California Hit by 7.0 Earthquake, Tsunami Alert for West Coast

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Ferndale, California, USA, on Thursday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake's epicenter was located at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles).

Concurrently, the US National Tsunami Center issued a tsunami warning. The earthquake affected a large part of Northern California, prompting a tsunami warning for 5.3 million people along the US West Coast.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake occurred at 10:44 a.m. near the small town of Ferndale in coastal Humboldt County, 209 kilometers from the Oregon border.

Tremors from the earthquake were experienced in San Francisco

The earthquake was experienced 435 kilometers south of San Francisco. Residents felt the shaking for a few seconds, followed by minor aftershocks.

There were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries. A tsunami warning was in place for an hour, covering 805 kilometers of coastline from north of California's Monterey Bay to Oregon.

Structures trembled

The earthquake's intensity was so severe that it caused buildings to shake. This region, renowned for its redwood forests, picturesque mountains, and the well-known marijuana harvest in the Emerald Triangle's three counties, experienced a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in 2022.

Thousands of residents lost access to electricity and water. Seismologist Lucy Jones mentioned on the social media platform BlueSky that the northwest corner of California is the state's most seismically active area due to the convergence of three tectonic plates.

Request to avoid coastal areas

Phones across Northern California relayed the National Weather Service's tsunami alert following the earthquake. Powerful waves and currents may impact nearby coastlines. You are at risk. Keep away from the coasts.

Avoid the shore until officials declare it safe to go back. Numerous cities, such as Eureka, have urged residents to relocate to higher ground as a safety measure.