On Shaky Ground: The 1989 San Francisco Earthquake | Retro Report | The New York Times

Summary

The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, a 6.9 magnitude disaster, struck Northern California during a live World Series broadcast, leaving 63 dead and causing $10 billion in damages. It prompted a national focus on seismic readiness, leading to extensive retrofitting efforts in California, including the $6 billion replacement of the Oakland Bay Bridge. Yet, 25 years later, despite warnings of another major quake, preparedness in areas like Oregon remains inadequate, with many old buildings and infrastructure still at risk. The script explores the challenges of motivating public preparedness for low-probability, high-consequence events like earthquakes.

Takeaways

• 🌍 A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area in 1989, causing significant damage and loss of life.
• ⚾ The earthquake occurred during a live broadcast of the World Series, making it a nationally watched event.
• 🚨 The earthquake killed 63 people, with 42 of them dying from the collapse of the 880 Freeway in Oakland.
• 🏠 The earthquake caused significant damage, particularly to older buildings, highlighting the need for stronger building codes.
• 💰 California has spent billions on earthquake preparedness since the Loma Prieta earthquake, retrofitting infrastructure and public buildings.
• 🗺️ Earthquake risk isn't confined to California—other regions, like Oregon and Washington, are also vulnerable to large quakes.
• 🌊 Oregon is particularly concerned about an 8-9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that scientists predict could happen in the near future.
• 🏚️ Many states, like Oregon, still have thousands of unreinforced buildings and bridges that remain vulnerable to earthquakes.
• 🧠 Human nature makes it difficult for people to prepare for low-probability, high-consequence events like earthquakes.
• 📉 Public interest in earthquake preparedness typically fades after two years, even in earthquake-prone regions.

Q & A

What was the magnitude of the Loma Prieta earthquake that occurred in 1989?

The Loma Prieta earthquake had a magnitude of 6.9.

How many people were killed as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake?

63 people were killed in the earthquake.

What was the economic impact of the Loma Prieta earthquake?

The earthquake caused as much as 10 billion dollars in damage.

What was the significance of the Loma Prieta earthquake in terms of public awareness and preparedness?

The earthquake sparked a national conversation about seismic readiness and prompted efforts to retrofit and reinforce structures against future quakes.

How did the Loma Prieta earthquake affect the Bay Bridge?

The earthquake caused the upper deck of the Bay Bridge to fall into the lower deck, leading to its collapse.

What was the name of the mountain from which the Loma Prieta earthquake took its name?

The earthquake took its name from Loma Prieta Mountain, located about 60 miles south of San Francisco.

How did the Loma Prieta earthquake influence earthquake preparedness in California and beyond?

The earthquake led to significant investments in retrofitting infrastructure and increased awareness about earthquake safety, influencing preparedness efforts not just in California but also in other parts of the United States.

What steps did California take to improve its earthquake readiness after the Loma Prieta earthquake?

California invested billions in retrofitting mass transit, regional water systems, public buildings, and schools, and replaced or retrofitted over 2,000 bridges statewide.

What is the potential earthquake threat in the Pacific Northwest according to the script?

The Pacific Northwest, particularly Oregon and Washington, has the potential for larger earthquakes than California, with a 40% chance of an offshore quake of magnitude 8 or greater in the next 50 years.

Why is it challenging to convince people to prepare for earthquakes despite the known risks?

People are generally wired to ignore high consequence, low probability events, and the public interest in preparing for such events tends to fade unless they have personally experienced one.

What is the role of personal experience in influencing public preparedness for earthquakes?

Personal experience of an earthquake can temporarily increase public interest in preparedness, but the effect is often short-lived, with attention returning to previous levels after a couple of years.