A tsunami warning issued for a significant portion of the California coastline was canceled Thursday afternoon after a strong earthquake struck near Eureka.
The quake, which had a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), was centered approximately 40 miles southwest of Ferndale in Humboldt County. Katie Hall, a resident of Humboldt, described the seismic activity as feeling like it “went on forever” after starting out with sharp tremors.
Following the earthquake, alerts were sent to millions of Californians at 10:50 a.m., urging immediate evacuation from coastal areas. The warning spanned from southern Oregon to the Bay Area and extended down to Davenport, near Santa Cruz. Residents were instructed to move to higher ground and avoid coastal waters until it was deemed safe.
The National Weather Service (NWS) initially estimated that tsunami waves could reach the coast between 11:10 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. However, after assessing the situation, the warning was lifted before 11:30 a.m. “Remain observant and exercise normal caution near the sea,” the NWS advised, confirming that no further action was necessary.
There were several smaller aftershocks that followed the earthquake, but there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries. The incident serves as a reminder of California’s vulnerability to seismic activity and the importance of rapid response systems to ensure public safety.
Approximately 5 million people were under the tsunami warning during the brief period it was in effect. The quick cancellation came as a relief to many residents, allowing them to resume their daily activities with added awareness of the state’s natural hazards.