Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

4.5 Quake Off Oregon Coast: No Damage or Tsunami Alert

Published 02/19/2020 at 6:28 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

4.5 Quake Off Oregon Coast: No Damage or Tsunami Alert

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter

(Coos Bay, Oregon) – A smallish quake shook the floor off the Oregon coast early Wednesday afternoon, taking place almost 200 miles west of Bandon, Oregon. According to the USGS, the magnitude 4.5 quake happened at 1:38 p.m., at a depth of about six miles beneath the sea floor.

No injuries were reported and no tsunami alert was possible at such a low magnitude. It takes a magnitude 7.0 or higher to create a tsunami.

USGS is reporting it received six reports of people feeling the quake on land, however.

Another slightly higher quake shook that area on February 8. That quake was a magnitude 4.7 and also caused no issues.

All these took place in the Blanco Fracture, which is somewhat connected to the larger Juan de Fuca fracture. This is all in the vicinity of the volcanic hot spot known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where the Juan de Fuca plate is slowly separating from the Pacific Plate, but it is the Blanco causing small quakes to happen with regularity.

The Blanco fracture isn’t a subduction zone in itself, like the larger Cascadia zone which will someday produce a massive quake off the Oregon coast. Hence, the Blanco fracture can’t set off such a quake on its own, but it could produce something around a magnitude 7 quake. Some studies suggest if this spot produces a quake that large it could trigger something larger from the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

Keep an eye on Oregon coast quakes: Oregon, Coast Earthquake Updates - Live Data Oregon, Washington, California, Tsunamis









Above: Bandon, courtesy Bandon Visitors Center

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

 

Oregon Coast event or adventure you can't miss

 



Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Oregon Coast, Valley and Likely Washington Coast to Get Some Aurora Borealis ...
Likely just before dawn best hour but peak happens during daylight. Weather
Dark Sky Week is Prime Along Oregon Coast: Where and Where Not to Go
General guide to dark sky viewing from south to north coast. Astronomy
Sizable Price Drop, Deals in Lincoln City During Quiet of April on Central Or...
20 perc off at A1 Vacation Rentals across its roster, including Gleneden Beach. Lincoln City specials
Upcoming S. Oregon Coast Events Include Gem Show, History: Coos Bay, Bandon
May 6 talk at Coos History Museum, Mayfly Fest May 17, Bandon Rock / Gem Show June 7,8
Washington Coast Cleanup on April 19 - Coinciding with Oregon Coast's SOLVE E...
From the Puget Sound to Long Beach, alongside Oregon's cleanup. Washington coast events, Seaside events
Astoria's Riverwalk Gets New Lighting, More N. Oregon Coast Roadwork
Delays coming this summer, but the riverwalk has a new look. Seaside, Cannn Beach
April Gets Even Cheaper Midweek at Depoe Bay, Lincoln City: Oregon Coast Deals
Off-season rates plus more at Keystone Vacation Rentals. Depoe Bay lodging specials, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Newport hotel reviews
Washington Coast Begins Week of Clam Digs, April 12 Through 18
Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis at different times. Washington coast events

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted

Oregon Coast Lodging
Rentals
Specials

Dining

Events Calendar

Oregon Coast Weather

Travel News

Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles

Virtual Tours, Maps
Deep Details