A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California at 10:44 a.m. PST, causing trembling throughout the region. The epicenter was 39 miles west of Petrolia, California, and it was quite shallow, less than a mile below the surface.
Moments after the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued due to initial concerns that a devastating wave of water would surge against the coasts of California and Oregon. The alert included the San Francisco Bay Area.
The National Tsunami Warning Center canceled the tsunami warning at 11:54 a.m. PST after determining that the earthquake did not cause a wave.
“The earthquake was predominantly strike-slip, which means two tectonic plates slid past one another. These earthquakes are less likely to create tsunamis because they move mostly horizontally, with little vertical displacement of the ocean floor, according to the USGS.
There have already been more than 20 aftershocks of magnitude 2.5 or greater.
The last time an earthquake of this magnitude struck off the coast of Northern California was nearly 20 years ago. On June 15, 2005, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck a similar area to Thursday’s jolt. Tens of thousands of people allegedly felt Thursday’s earthquake, and many used their phones to record video as it happened.
People inside buildings noticed signs and chandeliers swaying back and forth. Pool owners reported seeing water splash about and occasionally flow over the sides.
There were no early reports of significant injuries, although the tremor caused damage to local structures, including Golden Gait Mercantile in Ferndale, California.
“It was a strong quake, and our building shook,” store owner Julie Kreitzer told the AP. “We lost a lot of stuff,” they explained. “I have to try and salvage something for the holidays because it’s going to be a tough year.”
Reference: Tsunami warning canceled after 7.0 earthquake shakes California, Oregon