Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Series of Three Small Quakes Off Oregon Coast Sunday, Monday

Published 01/29/2018 at 1:55 PM PDT - Updated 01/30/2018 at 2:35 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Series of Small Quakes Off Oregon Coast Sunday, Monday

(Oregon Coast) – A series of three small quakes rattled off the Oregon coast on Sunday and Monday, none of which were large enough to be felt or trigger a tsunami alert. (Graphic courtesy USGS).

All three happened about 140 miles west of Coos Bay, on the southern Oregon coast. Each was about 10 kilometers in depth, or 6.2 miles.

The first was a 4.9 magnitude which happened about 2:36 p.m. on Sunday, January 28.

The second occurred at 6:51 a.m. on Monday, January 29, recorded as a magnitude 2.9. Another of a magnitude 2.8 shook less than an hour later at 7:34 a.m.

It takes a magnitude 7.0 quake or higher to generate a tsunami.

Last week, a 7.9 earthquake in Alaska did generate a brief tsunami watch for the Oregon coast in the middle of the night, but it was canceled after about two hours.

4.9 is considerably higher than many of the 2.5 to 3.0 quakes that normally happen off the coast. The quakes all occurred near the Blanco Fracture Zone adjacent to the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

Submarine quakes in this region are quite normal and a regular part of the geological processes on the sea floor of the Oregon coast. It's all part of a network of faults called the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 600-mile long stretch that will one day bring a much larger quake and tsunami to the area. This is an area where two plates of the Earth's crust meet and grind against each other: one carrying the continental U.S. and the other hoisting the Pacific Ocean.

You can keep up on earthquake data aroun the Northwest and the Oregon coast at Oregon, Coast Earthquake Updates - Live Data Oregon, Washington, California, Tsunamis. -- Oregon Coast Lodgings for this - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours. More of the Oregon coast below:

Oregon Coast Lodging









 

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

Oregon Coast Hiking Hotspot Closes Briefly: Saddle Mountain Near Seaside, Hwy...
Closure from May 6 to 10, some lane closures on Hwy 26. Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Astoria
Killer Whale Sightings Making Big Splash on Oregon Coast - And It's the Apex ...
It's the same line of transient orcas involved in the whale kill in 2023. Marine sciences
Getting Oregon Coast Stays on the 'Lowdown' - Where Lincoln City Cut Rates
Excellent Lincoln City specials abound. Lincoln City hotel reviews
Destructive, Invasive Crab Found on N. Oregon Coast, Officials Ask Public's Help
Chinese mitten crab was found near Astoria. Marine sciences
Two Oregon Coast Gigs Bring Fiddle Virtuosos and a Local Composer to Newport
Milo Graamans on May 13 at a special benefit; Fiddle Express on May 16. Newport events
South Oregon Coast Landmark Under the Knife: Bandon's Face Rock Viewpoint Clo...
Set to reopen on May 23, parking lot and restroom closed, Depoe Bay, Cape Foulweather. Travel tips
Surprise Oregon Coast Accesses at Yachats' Northern, Outer Edges
Glorious discoveries include where Yachats changes from sand to rock. Travel tips
Washington Coast Gets Another Green Light for Razor Clamming, April 26 - May 3
Long Beach, Copalis, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks. Washington events

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