7.0 earthquake hits off northern California coast

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the northern California coast, as reported on Thursday by the US Geological Survey.

Initially, a tsunami warning was issued for northern California and southern Oregon, affecting approximately 4.7 million people, but it was later lifted.

The quake’s epicenter was near Ferndale, a small town in Humboldt County, located about 260 miles (418 km) north of San Francisco.

Local authorities reported no fatalities or significant widespread damage. This earthquake is one of only nine of this magnitude to occur worldwide this year.