Quake off N. California coast felt in Oregon

By Associated Press

Summary

A magnitude-5.9 earthquake has struck off the coast of Humboldt County, less than 300 miles from Eugene, but officials say there are no immediate reports of major damage or injury. The quake was felt north along the Oregon Coast

Story Published: Feb 4, 2010 at 1:48 PM PST

Quake off N. California coast felt in Oregon

Eureka Natural Foods employees Joshua Hylton, right, and Brendan Killeen clean up the wine section as a back-up generator provides power after an earthquake struck on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 in Eureka, Calif. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California Saturday afternoon, shaking buildings south of the Oregon border and knocking out power in several coastal communities. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at about 4:27 p.m. about 27 miles from Eureka, a city of about 26,000. (AP Photo/Eureka Times-Standard, Shaun Walker)

PETROLIA, Calif. (AP) — A magnitude-5.9 earthquake has struck off the coast of Humboldt County, less than 300 miles from Eugene, but officials say there are no immediate reports of major damage or injury.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the temblor hit at 12:20 p.m. about 35 miles northwest of the community of Petrolia and nearly 50 miles west of Eureka. The shaking was felt up to the Oregon border and as far south as Sonoma County.

County spokesman Phil Smith-Hanes says he felt a rolling sensation, but the movement didn't feel as severe as the magnitude-6.5 quake that struck the same area Jan. 9. That quake left more than $40 million of damage in the area and caused one major injury.

Eureka Fire Chief Eric Smith says crews are checking on structures damaged in the previous earthquake to make sure they're secure.

(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press)

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