A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off Northern California’s coast, triggering a brief tsunami warning. The epicentre was near Ferndale, Humboldt County, around 260 miles north of San Francisco. While the tsunami warning was cancelled, the quake caused significant shaking and minor damage.
Local officials reported no fatalities or widespread catastrophic damage. However, some homes sustained minor damage, and several stores reported fallen items. Power outages affected over 10,000 Humboldt County residents.
One Ferndale resident described her building’s interior as “like a bomb has gone off in every room.” Olivia Cobian, innkeeper at the Gingerbread Mansion Inn, reported extensive damage, with fireplaces moved and objects overturned.
Todd Dunaway, a Fortuna resident, compared the shaking to “standing on a giant waterbed.” He described rattling windows, creaking walls, and falling objects. Dunaway’s pool lost significant water due to sloshing.
While Dunaway’s sporting goods store experienced minor damage, with shoe boxes falling, there were no major structural issues. Multiple aftershocks followed the initial quake, which struck around 10:44 AM local time.
Cities like Berkeley issued evacuation orders due to the initial tsunami threat. Residents in tsunami zones were urged to seek higher ground. Kayla Aihara, a Half Moon Bay hotel guest, described the tense moments as people watched for a tsunami before the warning was lifted.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to facilitate earthquake response efforts. He emphasized Californians’ preparedness for such events.
Tsunami warning signs and evacuation routes are common along the US West Coast. Residents should familiarise themselves with these routes and prepare emergency kits. Tsunamis can arrive quickly after a quake, and the first wave may not be the largest.
The US West Coast is prone to seismic activity due to its location on tectonic plate boundaries. However, 7.0 magnitude earthquakes are relatively rare globally. The US Geological Survey tracks approximately 20,000 earthquakes annually. This earthquake is a significant seismic event for California, highlighting the state’s geological vulnerability.