Beatty, Nevada – A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck southern Nevada Tuesday afternoon, jolting areas near the California border and just south of Creech Air Force Base, prompting residents to check for aftershocks within minutes.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake hit at 10:23 a.m. PST (17:23 UTC) about 52 kilometers east-southeast of Beatty at a depth of 7.8 kilometers. The epicenter sits in Nye County, roughly 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas and near key military and rural infrastructure.
Shaking was centered in a sparsely populated stretch of desert, but tremors may have been felt in Beatty, Indian Springs and parts of western Clark County. U.S. 95, a major corridor linking Las Vegas to Reno, runs near the affected area. No immediate road closures or damage reports were issued, though drivers in the region should remain alert for potential rockfall in mountainous terrain.
The Nevada Seismological Laboratory reviewed the event and identified it as the potential mainshock in a short sequence. Forecast models show a 31% chance of at least one magnitude 3.0 or greater aftershock within the next week, with smaller aftershocks more likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Officials urge residents to secure loose items, review earthquake safety plans and report shaking through official channels. Additional seismic updates could follow if activity increases.
