Cedar Mountains (Nevada) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cedar Mountains |
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| Hardscrabble Mountains | |
 Location in Nevada
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Little Pilot Peak |
| Elevation | 2,465 m (8,087 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| District | Mineral County |
| Range coordinates | 38°31′52.726″N 117°49′24.400″W / 38.53131278°N 117.82344444°W |
| Topo map | USGS Simon |
The Cedar Mountains, also known as the Hardscrabble Mountains, are a mountain range found in western Nevada in the United States. These mountains are located about 30 miles (48 km) north of Tonopah in Mineral County. The highest point in this range is called Little Pilot Peak. The Cedar Mountains got their name because of the many cedar trees growing in the area.
This mountain range sits in a special area called the Walker Lane. This area is part of the boundary between two huge pieces of the Earth's crust, called the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. It's a bit like the famous San Andreas Fault in California. On December 20, 1932, the Cedar Mountains were the site of a very strong earthquake, which was felt across a large part of the western United States.
Understanding the Big 1932 Earthquake
The 1932 earthquake happened in a quiet desert area where not many people lived. Even so, it caused some damage. Mines and plants that processed ore (rock with valuable minerals) were affected. Two small homes, one made of stone and another of adobe (a type of sun-dried mud brick), were completely destroyed.
How Far Was the Earthquake Felt?
People felt the ground shake in many towns across Nevada, including Tonopah, Mina, Luning, and Fallon. Reports from these towns mentioned cracks appearing in the ground (in Luning) and chimneys falling down (in Mineral County, Luning, and Mina).
The earthquake was so powerful that large rocks and boulders rolled down hillsides and cliffs. There were also big landslides. People even noticed changes in the local springs and wells, which showed how the earthquake affected the groundwater (water found underground). Luckily, no one was hurt or died in this earthquake.
Foreshocks and Aftershocks
Before the main earthquake, there was one smaller shake called a foreshock. After the main earthquake, which had a magnitude (strength) of 7.2, there were many smaller shakes called aftershocks. The main earthquake was felt across a huge area, all the way from the Rocky Mountains in the east to the Pacific coast in the west. People felt it from Southern Oregon down to San Diego, California.
