At least 120 aftershocks, of which 17 were over magnitude 3 as of 8:25 a.m. on Tuesday. Credit: Nevada Seismological Laboratory

The Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) recorded a magnitude 5.7 earthquake southeast of Lahontan Reservoir in the Dead Camel Mountains at 6:29 p.m. on Monday, and has been followed by at least 120 aftershocks, of which 17 were over magnitude 3 (as of 8:25 a.m. on Tuesday). The mainshock was located 12.5 miles southeast of Silver Springs and 15 miles southwest of Fallon.

The NSL is monitoring the aftershock activity closely and will deploy “aftershock kits,” seismic stations which can be activated quickly, to increase the coverage near the mainshock location. Aftershocks will be frequent in the next few days and can continue for months. There is an elevated risk of a larger earthquake following this one.

There is no known fault at this location, but the earthquake epicenter was only 12 miles north of the epicenter of the region’s last big earthquake, a magnitude 5.7 which struck on in December 2024 in the northern Mason Valley near Parker Butte. Both earthquakes occurred near, but not on, previously known faults.

The first aftershock team deployed Tuesday morning at the DEDC Seismic Station. Credit: Photos by Will Honjas

“This is not unusual in western Nevada, where earthquakes occur on a network of connected faults,” Christie Rowe, director of the NSL, said.

Individual faults that have not had an earthquake in a long time may be hard to discover due to erosion of the landscape.

“When you get a warning or start to hear or feel shaking, the best way to keep yourself safe is to ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On,’” Rowe said. “Prepare for earthquakes in advance by storing food, water, medications and other necessities for potential shelter-in-place. Supply lines and transportation routes can be damaged or overcrowded in the case of a large earthquake.”

Nevada participates in the Great Shakeout every year to practice earthquake preparedness. Sign up for the 10:15 a.m., October 15, 2026 earthquake drill and get more information on how to prepare your school, home and workplace at the Great Shakeout website.

Seismologists in the NSL will continue to monitor earthquakes in the region. For live updates on earthquake locations and magnitude, visit the NSL website.