Powerful Earthquake Strikes Northern California

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Northern California on Thursday, sending shockwaves across the region, knocking items off shelves, and causing children to scramble under desks. The temblor, which hit at 10:44 a.m., originated near Ferndale in coastal Humboldt County, about 130 miles from the Oregon border, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The quake was felt as far south as San Francisco, 270 miles away, where residents reported a rolling motion lasting several seconds. Smaller aftershocks followed, but there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. A brief tsunami warning was issued for nearly 500 miles of the West Coast, stretching from California’s Monterey Bay to the Oregon border, affecting 5.3 million residents. The warning advised people to move to higher ground, but it was canceled after wave-monitoring gauges confirmed no tsunami threat.

In Ferndale, Julie Kreitzer, owner of Golden Gait Mercantile, described significant damage in her store. “It’s probably worse than two years ago,” she said, referencing a previous quake. “I have to try and salvage something for the holidays because it’s going to be a tough year.” In Eureka, Mayor Kim Bergel recounted how middle school students took cover under desks as lights swayed during the tremor. “The kids were great but terrified,” she said, adding that they were later sent home as a precaution.

FAQs

1. How strong was the earthquake that struck Northern California?

The earthquake that struck Northern California was a powerful 7.0 magnitude tremor.

2. Was there any major damage or injuries reported?

There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries following the earthquake.

Tags

Earthquake, Northern California, Natural Disaster, Safety Measures