San Francisco Earthquake
Overview At 5:00pm local time on October 17th 1989, the city of San Francisco, on the south-western coast of the United States of America, was rocked by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake wrecking havoc throughout the city. San Francisco lies on the San Andreas Fault, making it no stranger to tectonic activity.
Causes This earthquake was caused by a slip along the San Andreas Fault, which is comprised of the Pacific Plate and the North-American Plate, moving at respective speeds of 6cm and 1cm North-East a year.
Impacts
Social-Remarkably only 63 people died during the earthquake, many of these in the collapse of the Cypress Street Viaduct (Nimitz Freeway). This number would be much higher, but many people had left work early to go and watch the third game of the 1989 world series. Overall approximately 12,000 families were left homeless due to the earthquake.
Causes This earthquake was caused by a slip along the San Andreas Fault, which is comprised of the Pacific Plate and the North-American Plate, moving at respective speeds of 6cm and 1cm North-East a year.
Impacts
Social-Remarkably only 63 people died during the earthquake, many of these in the collapse of the Cypress Street Viaduct (Nimitz Freeway). This number would be much higher, but many people had left work early to go and watch the third game of the 1989 world series. Overall approximately 12,000 families were left homeless due to the earthquake.
Economical-Although not many people were killed during the earthquake, most of the buildings around the city of San Francisco were at least structurally damaged, if not destroyed. Massive fires burnt throughout the city, engulfing homes that were up to a 100 years old. The Marina distract was probably the hardest hit during the quake as it was built on loose, sandy soil. The overall estimation for the rebuild cost of the homes was approximately $400 million dollars.
<--- Collapse of freeway
<--- San Andreas Fault clearly seen in country side