Many People Feel Effects of 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Off Southern Oregon Coast

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 struck off the southern coast of Oregon on Wednesday afternoon, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Dozens of people reported feeling the quake, with more than 75 people experiencing light shaking. The epicenter was located about 170 miles (270 kilometers) from the small city of Bandon, Oregon, at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). Fortunately, no tsunami was expected, and no damage was reported.

While the event may be concerning given its location near the Cascadia Subduction Zone, Washington state emergency management officials reassured the public that the quake occurred in the Blanco Fracture Zone, where earthquakes are common. The Cascadia Subduction Zone, on the other hand, stretches 600 miles (965 kilometers) from Northern California to British Columbia and is known for accumulating tectonic stresses that could potentially trigger a megaquake and tsunami at any time, according to seismologists.