Strong and shallow M6.5 earthquake hits off the coast of Northern California
Image credit: USGS
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit off the coast of Northern California at 14:49 UTC on December 8, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
The epicenter was located 148.5 km (92.3 miles) W of Capetown (population 0), 166.4 km (103.4 miles) W of Fortuna (population 11 926), 168.5 km (104.7 miles) WSW of Eureka (population 27 191), 176.6 km (109.7 miles) WSW of Arcata (population 17 231), and 451.2 km (280.3 miles) WNW of Sacramento (population 466 488), California.
There are no people living within 100 km (62 miles).
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, PTWC said. The earthquake was not sufficient to generate a tsunami.
USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
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