Officials are looking for damage in and around the unincorporated area of Mina, Nevada, after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake nearby struck just after 4 a.m. Friday morning.
That's partway between Hawthorne and Tonopah, Nevada. Dozens of aftershocks have been reported, the biggest being 5.1 in magnitude, according to the US geological survey.
Researchers at the Nevada Seismological Laboratory say more aftershocks are possible, and there's a 4 percent chance that there could be another quake of the same magnitude or greater.
"That's always a possibility in this part of the world, in the [Eastern] Sierra," said Ken Smith, Seismic Network Manager for the lab. "We're definitely keeping an eye on that."
Meanwhile, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has closed U.S. Highway 95 between the U.S. Route 6 junction and U.S. Highway 360. Officials said it will remain closed until 5 p.m. Friday evening for earthquake-related inspections and repairs.
"Most of the cracked areas have a minor lift that, as a temporary fix, will be shaved to minimize roadway surface bumps," officials said in an NDOT release.
NDOT said it will be scheduling full repairs at a later date.
