The 1989 San Francisco Earthquake: Not as Shaky as You Think (When it Comes to Body Count)
Ah, 1989. A simpler time. Neon leg warmers, bangs that defied gravity, and the San Francisco Bay Area experiencing an earthquake that shook things up (literally). But how many folks actually got bummed out by that whole ground-shifting fiesta? Buckle up, history buffs (and trivia night champions), because we're about to unearth the truth.
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| How Many Died In 1989 San Francisco Earthquake |
The Big One... Wasn't That Big (Thankfully)
Now, when we think "earthquake," images of Hollywood explosions and cities swallowed whole come to mind. Thankfully, the 1989 San Francisco earthquake wasn't quite as dramatic as a Michael Bay movie. While it was a powerful 6.9 magnitude shaker (enough to make your fillings do the Macarena), the death toll was actually pretty low compared to other earthquakes.
So, how many folks bit the dust? We're talking 63 unfortunate souls. Considering the Bay Area's population, that's a much smaller number than one might expect. Maybe they all learned to "drop, cover, and hold on" in elementary school? We should all take a page out of their textbooks!
Reminder: Reading twice often makes things clearer.
Where'd Things Get a Little Bumpy? (Bridge, Anyone?)
Even though the death toll wasn't super high, the earthquake did leave its mark. Infrastructure took a beating, with the Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland crumbling like a stale croissant, and a portion of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge taking a nosedive into the water. Luckily, only one person perished on the bridge (RIP, Anamafi Moala).
Moral of the story? Maybe don't drive over shaky bridges during earthquakes. Just a hunch.
Tip: Compare what you read here with other sources.
Fun Fact Friday: The Loma Prieta Surprise Party
You might be surprised to learn that this earthquake wasn't even called the "San Francisco Earthquake"! Nope, it goes by the slightly less catchy name of the Loma Prieta earthquake, named after the peak near its epicenter. So next time you're at a trivia night, impress your friends with this little nugget of knowledge.
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FAQ: Earthquake Edition (How to Not Be That Guy/Gal)
How to survive an earthquake? Drop, cover, and hold on! It's not rocket science, people.
QuickTip: Pause when something feels important.
How to prepare for an earthquake? Have a plan, have a kit, and be prepared to be without utilities for a while.
How to avoid getting crushed by a collapsing bridge during an earthquake? Maybe don't be on the bridge? Just a suggestion.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling fast, start reading slow.
How to impress your friends with earthquake knowledge? Casually drop the "Loma Prieta earthquake" name at your next gathering. Boom, instant intellectual.
How to make light of a serious event? Do it with respect for the victims and a healthy dose of humor (like this awesome post, obviously).
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