A 2.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the secretive US Air Force base Area 51 on Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake hit 32 miles southeast of Beatty, Nevada, approximately 60 miles from the mysterious military facility, and was felt in Las Vegas, about 80 miles away.
Area 51 has long been the subject of conspiracy theories involving UFOs, aliens, and experimental aircraft. The proximity of the earthquake is likely to intensify speculation about underground activities at the base, though officials confirm it was a natural seismic event. No injuries or damage have been reported.
Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the US, after California and Alaska, due to numerous faults. The state experiences thousands of microearthquakes annually, driven by tectonic extension and the movement of the Sierra Nevada microplate.
The 2.8 magnitude quake was smaller than recent events, including a 5.7 magnitude earthquake in northern Nevada on December 9, 2024, and a 6.5 magnitude quake in the Monte Cristo Range on May 15, 2020.
Area 51 remains off-limits to the public and regular military air traffic. Conspiracy theories persist, with some claiming that secrets will be revealed by 2025, referencing a declassification timeline set by a Bill Clinton executive order.
