A magnitude 7.0 earthquake near Petrolia, California, triggered a substantial tsunami warning extending from southern Oregon to San Francisco Bay. The quake, felt throughout Humboldt County, prompted immediate evacuation recommendations for coastal residents in anticipation of incoming tsunami waves. Economic loss estimates suggest significant potential impacts due to the quake and tsunami warning.
On Thursday, at 10:44 a.m. local time, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Petrolia, California, prompting a tsunami warning that extends from southern Oregon to the San Francisco Bay area. The earthquake, felt widely across Humboldt County, occurred just offshore along the San Andreas fault, a significant geological feature in the region. Following the tremor, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert at 10:49 a.m., indicating that tsunami waves could begin impacting the coastline, starting with Fort Bragg at 11:10 a.m. and potentially reaching San Francisco by 12:10 p.m. Residents in affected areas were urged to evacuate to safer locations away from the coast and away from low-lying zones prone to flooding from the incoming waves.
The tsunami warning encompasses areas surrounding the San Francisco Bay. The Petrolia Fire District reported receiving numerous calls from residents who felt the earthquake, leading to heightened concern in the community. Earthquake magnitude is measured using the moment magnitude scale, which operates logarithmically; hence, each incremental increase signifies a tenfold increase in strength. As per estimates from the US Geological Survey, the likelihood of economic losses ranges from $1-$10 million at 32% probability and similarly for losses between $10-$100 million, while there is a 15% chance for losses exceeding that threshold.
Earthquakes are a common occurrence along the California coast, which is situated on the San Andreas fault line, a major source of seismic activity. The moment magnitude scale employed to measure these natural events reflects their strength logarithmically, indicating severe impacts can result from higher magnitude quakes. This earthquake’s potential to generate a tsunami underscores the ongoing risk of coastal flooding, which affects coastal communities and necessitates timely evacuations and preparedness measures.
In summary, the magnitude 7.0 earthquake near Petrolia, California, has sparked significant concern due to the associated tsunami warning that stretches to the San Francisco Bay. Residents have been advised to evacuate to safer areas to mitigate potential risks from the incoming waves. Preliminary economic forecasts indicate the possibility of substantial financial impacts, and public awareness remains critical in such circumstances.
Original Source: www.rgj.com
