Los Angeles - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck just offshore of northern California on Wednesday, rattling a wide coastal area below the Oregon border, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, but local officials said no major damage or injuries were reported.
The tremor, initially reported as a weaker magnitude 5.1, was relatively shallow, occurring at 17.2km below the seabed, the USGS said. It was centred 65km south-west of Eureka, a town that lies about 40km south of the Oregon border.
The National Tsunami Warning Centre said the quake had not triggered a tsunami.
Magnitude 5.7 quakes, not uncommon in the seismically active state, are considered moderate and capable of causing considerable damage.
No damage or injuries were reported in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday's temblor, according to officials in the Eureka city manager's office and police department.
“It wasn't the biggest one I've ever felt, but I felt it,” Eureka police spokeswoman Brittany Powell said, adding the quake produced “a little roll and shake” and lasted just a few seconds.
According to the USGS, weak to moderate shaking from the quake extended out as far away as 320km to the east, north and south.
Reuters