The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is reporting a series of earthquakes in the sparsely populated state of Nevada this morning (December 28, 2016), beginning with two 5.7-magnitude quakes, which are moderately strong earthquakes. A quake of that strength can wake people up, and overturn unstable objects, but is unlikely to cause severe damage. The first earthquake was at 8:18 UTC (just after midnight local time), and the second was four minutes later. Multiple aftershocks followed, plus at least one more moderately strong quake (5.5-magnitude). The quakes are centered southwest of the town Hawthorne (population just over 3,000 people, according to a 2010 census).
People in Gardnerville, Reno, Sparks, Carson City, rural Nevada and parts of California have reported feeling some shaking.
Did you feel it? Tell USGS