Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Small Quake Shakes Just Off Oregon Coast, California Coast

Published 08/11/2017 at 6:23 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Small Quake Shakes Just Off Oregon Coast, California Coast

(Brookings, Oregon) – The USGS reports a 4.5 magnitude quake struck off the southern tip of the Oregon coast on Thursday at almost 11 a.m. (Graphic courtesy USGS).

No tsunami alert was issued. There are no reports of it being felt, much less causing damage or injury to people.

The quake happened a litle more than miles out to sea, almost directly west of the California / Oregon border – about 115 miles northwest of Eureka, Ca. and a little less than that from Brooking, Or.

This was a shallow quake a little more than one kilometer in depth, and a little closer to shore than usual as most undersea quakes off the Oregon coast tend to occur 200 to 300 miles offshore. It happened along the Blanco Fracture Zone, which is where the Juan de Fuca plate and the Pacific Plate are scraping up against each other.

It took place closest to what is known as the Gorda Ridge, an area of steep underwater valleys that is caused by the tectonic action in the area.

These kinds of quakes are not unusual for the region, although it will one day cause a massive geologic event that will result in a major quake and tsunami. The last such quake happened in 1700 and was documented by tsunami events in Japan.

Small quakes and clusters of quakes happen approximately 20 times per year in that region.

Most recently, a 4.1 rattler shook the sea floor in early July. It also caused no injuries and was not felt anywhere, but it caused a bigger fury on social media than Thursday's rumble.

The USGS said it takes a 7.0 quake to create a tsunami.

You can keep up with Pacific ocean earthquakes in the Northwest and west coast with the Live Earthquake, Tsunami Updates from Oregon Coast, Washington. B.C., California, Alaska section.


More Oregon Coast Below:










 

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

 

Oregon Coast event or adventure you can't miss

 



Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

CME Heads for Earth, Possible Aurora Borealis Monday Night for Oregon, Washin...
Weather good for most of Oregon. You'll need a camera to see. Astronomy
Ethereal in the East: Check Oregon, Washington Even Coastlines for Zodiacal L...
Look to east for 'False Dawn' - bring your camera. Sciences, astronomy
Sparks Above and Below: One Surreal, Dreamlike Oregon Coast Eve
Where astronomy crashes into marine biology and meteorology. Cannon Beach, Wheeler, Manzanita, Seaside, Newport
Labor Day Weekend Travel Tips, Advice for Oregon Coast, 2025
Higher lodging prices, more traffic, gas prices, weather and tips
Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival Returns with Night Flights Over Central Orego...
Sept 19 - 21 there's a new addition and some extra glass floats. Lincoln City events
Florence Opens Photo Contest: $250 Prize for Best Central Oregon Coast Snap
Inviting amateur and professional photographers. Florence events
Oregon Shores Holds Fundraising 'Toast the Coast' Aboard a Portland Ship
Sept 20 aboard the Willamette Star. Neskowin events, Pacific City events, Tillamook events, Garibaldi events, Rockaway Beach events, Manzanita events, Cannon Beach events, Seaside events and Astoria / Warrenton events.
Latest on Shellfish Fun Along Oregon Coast - Pacific Halibut Angling
Crabbing, mussels, razor clams and ocean fishing. Marine sciences

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted

Oregon Coast Lodging
Rentals
Specials

Dining

Events Calendar

Oregon Coast Weather

Travel News

Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles

Virtual Tours, Maps
Deep Details