A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Oregon on Wednesday, with its tremors felt across regions without leading to a tsunami.
The impact of the earthquake was felt by residents However, no significant damage was reported immediately following the event, Daily Mail reported.
The quake, emanating from the Blanco Fracture Zone (BFZ), occurred about 170 miles west of Bandon and 250 miles west-southwest of Salem, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The incident happened at 1:15 pm local time. This zone is well-known for its seismic activity, surpassing even the notorious San Andreas Fault in California in terms of earthquake frequency.
Seismic experts place the BFZ, where the quake originated, about 275 miles west of the Oregon coastline and 200 miles west of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Stretching over 90 miles off Cape Blanco and extending northwest to roughly 300 miles off Newport, this geological configuration underscores the region's vulnerability to seismic events.
Seismologists recorded the earthquake’s depth at approximately six miles below the ocean's surface, contributing to light-to-medium shaking felt in areas such as western Oregon and northern California. Initially rated a 6.1 magnitude, seismologists later adjusted the tremor’s strength to a 6.0.
The National Weather Service was quick to confirm that the quake did not pose a tsunami threat, effectively calming initial public concern. Their message was clear: "There is NO tsunami danger with this 6.1 earthquake off the coast of Oregon. Repeat: NO tsunami danger."
This earthquake surfaced merely a day following Oregon's state-wide emergency response exercise, dubbed Iron-OR 24, designed to test the readiness of various agencies in dealing with natural disasters. Amanda Westervelt, Operations Coordinator at the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, emphasized the state's continuous preparedness, stating, "We’re in that timeframe where we could experience another one at any time, so we’re getting ready."
Oregon State University reports that the Blanco Fracture Zone has historically been a hotspot for earthquakes, recording over 1,500 events of magnitude 4.0 or greater since the 1970s. This includes numerous quakes in recent years, such as nine in 2022 and 66 the year before, which highlights the area’s frequent seismic activity.
Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, reiterated the usual occurrence of such events at this location: "This is a very typical mag[nitude] 6 earthquake in the Blanco Transform fault, very far offshore of Oregon. We see at least one such earthquake nearly every year."
After the earthquake, authorities considered temporarily closing transportation infrastructure near Bandon to facilitate safety inspections. Additionally, an aftershock with a preliminary magnitude of 3.5 struck roughly two hours after the main quake, prompting emergency management teams to remain vigilant.
Crisis 24, a disaster response agency, detailed the challenges in rapidly assessing the damage due to the quake’s remote epicenter. Their representative mentioned, "It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas."
Crisis 24 also predicted moderate-to-light aftershocks following the main tremor, assuring that these would not trigger any tsunami advisories. They continue to monitor aftershocks closely, assessing ongoing risks and preparing for potential future earthquakes.
