General Discussion

Bernardo de La Paz

(58,642 posts)

15. I experienced Loma Prieta earthquake in 89

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 08:51 AM

Yesterday

Magnitude 6.9.

I was in Silicon Valley 45 km (30 miles) from the epicenter. Office shook for 30 seconds in the main shock. I shouted "I'm getting under my desk" and office mate took the cue and did the same. Lamp fell off filing cabinet. It would have been difficult to walk in the main shake.

Our house 15 km (10 miles) from epicenter had a crack in the wall, and a bookcase fell over damaging a door. It was built in an area over a solid mass of bedrock.

About 3 km (2 miles) away, in sandy/silty area, ten people perished. In SF 75 km (50 mi) from epicenter, in a sandy silty area, more people died. In total 63 people died.

Shi{f}t happens.

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Holy shit that was some earthquake [View all] RandySF Yesterday OP

Glad you are okay. Brace yourself for the aftershocks. livetohike Yesterday #1

Yup - woke me right the hell up and got me out of bed! 5 to 6 seconds of heavy shaking. No damage, NBachers Yesterday #2

I thought it was about to "the one". RandySF Yesterday #3

What neighborhood are you in? My friend on 12th and Folsom said it was strong. diane in sf Yesterday #7

Nob Hill/Union Square area. RandySF Yesterday #9

Yeah, it was a real heart-beater. NBachers Yesterday #18

Got a really solid rattle down here by the airport. Grokenstein Yesterday #4

Glad to hear you're okay. democrank Yesterday #5

Rattlely and crunchy up here in Vallejo. Scary, but not too dramatic. House and contents are fine. People diane in sf Yesterday #6

Glad you're okay! HeartsCanHope Yesterday #8

Yikes! surfered Yesterday #10

I didn't feel a thing down here in San Luis Obispo. n/t Jacson6 Yesterday #11

Fuck, not the television. 3Hotdogs Yesterday #12

Nicely done. You made me smile. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Yesterday #13

The Old Baby-Raper controls the tectonic plates RVN VET71 Yesterday #14

I experienced Loma Prieta earthquake in 89 Bernardo de La Paz Yesterday #15

I left Silicon Valley in July 1989 just before Loma Prieta Zorro Yesterday #20

Glad you are safe. Duncanpup Yesterday #16

I grew up in San Jose....earthquakes were common occurrences. ProudMNDemocrat Yesterday #17

Message auto-removed Name removed Yesterday #19

I live in the north bay woke up to the sensation of a mildly decernable tremor. I had actually forgotten about it! msfiddlestix Yesterday #21

Being Reported As A 4.3 ProfessorGAC Yesterday #22

We live pretty close to the epicenter. RandySF Yesterday #23

Be safe over there! Quite rare in NYC... electric_blue68 Yesterday #24