What Are the Effects of an Earthquake?
The effects of an earthquake range from mild to severe and include structural damage, damaged gas lines, tidal waves, fires, avalanches and flooding. The amount of damage an earthquake can cause depends greatly on the size of the earthquake. The 1994 earthquake in Northridge, California was a magnitude 6.7, caused 57 deaths, 5,000 injuries, and damaged homes, bridges and structures.
The amount of structural damage that can occur during an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.0 or higher depends on the construction of the structure. In California, many newer structures are specifically designed to withstand earthquakes, but some of the older buildings do not respond well to ground motions.
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