Magnitude 7.0 earthquake rattles northern California

On Thursday morning, a powerful earthquake hit the northern California coast, causing anxiety in local communities and triggering emergency warnings for both shaking and potential tsunami threats shortly before 11am local time.

The earthquake, rated at 7.0 in magnitude, started close to Ferndale in Humboldt County and was strong enough to be felt in San Francisco, over 260 miles (418 km) away. Approximately 1.3 million people experienced the tremor, based on early estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), which also indicated that the threat to people's safety was minimal.

"The earthquake had a significant amount of energy," climate scientist Daniel Swain remarked about the quake in a discussion posted on YouTube. He noted that it bore some resemblance to other earthquakes that have taken place in the area over the past ten years.

Cellphones went off across the area, alerting residents to the upcoming tremors and giving them enough time to get ready and take cover. Tsunami warnings were issued for over 5.3 million individuals along the California coast and into Oregon, cautioning about the potential for high waves, powerful currents, and coastal flooding that could continue throughout the afternoon.

After the warning, Bay Area Rapid Transit trains were stopped, and underground stations were emptied due to significant delays across the network. Meanwhile, the San Francisco fire department started evacuating the beaches.

The tsunami alert was lifted just after midday when officials confirmed that the greatest dangers had decreased.

“One of the difficulties with tsunami risks is that it’s hard to predict what will happen,” Swain explained, noting why the warning was issued and then quickly canceled. “If a large tsunami is on its way, it might be too late to evacuate people from danger.”

However, several professionals in emergency management expressed concern about the way the warnings were communicated, particularly to people living in the San Francisco Bay area. Swain highlighted the risk of "warning fatigue" occurring when alerts lack sufficient explanations. This was echoed by residents who raised issues about the confusion stemming from mixed messages and changing instructions, especially when some warnings were later revoked.

During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the alerts were released as a safety measure.

"According to him, whenever there is an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 or higher near the coast, a protocol for tsunami alerts is triggered. This measure helps us to take extra precautions and ensure safety."

Newsom mentioned that state officials are now concentrating on dealing with the consequences of the significant earthquake. The governor has issued a state of emergency for the area to guarantee that assistance is promptly provided where it is most required.

"We're worried about the potential damage, especially in the northern region of the state," he mentioned.

According to data from the US Geological Survey, certain regions, particularly those near the coast that have recently experienced heavy rainfall, may be at risk for landslides.

There haven’t been any reports of significant damage yet, but the USGS has issued a "yellow alert," indicating that while some damage might occur, it is likely to be limited to a specific area.

According to a bulletin from the USGS, most people in this area live in buildings that can withstand earthquake tremors, though there are some that are more at risk. They specifically pointed out that brick masonry buildings are particularly vulnerable.

Local reporters shared videos online depicting the chaotic scenes following the incident, with grocery store shelves in disorder and broken glass and bottles scattered across bar floors. Residents posted pictures showing their cupboards' contents tossed about by the flood. By early afternoon, reports indicated that the damage was mostly minor.

However, apart from the direct consequences, both officials and experts believe that this situation will offer valuable lessons for both the community and those who respond to emergencies.

“It serves as a further indication of the environment we inhabit,” Newsom remarked, “and the mindset we must adopt in our everyday lives here in California, particularly when it comes to being ready for anything.”