Despite its strength, the quake caused minimal damage due to its remote epicenter in the Pacific Ocean, 200 miles from San Francisco Bay|USGS
A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off California’s coast on Thursday, causing tsunami alerts to buzz on over 500,000 cell phones. The warnings were canceled an hour later.
Despite its strength, the quake caused minimal damage due to its remote epicenter in the Pacific Ocean, 200 miles from San Francisco Bay.
The quake occurred at the Mendocino Triple Junction, where three tectonic plates meet.
Over 10,000 people lost power in Humboldt County, and over a dozen aftershocks followed.
Experts warn that California is overdue for a larger earthquake, especially in more densely populated areas like the Hayward fault.