1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

Overview

On October 17, 1989, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area, resulting in 63 fatalities, thousands of injuries, and significant damage.

Epicenter and Impact

The epicenter of the earthquake was located on the San Andreas Fault, approximately 56 miles south of San Francisco and 10 miles northeast of Santa Cruz. The earthquake caused widespread damage in the area, including collapsed freeways, damaged buildings, and disrupted utilities.

Aftermath and Recovery

The earthquake had a lasting impact on the San Francisco Bay Area. The damage to infrastructure and buildings resulted in billions of dollars in losses. The earthquake also prompted significant improvements in building codes and emergency preparedness measures.