Tsunami warning canceled after strong California earthquake

At least 72 aftershocks have been reported following this morning's 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the Northern California coast.

NBC Bay Area Chief Meteorologist recaps the latest on the aftershocks, and takes a closer look at the strong earthquake and canceled tsunami warning in the video below.

The National Weather Service reports a non-destructive tsunami wave was observed earlier today near Point Arena in Mendocino County.

The tsunami wave came after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Northern California coast.

Use this tool to see if you live in a tsunami danger zone.

A non-destructive tsunami wave was observed earlier today near Point Arena. This serves as a reminder that we do indeed have a fault capable of producing tsunamis in our vicinity. We don't deal with this often, but when we do it pays to know your zones! (see next post for link) pic.twitter.com/L3PUPu1wqM

— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) December 6, 2024

Watch the video below to see how the strong earthquake off the Northern California coast was felt in the Bay Area. Our Damian Trujillo also provides an update from Half Moon Bay, where many residents evacuated during a tsunami warning.

Christie Smith shows how San Francisco reacted to this morning's tsunami warning. Watch her report in the video below.

We are sharing an update and notification San Mateo County just sent out to residents:

"The County of San Mateo stood ready to respond today to a possible tsunami on its coast after a 7.0 earthquake shook part of Northern California.

County responders from the Department of Emergency Management and other public safety departments gathered in the Regional Operations Center to monitor the situation and keep residents informed with updates from the National Weather Service, including a brief tsunami warning that was ultimately cancelled for the entire West Coast. No damage from the 10:44 a.m. earthquake in Humboldt County was reported in San Mateo County. Responders were ready to use the coastside tsunami warning sirens but did not need to.

Evacuation orders were not issued but law and fire agencies cleared the beaches. The County and its partners were also ready to move people if necessary.

Residents are still urged to use caution, particularly near the beach and areas of lower ground.

The California Geological Survey says California's shores have been struck by more than 150 tsunamis since 1800.

Click here for a look at some of the state's more significant tsunamis. 

Here's a closer look at tsunami alerts broken down by danger level, actions to take and potential hazards.

Dozens of aftershocks continue to strike following this morning's 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the Northern California coast.

Use NBC Bay Area's earthquake tracker to view the latest reports from the USGS.

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus in an interview with Damian Trujillo discusses the county's emergency alert system that was activated during this morning's tsunami warning. See what she had to say in the video below.

A pair of earthquakes that struck around the same time as this morning's off-shore 7.0 magnitude temblor in Northern California have been downgraded by the USGS:

• A preliminary 6.0 magnitude earthquake reported in Humboldt County downgraded to a 4.7 magnitude temblor
• A preliminary 5.8 magnitude earthquake reported in Lake County downgraded to a 4.1 magnitude quake

A marijuana company in Humboldt County shared the below video on Instagram showing their plants shaking during the 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Humboldt Flower Company (@humboldtflowercompany)

A tsunami, a word that comes from the Japanese characters for harbor and wave, is a series of extremely long waves caused by the sudden displacement of the ocean, according to the National Weather Service.

“Most tsunamis, and the largest, result from earthquakes on reverse faults. These tsunami-generating earthquakes originate mainly in subduction zones, where tectonic plates collide and one is forced under the other,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

Full explainer on when, where and why tsunamis happen.

The USGS in the below X post provides a closer look at the strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake that triggered a tsunami warning for parts of the Oregon and California coasts. The tsunami warning has been canceled.

"The earthquake was primarily strike-slip, meaning two tectonic plates slid past each other," USGS said in an X post. "These types of earthquakes are less likely to cause tsunami because their movement is primarily horizontal with minimal vertical movement of the ocean floor."

