M6.7

1994 Northridge, Los Angeles Earthquake

Name: 1994 Northridge, Los Angeles Earthquake — M6.7
Start: 1994-01-17
End: 1994-01-17
Location: Northridge, Los Angeles, California

Northridge, Los Angeles, California — January 17, 1994

One of the most costly natural disasters in US history at the time, the 1994 Northridge earthquake caused $44 billion in damage to the Los Angeles area. Freeway collapses disrupted traffic for months and tens of thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed.

Earthquake Facts

Magnitude

M6.7

Date

Jan 17, 1994

Depth

18.4 km

Deaths

Latitude

34.213°

Longitude

-118.537°

Tsunami

Region

Northridge, Los Angeles

Tectonic Cause

Reverse fault on a blind thrust beneath the San Fernando Valley. The Northridge event proved that Los Angeles harbors undiscovered fault hazards far more dangerous than previously mapped.

View on USGS Earthquake Catalog