A powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck northern California on December 5, 2024. The quake, which was initially reported at a 7.3 magnitude by the National Weather Service, occurred at a depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers) and was centered approximately 45 miles southwest of Eureka, Humboldt County, near the Oregon border.
In response to the seismic activity, the National Weather Service's Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning indicating that hazardous tsunamis could affect coasts within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. Although no significant waves had been observed at the time of the warning, authorities advised individuals near the coastline to remain vigilant.
The earthquake, which struck during the late morning hours, was felt as far south as San Francisco. Following the quake, several smaller aftershocks were reported. The San Francisco Zoo announced its closure due to the national weather emergency and tsunami warning, evacuating guests and securing animals while staff relocated to higher ground.