OUMAR GAYE 02-05-2024

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake

Presentation outline
1-introduction

2-Presentation of the 1906 San Francisco

earthquake

3-Consequences and legacies

4-conclusion
 1- INTRODUCTION
The 1906 San Francisco earthquake was one of the
most devastating events in California's history. It
nearly completely destroyed the city and was
followed by a massive fire that resulted in between
3,000 and 5,000 deaths, as well as 20,000
homeless.
This disaster was of paramount importance in the
history of natural disasters. revealing major seismic
risks, and vulnerability of cities built on active
seismic faults.
View of Grant Avenue
after the earthquake
2-PRESENTATION OF THE
1906 SAN FRANCISCO
EARTHQUAKE
Characteristics
causes
impacts
Presentation of the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake

CHARACTERISTICS
The 1906 San Francisco
earthquake primarily impacted
the Californian city on the
morning of Wednesday, April 18,
1906. It was estimated to have a
magnitude of approximately 7.9
on the Richter scale, and its
epicenter was located 12.1 km
west of San Francisco on the
offshore fault system. The main
earthquake occurred at 5:12 a.m.
along the San Andreas Fault.
The smoldering ruins of San Francisco, as seen
from the Ferry Building tower on Market Street.
Presentation of the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake

CAUSES
The 1906 San Francisco
earthquake was caused by the
rupture of the San Andreas Fault,
a major tectonic fault located in
California. This rupture resulted The fault (on the right)
and the Carrizo Plain (on the left)
in an earthquake with an
estimated magnitude between
7.7 and 8.3 on the Richter scale,
leading to significant damage,
the near-destruction of the city, Map showing the 1906 rupture
of the San Andreas Fault.
and a massive fire.
A 3D rendering from a Livermore simulation of the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake shows the San Andreas Fault (gray ribbon), 12 kilometers
deep, breaking apart.
Presentation of the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake

IMPACTS
It was the resulting fires, lasting for
three full days, that destroyed the most
structures. These fires broke out at San Francisco City Hall, April 20, 1906.

multiple locations in the city, some

initially caused by ruptured natural gas
lines. Other fires were the result of
wood fires started by refugees, and still
others were intentionally set, as some
property owners set fire to their own
buildings to collect fire insurance
compensation,
In red, area destroyed by the fire, including
the French Quarter.
View of Grant Avenue after the
earthquake.
3- CONSEQUENCES AND
LEGACIES

Human toll
Material and economic consequences
3- CONSEQUENCES AND LEGACIES

Human toll
The generally accepted death toll is at least 3,000. Most of the deaths occurred in
San Francisco itself, but there were 189 deaths elsewhere in the Bay Area. Other
cities suffered significant damage, including Santa Rosa, San Jose, and Stanford
University.

Material and economic consequences

The earthquake and fire had a lasting impact on the economic development of
California. They destroyed over 80% of the city. Brick buildings, such as City Hall,
did not withstand the shaking. The earthquake destroyed the telephone network,
Cable Cars, and communication systems. In the Bay Area, Stanford University was
partially damaged. The cities of San Jose, Hollister, Bolinas, and Santa Rosa were
also affected.
3- CONSEQUENCES AND LEGACIES

Hôtel de ville de San Maisons

Francisco, 20 avril endommagées par le Vue de Grant Avenue
1906. séisme après le séisme.
3- CONSEQUENCES AND LEGACIES

legacies
This earthquake raised awareness of seismic danger in California, and
seismology experienced a flourishing period. Thus, a few days after the
disaster, the state governor, George Cooper Pardee, gathered the
leading scientists to initiate a research program on earthquakes. Under
the direction of geologist Andrew C. Lawson of the University of
Berkeley, a team of twenty geologists, astronomers, physicists
(including Harry Fielding Reid), and engineers studied and mapped the
San Andreas Fault. They compiled a report that was published in 1908
and advanced the understanding of seismic phenomena.
3- CONSEQUENCES AND LEGACIES

legacies
The United States Army built 5,160 temporary wooden houses to
accommodate 20,000 refugees.
Plans for the redevelopment and reconstruction of the city were drawn
up as early as the day of the earthquake. One of the most ambitious
plans was that of the famous urban planner Daniel Burnham. The layout
of existing streets remained, but some of Burnham's cherished projects
came to fruition later, including the Civic Center with its City Hall, wider
avenues, a subway under Market Street, a human-scale Fisherman's
Wharf, and a towering monument overlooking the city on Telegraph Hill,
Coit Tower.
 4- CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake
remains a significant event in the history of natural
disasters, leaving a lasting legacy in how we
understand and manage seismic risks. It not only
resulted in considerable loss of life and property, but
also led to an increased awareness of the need for
preparedness and resilience in the face of natural
disasters. The reconstruction and redevelopment
efforts that followed have shaped the city's landscape
and contributed to strengthening its resilience
View of Grant Avenue against future earthquakes
after the earthquake
Bibliographie
ARTICLES:
Vincent Souladié. San Francisco Disaster (1906), l’actualite filmée comme proto-film catastrophe.
Apocalypses, Hélène Machinal, Monica Michlin, Arnaud Regnauld (dir.), n° 47-48, Editions Kimé,
pp.185-197, 2020, Otrante. Art et littérature fantastiques, 978-2-84174-978-2. �hal-02152111v1�

Brocher, TM, (2005). Vitesse des ondes de compression et de cisaillement par rapport à la profondeur dans
la région de la baie de San Francisco, Californie : règles pour le modèle de vitesse de la région de la baie de
l'USGS 05.0.0, US Geol. Survivre. Rept. , 2005-1317 .

WEBSITES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Andreas_Fault
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/1906calif/18april/paleo.php

https://earthjay.com/earthquakes/20150829_ft_bragg/S&TR%20_%20September%202006_%20Re-
creating%20the%201906%20San%20Francisco%20Earthquake.html

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9isme_de_1906_%C3%A0_San_Francisco