A series of 17 earthquakes has been recorded near Nevada's highly classified Area 51 over the past 24 hours, igniting baseless conspiracy theories about covert nuclear testing. The quakes, ranging from magnitude 2.5 to 4.4, struck within miles of the mysterious military base, which has long been the subject of speculation regarding aliens and UFOs.
Details of the Seismic Activity
The largest earthquake, a magnitude 4.4 event, occurred at a depth of 2.5 miles just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This was followed by more than a dozen smaller tremors. Over 100 individuals reported feeling the earthquakes to the USGS.
Geophysicist and internet personality Stefan Burns suggested in a video on X that the 4.4 magnitude quake occurred in "an unusual place to get an earthquake" and noted its shallow depth. While Burns acknowledged that the quake was likely natural, he pointed to "some ambiguity" in the seismic data, suggesting the activity was "worth discussing in the context of 'if this is a covert underground nuclear test.'"
Conspiracy Theories and Reactions
Conspiracy theorists have long speculated that Area 51 houses aliens, but recent unfounded claims have questioned whether the U.S. government has resumed testing at the site. Burns' video fueled further excitement, with one social media user stating, "The GOVT is up to NO GOOD." Another commented, "Area 51 is most likely nuclear testing not aliens idk if that makes yall feel better or not."
The earthquake swarm coincides with broader conspiracy theories surrounding a series of U.S. scientists who have died or disappeared in recent years. Online sleuths have examined about 12 cases, believing these individuals were targeted due to their work with sensitive topics, including nuclear weapons. On April 16, President Donald Trump was asked about "10 missing scientists with access to classified stuff, nuclear material, aerospace" and whether he saw connections among them. Trump responded, "Well, I hope it's random, but we're going to know in the next week and a half." The FBI and Congress are now investigating possible links between these cases.
The Independent has contacted the USGS for further information.
