Loma Prieta Earthquake 35th Anniversary Compilation

Take Action!

This year’s International ShakeOut Day is on October 17th, the same day as the Loma Prieta earthquake that occurred in 1989. The best way to stay safe during an earthquake is knowing what to do when the ground starts shaking. Check out the resources below for ways to practice and prepare for an earthquake. 

Retrospective Interviews

On October 17, 1989, at 5:04 pm a magnitude M6.9 earthquake struck near Loma Prieta, California. It was a tragic reminder of the destructive power of earthquakes. However, it was also a watershed moment in seismic research. 30 years later, we revisit the earthquake through the eyes of the scientists who experienced it. And studied it. These are their stories. 

Loma Prieta in Pictures

2019 Public Lecture: Remembering Loma Prieta

The Loma Prieta earthquake ended decades of seismic tranquility in the Bay Area – Is the earthquake threat in the Bay Area real and imminent? Up to $80 billion in earthquake mitigation investments have been made since the Loma Prieta earthquake – are we safer? Learn how Loma Prieta has led to improvements to building codes, land use, ground motion simulations, and earthquake early warning.

Science Resources

 Visit the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake event page for more details on the impact of the earthquake, liquifaction maps, and more. Did you feel shaking from the Loma Prieta earthquake? Record your experience in a “felt report.” Want to dive deep into what we’ve learned about the 1989 quake — Check out our USGS Professional Papers.