Skip to main content
Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

Las Vegas feels magnitude-4.8 earthquake 100 miles away

Workers inspect damage to a freeway ramp Friday, May 22, 2015, in Las Vegas. The ramp leading to Interstate 15 was closed from damage after an earthquake that struck a rural area of southern Nevada. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Workers inspect damage to a freeway ramp Friday, May 22, 2015, in Las Vegas. The ramp leading to Interstate 15 was closed from damage after an earthquake that struck a rural area of southern Nevada. (AP Photo/John Locher) Workers inspect damage to a freeway ramp Friday, May 22, 2015, in Las Vegas. The ramp leading to Interstate 15 was closed from damage after an earthquake that struck a rural area of southern Nevada. (AP Photo/John Locher)

By Associated Press 3 min read

LAS VEGAS (AP) – A magnitude-4.8 earthquake struck a rural area of southern Nevada on Friday, shaking buildings more than 100 miles away and shutting down a busy Las Vegas interchange as road-tripping travelers were descending on Sin City for Memorial Day weekend.

The U.S. Geological Survey revised an earlier report that pinned the magnitude of Friday’s earthquake at 5.4.

The temblor hit at 11:47 a.m. about 24 miles southwest of the small town of Caliente, and most of Southern Nevada felt it, along with parts of Utah including St. George and Cedar City, the USGS said.

People took to social media to report feeling the quake, but those already on the Las Vegas Strip appeared to take any shaking in stride, without any interruption to the gambling destination’s usual fun.

Caesars Entertainment Corp.’s 550-foot-tall High Roller observation wheel was still taking riders on a slow spin after officials said inspections revealed everything had gone according to the ride’s earthquake plan.