The great San Francisco quake- why so important?

Question

What was so huge about the San Francisco quake of 1906 that left such an impact? This has happened a few times before, I mean lots of people have died because of a huge quake. What was so significant about it?

Answer 1

The S.F. quake was the first to strike a major city after cameras, particularly motion picture cameras had become available, and it could be shown around the world. Communication via telephone and telegraph allowed almost real-time coverage.

It did damage up and down California. Across the bay in Oakland, my father was awakened by it and looked out the window to see a 4-story tall water tanks swaying back and forth about 6'/swing, with the water sloshing up and out at the end of each swing, but it didn't fall on the house. He and thousands of other people communicated their experiences to relatives and friends all over.

One of the People in S.F. that morning was Enrico Caruso, the famous tenor. That added to the story.

It was a media blitz.

What we can learn from it is that though it was a bigger disaster (if you compute what the value of a 1906 dollar would be today) that New Orleans, but the recovery was completed in six months. Faster, cheaper and better than the Katrina disaster which has mainly served as another way to steal your tax dollar.

Answer 2

The quake took place in a time of "Manifest Destiny", which was a doctorine that stated that nothing should/could stop American expansion from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. San Francisco was one of the shining beacons on the West Coast.

The great quake was so vitally important to history first because if completely devastated San Francisco (I believe 90% destruction is accurate), and remade the landscape of San Fran overnight. You also can't forget that it was one of the largest quakes on the Richtor Scale, which measures earthquakes, so it's famous for that reason as well.

However, perhaps most importantly, it was a shocking and overwhelming reminder that nature would always stand against human endeavors; the shining city was completely destroyed - and this despite the "Manifest Destiny" attitude of the time. Psychologically, as well as physically, it was a severe blow.

Answer 3

It is important in the historical sense. San Francisco was the first large city in th USA to have been destroyed by an earthquake. It also made people aware of the possibility of quakes elsewhere

Answer 4

I think that the reason it was so important is that it demonstrated the danger of living near the San Andreas fault. Every hundred years or so a major earthquake will occur on the San Andreas. The one that will happen near LA is overdue. With San Francisco quake, it was learned which structures were vulnerable and it demonstrated that more structures were lost to fire than from the actual shaking. Obviously, this helped develop strategies to reduce future damage and loss of life.

Answer 5

I believe 1st that it happened in the USA 2nd that it caused a lot more destruction that could of been believed at the time. and 3rd it hasn't happened since (in the continental US ) in the size of the quake and destruction.

Answer 6

For a really complete answer to your ? get a copy of "A Crack in the Edge of the World" by Simon Winchester.

Answer 7

i was after that earth quake that ppl came to know abt natural disasters....that may cause many deaths....;.and besides WHO GOVERNS THESE MIGHTY POWERS

Answer 8

Umm because that's where I live.