BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Updated:

The following statement was received from LANL Thursday afternoon:

“At approximately 9:04 a.m. on July 30, Los Alamos National Laboratory experienced minor shaking from a seismic event in the region. Initial USGS reports showed that the event occurred between Coyote and Gallina N.M., just over 30 miles from Los Alamos County. The earthquake caused slight shaking of desks and computer monitors, but there have been no reports of any damage, injuries or impacts to lab operations.  Laboratory emergency officials and seismologists continue to monitor the situation. 

“The Laboratory supports national security by providing technical expertise in the geodynamics of Earth’s crust and has extensive expertise in seismic monitoring.”

Sources have notified the Los Alamos Reporter that Los Alamos National Laboratory Emergency Operations Support Center has received several reports of possible seismic activity throughout LANL Thursday morning. As of 11 a.m., there were no reports of damage. LANL officials had no comment at this time.

The Los Alamos Reporter is also hearing from community members on Barranca Mesa and in the Denver Steels area of their homes shaking at 9 a.m. and what felt to them like a small earthquake.

Lab employees have been told there was an earthquake of 3.7 magnitude at 9:04 a.m. centered in the Rio Capulin, New Mexico, area some 50 km from Los Alamos and that initial inspections of PF-4, RLUOB and other buildings show no damage or impact.

Watch the Los Alamos Reporter for more information as it becomes available.