The earthquake was primarily strike-slip, meaning two tectonic plates slid past each other. These types of earthquakes are less likely to cause tsunami because their movement is primarily horizontal with minimal vertical movement of the ocean floor. https://t.co/3vWypuPqHi https://t.co/ZMAKO8djEe pic.twitter.com/1zOFxKHyEx

— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) December 5, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom in a news briefing says he has signed off on a state emergency declaration that will allow more resources to areas impacted by the strong earthquakes. Watch his update in the video below.

Our Damian Trujillo provides an update in Half Moon Bay, where residents are returning after an evacuation order was lifted.

Residents were told to seek higher ground due to a tsunami warning, which has since been canceled, following strong earthquakes.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the California coast was near the Mendocino Triple Junction. The region is among California’s most active areas for quakes. Follow NBC Bay Area meteorologist Rob Mayeda for more.

To recap so far: other than the main 7.0 earthquake, there were no other 6.0 or higher earthquakes (as of 12pm) in the region of the original event near the Mendocino Triple Junction. This includes the 5.8 near Cobb report withdrawn earlier, however, for an earthquake of the size… pic.twitter.com/2I9lL8WwlA

— Rob Mayeda (@RobMayeda) December 5, 2024

Expect delays on Highway 92 in San Mateo County following evacuation orders from an earlier tsunami warning.

The evacuation orders and tsunami warning have since been lifted.

Cal Fire CZU showed traffic control in place in the below X post.

Traffic is still impacted. This is Highway 92 at Skyline Boulevard. @sanmateoco https://t.co/5EmOOFxGuI pic.twitter.com/2N6MHNLtIE

— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) December 5, 2024

At least 27 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 2.6 to 4.3 continued shaking the region near Eureka in Humboldt County, according to USGS data.

Many more smaller aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 1.0 to 2.4 were recorded by the USGS.

USGS

The strong earthquakes and tsunami warning are a good reminder to have an emergency "go gag" prepared.

Here's a checklist on what you should have in your Go Bag.

Evacuation orders issued in Fremont have been lifted after authorities canceled a tsunami warning.

As of December 5, 2024 at 12:05 pm, The Tsunami warning has been lifted. There is no need for evacuations.

— Fremont Police Department (@FremontPD) December 5, 2024

Despite a scary tsunami warning, officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now say that a damaging tsunami will not hit the West Coast.

Dave Snider, the Tsunami Warning Coordinator for the NOAA, said the strength of the earthquake and the proximity to the shore forced it to issue the tsunami warning. But as his team continued to analyze the impact of the quake, he now does not believe a dangerous tsunami will strike.

"For the US West Coast, this is tricky stuff," Snider said. "This is time-based. So we have to get that alert out, and then confirm, yes or no, that something is happening.In this case, thankfully, it looks like a destructive wave is not on the table today."

A tsunami warning issued for coastal areas of Oregon and California has been canceled.

Tsunami Warning CANCELED #CAwx pic.twitter.com/WIOaUP5geC

— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) December 5, 2024

Because of the strength of the quakes and some were centered off the coast and in the Pacific Ocean, they prompted a tsunami warning.

Meteorologist Kari Hall explains fault lines and tsunami warnings in the video below.

Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones is providing more information about the series of strong earthquakes on social media.

Here's a map of the earthquakes that triggered a tsunami warning for parts of the west coast.

Berkeley police have issued an evacuation order in the following Nixle alert:

People in the Tsunami Zone are in IMMEDIATE DANGER and MUST EVACUATE NOW. Stay east of 7th St. This is a lawful order to leave now. 

• Berkeley Waterfront
• Tom Bates Fields
• West Frontage Road
• I80 Freeway
• Aquatic Park
• Harrison, Gilman, Camelia, and Page, West of 5th St
• Jones, Cedar, Virginia, and Delaware, West of 6th St
• Hearst, West of 5th St
• University and Addison, West of 4th St
• All areas West of 3rd St
• Potter and Folger, West of 7th St

BART shut down service through the Transbay Tube on Thursday after a series of strong earthquakes struck in Northern California and were felt in the Bay Area.

The stoppage caused a major delay systemwide in all directions, BART said.