False M5.9 earthquake alert near Dayton, Nevada caused by automated detection error
The USGS has withdrawn a false alert for a magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Dayton, Nevada, issued at 16:06 UTC on December 4, 2025. The automated ShakeAlert early warning system triggered a false detection, prompting an investigation into its cause. No ground shaking or seismic activity consistent with the alert was recorded, and the event has been deleted from official feeds.
False M5.9 earthquake alert near Dayton, Nevada caused by automated detection error. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deleted a false report of M5.9 earthquake near Dayton, Nevada, originally issued at 16:06 UTC on December 4, 2025. The automated ShakeAlert early warning system briefly published the event before it was confirmed to be an error.
Preliminary parameters listed the earthquake as shallow, located about 6 km (4 miles) east of Dayton at a depth of 8 km (5 miles). The alert appeared in public data feeds for several minutes and indicated a significance index of 536.
Ground motion sensors in the region, including those operated by the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, did not register any corresponding seismic waves.
The USGS later confirmed that no earthquake had occurred, adding that it’s working to understand the cause of the false alert.
According to the agency, ShakeAlert’s automated detection algorithms occasionally issue false triggers when environmental or instrumental noise mimics seismic signals. Such events are typically removed after rapid human review.
Western Nevada lies within the Basin and Range Province, an area of active crustal extension and frequent moderate earthquakes.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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