TIM MAGUIRE

On April 18, 1906, at 5:13 a.m., an earthquake estimated at close
to 8.0 on the Richter scale struck San Francisco, California,
killing an estimated 3,000 people as it topples numerous
buildings.

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’s brick buildings and wooden Victorian structures
were especially devastated. Fires immediately broke out and–
because broken water mains prevented firefighters from stopping
them–firestorms soon developed citywide.

On this day in 1964, the strongest earthquake in American
history, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale, hit southern
Alaska, creating a deadly tsunami. Some 131 people were
killed and thousands injured.

The massive earthquake had its epicenter about 12 miles
north of Prince William Sound. Approximately 300,000 s
quare miles of U.S., Canadian, and international territory
were affected.

Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, sustained the most
property damage, with about 30 blocks of dwellings
and commercial buildings damaged or destroyed in
the downtown area. Fifteen people were killed or
fatally injured as a direct result of the three-minute
quake, and then the ensuing tsunami killed another
110 people. 

On April 18, 1906, at 5:13 a.m., an earthquake estimated at close
to 8.0 on the Richter scale struck San Francisco, California, killing
an estimated 3,000 people as it topples numerous buildings.

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’s brick buildings and wooden Victorian structures
were especially devastated. Fires immediately broke out and–
because broken water mains prevented firefighters from stopping
them–firestorms soon developed citywide. At 7 a.m., U.S. Army
troops from Fort Mason reported to the Hall of Justice, and San Francisco Mayor E.E. Schmitz called for the enforcement of a
dusk-to-dawn curfew and authorized soldiers to shoot to kill
anyone found looting.

Mayor Eugene E. Schmitz (1864 – 1928)

The strongest earthquake in American history, measuring 9.2
on the Richter scale, slimmed southern Alaska, creating a
deadly tsunami. Some 131 people were killed and thousands
injured on this day in 1964.

The massive earthquake had its epicenter about 12 miles north
of Prince William Sound. Approximately 300,000 square miles
of U.S., Canadian, and international territory were affected.

Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, sustained the most property
damage, with about 30 blocks of dwellings and commercial
buildings damaged or destroyed in the downtown area. Fifteen
people were killed or fatally injured as a direct result of the
three-minute quake, and then the ensuing tsunami killed
another 110 people.