ABSTRACT
On January 17, 1994, at 4:30 a.m., residents of Los Angeles were awakened by a 6.6 magnitude earthquake centered in Northridge, a suburb of Los Angeles. The earthquake was felt throughout Southern California and aftershocks continued to shake the Los Angeles area for months afterward. In the week immediately following the quake there were more than 245 aftershocks of magnitude 3 or higher, 26 were greater than 4, and 2 were larger than a 5 magnitude on the Richter scale. The initial earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks created widespread damage. Freeways and buildings collapsed, gas and water lines exploded, and trains derailed. Many people were without gas, electricity, and water for several days. Surprisingly, fewer than 50 people were killed; however, many people were injured and hundreds were left homeless.
