Tsunami Warning Lifted After California Quake; No Threat to B.C.

A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake rattled northern California on Thursday morning, triggering a tsunami warning that briefly extended to 800 kilometers of coastline in California and Oregon before being lifted. Emergency Info B.C. confirmed that there was no tsunami threat to British Columbia.

The earthquake, which struck at 10:44 a.m. PT, was centered 63 kilometers west of Ferndale, a small coastal town in Humboldt County. It occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Local Impact:

Ferndale, a town of about 1,400 residents, experienced strong tremors that caused merchandise to tumble from shelves and left residents cleaning up broken items.

“It was a big quake; it made you evacuate the building as fast as you could,” said Troy Land, a volunteer firefighter and hardware store owner, as he surveyed the mess in his shop.

Despite the strong shaking, authorities reported no injuries or significant structural damage. In neighboring Eureka, fire officials noted only minor impacts, with some merchandise dislodged from store shelves.

Tsunami Warning and Evacuation Orders:

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning affecting some 4.7 million residents in California and Oregon. Coastal towns were advised to evacuate low-lying areas, and alerts were sent as far south as Berkeley. However, the warning was canceled about 90 minutes after the quake when the risk of a tsunami was ruled out.

Seismologist’s Perspective:

Natural Resources Canada seismologist John Cassidy explained that the quake’s horizontal slipping motion, rather than subduction, limited the potential for a large tsunami.

“This type of earthquake typically doesn’t generate significant tsunamis, which is fortunate,” Cassidy said. He emphasized that the event serves as a critical reminder for Pacific Coast residents to stay prepared for potentially more damaging quakes and tsunamis in the future.

While magnitude 7.0 earthquakes are rare, averaging only 15 to 20 occurrences globally per year, Cassidy noted that aftershocks could persist for several days.

Emergency Preparedness:

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a state of emergency declaration to assist the affected areas, though the damage appeared to be minimal. Officials encouraged residents to remain vigilant and ensure they are prepared for future seismic events.

This incident underscores the importance of earthquake readiness for communities along the Pacific Rim, including those in B.C., where similar seismic activity is possible.