The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake By Elliot Millet

Rupturing the northernmost 296 miles (477 kilometers) of the San Andreas fault from northwest of San Juan Bautista to the triple junction at Cape Mendocino At 5:12 a.m. a foreshock occurred The full earthquake occurred a few seconds later The earthquake lasted seconds The shocks were felt up to 80 kilometers inland.

San Francisco City Hall after the 1906 Earthquake. (from Steinbrugge Collection of the UC Berkeley Earthquake Engineering Research Center)

Estimated deaths was overall 700 Estimated caused by the fire was 3/4 Most deaths occurred in San Francisco but 189 deaths were reported out side of the city. 200,000 people were left homeless Damage cost estimates range from $400 million to $524 million.

What caused the overwhelming amount of damage to San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake? What could have been done to prevent the ensuing tragedy? What were changes made to normal living or housing as a result? What was learned afterwards was needed for living situations and housing to prevent future earthquake catastrophes.

bibliography ( /1906/18april/index.php) geological survey website.( /1906/18april/index.php) ( ests/eq.htm) san Francisco museum website. ests/eq.htm