Claims that recent changes in the height of ocean waters near Oregon are signaling an earthquake is coming are false, according to the National Weather Service.

A story posted online stated that an ocean data buoy located off the coast of Oregon had reported a rapid change in the water's height on Sunday. The story continued to say that the drop could be attributed to a shifting tectonic plate located in the Cascadia subduction zone, and that an earthquake would follow.

Laurel McCoy, a meterologist with the National Weather Service, said the agency looked at the data for the buoy mentioned in the story, which is located west of Astoria. The data showed "the natural fluctuation" of the ocean's tides, and is nothing out of the ordinary, she said.

"There's really nothing to worry about," McCoy said. "We're not seeing any sort of indication that anything is happening with Cascadia."

McCoy said the article had referenced a small clip of data about the water column, but a longer time span shows the how the water height increases and drops over time as expected.

Did you know? Tides naturally change water column height at buoys up to several feet every day. Posted by US National Weather Service Portland Oregon on Monday, January 18, 2016

It's not surprising if people panicked when they saw the story--

in July laid out in detail how a major earthquake and subsequent tsunami could hit the west coast within the next 50 years. The article

about how devastating the event could be and if cities are prepared.

Ecola State Park, at the north end of Cannon Beach on the Clatsop County section of the Oregon Coast Trail. Terry Richard/Staff/2015

Here's some of our previous earthquake coverage

:

Seaside students' GoFundMe campaign

Experts advise nervous Northwesteners on preparing for The Really Big One

Which Oregon Coast towns face damage if earthquake makes waves?

The really big on and Portland: answers from earthquake experts

Earthquake and tsunami explained by hand

--Laura Frazier

lfrazier@oregonian.com

503-294-4035

@frazier_laura