A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck off the Northern California coast, centered near Petrolia in Humboldt County. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) registered the earthquake at 10:44 a.m. local time, initially reporting it as a 6.6 before upgrading it. Although over 5.3 million people in California received tsunami warnings, the National Tsunami Warning Center canceled these alerts shortly before noon, affirming that there was no tsunami danger for the affected regions.
The quake was felt as far south as San Francisco, with reports indicating light damage but no immediate injuries. Some areas experienced localized effects, such as power outages for roughly 10,000 residents, cracks in roadways, and a gas leak at a local middle school. The city manager of Ferndale noted minor structural damage, particularly to roofs. Following the quake, several aftershocks were recorded, including a significant 5.0 magnitude tremor.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, and emergency assessments are currently underway. This event, characterized as primarily a strike-slip earthquake, typically poses a lower risk for generating tsunamis, which was reflected in the rapid cancellation of the tsunami warning.
Residents are advised to be alert for potential aftershocks, as the USGS estimates a 34% chance of experiencing a magnitude 5 quake in the coming week and a 5% chance of a magnitude 6 or greater.
In conclusion, while the earthquake did cause some disruptions and instigated precautionary measures such as evacuations at the San Francisco Zoo and delays in the Bay Area’s transit system, the overall response from the community and emergency services has been prompt and effective. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness for natural disasters and highlights the resilience of local communities in the face of such events.