On Thursday, the United States lifted a tsunami warning issued after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the northern California coast. The quake, recorded at 10 kilometers (six miles) deep, occurred nearly 100 kilometers west-southwest of Ferndale at 10:44 am local time, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Smartphone users in affected areas received emergency alerts urging them to evacuate to higher ground, with warnings that “powerful waves and strong currents” could impact nearby coasts. Tsunami sirens were also activated in coastal areas like Bonny Doon, Santa Cruz County. The first waves were anticipated to reach San Francisco around 12:10 pm (2010 GMT), with hazardous conditions forecasted within a 300-kilometer radius of the epicenter.
Seismologist Maureen Long explained that the time gap between the earthquake and potential tsunami waves allowed authorities to issue timely warnings. “Tsunami waves in open oceans travel at jet-plane speeds, while earthquake waves move much faster,” she told CNN.
Local Impact
Residents across the region, including in the San Francisco Bay Area, reported experiencing significant shaking. Marc Buller, an attorney from Eureka, described the quake as unusually intense. “It felt like the house was on rollers—an intense jolt followed by a rolling sensation,” he said.
Historical Context
The U.S. West Coast, situated at the convergence of multiple tectonic plates, is no stranger to seismic activity. Previous major quakes, like the 1994 Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
This latest earthquake serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability and the importance of preparedness in mitigating risks from future seismic events.
