Welcome to the USGS in Nevada
The USGS serves the Nation, and Nevada, by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.
Our unbiased, multi-disciplinary approach to science and research focuses on biology, geography, geology, geospatial information, and water.
Special News
Mogul-Somersett Earthquake Sequence
An area west of Reno, Nev., near the community of Mogul has been experiencing a significant number of earthquakes. According to the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, the largest quake, magnitude 4.7, occurred at 11:38 PM PDT Friday, April 25, 2008. The earthquake was strongly felt in west Reno and felt throughout the Reno metropolitan area. It was immediately preceded by a magnitude 3.3 foreshock and has been followed by numerous aftershocks. Many aftershocks are being felt by the residents of Mogul and Somersett in west Reno.
The following is from the Nevada Seismological Laboratory:
"Following an earthquake of this size there is a small increase in the probability of a larger magnitude earthquake in the west Reno area. Citizens should also be aware of the possibility of strong aftershocks from this evenings Magnitude 4.7. Mogul-Somersett residents should expect to feel aftershocks of this earthquake for some time. It cannot be determined if this evenings Magnitude 4.7 earthquake will be the largest earthquake of the 2008 Mogul-Somersett earthquake sequence.
The occurrence of additional large earthquakes in the Mogul-Somersett area cannot be predicted or forecast. Nevada citizens are urged to always be prepared for strong ground shaking from earthquakes at anytime; Nevada is the third most active state for earthquake activity in the United States and large earthquakes may occur anywhere in the State."
Latest Earthquake Information:
Nevada Seismological Laboratory
USGS--California Nevada Region Earthquake Map
Did you feel it? -- Report an earthquake
Earthquake Preparedness:
Living with earthquakes in Nevada
Science Highlights
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- GeoMAC:
- Internet-based mapping application to view current fire locations and perimeters in the conterminous 48 States and Alaska
(more )
- Carson River Basin Flood Chronology:
- USGS has developed a web site to make historic flood information for the Carson River Basin publicly available. Data are included for 34 flood events ranging from December 1852 to New Year’s 2006 (more )
