NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Northridge, California Earthquake of January 17, 1994: General Reconnaissance Report.
- File
- PB94193943.pdf
- Author(s)
- Goltz, J. D.
- Source
- National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, Buffalo, NY.; National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA.; New York State Science and Technology Foundation, Albany., March 11, 1994, 224 p.
- Abstract
- On January 17, 1994 at 4:31 a.m., a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Epicentered in the San Fernando Valley town of Northridge, California, the earthquake caused serious damage to buildings and sections of elevated freeways; ignited at least one hundred fires as it ruptured gas pipelines; and disrupted water supply systems. As a consequence, 57 people died, another 1,500 were seriously injured, and 22,000 were left homeless. Over 3,000 buildings, most of which were residential structures, were declared unsafe for reentry due to earthquake damage. Los Angeles, a city which has extensively prepared itself for earthquakes, found that it had experienced the most destructive event since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Direct economic losses are estimated currently at over $20 billion. This report is the product of many authors representing several disciplines and, while not a final assessment of the topics addressed, it represents an interim evaluation of the performance of numerous structures and lifelines. In addition, the report includes sections on emergency response and societal impacts.
- Keywords
- Damage assessment; Emergency preparedness; Northridge (California); San Fernando Valley; Overpasses; Reconnaissance; Gas pipelines; Los Angeles (California); Earthquakes; Structural analysis