7.0 magnitude earthquake hits off Northern California coast, tsunami warning issued

HUMBOLDT COUNTY – A large earthquake struck off the coast of Humboldt County on Thursday morning, prompting a tsunami warning for part of the North Coast.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake struck around 10:44 a.m., west of Petrolia, California in the Pacific Ocean. A Tsunami Warning has been issued for 45 miles southwest of Eureka. 

The earthquake had been registered preliminarily as having a magnitude of 6.6, but USGS updated it a 7.0.

A significant apparent aftershock that registered as a 5.8-magnitude quake hit minutes later near Cobb, California in Lake County, according to the USGS.

Several other apparent aftershocks were also recorded minutes after the 7.0, all registering between 2.5 to 4.2 magnitude. 

Residents up and down the Northern California coast, as well as into the Central Valley, reported feeling shaking.