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Recently, a significant earthquake of magnitude 7 struck off the northern California coast early Thursday morning, prompting an unusual tsunami warning for both northern California and southern Oregon. This earthquake occurred around 10:44 a.m. and was located about 45 miles southwest of Eureka, roughly 100 miles south of the Oregon border, at a depth of approximately 8 miles. The National Tsunami Warning Center quickly released the warning covering coastal areas from Brookings to Gold Beach and extending northward to Bandon and Port Orford in Oregon.
This warning, which lasted around 90 minutes, marked the first occurrence of such a warning since 2022 following an earthquake in Tonga. According to Dave Snider from the warning center, tsunami waves were recorded at about 3.5 inches at Arena Cove in California. While this measurement may seem minor, slight increases in wave height can lead to significant damage in harbor areas. Fortunately, there have been no reports of damage thus far.
Local emergency management conducted an efficient response to the alert. In Brookings, police promptly evacuated residents living close to the shore to higher ground. Jeff Hughes, the emergency manager for Curry County, confirmed that police and firefighters were directed to activate warning sirens and communicate evacuation orders swiftly. Hughes acknowledged that time constraints limited their capacity for more extensive evacuations but emphasized the importance of preparedness, noting that those who heeded the warnings successfully relocated.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department responded to the tsunami warning by closing all state park beaches in the region. Hydrologist Andy Bryant explained that tsunamis typically take around 45 minutes to an hour to arrive after an earthquake, often coming in waves. Notably, as the quake was centered off Eureka rather than directly on the Oregon coast, the waves would likely travel northward, reducing potential impacts.
Lane County issued notifications to inform coastal residents of the situation, although the immediate risks were not expected to affect areas such as Florence. Devon Ashbridge, from Lane County’s public information office, emphasized the importance of preparation in light of the potential for future tsunami alerts.
This event serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness for coastal residents, highlighting the need to stay informed and ready for any such occurrences in the future.
In light of the positive outcomes and responsive actions taken during this event, it reinforces the value of community awareness and readiness in the face of natural disasters, ultimately contributing to a more resilient society.