Earthquake in California

posted on: Feb 5 2010 9:1 by Royston. Viewed 224 times.


An earthquake measuring 6 degrees on the Richter scale shook northern California yesterday, according to a preliminary report of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. organization responsible for studying earthquakes.

The quake took place at 1220 local time (20.20 GMT Thursday) with its epicenter 11 kilometers deep in seabed more than 50 miles from the coast, close to Humboldt County and towns like Petrolia, Ferndale, Fortuna and Eureka. This is more than 260 miles north of Sacramento and San Francisco.

Authorities have not issued a  tsunami warning and early police reports indicated that there had been no damage.

The Eureka area experienced another earthquake last January 9, this time 6.5 magnitude without causing any damage.

California is located in an area of high seismic activity, including the famous San Andreas fault responsible for the massive earthquake that destroyed San Francisco in 1906, scientists do forecast another strong earthquake in the coming years.