aftershocks continued into March before quieting down.^[2]

April 24, 1914

In 1914, the seismic activity in Reno, Nevada, peaked with "the largest event in the 1914 Reno earthquake sequence, and it was the largest earthquake in the United States that year".^[2][5] On April 23, 1914, at 4:02 am, a subtle foreshock initiated the seismic buildup, followed by a more pronounced foreshock at 8:03 am that stirred excitement in Reno.^[2][4] The culmination unfolded at 12:34 am on April 24 when the main shock, measuring a magnitude of 6.4, transpired.^[4] Its impact resonated throughout western Nevada and extended into the Sacramento Valley in California.^[4] Professor J.C. Jones of the University of Nevada noted substantial movement on the seismoscope in the Mackay School of Mines Building, with the attached wall oscillating 3 ⁄4 of an inch in an east-west direction and nearly as much in a north-south direction.^[4] The seismic events of 1914 left an enduring mark on the region, causing structural damage and leaving a lasting record of seismic effects.

See also

• List of earthquakes in 1914
• List of earthquakes in Nevada
• List of earthquakes in the United States
• 2008 Reno earthquakes

References