1994 Northridge earthquake facts for kids
Section of collapsed low-rise apartment buildings
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| UTC time | 1994-01-17 12:30:55 |
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| ISC event | 189275 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | January 17, 1994 |
| Local time | 4:30:55 a.m. PST |
| Duration | 10–20 seconds |
| Magnitude | 6.7 Mw |
| Depth | 11.31 mi (18.20 km) |
| Epicenter | 34°12′47″N 118°32′13″W / 34.213°N 118.537°W |
| Type | Blind thrust |
| Areas affected | Greater Los Angeles Area Southern California United States |
| Total damage | $13–$44 billion (equivalent to $26–87 billion today) |
| Max. intensity | IX (Violent) |
| Peak acceleration | 1.82g horizontal |
| Casualties | 57 killed > 8,700 injured |
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake was a powerful natural disaster that shook the Los Angeles area in California. It happened early in the morning on Monday, January 17, 1994, at 4:30:55 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The earthquake had a strong magnitude of 6.7. This means it released a lot of energy. The ground shaking was one of the strongest ever recorded in a city in North America.
This earthquake caused a lot of damage. Nearly 60 people died, and thousands more were hurt. The total cost of damage was between $20 billion and $23 billion. This made it one of the most expensive disasters in United States history. Many highways and roads were damaged. Even Hollywood movie studios like Warner Bros., Disney, and Universal Pictures had to close down.
Contents
What Caused the Northridge Earthquake?
Earthquakes happen when parts of the Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, suddenly move. The Northridge earthquake was caused by a "blind thrust fault." This is a type of fault that doesn't reach the surface of the Earth. It's hidden underground.
The fault was located deep beneath the San Fernando Valley. When it moved, it pushed the ground upwards very quickly. This sudden movement caused the intense shaking felt across the Los Angeles area.
The Day of the Earthquake
The earthquake struck while most people were still asleep. The shaking lasted for about 10 to 20 seconds. This might not sound like long, but it felt like forever to those experiencing it. The ground moved very violently.
Many people were woken up by the loud rumbling and intense shaking. Items fell off shelves, and furniture moved across rooms. The power went out for millions of people.
Damage and Impact
The Northridge earthquake caused widespread damage to buildings and roads. Many older buildings, especially apartment complexes, collapsed. Some even fell onto cars parked underneath them.
Roads and Bridges
One of the biggest problems was the damage to major freeways. Several bridges and overpasses collapsed. This made it very hard for people to travel. It also made it difficult for emergency services to reach affected areas.
For example, parts of Interstate 10 and Interstate 5 were severely damaged. These are very important roads in Los Angeles. Repairing them took a long time and a lot of effort.
Buildings and Homes
Thousands of homes and businesses were damaged. Many buildings were red-tagged, meaning they were unsafe to enter. This left many people without a place to live. Hospitals were also damaged, making it harder to treat the injured.
The earthquake also broke water pipes and gas lines. This led to water shortages and gas leaks, which caused fires. Firefighters had to work hard to put out these blazes while dealing with damaged roads.
Power Outages
Millions of people lost electricity. This meant no lights, no heating, and no way to charge phones. It took days for power to be fully restored in some areas.
Aftermath and Recovery
After the earthquake, people worked together to help their communities. Rescue teams searched for survivors in collapsed buildings. Volunteers helped distribute food and water.
The cleanup and rebuilding efforts took many years. New building codes were put in place to make structures safer. Engineers designed stronger bridges and buildings that could better withstand future earthquakes. The Northridge earthquake taught us a lot about how to prepare for and respond to large natural disasters.
Images for kids
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Building damage in Santa Monica, California
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Crushed column (center) along section of Interstate 10 that collapsed
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Collapsed section (left of the police car) and sag leading to it
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Kaiser Permanente building in Granada Hills
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Apartment building that collapsed onto its own footprint, crushing cars parked beneath it
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Buckled pavement
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Northridge Meadows apartment complex significantly damaged by the earthquake
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Complete failure of the Golden State Freeway at Gavin Canyon
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"An earthquake is the shifting of land, a force of nature that affects the natural, built and economic landscape"-Lauretta Wasserstein Sculpture Garden
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Northridge de 1994 para niños
