The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) has recorded an uptick in seismic activity, with over 100 small earthquakes shaking the area between Saturday and Wednesday. The majority of these tremors were concentrated on the western edge of the McGee Ranch area, part of the Hanford Reach National Monument.
Natural Occurrence
Despite its proximity to one of the nation’s most well-known nuclear sites, experts are reassuring the public that these quakes are a natural occurrence and not linked to the site’s radioactive waste. Renate Hartog of the PNSN clarified that the activity is what’s known as a “seismic swarm,” which refers to clusters of earthquakes without a clear mainshock. Such swarms are quite common in Washington and Oregon.
The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network
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