April 18, 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

New Science and Products

Virtual Tour of the 1906 Earthquake in Google Earth™
Interactive tour of San Francisco Bay Area faults and earthquake history featuring ground-shaking maps, historic photographs, quotes from earthquake survivors, and more.
1906 Ground Motion Simulations
Simulations of ground shaking from the 1906 earthquake, based on 3D geologic and seismic velocity models developed by the USGS in collaboration with LLNL, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University.
1906 ShakeMap
Earthquake intensity maps based on original shaking and damage reports.
Re-photographing George Lawrence’s “San Francisco in Ruins”
Photographer George Lawrence documented the damage of the 1906 earthquake by lifting a panoramic camera over the city using a series of kites. The Drachen Foundation arranged for Scott Haefner, USGS, to re-shoot his photo using modern-day kite aerial photography equipment and techniques.

Publications and Documentaries

1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Scientific overview of the M 7.9 earthquake that occurred on the San Andreas fault on April 18, 1906.
Where’s the San Andreas Fault? A Guidebook to Tracing the Fault on Public Lands in the San Francisco Bay Region
A field trip guide to selected stops along the San Andreas fault that experienced surface rupture during the 1906 earthquake. For K-12 teachers, hikers, and interested lay public.
“SHOCK WAVES: 100 Years after the 1906 Earthquake”
View online: a documentary film that recounts the 1906 disaster and highlights a century of progress in earthquake science from its beginnings just following the 1906 event, through the development of plate tectonics, to state-of-the-art research today.
“‘06 The Next Great Quake”
View online: a documentary film that examines the science of the earthquake and includes visualizations of 3D models by Amit Chourasia, San Diego Supercomputer Center.
Facing the Great Disaster—How the Men and Women of the USGS Responded to the 1906 “San Francisco” Earthquake
Family photos and records help tell the story of how USGS staff stationed in Sacramento and Berkeley swung into action after the 1906 earthquake bringing help to the residents of devastated San Francisco, documenting the effects of the quake, and investigating causes of that major geologic event.
The 1906 Earthquake and a Century of Progress in Understanding Earthquakes and Their Hazards
Cover story in the April issue of GSA Today, a publication of the Geological Society of America.
People, Land and Water – 100th Anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake
This special edition of People, Land and Water commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the 1906 earthquake, featuring USGS scientific contributions and technological advancements in earthquake science.
The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, 100 years later
General interest, interactive web site from PBS Online NewsHour.