20 years ago today: The Loma Prieta (SF bay area) earthquake

A car crushed by a collapsed apartment building

The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Earthquake,[4] was a major earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. local time. Caused by a slip along the San Andreas Fault, the temblor lasted 10–15 seconds[1] and measured 6.9 on the moment magnitude scale[5] (surface-wave magnitude 7.1, Richter magnitude scale 7.0.[1]) The quake killed 63[2] people throughout northern California, injured 3,757[3] and left some 3,000,[1] 8,000,[6] 10,000[7] or 12,000[8] people homeless.

The earthquake occurred during the warm up for the third game of the 1989 World Series, coincidentally featuring both of the Bay Area's Major League Baseball teams, the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. Because of game-related sports coverage, this was the first major earthquake in America to have its initial jolt broadcast live on television.[9]

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