A tsunami warning has been issued for California after the northern part of the state was hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

The earthquake struck around 39 miles southwest of Ferndale, near the Oregon border, at around 10:44am local time, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake was felt widely across California and as far south as San Francisco.

Around 4.7 million people in California and Oregon are currently under the tsunami warning.

In the Santa Cruz area, phones buzzed with a tsunami warning from the National Weather Service that said: "A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you.

"You are in danger.

"Get away from coastal waters.

"Move to high ground or inland now.

"Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return."

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, known as BART, has stopped traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland.

It comes as California governor Gavin Newsom meets with the state emergency officials.

Reporting by IRN.

Feature image shows waves on the Malibu shore after a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck California in February of this year, Alamy.