Large Earthquake Off Oregon Coast; No Tsunami Expected in Humboldt (or Anywhere)
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Oregon on Thursday afternoon, October 6, 2023, at 4:09 p.m.
The earthquake was centered about 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of Brookings, Oregon, and had a depth of about 6 miles (10 kilometers). It was felt as far away as San Francisco and Sacramento, California.There were no reports of damage or injuries but the earthquake did trigger a tsunami warning, which was later canceled. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii, Alaska, or the U.S. Pacific coast.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was the largest to hit the region since a 6.8-magnitude quake in 1992. USGS
The earthquake occurred on the Cascadia subduction zone, a fault line that runs along the coast of Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. The Cascadia subduction zone is capable of producing large earthquakes, including magnitude 9.0 or greater.The last major earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone occurred in 1700. That earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 9.0 and caused a tsunami that devastated the coast of Japan.
Scientists have been warning for years that a major earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone is overdue. The USGS estimates that there is a 10% chance of a magnitude 9.0 or greater earthquake occurring in the next 50 years.
Residents of the Pacific Northwest should be prepared for a major earthquake. They should have an emergency plan, a supply of food and water, and a way to communicate if the power goes out.
