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2000 Yountville earthquake facts for kids

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2000 Yountville earthquake
UTC time 2000-09-03 08:36:30
ISC event 1739620
USGS-ANSS ComCat
Local date September 3, 2000 (2000-09-03)
Local time 01:36 PDT
Magnitude 5.0 Mw
Depth 9.4 kilometers (6 mi)
Epicenter 38°23′N 122°25′W / 38.38°N 122.41°W / 38.38; -122.41
Type Strike-slip
Areas affected North Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
California, United States
Total damage $10–50 million
Max. intensity VII (Very strong)
Peak acceleration 0.50 g
Casualties 41 injured

The 2000 Yountville earthquake occurred with a moment magnitude of 5 on a previously unmapped fault, about 3 miles (4.8 km) south southwest of Yountville, California in the Mayacamas Mountain Range under Mount Veeder and about 9 miles (14 km) south northwest of Napa, California. It occurred at 01:36 PDT (08:36 UTC) on September 3.

Earthquake

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 9.4 km on a northwest-oriented fault and with a right-lateral strike-slip motion. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the West Napa Fault, a previously unmarked fault.

Damage

Several unreinforced masonry buildings in downtown Napa suffered exterior damage as a result of the earthquake. Sixteen buildings were red tagged following the event and 168 were yellow tagged. Although the magnitude of the primary event was considered moderate, shaking was intensified in the city of Napa and surrounding area due to the sedimentary soil on the floor of the valley. The earthquake caused an interruption of power to approximately 10,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Company customers. Several hundred houses suffered toppled or cracked chimneys and several instances of broken plumbing due to toppled water heaters were reported. Transportation infrastructure in the affected area did not suffer any significant damage from the earthquake.

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