What was the magnitude of the earthquake that hit Northridge outside of Los Angeles in 1994?
magnitude 6.7
The 1994 Northridge earthquake was a moment magnitude 6.7 (Mw), blind thrust earthquake that occurred on the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, on Monday, January 17, 1994. It occurred at 4:30:55 a.m. (PST) and was located in the San Fernando Valley region in the County of Los Angeles.
Was there an earthquake in 1994?
On January 17, 1994, at 4:31 am, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, killing more than 60, injuring more than 9,000, and causing widespread damage.
Did Northridge Earthquake have Foreshocks?
In the Los Angeles area, high-profile – and devastating – earthquakes such as the Northridge Earthquake in 1994 did not have a foreshock – or at least one that Caltech scientists immediately knew of on Saturday.
What fault was the Northridge quake on?
thrust fault
The magnitude-6.7 Northridge earthquake occurred on a “blind” or buried thrust fault, inclined to the south, rooted under the San Fernando Valley and extending north under the Santa Susana Mountains.
How long was the Northridge earthquake 1994?
10–20 seconds
The earthquake occurred just after 4:30 am local time along a previously undiscovered blind thrust fault in the San Fernando Valley. Its epicentre was in Northridge, a suburb located about 20 miles (32 km) west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The major shock lasted 10–20 seconds and registered a magnitude of 6.7.
Why did the 1994 Northridge earthquake happen?
A strong earthquake shook the Los Angeles region on January 17, 1994, at 4:30 am Pacific Standard Time (12:30 UT). The Northridge earthquake was caused by dip slip on a thrust fault—the overriding movement of one crustal block up and over a second crustal block (see p.
What is the significance of 1994 Northridge earthquake insurance?
In January 1994 when the Northridge earthquake, a magnitude 6.7 quake, struck Southern California, causing an estimated $26.4 billion (in 2018 dollars) in insured losses, the insurance industry ended up paying out more in claims for this quake than it had collected in earthquake premiums over the preceding 30 years.
What plate boundary caused the Northridge earthquake?
San Andreas fault
Northridge California Earthquake 1994 Summary The thrust faults along which the 1971, 1987, and 1994 earthquakes occurred are the result of a big bend in the San Andreas fault. The bend causes crumpling, or “compression” of the Earth’s crust nearby, giving rise to the thrust faults.
What was the cause of the 1994 Northridge earthquake?
The quake produced unusually strong ground accelerations in the range of 1.0 g. Damage was also caused by fire and landslides. The Northridge earthquake was notable for hitting almost the same exact area as the Mw 6.6 San Fernando (Sylmar) earthquake.
What was the damage at Northridge Fashion Center?
The Northridge Fashion Center and California State University, Northridge also sustained very heavy damage – most notably the collapse of parking structures. The earthquake also gained worldwide attention because of damage to the vast freeway network, which serves millions of commuters every day.
What was the role of Caltrans in the Northridge earthquake?
Other Caltrans responsibilities include mass transit system enhancement, railroad system development, seaport and waterway expansion, air transportation planning and assisting area governments and agencies in planning and developing local transportation improvements. Cal-trans is divided into 12 regional districts.
How did officer Clarence Wayne Dean die in the Northridge earthquake?
LAPD motorcycle officer Clarence Wayne Dean died because of the collapse of the Newhall Pass interchange, falling 40 feet from the damaged connector from southbound 14 to southbound I-5. He likely did not realize until too late in the early morning darkness that the elevated roadway had collapsed.
