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Don’t panic when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California, specifically in Humboldt County. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) pinpointed the epicenter of the earthquake in Petrolia, Humboldt County. The quake occurred just before noon local time and left many Californians and Oregon residents on high alert due to fear of a potential tsunami.
However, the National Tsunami Warning Center quickly reassured the public by canceling the tsunami warning for the coastal areas of California and Oregon, including major cities such as San Francisco. This announcement came as a relief to the 5.3 million Californians who were initially under a yellow tsunami warning, as the USGS predicted that the threat of a tsunami was minimal.
Even though the earthquake was felt by approximately 1.3 million people in the region, the USGS reported that the risk of a tsunami was low. The earthquake was described as “primarily strike-slip,” indicating that the tectonic plates shifted horizontally rather than vertically, thus reducing the likelihood of a tsunami. Despite this, the National Tsunami Warning Center still issued a warning from Davenport, California, to Douglas/Lane Line in Oregon following the quake.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, several aftershocks were reported by the USGS. A 5.0 magnitude earthquake in Ferndale and a 4.2 magnitude quake near Petrolia were documented, causing minor tremors in the area. Residents in San Francisco reported feeling multiple aftershocks, with the largest reaching a magnitude of 5.0.
Various impacts of the earthquake were seen across Northern California. The San Francisco Zoo took precautionary measures by evacuating tourists and relocating animals and personnel to higher ground after the tsunami warning was issued. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system faced delays as trains were rerouted due to the earthquake, causing inconvenience for commuters.
California Governor Gavin Newsom reacted swiftly by declaring a state of emergency in response to the earthquake. Damage assessments were initiated to determine the extent of the destruction caused by the quake. State Senator Mike McGuire reported widespread power outages affecting 10,000 households and several collapsed homes. In Rio Dell, Mayor Debra Garnes noted road fractures and a gas leak at a local middle school, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Despite the chaos caused by the earthquake, Californians were urged to remain cautious in the aftermath. The USGS warned of a 5% chance of a magnitude 6 or higher aftershock in the following week and a 34% likelihood of a magnitude 5 quake. Experts advised residents to prepare for potential aftershocks in the coming days and weeks to ensure safety.
In conclusion, the 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the Northern California coast caused alarm but ultimately resulted in little harm. The prompt response from authorities and the cancellation of the tsunami warning helped ease fears among residents. As Northern California continues to recover from the earthquake, it is essential for individuals to remain vigilant and prepared for any potential aftershocks in the future.
