Powerful 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Northern California

California [US], December 6: A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck offshore Cape Mendocino, California, approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Ferndale, in the early hours of December 6, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake occurred at 12:14 am IST near the coast of Northern California, shaking a seismically active region known for frequent tectonic activity.

Sharing details on X, the National Center for Seismology posted:

“EQ of M: 7.0, On: 06/12/2024 00:14:24 IST, Lat: 40.38 N, Long: 124.64 W, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Near Coast of N. California.”

Earthquake Details

The tremor was traced to the Mendocino triple junction, a tectonic meeting point where the Pacific Plate, North American Plate, and the subducting Juan de Fuca/Gorda Plate converge.

According to USGS, the earthquake resulted from strike-slip faulting along the Mendocino Fracture Zone, a fault boundary between the Pacific and Gorda plates.

“The December 5, 2024, M 7.0 Offshore Cape Mendocino earthquake occurred approximately 100 km southwest of Ferndale, California, in the Mendocino triple junction region,” USGS stated on its website.

USGS further noted that the rupture likely occurred on or near the Mendocino Fracture Zone, with a steeply dipping fault striking either east-southeast or north-northeast.

Tsunami Warning Cancelled

Initially, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal areas of California and Oregon following the earthquake. However, the US National Tsunami Warning Center later cancelled the alert, confirming no tsunami danger.

Sharing an update on X, NWS Tsunami Alerts posted:

“The tsunami warning is cancelled for the coastal areas of California and Oregon. No tsunami danger presently exists for this area. This will be the final US National Tsunami Warning Center message for this event.”

Governor Gavin Newsom also addressed the situation, writing:

“Per @USGS at https://tsunami.gov, the tsunami warning affecting California and Oregon has been cancelled.”

Seismic Activity in the Mendocino Region

The Mendocino triple junction is a hotspot for seismic activity, with frequent earthquakes due to the oblique motion between the Juan de Fuca/Gorda Plate and the Pacific Plate. This interaction causes north-south compression within the Gorda Plate and lateral movement along the tectonic boundaries.

While the region is accustomed to such events, the magnitude 7.0 earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the dynamic nature of Earth’s tectonic plates.