1994 Northridge Earthquake: Magnitude, Impact, and Aftermath

Magnitude and Aftershocks

The 1994 Northridge earthquake struck the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, on January 17, 1994, at 4:31 AM PST. The initial earthquake had a magnitude of 6.7.

The earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, with the largest occurring on January 20th with a magnitude of 5.6.

Impact and Aftermath

The Northridge earthquake caused significant damage to the Los Angeles area, including collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure, and widespread power outages.

The earthquake resulted in 57 fatalities and over 9,000 injuries.

The economic impact of the earthquake was estimated to be in the billions of dollars.

Key Facts

• Magnitude: 6.7
• Date: January 17, 1994
• Location: San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California
• Fatalities: 57
• Injuries: 9,000+
• Economic impact: Billions of dollars

Causes and Effects

The Northridge earthquake was caused by the movement of two tectonic plates along the Northridge Fault.

The earthquake had a significant impact on the Los Angeles area, including:

• Collapsed buildings
• Damaged infrastructure
• Widespread power outages
• Economic losses

Recovery and Lessons Learned

The recovery from the Northridge earthquake took many years and required significant cooperation between government agencies, businesses, and community organizations.

The earthquake also led to important lessons about earthquake preparedness and building codes, which have helped to make California more resilient to future earthquakes.