A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California, according to the US Geological Survey. Initially, a tsunami warning was issued for the coasts of Northern California and Southern Oregon, an area home to approximately 4.7 million people. However, the warning was later rescinded.
The earthquake's epicenter was near the town of Ferndale, California, a small city in Humboldt County located about 418 kilometers north of San Francisco. Local officials reported no deaths or significant widespread damage in the aftermath of the quake, which is one of only nine magnitude 7.0 earthquakes to occur globally this year.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office stated that while there was no catastrophic destruction to buildings or infrastructure, some homes sustained minor damage. Several local stores reported items falling off shelves, and many residents experienced brief power outages. More than 10,000 people in Humboldt County were left without power immediately after the quake. Multiple aftershocks followed the initial earthquake, which struck on Thursday, December 5, at approximately 10:44 p.m. local time.
In response to the tsunami warning, some areas, including the city of Berkeley in Northern California, issued evacuation orders due to the potential threat. Before the warning was canceled, residents evacuated to higher ground, fearing the tsunami’s impact. Some people gathered near the shoreline at Pacific Coast hotels, watching the waves and waiting for any signs of a tsunami.
The US West Coast, located at the intersection of several tectonic plates, is no stranger to seismic activity. However, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake is relatively rare in the region. Experts note that globally, between 10 and 15 earthquakes of this magnitude occur annually.
So far this year, eight other earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 have been recorded worldwide, according to the US Geological Survey. The agency typically tracks around 20,000 earthquakes globally each year, averaging approximately 55 per day.
Northern California has experienced several major earthquakes over the years, including the 1994 Northridge earthquake in the Los Angeles area. That event caused billions of dollars in damage, killed dozens of people, and left thousands injured.