A mysterious earthquake swarm near Area 51 sparks conspiracy theories about secret tests

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At least 17 earthquakes have been recorded in the vicinity of Nevada’s top-secret Area 51 in the past 24 hours, sparking baseless conspiracy theories about secret nuclear testing.

The quakes ranged in magnitude from 2.5 to 4.4 and struck miles away from the mysterious military base, famous for conspiracy theories that aliens and UFOs are hiding in the facility.

Area 51 is adjacent to the Nevada Test Site, where the United States tested nuclear weapons from 1951 to 1992.

The 4.4-magnitude quake struck 2.5 miles underground just after 3 p.m. Wednesday, and was followed by more than a dozen smaller quakes, according to U.S. Geological Survey data.

More than 100 people reported feeling the quakes to the USGS.

At least 17 earthquakes have been recorded near Area 51 in Nevada in the past 24 hours, sparking conspiracy theories about nuclear testing in the area (AFP/Getty)

Geophysicist and internet personality Stefan Burns claimed in a video on X that the 4.4 magnitude quake was in an “unusual place for an earthquake,” adding that it was particularly shallow.

Conspiracy theorists have long speculated that aliens are being held at the base, but have recently wondered, without any evidence, whether the US government has begun conducting tests at the site again.

Burns noted in the video that although the 4.4-magnitude quake was likely natural, there was “some ambiguity” in the seismic data.

He added that the unusual characteristics make the activity “worth discussing in the context of whether this was a secret underground nuclear test.”

The Independent has contacted the US Geological Survey for more information.

The US Geological Survey website showed that 17 earthquakes were recorded in the region during the past 24 hours (USGS)

Burns’ video was enough to fire up some conspiracy theorists, including one person who reshared it and wrote: “The government is doing nothing good.”

Another said: “Area 51 is probably nuclear testing, not aliens. I don’t know if that makes you feel better or not.”

The wave of earthquakes comes as conspiracy theories swirl about a series of American scientists who have died or disappeared in recent years.

Online investigators examined about a dozen cases and believe the individuals were targeted because of their work on sensitive topics, including nuclear weapons.

A reporter asked President Donald Trump on April 16 about “10 missing scientists with access to classified stuff, nuclear material, space, all of whom have gone missing or died in the last couple of months” and whether he believed there were connections between them.

“Well, I hope it’s random, but we’ll find out in the next week and a half,” Trump said.

The FBI and Congress are now investigating possible links between the two cases.

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