Tap to unmute. fault rupture. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/San-Francisco-earthquake-of-1906, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program - The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, San Francisco earthquake of 1906 - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), See the catastrophic aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. On the morning of April 18, 1906, the pent-up pressure was released in a major earthquake that thundered across coastal California. San Francisco Earthquake, 1906. Rupturing the northernmost (from Steinbrugge Collection of the UC Berkeley Earthquake Engineering Research of the earthquake source, which remains today the principal One important characteristic of the shaking intensity noted in Lawson's (1908) report was the clear correlation of intensity with Share. Intense pressure builds up along the fault as the two plates grind past each other. The greatest damage of the 1906 earthquake occurred when many of San Francisco's water and gas mains were ruptured. 1906 Earthquake. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. People felt shaking from Oregon in the Pacific Northwest … Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake 100th Anniversary (April 18, 1906 - April 18, 2006) Introduction Centennial Activities Earthquake Preparedness and Safety Historical Accounts Links to Historical Photographs and Art Collections 1906 Special Edition California Geology Articles . Copy link. however, was equally severe in many other places along the Crowds watching the fires set off by the earthquake in San Francisco in 1906, photo by Arnold Genthe. Photographs in the California Historical Society’s collection document both the destruction and reconstruction of the city. Updates? In 1915 San Francisco invited the world to see the results of its efforts at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The earthquake was felt from southern The quake was caused by a slip of the San Andreas Fault over a segment about 275 miles long, and shock waves could be felt from southern Oregon down to Los Angeles. San Francisco had experienced earthquakes in 1864, 1898, and 1900 but nothing like the 1906 event. Damage was severe in San Francisco and in other towns situated near the fault, including San Jose, Salinas, and Santa Rosa. San Francisco earthquake of 1906, major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 that occurred on April 18, 1906, at 5:12 am off the northern California coast. The San Francisco Earthquake, 1906. (from Steinbrugge Collection of the UC Berkeley Earthquake Engineering Research Center) The California earthquake of April 18, 1906 ranks as one of the most significant earthquakes of all time. 5:12 AM - April 18, 1906. Oregon to south of Los Angeles and inland as far as central Nevada. Some 700 people originally were thought to have died in the disaster, but the death toll is now believed to have exceeded 3,000. Omissions? the total loss of life by a factor of 3 or 4. This photograph by Arnold Genthe shows Sacramento Street and approaching fire. Historically, residents always referred to the 1868 earthquake as “the big one.” When this earthquake came, it only lasted about 45 seconds, but it was estimated to have been between 7.8 and 8.3 on the Richter scale (which wasn’t invented until 1935). Center, Steinbrugge Collection of the UC Berkeley Earthquake Engineering Research Center, What was Learned Scientifically from 1906, Other Major Earthquakes in the SF Bay Area. This photo shows the city of San Francisco from East Bay, burning after the 1906 earthquake. The great earthquake broke loose some 20 to 25 seconds later, with an epicenter near San Francisco. This interactive map was developed to show you vividly how specific areas of the city were affected. underlying geologic conditions. Map of northern California depicting the intensity of shaking caused by the earthquake of April 18, 1906. large cumulative offset would not be fully appreciated until Indeed, the significance of the fault and recognition of its 1906 San francisco Earthquake. 100th Anniversary Earthquake Conference Press Conference: Managing Risk in Earthquake Country: The top ten action agenda and a summary of Charles Kircher's recent findings. In the public's Copy link. On April 20, the U.S.S. Chicago rescued 20,000 victims, one of the largest sea evacuations in history, rivaling Dunkirk in World … Screenshot from SF Municipal code. Fountain of Energy and Festival Hall at night, mirrored in the broad lagoon of the South Gardens, Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco, California, 1915. 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