Following the earthquake and tsunami warning, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) issued an advisory informing Oregon residents and visitors are reminded of the importance of earthquake and tsunami preparedness following the events of December 5.
At 10:44 a.m., a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred off the coast 60 miles east of Petrolia, California. The National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska issued a tsunami warning at 10:49 am. The tsunami warning extended north to the Douglas-Lane County border in Oregon and south to Davenport, California. The warning was lifted at 11:54 a.m. and no tsunami waves were observed along the Oregon coast, according to a news release from state authorities.
The earthquake occurred in the Mendocino Triple Junction, a seismically active region where three tectonic plate boundaries intersect. The fault system where the earthquake originated is located in the Mendocino Fracture Zone, the boundary between the oceanic plates of the Pacific Ocean and Juan de Fuca. More information about the earthquake and the regional tectonic setting can be found on the USGS event page.
As the event unfolded, state parks closed beach access points and evacuation orders were issued for parts of the Oregon coast due to the tsunami warning. With the warning lifted, beach access points were due to reopen on December 5 at 3pm.
Although the immediate threat has passed, the events underscore the importance of preparing for future emergencies, the news release said. Taking steps now to ensure preparedness can make all the difference during natural disasters.
WHAT TO DO TO BE PREPARED
The government authorities released the following:
* Know your evacuation routes: Whether you are at home, at work or visiting the coast, familiarize yourself with the local tsunami evacuation routes. Maps are often posted in coastal areas or can be found online using the DOGAMI/NANOOS Tsunami Evacuation Zones
* Sign up for emergency alerts: Stay informed by subscribing to alerts at ORalert.gov for emergency alerts associated with your zip code, including earthquake and tsunami alerts. And turn on the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone so you receive alerts based on where your phone is (important if you’re visiting the coast).
* Make a go kit: Prepare a portable emergency kit with essentials such as food, water, medicine and personal documents.
* Check your emergency plan: Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do during an earthquake or tsunami, including where to meet and how to communicate if separated. You can learn more about emergency planning with the free Be2WeeksReady Toolkit.
FOR TRAVELERS
* Check travel conditions: If you are traveling, visit www.tripcheck.com for real-time road conditions in Oregon.
Neighboring States: If your trip extends into California or Washington, check the Department of Transportation websites for updates: Travel | Caltrans, Travel Center Map | WSDOT.
DOGAMI encourages coastal residents and visitors to use this event as a reminder to stay informed of tsunami hazards and practice evacuation drills regularly. DOGAMI provides additional information on tsunami preparedness at the Oregon Tsunami Clearinghouse. OPRD recommends exploring the beautiful Oregon Coast safely by always being prepared for emergencies.
For more information about earthquake and tsunami preparedness, visit Tsunami Safety.
