7.0 earthquake hits off Northern California coast; tsunami warning canceled

A large, 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Humboldt County in Northern California on Thursday morning, prompting a tsunami warning for part of the North Coast. The warning was later canceled.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck around 10:44 a.m., west of Petrolia, California in the Pacific Ocean. A tsunami warning was issued for 45 miles southwest of the Northern California city of Eureka shortly after and expired around noon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization. 

The earthquake was first registered as having a preliminary magnitude of 6.6, but USGS updated it to 7.0. It appears to have an epicenter at the triple junction of the Pacific, North American and Juan de Fuca tectonic plates. The earthquake was among the largest recorded in California in recent years.

A significant aftershock that initially registered as a 5.8-magnitude quake hit minutes later near Cobb, California in Lake County, according to the USGS. It has now been downgraded to a 4.1. Dozens of aftershocks have also been recorded near the 7.0 and Cobb epicenters in the minutes following, all registering between 2.5 to 4.2 magnitude. 

Residents up and down the Northern California coast, as well as into the Central Valley, reported feeling shaking. 

Tsunami warning evacuation orders

Coastal residents along the north coast were told to move to higher ground due to the tsunami warning.  

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office said residents in coastal areas in the tsunami zone need to evacuate immediately. 

San Mateo County authorities noted that the tsunami warning extended to their area. People were urged to avoid beaches and coastlines.

Bay Area Rapid Transit service through the Transbay Tube was halted for a time, but has since resumed.

Gov. Newsom issues emergency proclamation

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said he had been briefed on the earthquake and tsunami warning.

The governor was meeting with state emergency officials, his office said, and the California Office of Emergency Services operations center has been activated. 

Newsom has since issued an emergency proclamation in response to the incident.

"I am grateful for the robust system our state has in place that worked as intended today and kept people safe and informed," Newsom said in a statement. 

Commonly issued after natural disasters like wildfires, emergency proclamations open up funds and other emergency resources to first responders. 

In:
• Humboldt County
• Sonoma County
• Earthquake
• San Francisco