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In the early hours of Thursday, a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook Humboldt County in Northern California. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter was located off the coast at Petrolia. The earthquake struck just before noon local time, sending shockwaves across the region and causing buildings to sway and residents to evacuate to safety.
Initially, a tsunami warning was issued for the California and Oregon coastal regions, including the city of San Francisco. However, the National Tsunami Warning Center quickly canceled the warning, stating that no tsunami danger currently existed for the area. The USGS issued a yellow tsunami warning for 5.3 million Californians, estimating that around 1.3 million individuals were close enough to feel the tremor. Despite the initial fears of a tsunami, the USGS reassured the public that the risk was minimal due to the earthquake being primarily strike-slip, meaning that the tectonic plates shifted horizontally rather than vertically.
Following the main earthquake, a series of aftershocks were reported in the area, with the largest aftershock measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale. Residents of San Francisco reported feeling a rolling sensation for several seconds during the earthquake, prompting evacuations at key locations such as the San Francisco Zoo and disruptions to public transportation like BART, which was severely delayed due to the quake.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the earthquake, with damage assessments already underway. California State Senator Mike McGuire took to social media to report that 10,000 households were without electricity and several homes had collapsed due to the quake. In Rio Dell, Mayor Debra Garnes reported road fractures and a gas leak at a local middle school, although no injuries were recorded. The city manager of Ferndale also reported minimal roof damage, while scientists at the USGS warned of the possibility of further aftershocks in the coming days and weeks.
In Santa Cruz, residents received a National Weather Service tsunami warning on their phones, advising them to seek higher ground and avoid coastal areas due to the threat of powerful waves and currents. The warning highlighted the potential dangers posed by aftershocks and the importance of staying informed and prepared for any further seismic activity.
As the region continues to recover from the impact of the earthquake, local officials are working to assess the extent of the damage and ensure the safety of residents. With the threat of aftershocks still looming, experts are urging people to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves and their communities from any future seismic events.
