Magnitude 5.3 quake hits Nevada, close to Las Vegas

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck Nevada on Friday close to the small town of Caliente, northeast of the tourist hub of Las Vegas, and was followed by a series of smaller aftershocks, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The earthquake, which was initially reported at a magnitude of 5.4 before being downgraded by the USGS to 5.3, could be felt as far away as Las Vegas, about 100 miles (160 km) to the southwest.

 

 

The quake was followed less than 20 minutes later by a smaller 3.8 magnitude temblor, and then by three more aftershocks of magnitudes of 2.5 to 3.4.

Marianna Szoke, Las Vegas, NV