M5.9 Earthquake Offshore Northern California, Damage Minimal

February 4, 2010

Oakland, CA

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake has occurred off the coast of far northern California. Corresponding damage and loss are expected to be minimal.

Source: USGS

The earthquake was centered about 50 miles offshore northern California near Eureka, at a relatively shallow depth of 11 km, as reported by the USGS. This earthquake occurred at the southwest end of the rupture zone of the M6.5 earthquake of 9 January 2010 (10 January GMT), and it was very likely triggered by changes in stress to the Mendocino fracture zone resulting from the 10 January earthquake. Historically, the coastal and offshore areas of far northern California have been the single most seismically active region of the contiguous United States.

The maximum shaking intensity felt in this earthquake was light to moderate, and corresponding damage is expected to be minimal. In comparison, the earthquake of 10 January caused moderately strong shaking intensities and moderate damage to chimneys and parapets, as well as a limited number of cracked walls and foundations. Damage from Thursday's earthquake is likely to be limited to elements that had been already damaged on 10 January but not yet repaired.

EQECAT models contain several stochastic events in this region with the approximate magnitude. An estimate of market losses for Thursday's earthquake is less than $10 million, with insured losses a fraction of that.

EQECAT will continue to monitor this event and region, and will provide additional information as it becomes available.

For more information, contact:

PR@eqecat.com