The 1992 Cape Mendocino earthquakes were a series of three earthquake

Earthquake

An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...

s that occurred off the coast of Cape Mendocino

Cape Mendocino

Cape Mendocino located on the Lost Coast entirely within Humboldt County, California, USA, is the westernmost point on the coast of California. It has been a landmark since the 16th century when the Manila Galleons would reach the coast here following the prevailing westerlies all the way across...

, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

 on April 25 and 26, 1992. They consisted of a 7.2-magnitude main shock and two strong aftershocks that spawned a series of smaller aftershocks that ranged in magnitude from 4.0 to 4.8. The earthquakes injured 95 people and caused Humboldt County

Humboldt County, California

Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...

 considerable damage.

Main shock

The main shock that occurred at 11:06 A.M. PDT at a depth of 30 kilometres (19 mi) was the strongest of the earthquakes, and caused tsunamis of 1.1 metres (3.6 ft) at Crescent City

Crescent City, California

Crescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. Named for the crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach south of the city, Crescent City had a total population of 7,643 in the 2010 census, up from 4,006 in the 2000 census...

, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, 0.2 m (0.656167979002625 ft) at Point Arena, California, and 0.1 m (0.328083989501312 ft) on Hawaii

Hawaii (island)

The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...

. It caused landslides throughout the Honeydew

Honeydew, California

Honeydew is an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California. It is located south of Scotia, at an elevation of 322 feet ....

 and Petrolia

Petrolia, California

Petrolia is an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California. It is located southeast of Cape Mendocino, at an elevation of 121 feet . The ZIP Code is 95558....

 areas. It reached a maximum intensity of VIII on the Modified Mercalli Scale at Ferndale

Ferndale, California

Ferndale is a city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Known for its well-preserved Victorian buildings, the city's population was 1,371 at the 2010 census, down from 1,382 at the 2000 census...

, Honeydew, Rio Dell

Rio Dell, California

Rio Dell is a city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Rio Dell is located on the west bank of the Eel River north of Scotia, at an elevation of 161 feet...

, Petrolia, and Scotia

Scotia, California

Scotia is a census-designated place in Humboldt County, California. It is located south-southeast of Fortuna, at an elevation of 194 feet . The ZIP Code is 95565. The population was 850 at the 2010 census....

. The earthquake was felt as far away as Reno

Reno

Reno is the fourth most populous city in Nevada, US.Reno may also refer to:-Places:Italy*The Reno River, in Northern ItalyCanada*Reno No...

, Nevada

Nevada

Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...

, and San Francisco.

Major aftershocks

A 6.5 magnitude aftershock occurred at 12:42 A.M. PDT and caused a gas main in Scotia to rupture, sparking a fire that destroyed much of the central business district. It also caused additional damage to the areas affected by the main shock. It was felt throughout Northern California

Northern California

Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...

.

A 6.7 magnitude aftershock occurred at 4:19 PDT on April 26. It caused even more damage to the already-affected area. It was felt throughout much of Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...

 and Northern California, as far south as Salinas

Salinas, California

Salinas is the county seat and the largest municipality of Monterey County, California. Salinas is located east-southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River, at an elevation of about 52 feet above sea level. The population was 150,441 at the 2010 census...

 and Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...

.

External links

• Historic Earthquakes - Cape Mendocino, California (USGS)