1906 San Francisco earthquake — major earthquake that struck San Francisco and the coast of Northern California
The deadliest earthquake in U.S. history, killing over 3,000 people and destroying more than 80% of San Francisco.
Key Facts
- Date
- April 18, 1906
- Moment Magnitude
- 7.9 Mw
- Max Mercalli Intensity
- XI (Extreme)
- Death Toll
- More than 3,000 people
- City Destruction
- Over 80% of San Francisco destroyed
- Time of Strike
- 05:12 am Pacific Standard Time
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A major rupture along a fault off the coast of Northern California generated intense seismic energy, producing an estimated moment magnitude of 7.9. The resulting shaking reached maximum Mercalli intensity XI (Extreme), spreading high-intensity ground motion from Eureka on the North Coast south to the Salinas Valley.
On April 18, 1906, at 5:12 am, a powerful earthquake struck San Francisco and the Northern California coast. The violent shaking caused immediate structural damage across a wide region, and within hours extensive fires broke out throughout San Francisco, burning for several days and compounding the destruction caused by the initial seismic event.
More than 3,000 people died and over 80% of San Francisco was destroyed, making the event the deadliest earthquake in United States history. It remains the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster in California's history and ranks among the worst American disasters, both natural and man-made.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 3,000 (earthquake)