Copyright Information: All images are in the public domain and available for free. If you use this image, credit NOAA/NGDC, W.C. Mendenhall, U.S. Geological Survey. |
The severely damaged San Francisco City Hall. The large cracks in nearby buildings indicated an intensity of shaking higher than was common in this area as a whole. However, poor quality construction was also an important factor in its destruction. The earthquake revealed shortcuts and substitutions in the construction. Image Credit: W.C. Mendenhall. U.S. Geological Survey April 18, 1906 San Francisco USA earthquake The 1906 San Francisco earthquake was the largest event (magnitude 8.3) to occur in the conterminous United States in the 20th Century. Recent estimates indicate that as many as 3,000 people lost their lives in the earthquake and ensuing fire. In terms of 1906 dollars, the total property damage amounted to about $24 million from the earthquake and $350 million from the fire. The fire destroyed 28,000 buildings in a 520-block area of San Francisco. Event Data:
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