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Earthquake of April 26, 1981, Westmorland, California. Epicenter: 33.1 deg N, 115.6 deg W. Magnitude 6.3. Damage $1-$3 million. Subsidence was reported on several rural roads in the area. Liquefaction caused scores of mudpots, and oozing soil in nearby fields. One country road west of Westmorland collapsed, producing a 2-foot drop-off. In rural areas, unreinforced, concrete-lined irrigation canals were broken. View of partially collapsed adobe building in Westmorland. Seventy percent of
the 900 homes in Westmorland were damaged. Most, like this structure,
were constructed of adobe and/or brick. Photo Credit: Bay Area Regional
Earthquake Preparedness Project |