San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 Quiz

Answer: 5:12 AM

On April 18, 1906, the earthquake rattled people from a peaceful sleep at around 5:12 AM. It killed over 3000 people when it was all over.

Answer: 7.8

The magnitude of the quake was listed to be 7.8 on the Richter scale. However, some experts say that the quake measured anywhere from 7.7 to as high as 8.3 at the moment of the quake. Earthquakes are the sliding of plates which get stuck momentarily and then release the energy built up. This quake happened along the San Andreas fault which runs nearly the entire length of California.

Answer: True

The epicenter was actually about 2 miles out to sea just off of a place called Mussel Rock. With San Francisco being right on the bay and being near Mussel Rock, it took most of the blow.

Answer: 300 miles

The quake affected an area about 300 miles to the north and south of San Francisco. It was felt as far north as Oregon and as far south as Los Angeles. Even central Nevada felt part of the quake. In some places, the ground opened up leaving a large gap.

Answer: all of these

The fires were actually started by all of the causes mentioned. Some people set fire to their own damaged buildings and shops because insurance companies would not pay for earthquake damage but did pay for fire damage. Some people claimed that the subsequent fire throughout the city was actually what caused the destruction. Firefighters in those days tried to use dynamite to blow up buildings in an attempt to slow the fires progress through town.

However, this wasn't always a great way to stop a fire. Embers from the destroyed buildings would fly through the air and land on untouched buildings and catch them fire.

This technique was also used in the Great Baltimore Fire two years prior. The quake also damaged natural and kerosene gas lines sending the fuel down the streets and into the air. Sparks from downed telegraph and telephone wires would set off the gas and destroy more of the city.

Answer: Palace Hotel

The exclusive Palace Hotel was destroyed in the initial quake. This hotel housed some of San Franciscos wealthiest and housed some famous actors and actresses of the day. One of the more famous was opera singer Enrique Caruso who sung one of the lead roles in the opera "Carmen". Caruso, after the quake, said he would never return to the city again and he kept his word.

Answer: 11

The Army set up 5610 shacks in 11 different camps. These shacks were rented to the refugees for $2 per month. After the disaster, many of these shacks were turned into storage places, garages, or other businesses.

Answer: $400 million

It is estimated that over $400 million in damage was done to the city. Insurance companies of the time estimated the loss at $230 million. This is equivalent to about 5 billion in 2007 terms. This is similar to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Answer: False

In attempts to hurry up and get the city rebuilt, the work relief actually made the buildings worse than they were in 1906. Some experts say that as much as 50% of strength was lowered after the quake. Another quake of this magnitude is thought likely to demolish the whole city if it were to strike again.

Answer: 90%

About 90% of the city was destroyed in one fashion or another. Most of the city was destroyed by the fires that raged for four days than in the actual main shock of the quake itself. Fires were either started by broken gas mains, arson, or firefighters using dynamite as a means to make a fire break.