6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Oregon

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On Wednesday, August 23, an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 shook Oregon. According to the United States Geological Survey the quake stuck the coast of south-central Oregon at 12:31 a.m. The disruption of the plates occurred at a depth of about 6 miles and was around 170 miles off the coast of Coos Bay.

Following the earthquake came an aftershock with a preliminary magnitude of 3.5. The aftershock hit Oregon about two hours after the initial quake.

Robert Sanders of the USGS says people as far away as Portland reported feeling the temblor. Sanders also reports that there is no immediate tsunami threat associated with the quake and no major damage has occured. 

According to the USGS “Did you feel it?” map, the quake could be felt as far south as San Jose, Calif., as far north as Vancouver, and as far east as Bonners Ferry, Idaho. 

The earthquake was centered in the Blanco Fracture Zone, a fault line near Coos Bay, Oregon.

SF Gate reports, the quake in Oregon came following a seismically active week at the fault line located off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Reportedly, the fault line, known as the “Ring of Fire” saw 70 earthquakes in 48 hours this week. 16 quakes with magnitudes of 4.5 or higher occurred on Monday, followed by 53 on Sunday. SF Gate reports, the quakes could be felt in Bolivia, Fiji, Japan and Indonesia.

Photo courtesy: Unsplash/Zach Savinar