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- Occurred: April 18, 1906, at 5:12 A.M.
- Magnitude: Estimated to be 7.8
- Shocks were felt from Oregon to Los Angeles and Nevada
- More than 3,000 people were killed
- 225,000-300,000 people lost their homes (50-75% of the population)
- Damage: $500 million
- Fire destroyed over 500 city blocks
- More than 28,000 buildings were burned
- Martial law was declared and looters ordered shot on sight
- More than 500 people were shot by police, military and vigilantes
- First major natural disaster to be photographed
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On April 18, 1906, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck San Francisco, California, collapsing buildings and causing out of control fires to ravage the city for four days. The earthquake ruptured the ground along 270 miles of the San Andreas Fault, severely damaging much of the Bay Area and the Northern coast of California as well.
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Uncontrollable Fires
Although the earthquake caused substantial property damage and loss of life, the resulting fires wreaked the most destruction. Some fires were caused by broken gas lines and campfires made by the newly homeless. Many, however, were started by building owners who wanted to make claims on insurance policies that covered fire damage but not earthquakes. Water mains broken by the earthquake made water scarce, leading to further property loss when firefighters ineffectively attempted to create fire breaks by dynamiting buildings.Quotes
"Not in history has a modern imperial city been so completely destroyed. San Francisco is gone. Nothing remains of it but memories and a fringe of dwelling-houses on its outskirts."—Jack London"Many burned-out people passed our house with bundles and ropes around their necks, dragging heavy trunks. From the moment they heard that fatal, heart-rending sound of the trumpet announcing their house would be burned or dynamited, they had to move on or be shot."—Rosa Barenda, eyewitness
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1906 San Francisco Earthquake Questions
What is the best place in San Francisco to watch fireworks on New Years? Public Transport to get there? 2 AnswersTake BART to any of the downtown stations and find a friend who lives in a high rise condo with a view of the bridge, wait for midnight grab drink and step out ... read more
what are the best coffee shops in san francisco? 2 AnswersEveryone in SF would first mention Blue Bottle and their franchises along with Philz. Thatz witz a Z! My favorites are Four Barrel in Mission, farm:table in t... read more
Looking for the best, most reputable Media Trainer in San Francisco 1 AnswerHere are some of the Media Training centers in San Francisco Ex'pression College for Digital Arts The Art Institutes system of schools Academy of Art Univers... read more
What are the best places to visit in Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA? 2 Answers---quote---- Los Angeles - places to visit with children --------------- Downtown area- Natural history museum, California science centre, Old china town pla... read more
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On Twitter Powered by Twitter
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Beautiful: http://bit.ly/4F1msr (video from a San Francisco streetcar, before the 1906 earthquake. Via @micahcalabrese)
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Amazing footage of San Francisco before the earthquake/fire of 1906. http://bit.ly/8u3Rrq
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A video shot from a streetcar traveling down Market Street in San Francisco in 1905 before the earthquake/fire of 1906 d http://url4.eu/og9N
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Watchin History Channel bout 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Author James Dalessandro helps film makers re-create. Interesting & captivating.
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Matt was responsible for the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.
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