6.0 Earthquake Strikes Northeastern Nevada

Tremours felt in Utah, Nevada, Idaho and as far away as Southern California

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck northeastern Nevada this morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. No injuries were immediately reported, though some buildings were damaged.

The earthquake hit at about 6:16 a.m. local time 15 miles (24 kilometers) east-southeast of Wells, Nevada, and about 149 miles west of Salt Lake City, said the survey's Web site.

It was felt as far north as Boise, Idaho, and as far east as Salt Lake City, according to John Bellini, a geophysicist with the survey's National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado.

``It's rural Nevada, so it's really hard to say if we have any injuries,'' said Chuck Allen, a spokesman for the Nevada Department of Public Safety, which is sending troopers to the area to assist local law enforcement.

There are reports of collapsed buildings and a possible propane leak at a truck stop in Wells, Allen said in a telephone interview.

``It shook the whole building,'' said Jane Kelso, clerk at the Motel 6 in Wells, a city of about 1,400 people, 60 miles west of the Utah state line. ``We have cracks in our walls.''

The USGS originally reported that the quake had a magnitude of 6.3 before revising the figure.


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Further update

A strong earthquake has shaken northeastern Nevada, causing at least one building to collapse and forcing the evacuation of a truck stop in the predominantly rural area.

The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 and was reported at 6:16 a.m local time.

The U.S. Geological Survey says it was centred in a sparsely populated area 18 kilometres southeast of Wells, near the Nevada-Utah line.

The temblor was felt across eastern Nevada, Utah and as far away as southern California. In Twin Falls, Idaho, residents reported severe shaking and items falling off shelves.

Elko County Undersheriff Rocky Gonzalez said at least one building collapsed and a Flying J truck stop was evacuated because of a propane leak.

There has been no report of serious injuries.

This on the tail end of a Deadly earthquake which shook Indonesia yesterday.

7.5 magnitude earthquake shook Indonesia Wednesday afternoon. At least three people were killed and 25 others injured. Officials say the three victims were 2 women and 1 man; all in their 60’s and 70’s.

The quake's epicenter was 195 miles southeast of Banda Aceh on the island of Simeulue. Nearly an hour after the first quake a second 5.2 magnitude hit the same area.