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A significant earthquake has struck off the coast of Northern California, with a magnitude of 7.0, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter of the earthquake was located near Petrolia, Humboldt County.
The earthquake occurred just before noon local time and prompted a tsunami warning for the coastal regions of California and Oregon, including San Francisco. However, the National Tsunami Warning Center quickly canceled the warning, stating that there was no ongoing threat of a tsunami in the area.
Despite the large magnitude of the earthquake, the USGS issued a yellow tsunami warning for approximately 5.3 million residents of California, predicting that any potential tsunamis would be isolated and cause minimal harm. It is estimated that around 1.3 million people live close enough to the epicenter to have felt the tremors.
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The USGS has reported that the earthquake was primarily a strike-slip event, meaning that the tectonic plates shifted horizontally rather than vertically. This reduced the risk of a tsunami being generated by the seismic activity.
Following the main quake, there were several aftershocks reported in the region, including a 5.0 magnitude earthquake in Ferndale and a 4.2 magnitude quake near Petrolia. The USGS also reported 35 aftershocks in Northern California, with the largest aftershock measuring 5.0.
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The earthquake early warning system was activated, sending shake alarms from Lincoln City, Oregon to Salinas, California. The system reportedly worked as intended, although the USGS is investigating the effectiveness of the warnings issued.
Despite the significant seismic activity, no immediate damage was reported following the earthquake. However, the San Francisco Zoo evacuated visitors and relocated animals and staff to higher ground as a precaution. The earthquake also caused disruptions to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, with trains unable to run through the undersea Transbay Tube.
In response to the earthquake, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, with damage assessments currently underway. State Senator Mike McGuire reported that 10,000 households were without power and several homes had collapsed as a result of the quake.
Local officials in Rio Dell reported road fractures and a gas leak at a middle school, although no injuries were reported. The city manager of Ferndale stated that there was minimal roof damage in the area, while in Santa Cruz, residents received tsunami warnings urging them to seek higher ground.
Looking ahead, the USGS has warned of a 5% chance of a magnitude 6 or greater aftershock in the next week, as well as a 34% likelihood of a magnitude 5 quake. Experts are advising residents to prepare for potential aftershocks in the coming days and weeks to ensure their safety.
Overall, the earthquake off the Northern California coast caused alarm and disruption, but fortunately, no major damage or injuries have been reported. Efforts are now focused on assessing the extent of the damage and ensuring that residents are prepared for any future seismic events in the region.
