It caused wide-spread damages, fear, and loss of life, causing 120 deaths and
over $50 million in property damages. We have met survivors of that quake, and it is etched in their memories as a very
traumatic event.
Many schools were also destroyed, and the community was extremely blessed that the
quake happened when children were not in school. The destruction to school buildings was the causative factor for
the subsequent development of the Field Act, which addresses seismic safety of school buildings in California. Unfortunately,
few realize that even current Field Act schools are still vulnerable to structural collapse.
Please keep in mind that most coastal communities in Southern California have
areas of expected liquefaction in strong earthquakes. Liquefaction typically increases the level of damages, and lengthens
the duration of the shaking.
More information on this quake and its effects on people will be posted soon.
However, it's important to note that a similar quake now could cause much more loss of life, and significantly more destruction
and infrastructure disruption, because the population and building density is so much higher now. Also, time of day
can make a great difference in the effects, as was shown in this historic event.
