RICHLAND — A small earthquake was reported near Richland on Sunday, but there have been no reports of any damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-3.2 quake hit about 8 miles north of the city at 6:47 a.m.
The Tri-City Herald reported that the quake appeared to be in the same area as a 3.4-magnitude quake that some residents reported feeling two years ago, and where swarms of little earthquakes occurred in 2009, 1988, 1975 and 1970.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory officials have said the fault there is about 300 feet by 300 feet and likely less than a mile deep. Because of the thickness of the basalt rock layer at that depth, there’s a limit to the magnitude of the quakes produced.
The USGS reported Sunday’s earthquake at a depth of about 325 feet.
The Department of Energy is conducting an updated assessment of the danger of an earthquake at Hanford nuclear reservation.
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