Residents across the Las Vegas Valley felt shaking Thursday afternoon after an earthquake struck near Summerlin, prompting thousands of reports to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake hit shortly before 2 PM on June 4, with the epicenter located roughly 7 miles northwest of Summerlin South. Initial measurements placed the earthquake between magnitude 3.8 and 4.1, making it strong enough to be widely felt across Southern Nevada.
Las Vegas earthquake video
A video shared on social media captured the moment the tremors were felt, with residents reporting shaking in Summerlin, Henderson and other parts of the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Hundreds report feeling the shaking
Within minutes of the earthquake, more than 1,000 reports were submitted to the USGS from across the region. Most described light shaking, corresponding to Level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.
According to the USGS, that level of shaking is typically felt indoors by many people and may cause windows, dishes and doors to rattle while parked vehicles rock slightly.
Reports also came from communities outside Las Vegas, including Pahrump near the Nevada-California border.
No immediate damage reported
Authorities did not receive any immediate reports of injuries or significant damage following the earthquake. The tremor originated near Summerlin South, a residential area situated along the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley near Red Rock Canyon.
Seismologists noted that magnitude estimates may be adjusted as additional data from monitoring stations continues to be analyzed.
Aftershock chances remain elevated
Following the quake, USGS forecasting models indicated a moderate chance of additional seismic activity in the area.
Scientists estimated a roughly 26% probability of an aftershock measuring magnitude 3.0 or higher within the next 24 hours. The likelihood of a magnitude 4.0 or greater aftershock was estimated at about 5%, while the probability of a magnitude 5.0 event remained below 1%.
The agency also estimated around a 4% chance of a larger earthquake occurring in the same period.
Nevada remains one of America’s most active seismic zones
Although earthquakes are less commonly associated with Nevada than neighboring California, the state ranks among the most seismically active regions in the country.
Nevada sits within the Basin and Range Province, where the Earth’s crust is gradually stretching apart. This geological process has created numerous fault systems capable of generating frequent earthquakes across the state.
Unlike California, where seismic activity is concentrated along major fault lines such as the San Andreas Fault, Nevada’s earthquakes occur across a broad network of faults distributed throughout the region.
West Coast experiences multiple earthquakes
The Las Vegas earthquake was one of several seismic events recorded across the western United States on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, a series of moderate offshore earthquakes struck near the Mendocino Triple Junction, a highly active tectonic region off Northern California where three tectonic plates converge.
Among the strongest events was a magnitude 5.7 earthquake located roughly 120 miles offshore from McKinleyville, California. A separate magnitude 5.1 quake occurred west of Petrolia in Humboldt County, followed shortly afterward by a magnitude 4.5 aftershock in nearly the same area.
Another significant earthquake was recorded west-southwest of Pistol River, Oregon, shortly before 4 a.m. Pacific Time.
Despite the series of offshore earthquakes, officials reported no tsunami threat and no major damage.
What should you do during an earthquake?
According to USGS guidance, people indoors should remain where they are and immediately drop, cover and hold on. Experts recommend taking shelter under a sturdy table or moving against an interior wall away from windows, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances.
The agency advises against running outside or using stairs while the ground is shaking, as doing so increases the risk of injury from falling debris or broken glass.
People outdoors should move to an open area away from buildings, utility poles, power lines and other structures that could collapse.