A sequence of earthquakes shook California on Wednesday, including a strong and shallow earthquake that led to a tsunami warning and mandatory evacuations along the coast for hundreds of miles.
Residents were urged to leave their homes and move inland after an initial preliminary magnitude 7.3 quake hit about 60 miles off the coast.
The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning off the northern coast of California, with parts of Oregon also affected.
Reports warned of a risk of widespread dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents.
However, the warning was canceled after ocean buoys didn’t measure any significant waves, and no tsunami or injuries were reported.
After the massive magnitude 7 quake, some 11 aftershocks were felt, CBS Bay Area reported.
The epicenter of the large quake was approximately 45 miles southwest of Eureka, at a shallow depth of eight miles.
Another preliminary 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Humboldt County, while a preliminary 5.8 magnitude quake was reported in Cobb, Lake County.
The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake in Humboldt County occurred at 10:44 am local time and was noticeable across a significant portion of the state, including the Bay Area.
The tremors caused disruptions such as the suspension of BART trains in San Francisco and the closure of the Transbay Tube under the San Francisco Bay, as confirmed by officials.
A 5.8 quake came three minutes later 150 miles away, just north of Santa Rosa.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center announced just before 12 pm local time that the tsunami warning had been canceled for the coastal areas of California and Oregon.
However, evacuation orders are still in place in low areas while officials monitor the situation.
Towns and cities up and down the Northern California coast and into the Central Valley reported feeling the tremors.
Footage showed schools being evacuated while inspectors ensured the buildings were structurally safe.
The city of Berkeley issued an evacuation order due to the tsunami warning.
“People in the tsunami zone are in IMMEDIATE DANGER and MUST EVACUATE NOW,” the City of Berkeley said in a statement on Twitter.
“Stay east of 7th Street. This is a lawful order to leave now.”
Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes California
A TSUNAMI warning and evacuations were issued after a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Northern California. Residents were urged to flee their homes and get away from the water.
Here’s what the USGS has to say about how often the United States sees an earthquake of that magnitude:
Worldwide, there are typically an average of 16 major earthquakes per year, including 15 in the magnitude 7.0 range and one 8.0 or higher.
The US typically sees 63 earthquakes between magnitude 5.0 and 5.9 each year, per the U.S. Geological Survey.
About five are between 6.0 and 6.9 – and fewer than one between 7.0 and 7.9.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
San Francisco Zoo has also been evacuated, with the animals secured and staff ordered to move to higher ground.
Video has been shared online of produce shaking inside a grocery store in Davis, California.
Northern California was previously struck by two powerful earthquakes in late 2022.
In December, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Eureka area, killing at least two people and leaving tens of thousands without electricity.
Less than two weeks later, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit some 30 miles south of Eureka.
What causes earthquakes?
Here’s everything you need to know…
- An earthquake is a shockwave caused by rocks being under extreme forces
- They are typically triggered by the movement of Earth’s crust
- Earth’s tectonic plates, the massive shelves of crust that carry the continents and seafloor, meet at points called fault lines
- When these plates rub over or against one another, huge amounts of pressure are generated
- This creates shockwaves that send violent vibrations through Earth
- The shock can split the planet’s crust and create devestating tsunamis
