3.1 earthquake hits Pillsbury area

Print

LAKE PILLSBURY – Earthquake activity has continued at Lake Pillsbury, with another sizable quake hitting the area Sunday afternoon.


The US Geological Survey reported that a 3.1 magnitude quake, with its epicenter located 9 miles west northwest of Lake Pillsbury, was recorded at 1:10 p.m. Sunday.


It was preceded by a 2.0 quake in the same location at 10:34 a.m. A microearthquake measuring 1.5 hit at 10:49 p.m. about a mile away from the earlier quakes.


Quakes have been recorded in that same area for the last several weeks, with a sizable 4.8 quake hitting early Wednesday, followed later that day by a 3.3 magnitude quake.


US Geological Survey seismologist David Oppenheimer said last week that the fault along which the quakes have been occurring has not been named by scientists, and not much is known about it. He added, however, that it isn't thought to be a large fault capable of larger quakes.


In recent weeks, however, activity has measurably increased, according to US Geological Survey records. While seismic activity is a daily occurrence in the Cobb, Anderson Springs and Geysers areas, Lake Pillsbury rarely showed up on daily seismic charts until earlier this month.


Nearly 70 earthquakes have been recorded in the same area west northwest of Lake Pillsbury in the last week alone.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


{mos_sb_discuss:2}