Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Magnitude 4.5 Quake Off South Oregon Coast Thursday

Published 08/24/23 at 10:47 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Florence, Oregon) – A somewhat small earthquake shook off the southern Oregon coast on Thursday, clocking in at a magnitude 4.5, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). While that isn't big, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) did release a statement saying no tsunami was generated.

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter
Southern Oregon Coast Hotels / Lodgings
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; winter deals

Normally, NOAA does not bother with those statements.

The 4.5 quake happened about 200 miles from Reedsport on the south Oregon coast, or about 230 miles from Newport. It shook at about 7 miles deep at 4:18 p.m. Thursday.

One person in South Beach (Newport) reported to have felt it.

The quake is a bit farther out than many of the south coast quakes. This also happened along the Blanco Fracture Line, although farther west than usual.

Contrary to popular belief, these small but regular quakes in this area do not represent a releasing of pressure from the larger faultline. These have nothing to do with the greater Cascade faultline, which will one day unleash a magnitude 9.0 on the region.

See Oregon, Coast Earthquake Updates - Live Data Oregon, Washington, California, Tsunamis

It requires at least a magnitude 7.0 to initiate a tsunami.

This fracture line is separate from the bigger Cascadia Subduction zone fault, though they are close in the region. The Blanco area is where two plates are rubbing up against each other and occasionally release pressure in that area.

They do not affect the larger fault offshore.

In December of 2021, an astounding 70 small quakes rattled in this area around the southern Oregon coast for about 36 hours, although much of it a bit farther north of the usual area.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours



MORE PHOTOS BELOW






Booking.com











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

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


Coastal Spotlight


Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

What's Up (and Not Up) for King Tides on Oregon / Washington Coast This Week
No large wave events but some flooding, caution needed still

N. Oregon Coast Rescuers Assist Boaters with No Life Vests at Netarts Bay
N. Oregon Coast rescuers discovered boaters at Netarts Bay with no life vests. Beach safety

Oregon / Washington King Tides Misconceptions: Not Always a Supermoon Involved
Not the same as high wave events, don't always include a supermoon. Astronomy

Atmospheric River Across Oregon, Washington - Chances of Flooding Seattle to ...
Flood watch for much of PNW, rain through Fri. Aurora Borealis possible. Weather, astronomy

Yachats Winter Festival Fires Up Holidays in Central Oregon Coast Town
December 6 - 7 bringing in gobs of holiday cheer, shopping, song and lights. Yachats events

Oregon coast on the downlow (rates, that is), in Lincoln City and Cannon Beach
Exceptional hotel deals in Cannon Beach and Lincoln City. Cannon Beach reviews, Lincoln City reviews

Two Videos Show Different Angles on Near-Deadly Oregon Coast Wave
The incident from 2021 just surfaced, showing a wave knocking people around Cape Kiwanda. Weather. Safety

N. Oregon Coast First Day Hikes Include Near Astoria, Pacific City, Waldport
Free self-guided hikes in awesome places: Warrenton events, Coast Range, Portland events, Pacific City events, Waldport events


Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted