A 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the California coastA tsunami warning was issued over portions of the Oregon and California coasts Thursday morning.
Just before noon, the tsunami warning was canceled.
Around 40 miles off the coast of California, close to Petrolia, and at a depth of less than half a mile, the earthquake struck at 10:44 a.m.
Many residents in Oregon, along the coast, and in the southern part of the state received notifications on their phones through ShakeAlert, an early warning system from the U.S. Geological Survey, even though the earthquake occurred in California.
According to officials, at least 500,000 people in California and Oregon received warnings on their phones.
During the occurrence, people in Bandon, Ashland, Corvallis, and Eugene may have felt strong vibrations and received warnings on their phones.
The earthquake that struck San Francisco on Thursday was more powerful than the 1989 World Series earthquake in Loma Prieta. It was a 6.9. However, officials anticipated significantly less damage because this earthquake occurred offshore.
In locations like Eureka that were closer to the event’s epicenter, some structural damage might have occurred.
According to USGS research geophysicist Tim Clements, we are referring to this earthquake as the 2024 Offshore Cape Mendocino, California Earthquake.
According to him, the Mendocino Triple Junction is the location of the earthquake and is probably close to the Mendocino Fracture Zone. The intersection of the Pacific, North American, and Gorda plates is known as the Mendocino Triple Junction.
According to Clements, the earthquake occurred close to the Cascadia Subduction Zone but not on it.
According to officials, the earthquake was triggered by horizontal plate movement, which is why a tsunami did not occur.
According to him, there have been three recent earthquakes in the area: a 6.4 on December 20, 2022, a 6.2 on December 20, 2021, and a 6.6 on December 8, 2016.
According to Clements, there is no proof that the December recurrence of these earthquakes is anything other than a coincidence.
According to the National Weather Service, waves were predicted to start in Charleston at 11:40 a.m., Brookings at 11:25 a.m., and Port Orford at 11:20 a.m., but they did not come to pass.
However, coastal residents should also be ready for aftershocks. Several had already been felt an hour and a half after the incident.
At a press conference on Thursday, Christine Goulet, Director of the USGS Earthquake Science Center, stated that aftershocks are to be expected whenever there is a significant earthquake.
She advised dropping, covering, and holding on in case of aftershocks.
According to Goulet, whenever you experience shaking or receive a warning that shaking might start, it’s critical to shield yourself from falling things.
From 10:49 a.m. to 11:49 a.m., the south central Oregon coast and the Curry County coast were under a tsunami warning. It was ten miles southwest of Florence and ten miles northwest of Santa Cruz.
The National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning on Thursday, indicating that a tsunami with substantial flooding is either imminent or currently happening. Many hours after they first appear, a sequence of waves known as a tsunami can be dangerous. Perhaps the initial wave isn’t the biggest.
The following actions are advised by authorities if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone:
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Evacuate inland or to higher ground above and beyond designated tsunami hazard zones or move to an upper floor of a multi-story building depending on your situation.
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Move out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbors, marinas, breakwaters, bays and inlets.
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Be alert to and follow instructions from your local emergency officials because they may have more detailed or specific information for your location.
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If you feel a strong earthquake or extended ground rolling take immediate protective actions such as moving inland and/or uphill preferably by foot.
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Boat operators:
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Where time and conditions permit, move your boat out to sea to a depth of at least 180 feet.
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If at sea avoid entering shallow water, harbors, marinas, bays, and inlets to avoid floating and submerged debris and strong currents.
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Do not go to the shore to observe the tsunami.
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Do not return to the coast until local emergency officials indicate it is safe to do so.
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Where time and conditions permit, move your boat out to sea to a depth of at least 180 feet.
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If at sea avoid entering shallow water, harbors, marinas, bays, and inlets to avoid floating and submerged debris and strong currents.
On Thursday morning, all beach access points in Oregon’s state parks were blocked until further notice.
Lizzy Acker writes the advice column and covers Oregon weather. Why, Tho?503-221-8052, [email protected], or @lizzzyacker are her contact details.Your support is essential to our journalism. Sign up for OregonLive.com now.
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