False Alarm: Nevada Earthquake Alert Issued in Error

Sat Dec 20 2025 13:35:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant earthquake alert sent to residents in Northern Nevada was later retracted by the US Geological Survey after the earthquake was confirmed not to have occurred.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a false alert about a magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Northern Nevada, which created panic among residents. This unprecedented error was caused by an automatic detection system, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.

An alert sent on Thursday warning of a strong earthquake in northern Nevada was issued in error, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

At 08:06 local time, the USGS reported that a magnitude 5.9 earthquake had struck near Carson City, the state capital. The alert reached people nearly 200 miles away in the San Francisco Bay Area, triggering automatic warnings advising residents to drop for cover.

However, the agency then cancelled the alert minutes later and removed the corresponding entry from its website.

There was no M5.9 earthquake near Carson City, NV, the USGS said on X.

The USGS stated the alert originated from its automatic earthquake detection system, which had erroneously generated the report. This incident is believed to be the first time the agency has issued a completely false earthquake notification.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the malfunction.

Multiple law enforcement agencies in cities and counties near the reported epicenter confirmed the absence of any ground movement.

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake is typically strong enough to cause noticeable shaking and slight property damage, according to the Michigan Tech Earthquake Magnitude Scale.