CALIFORNIA—A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the northern California coast at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Thursday, December 8. Seismologist Lucy Jones stated that the earthquake hit the Pacific Gorda plate boundary, north of the San Andreas Fault. No damage or injuries have been reported from the earthquake aside from light shaking felt by communities along the coast.

The earthquake hit at a depth of nearly 7.5 miles at the intersection of what is identified as the
“triple junction,” located at coordinates, 40.475°N 126.153°W. According to reports, the conjunction involves the eastward moving Pacific Gorda Plate, the Pacific Plate moving northwest and the North American Plate. Residents from east central Oregon to San Francisco reported “light shaking” based on a U.S. Geological Survey released. Following the quake, a 4.7 magnitude tremor struck soon after 8:30 a.m.

According to Mercury News, Humboldt University student, James Flower, stated, “I slept right through it.” Ferndale Chamber of Commerce President Karen Pingitore recalled the earthquake as coming in, “like a rolling heavy wave.”

Photo depicting the approximate location of the earthquake that Thursday, December 8 at 8:30 a.m. off the Northern California coast.
Photo depicting the approximate location of the earthquake on Thursday, December 8 at 6:50 a.m. off the Northern California coast.

 

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center does not expect any tsunami threats after the earthquake.

USGS ShakeMap of the earthquake from Thursday morning.
USGS ShakeMap of the earthquake from Thursday morning.
Earthquake scale according to USGS.
Earthquake scale according to USGS.

The BART’s travel speed was reduced as an impact of the earthquake, causing a 10-minute delay for commuters. No injuries were reported.

Smaller tremors were reported days prior to Thursday’s earthquake. According to reports from the USGS, the coast of northern California has experienced earthquakes in each of the last two years. In March 2014, a 6.9 magnitude tremor hit the northern coast. In January 2015, two tremors with a 5.0 magnitude or more were recorded.