An hour before sunrise, at 6:01 AM, PST, on February 9, 1971, the San Fernando region was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in California history. The earthquake caused over $500 million in damages, around 64 deaths, and critical destruction to the infrastructure of the region. San Fernando earthquake Sylmar 6.6 Richter scale 1971 damage collapse building parking structure emergency temblor shake crack Major damage was concentrated at the Newhall Pass Interchange, which was under construction at the time of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake in Southern California. On Feb. 9, 1971, the deadly San Fernando Earthquake rattled Southern California, leaving more than 60 people dead and causing more than $500 million in property damage. – and caused $553 million damage [in 1971 dollars, that would be about $3.28 billion in 2016 dollars]. Earthquake Information Chronological Earthquake Index San Fernando Earthquake. The two geologists Carl Wentworth and Robert Yerkes from the US Geological Survey in Pasadena later wrote that "the San Fernando fault was discovered to be active only when it ruptured the ground surface on February 9, 1971. The 1971 San Fernando earthquake (also known as the Sylmar earthquake) occurred in the early morning of February 9 in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in … The presence in California of major universities with strong and active earthquake research It caused hospitals and schools to collapse, brought down sections of elevated freeways and cost 64 people their lives. It also occurred on a hitherto unknown fault, albeit a different one from the San Fernando fault (see Figure 2). Earthquake Faults and Faulting The unanticipated thrust earthquake had a moment magnitude of 6.5 or 6.7 (as determined by several independent institutions) and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). But even now, after further detailed studies, they are not sure whether they have identified all blind faults in the area or if the valley's inhabitants are in for more surprises. Bottom line: the 1971 Sylmar quake in Los Angeles produced the most destructive power of any earthquake in California since the Fort Tejon quake in 1857 (Richter 7.9). The question of whether it is wise to live below a dam behind which millions of acre feet of water are stored is usually rather low on people's lists of daily worries. The dam, which crumbled during the earthquake and during the following aftershocks, held approximately 3.6 billion gallons of water. Within the southern California region alone, the historic record suggests that an earthquake of about this magnitude occurs on the average of once every four years ( Fig. Yet, according to geologists, this disaster was only seconds away from being a really bad disaster to a historic catastrophic disaster. The San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971, was a geologic phenomenon not unlike many similar earthquakes that occur every year around the world. The red line is the fault on which the Northridge quake occurred in 1994. However, when you live in earthquake country, you might want to give the question a second thought. The San Fernando Fault, located 6 mi northwest of Burbank's downtown, caused the 6.6 magnitude 1971 San Fernando earthquake. Most dams are constructed well and they are built for eternity. Later, scientists at UCLA estimated that flooding following the collapse of the dam could have killed between 70,000 and 120,000 people. The 1971 San Fernando earthquake (also known as the Sylmar earthquake) occurred in the early morning of February 9 in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California.  |  On February 9th, 1971, at approximately 6:00am, the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains were struck by a 6.7 earthquake. Although the Richter magnitude of the tremblor was 6.6, ranking it as moderate to large, but not great, it shook a wide, heavily populated area, leaving death and destruction in its wake. More chunks of earth collapsed with each new aftershock, reducing the height of the crown and bringing the water table dangerously close to the top of the dam (see Figure 1). Mandatory Credit: Al Markado/ The Los Angeles Times/ ME.Quake71.2.1Ð22Ðm2.7.$. The quake took place at 6 am under the town of Sylmar. The 1971 San Fernando earthquake (also known as the Sylmar earthquake) happened in the early morning of February 9 in the San Gabriel Mountains.It was at the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley in southern California.The quake measured 6.6 on the Richter scale.The damage was severe near the San Fernando Valley.  |  But it was generally accepted that none of these demarcation lines between two separate geologic units were active, meaning that they had not produced any earthquakes recently. 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