Powerful Earthquake Triggers Brief Tsunami Warning Along California Coast
Magnitude 7.0 Quake Rattled Northern California
On Thursday, a powerful earthquake shook the northern Californian coast, triggering a brief tsunami warning that sent residents scampering for higher ground. The US Geological Survey reported the quake measured a magnitude 7.0 and struck about 68 kilometers (42 miles) from the coastal town of Ferndale at mid-morning. Those living in the area clearly felt the strong earthquake.
Emergency alerts flooded phones, urging residents to immediately seek higher ground. “A series of powerful waves and strong currents could affect coasts near you,” the warnings stated. “You are at risk. Stay away from coastal waters.
Tsunami Warning Lifted
The National Weather Service issued the tsunami warning, which was lifted around noon, shortly before the anticipated arrival of the first waves. The earthquake’s impact was felt throughout the region, including the San Francisco Bay area, where some people reported feeling a wave-like motion beneath their feet.
A Familiar UneaseMarc Buller, a lawyer who lives in Eureka, a port city in Northern California near the earthquake’s epicenter, described the sensation as unusual despite experiencing many earthquakes.
“It was a very strong shaking,” Buller said. “When the strong shaking stopped, the house looked like it was on wheels.”
He likened the subsequent swaying to throwing a large stone into water and observing the ripples radiate outwards. “It’s like when you throw a big stone into water, waves appear, as if the Earth is doing this,” he explained.
Earthquake-Prone Region
The West Coast of the United States sits at a turbulent juncture where several of Earth’s tectonic plates meet, making tremors a familiar occurrence. The region has a history of significant earthquakes, including the 1994 Northridge earthquake in the Los Angeles area, which tragically killed dozens, injured thousands, and caused billions of dollars in damage to homes and infrastructure.
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake, also infamous for triggering a tsunami, is estimated to have claimed over 3,000 lives, some succumbing to the fires that engulfed the city after the powerful quake.
What are the potential dangers of aftershocks following a major earthquake like the one in Northern California?
## Interview: Northern California Earthquake
**Host:** Joining us now is Dr. Emily Carter, a seismologist at the California Institute of Technology. Dr. Carter, yesterday’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of northern California certainly shook things up. Can you tell us more about what happened?
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely. As the US Geological Survey reported [1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c77j4z56k3nt), a significant earthquake occurred around 68 kilometers from Ferndale. The magnitude 7.0 tremor was felt strongly throughout the region, prompting a tsunami warning that thankfully turned out to be a false alarm.
**Host:** That siren must have been unnerving for residents.
**Dr. Carter:** It certainly would have been. The emergency alerts did their job, urging people to evacuate to higher ground. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to tsunamis.
**Host:** Given the severity of the earthquake, are there concerns about aftershocks?
**Dr. Carter:** Yes, aftershocks are definitely a possibility. These smaller earthquakes can occur for days, weeks, or even months after the initial quake. We’ll continue to monitor the situation closely.
**Host:** Thank you for providing your expertise, Dr. Carter. We appreciate your insights.
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