Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes off northern California coast

Monday, March 10, 2014, 7:55 AM -

Officials say a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of northern California Sunday night, but there were no early signs of a tsunami.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a statement on the quake, but not a watch or an advisory.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake hit at 9:18 pm, local time, about about 80 km west of Eureka.

The large quake was followed by several aftershocks including one of magnitude 4.6.

Several aftershocks have accompanied the strong #earthquake off the California coastline. No deaths/injuries/damage. pic.twitter.com/Cbt5e8PVft

— Cody Fields (@wxtrackercody) March 10, 2014

While more than 1,000 people reported on the USGS website that they felt the quake, there were no immediate reports of injury or significant damage, officials said.

Some residents said the strong earthquake woke children from their sleep and knocked some items off shelves.

The U.S. National Earthquake Information Center says earthquakes are very common in Eureka.

The area had a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in February 2012 that did not cause serious damages or injuries.

With files from The Associated Press