Magnitude 5.4 earthquake strikes northern California

 A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck 15 km southeast of Rio Dell, northern California, an area still recovering from the effects of a powerful earthquake that occurred last month.

The latest earthquake was at a depth of 27.8 km, the US Geological Survey reported.

That same region of California, located in Humboldt County, was jolted by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake on 20th December, which crumpled homes and roads, ruptured utility lines and left thousands of residents without running water and electricity.

The region is known for relatively frequent seismic activity, but the 6.4-magnitude earthquake caused more disruption than usual.

In addition to the ground shaking, Northern California was also battered by heavy rains that triggered severe flooding, submerging roads and forcing evacuations in certain areas just as residents prepared to ring in the New Year.

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