1994 Northridge earthquake
Aerial view of the destruction | |
ShakeMap for the event created by the United States Geological Survey | |
Los Angeles Las Vegas San Diego Turlock | |
| UTC time | 1994-01-17 12:30:55 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 189275 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | January 17, 1994 |
| Local time | 4:30:55 a.m. PST |
| Duration | 8 seconds |
| Magnitude | 6.7 Mw |
| Depth | 11.31 mi (18.20 km) |
| Epicenter | 34°12′47″N 118°32′13″W / 34.213°N 118.537°W |
| Fault | Northridge Blind Thrust Fault |
| Type | Blind thrust |
| Areas affected | Greater Los Angeles Area Southern California United States |
| Total damage | $13–50 billion |
| Max. intensity | MMI IX (Violent) |
| Peak acceleration | 1.82 g |
| Peak velocity | >170 cm/s |
| Casualties | 57 killed >8,700 injured |
The 1994 Northridge earthquake affected Greater Los Angeles, California, United States, on January 17, 1994, at 04:30:55 PST. The epicenter of the moment magnitude 6.7 (Mw) blind thrust earthquake was beneath the San Fernando Valley. The shock lasted approximately 8 seconds and achieved a peak ground acceleration of over 1.7 g. It is the largest recorded earthquake in the area's history, slightly surpassing the Mw 6.6 1971 San Fernando earthquake. Shaking was felt as far away as San Diego, California; Turlock, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Richfield, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; and Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Sixty people died and more than 9,000 were injured. In addition, property damage was estimated to be $13–50 billion, making it among the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.