A 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Northern California, Governor Declares State of Emergency | WPN World People News

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred on the morning of December 5th, off the Pacific coast, 63 kilometers northwest of Petrolia, Northern California. The earthquake had a shallow depth of 0.6 kilometers, followed by multiple aftershocks. Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for 4.7 million people within the earthquake's affected region, but the warning was later lifted. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to facilitate disaster response efforts.

The earthquake struck at 10:44 AM local time. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the initial magnitude was recorded as 6.6, but it was later revised to 7.0. The quake was strongly felt in many areas of Northern California, including San Francisco, and the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for coastal regions of California and Oregon.

Seismologists noted that the earthquake occurred at the boundary of the North American, Pacific, and Gorda tectonic plates, releasing energy equivalent to 16 atomic bombs. The rupture area was approximately 900 square kilometers. Given the seismic activity in the region, experts suggest that stronger earthquakes may occur in the future. This year, there have already been nine earthquakes worldwide with magnitudes of 7.0 or higher, and the public is advised to stay vigilant.