California [US], December 7: The epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean , south of Eureka, the largest coastal city between San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon, about 300 miles northwest of Sacramento, California. Authorities issued a tsunami warning and evacuated people in low-lying areas at risk. The warning was later lifted.
Initial reports did not record any casualties or serious damage after the earthquake. According to CNN, this is the 12th strongest earthquake recorded in California since 1906. The last time California had an earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher was in July 2019. Experts estimate that there are about 15 earthquakes of that magnitude each year. The earthquake on December 5 caused about 10,000 households and businesses to lose power. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to mobilize support resources and the power system was gradually restored.
USGS geologist Stephen DeLong explains that earthquakes occur when tectonic plates off the coast of California move in opposite directions. The West Coast of the United States is home to tectonic plates, so earthquakes are common. The most serious earthquake in U.S. history occurred in San Francisco in 1906, causing a tsunami and killing an estimated 3,000 people.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper