Question

An earthquake that occurred in San Fernando, California, in 1971 caused \$500 million in damage. An earthquake that occurred in Whittier, California, in 1987 caused \$358 million in damage. How much more damage was caused by the San Fernando earthquake?

Short answer

The San Fernando earthquake caused $142 million more in damage.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Problem

We are tasked with finding out how much more damage was caused by the San Fernando earthquake in 1971 compared to the Whittier earthquake in 1987.

Identify Values

The damage caused by the San Fernando earthquake is given as $500 million, while the damage caused by the Whittier earthquake is $358 million.

Set Up the Equation

To find out the difference in damage caused by the two earthquakes, we set up the equation: Difference = Damage from San Fernando - Damage from Whittier.

Calculate the Difference

Substitute the given values into the equation: Difference = 500 million - 358 million.

Solving the Equation

Perform the subtraction: 500 million - 358 million = 142 million.

Key concepts

San Fernando earthquake 1971

The San Fernando earthquake shook Southern California on February 9, 1971. It was a significant event in seismic history, registering a magnitude of 6.5. This earthquake was a wake-up call for infrastructure standards across the region. It exposed vulnerabilities in buildings and critical structures like hospitals and dams. Several hospitals suffered severe damage, leading to intense scrutiny on building codes and construction practices.
One of the most notorious impacts was the partial collapse of the San Fernando Veterans Administration Hospital, which tragically resulted in numerous fatalities. This incident underscored the necessity for stringent safety regulations and inspired seismic retrofitting initiatives.
Triggered landslides and ground shaking also highlighted the need for comprehensive land-use planning. The San Fernando earthquake led to the establishment of strong building regulations to ensure structures could withstand future seismic events.

Whittier earthquake 1987

The Whittier earthquake occurred on October 1, 1987, in the Los Angeles area. This quake had a magnitude of 5.9. While not as severe as the San Fernando event, it still caused significant structural damage and injuries.
Many residential and commercial buildings experienced destruction, especially older structures that hadn’t been retrofitted to meet updated earthquake standards. Interestingly, the Whittier earthquake influenced a greater emphasis on public awareness and emergency preparedness. Initiatives like teaching the public about drop-cover-hold on techniques were outcomes of this event.
Whittier served as a case study in the effectiveness of newer building codes, highlighting areas needing improvement. While less deadly, it was still a crucial reaffirmation of the importance of continual learning and adapting to the realities of living in an earthquake-prone region.

damage calculation

Calculating damage from earthquakes involves understanding both direct and indirect costs. For the San Fernando and Whittier earthquakes, damages were significant, totaling hundreds of millions.
To calculate the difference in damages between two seismic events, a simple subtraction is used: subtract the lesser damage from the greater one. For this specific problem, the damage cost from the San Fernando earthquake in 1971 was $500 million, while the Whittier earthquake in 1987 resulted in a loss of $358 million.
The equation is:

• Difference = Damage in San Fernando - Damage in Whittier.
• This leads to the calculation: 500 million - 358 million = 142 million.

Thus, the San Fernando earthquake resulted in $142 million more damage than the Whittier quake.

earthquake effects on infrastructure

Earthquakes can have devastating effects on infrastructure, leading to costly repairs and necessary renovations. During the San Fernando and Whittier earthquakes, infrastructure was critically affected, showcasing the need for earthquake-resistant designs.
Key impacts of earthquakes on infrastructure include:

• Building Collapse: Poorly constructed buildings can collapse, posing safety hazards and economic losses.
• Roads and Bridges: These can crack or be displaced, disrupting transportation and emergency response efforts.
• Utilities: Water, gas, and electrical systems can break, leading to service outages and potential hazards like fires or floods.

To mitigate these effects, improvements such as advanced engineering practices and stricter building codes are essential. These measures aim to enhance resilience, ensuring infrastructure can withstand future seismic events.