M 4.0 Light Earthquake Strikes Near Beatty, Nevada
Areazine synthesizes this USGS earthquake report directly from USGS's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
A magnitude 4.01 earthquake occurred 52 km east-southeast of Beatty, Nevada, on March 3, 2026. The shallow quake was felt by local residents but no damage was reported.
What this USGS earthquake report tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by USGS on April 6, 2026 and geographically references Southern Nevada. Its severity classification of "medium" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Earthquakes - determines the monitoring protocol behind it, which shapes what follow-up action (checking for structural damage, watching for aftershocks, reviewing local building codes) is relevant and which agency holds authority over the assessment.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are earthquake, seismic, usgs, Nevada.
What Happened
A light earthquake with a magnitude of 4.01 (ml) was recorded on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 17:23 UTC (9:23 AM local time). The seismic event occurred at a shallow depth of 7.76 km.
Location Details
The epicenter was located at coordinates 36.6503°N, 116.2704°W, approximately 52 km (32 miles) east-southeast of Beatty, Nevada. The depth of 7.76 km is categorized as shallow; earthquakes occurring less than 20 km below the surface are typically felt more strongly in the immediate vicinity than deeper events.
Impact Assessment
As of the latest update, the USGS has received 4 felt reports from the public. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect for this event. No reports of damage or injuries have been documented in the source data.
What You Should Know
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 4.0 and 4.9 are classified as "light." They are often felt by residents and can cause noticeable shaking, though they rarely result in significant structural damage. Residents in the area should remain aware of the possibility of minor aftershocks. In the event of further shaking, safety officials recommend the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" protocol.
Source
Data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
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