Because California is located on the active San Andreas fault, which periodically releases seismic energy, earthquakes are common in the state. But not all earthquakes are created equal, with some having far greater strength and devastation than others. This piece will discuss the largest earthquake to ever strike California and how it stacks up against other significant quakes in the state’s past.
The Fort Tejon Earthquake of 1857
With a magnitude of 8.0 on the moment magnitude scale, the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake was the largest to ever strike California. A 200-mile (320-kilometer) stretch of the San Andreas fault was broken by this earthquake, which struck on January 9, 1857, between Parkfield and Wrightwood. Along the fault, the earthquake caused horizontal displacement of up to 29.5 feet (9 meters) throughout its roughly three-minute duration.
In addition to Oregon, Nevada, and Utah, the entire state of California suffered the effects of the Fort Tejon earthquake. Buildings, roads, and bridges sustained significant damage as a result of it, particularly in the sparsely populated areas close to the epicenter. In addition, the earthquake caused rockfalls, landslides, and fractures in the earth. However, because of the low population density at the time, the death toll was comparatively modest, with only two documented fatalities.
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What Set It Apart from Other Earthquakes?
Although there have been other earthquakes that have resulted in considerable damage and fatalities, the Fort Tejon earthquake is still the strongest to ever hit California. The following are a few more significant earthquakes that have rocked the Golden State:
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake struck on April 18, 1906, with a magnitude of 7.9. From San Juan Bautista to Cape Mendocino, a 296-mile (477-kilometer) section of the San Andreas fault was breached. Around 3,000 people were killed and over 200,000 were left homeless when a large portion of San Francisco was destroyed by the earthquake and the flames that followed. It is regarded as one of the most expensive and deadly natural catastrophes in American history.
The 1872 Owens Valley earthquake struck on March 26, 1872, with a magnitude of 7.4. From Lone Pine to Bishop, a 162-mile (261-kilometer) stretch of the Owens Valley fault was ruptured. The Owens Valley’s towns and ranches suffered significant damage during the eight minutes that the earthquake lasted. Additionally, it caused a sizable landslide near Lone Pine that buried sixteen persons. With a total of 27 fatalities, it was among the deadliest earthquakes in Californian history.
The 1952 Kern County earthquake struck on July 21, 1952, with a magnitude of 7.5. It broke apart a 150-kilometer (93-mile) stretch of the White Wolf fault that ran from Wheeler Ridge to Tehachapi. The earthquake was felt as far away as Los Angeles and severely damaged buildings, infrastructure, and agricultural land in Kern County. It left hundreds more injured and 12 dead.
The magnitude of the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 was 6.9. It happened on October 17, 1989. In the vicinity of Santa Cruz, it broke a 25-mile (40-kilometer) section of the San Andreas fault. The San Francisco Bay Area suffered significant damage from the earthquake, with buildings, roads, and bridges falling. It resulted in an estimated $6 billion in damage, more than 3,700 injuries, and 63 fatalities. The San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics World Series game was famously interrupted by the earthquake.
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In Summary
With a magnitude of 8.0, the Fort Tejon earthquake in 1857 was the largest to ever strike California. Due to the low population density at the period, it had a minimal mortality toll despite causing huge earth movements and destruction along the San Andreas fault. But California has also been hit by numerous other strong and catastrophic earthquakes, some of which have killed thousands of people and caused billions of dollars worth of damage. Being ready and resilient for the next major earthquake is crucial, as seismic activity remains a danger to the state.