A series of earthquakes struck the Northern California coast on Thursday morning, roiling communities and triggering emergency warnings for both earthquake and tsunami risks just before 11 a.m. local time.
The largest, recorded at a magnitude of 7.0 and originating near the historic and picturesque town of Ferndale in Humboldt County, was felt in San Francisco, more than 258 miles (418 kilometers) away. About 1.3 million people felt the shock, according to initial estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), which also reported that risks to human life remained low.
Cell phones buzzed throughout the region, warning of the coming shaking and providing ample time to brace and cover up. Tsunami warnings also sounded for at least 5.3 million people along the California and Oregon coasts, warning of large waves, strong currents and coastal flooding that could last through the afternoon.
After the warning, Bay Area Rapid Transit trains were held while subway stations were evacuated as major delays were announced systemwide and the San Francisco Fire Department began clearing beaches. The tsunami warning was lifted shortly after midday when officials announced that the main risks had subsided.
Some affected areas, especially those along the coast that have recently been drenched in rain, may be prone to landslides, USGS data shows.
No immediate damage reports have been made available, but the USGS has issued a “yellow alert,” indicating that “some damage is possible and the impact should be relatively localized.”
“Overall, the population in this region lives in earthquake-resistant structures, although vulnerable structures exist,” the USGS said in a bulletin, noting that brick masonry construction poses the greatest risk.
Videos of the aftermath posted online by local reporters showed supermarket shelves in disarray and shattered glasses and bottles lining the floors of bars. Residents shared images of the cupboard contents thrown into the flood. By early afternoon, only minor damage had been reported.
