Potent earthquake rattles California, triggers tsunami warning

On December 5, 2024, at 10:44 a.m. PST, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Humboldt County, California, about 12 miles offshore near Scotia.

The quake's shallow depth of 9 kilometers caused strong shaking felt across Northern California, including the Central Valley. A tsunami warning was issued for the northern California and Oregon coasts but expired at noon PST. No tsunami danger exists for the U.S. West Coast, British Columbia, and Alaska at this time.

Authorities are assessing the situation, urging residents to stay informed and follow safety guidelines. They recommend to not re-occupy hazard zones until local emergency officials indicate it is safe to do so.