Shallow M4.8 Earthquake hit near Reno in The United States on Wednesday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 22nd, 2026. Last updated April 23rd, 2026.

Under land 42 miles from Reno in The United States, a shallow M4.8 earthquake occurred in the morning of Wednesday April 22nd, 2026. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 3.2 million people.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in The United States, 42 miles (68 km) south-east of Reno in Nevada. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 2 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Apr 22, 2026 10:23AM (Los Angeles Time) - Apr 22, 2026 17:23 Universal Time.
Location:	42 mi SE of Reno, Nevada, The United States. Coordinates 39°16'33"N 119°5'44"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 4.8 Detected by 20 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.069 .
Depth:	2 mi (3 km) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 3.2 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 3.2 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is V, which corresponds with moderate shaking and very light damage. Roughly 10 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level II was experienced by the majority of people (around 2.5 million). In their region, very weak shaking and no damage can be expected.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in The United States . Located 24 miles (39 km) south of the epicenter of this earthquake, Fernley (Nevada, The United States) is the nearest significant population center. Fernley experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.

Major cities near this earthquake: Reno is located 42 mi to the northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Sacramento is located 137 mi to the west (intensity unknown, possibly low). Fresno is located 178 mi to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is V.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

4 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 4 smaller aftershocks. A 3.2 magnitude earthquake hit 3 hrs later 0.5 mi (0.8 km) southwest of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 12 smaller foreshocks were detected. A 3.5 magnitude earthquake hit 1 min earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since April 14th, 2026, when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit 6 mi (10 km) further north-east. An even stronger magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck on May 15th, 2020.

In total, 28 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.8 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 4 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 23/04/26 11:48 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake nn00916046
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260422_0000291
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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