USGS sends out false phone alerts warning of 5.9 earthquake in Nevada

Officials investigating false earthquake alert in Northern California and Nevada

Officials said a recent false alarm issued by the region's Shake Alert system represents a unique technical error not previously seen.

Mysterious trigger set off earthquake sensors causing false alert in Bay Area

USGS is investigating how sensors miles apart could all detect the same mysterious shaking, prompting a warning for a nonexistent earthquake.

False alarm: U.S. Geological Survey alerts of Nevada quake were wrong

A U.S. Geological Survey alert system sent out an alert Thursday for a 5.9 earthquake in Nevada that didn't actually occur.

Officials: Automatic alert reports false Dayton earthquake

The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating the cause of a false alert sent out reporting a 5.9 earthquake that never occurred Thursday morning. An automatic detection system triggered cell phone alerts to a large earthquake near Dayton. The alerts were reported as far away as the Bay Area and central California. The alert reported “strong shaking expected” and advising “drop, cover, hold on.” But no seismic activity ever took place, according t…

'Drop and cover' earthquake alert turns out to be false alarm

Seismologists say the bogus message sent out in Nevada and California may be a first and "noisy triggers" from human-made sources, such as explosions or construction work, or even from large vehicles, could be to blame.

USGS sends out false phone alerts warning of 5.9 earthquake in Nevada

USGS confirms false alarm for 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Nevada. ShakeAlert system issued incorrect alert, investigation underway.