The San Francisco 1989 Earthquake

The San Francisco 1989 Earthquake

The Loma Prieta Earthquake

On Tuesday October 17, 1989 at 5:04 PM the Loma Prieta earthquake struck the San Francisco,

Monterey Bay, and Silicon Valley areas. Those were no the only areas affected. Many areas up to 70 and

100 miles away could feel the tremble of the quake. The epicenter of the quake was in the Santa Cruz

Mountains. The quake measured a magnitude of 7.1. The initial quake lasted 15 seconds. The USGS first

thought the magnitude of the quake would be about 6.9 but it increased to 7.1.

The quake destroyed many buildings and freeways. A section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay

Bridge collapsed. The power was out in many places and the telephone lines were out also. This was the

first time the power had been out since the 1906 earthquake. The earthquake killed 68 people and injured

3,757 people. The cost of the quake was estimated at $6 to $7 billion dollars. The quake happened during

the 1989 World Series. The San Francisco Giants were playing the Oakland Athletics. The match up was

called the “Bay Bridge” World Series. The game was postponed for a month. They were playing at

Candlestick Park.

Airports were closed for inspection or repairs. Ceiling Tiles and broken glass were the main reason

for the airports being closed. After a while the airports reopened and some local pilots helped fly

emergency supplies to airports near the seriously damaged and in need areas. Roads were jammed with cars
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The San Francisco 1989 Earthquake

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