Powerful 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northern California Coast

A powerful earthquake rumbled Sunday night off the coast of Northern California, the US Geological Survey confirmed.

The strong earthquake struck at 12.18 a.m. EST with an epicenter r four miles under the Pacific seabed  about 48 miles west-northwest of the town of Eureka.

According to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, which monitors the populace near the quake, so far there have been no calls reporting any damage or injury, reports USA Today.

Patrick Porter, a Ferndale resident told  KPIX 5 on Facebook,  "There was no damage, and the power was still on, and books stayed on the shelves, but it was, long slow earthquake."

 The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no cause to fear a tsunami. "A widespread destructive tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data," the Center said, according to AFP.

A large area of the North Coast and other regions of Northern California are known to be seismically active. The earthquake experienced on land was classified as moderate by the USGS. After the main shock of 6.9, a series of 3-3.5 magnitude quakes and a  4.6 magnitude shock followed in the next hour or so.

But the USGS has cautioned residents highlighting 90 percent chances of a having a strong damaging aftershock of magnitude 5 or more in the next week.  It could be equal to the Sunday tremors or more severe, reports AFP.

As a result of this quake nearly 300 small aftershocks can be expected in the next seven days.

In 1964, severe damage was caused across the North Coast after it was hit by an 8.8 magnitude quake.  In 2010, a 6.6 magnitude quake caused extensive damage.