Earthquake San Francisco 1989

## The 1989 San Francisco Earthquake: A Major Earthquake in American History ### The Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake On October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. PDT, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area. The epicenter was located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 10 miles northeast of Santa Cruz. The earthquake lasted for about 15 seconds and caused widespread damage throughout the Bay Area. ### The Damage The earthquake caused an estimated $6 billion in damage, making it one of the most expensive earthquakes in American history. The earthquake caused widespread damage to buildings, bridges, and roads. The Marina District of San Francisco was particularly hard hit, with many buildings being destroyed or damaged beyond repair. ### The Casualties The earthquake killed 63 people and injured more than 3,700. Most of the deaths were caused by collapsing buildings. The earthquake also caused a number of fires, which further contributed to the damage and loss of life. ### The Aftermath The earthquake had a major impact on the San Francisco Bay Area. The earthquake caused widespread disruption to transportation, communications, and power. The earthquake also led to a number of changes in building codes and earthquake preparedness measures. ### The Legacy The 1989 San Francisco Earthquake is a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness. The earthquake caused widespread damage and loss of life, but it also led to a number of important changes that have helped to make the Bay Area more resilient to future earthquakes.