On December 6, 2024, a powerful magnitude 7 earthquake struck off the northern California coast, prompting a tsunami warning for approximately 4.7 million residents in California and Oregon. The quake, which occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), was centered about 63 km (39 miles) west of Ferndale, California. As a result, San Francisco and the Bay Area were placed under a tsunami warning, leading to evacuation orders in Berkeley and power outages affecting about 19,000 clients in Humboldt County [f40f1840].
California Governor Gavin Newsom was meeting with emergency officials to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts. The earthquake was felt widely across the region, with residents reporting unusual intensity during the tremor [f40f1840]. Fortunately, the tsunami warning was later lifted, alleviating immediate fears of a significant tidal event following the quake [f40f1840].
This seismic event adds to the growing list of recent earthquakes in California, including a 4.7-magnitude quake near Malibu on September 12, 2024, and a 5.2-magnitude quake near Bakersfield on August 7. Experts have noted an increase in seismic activity this year, with over a dozen quakes of magnitude 4.0 or higher, yet they emphasize that these smaller quakes do not necessarily indicate an imminent major earthquake [8f8bc6a3].
The US West Coast is known for its tectonic activity, having experienced significant earthquakes in the past, such as the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the infamous 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation and encourage residents to remain prepared for potential aftershocks and future seismic events [8f8bc6a3].