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1906 earthquake

In pictures: the San Francisco earthquake of 1906

The severe early-morning quake sparked a major blaze throughout the city, devastating homes and businesses.
7.00am, 18 Apr 2012
4.3k

AT 5.12AM ON the morning of 18 April 1906, an earthquake struck the northern Californian coast along the San Andreas fault, devastating the city of San Francisco.

According to the US Geological Survey, the powerful quake lasted about one minute with an epicentre near the city. It was felt as far as Oregon to the north and Los Angeles to the south.

Around 3,000 people are estimated to have died, the majority of whom perished in the city itself and thousands more were left homeless. San Francisco was engulfed in flames as a result of damage caused by the earthquake.

To mark the anniversary, TheJournal.ie has compiled a series of photographs taken in the immediate aftermath of the disaster as residents surveyed the damage to their homes and businesses:

In pictures: the San Francisco earthquake of 1906
1 / 14

  • Survival

    People cook a meal on the street after the earthquake and fire. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • The aftermath

    Horses pull a cart through the city ruins. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Camp dinner

    People made homeless by the earthquake share a meal at a camp following the disaster. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Crossley Building

    The Crossley Building burning in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • City houses

    Rubble is piled in the street and homes stand lopsided after the earthquake. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • City Hall

    San Francisco's City Hall stands devastated after the disaster. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Hilltop view

    The city in ruins in the wake of the earthquake and fire. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Kearney St from Telegraph Hill

    An elderly man picks his way through the rubble as he walks along Kearney Street. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • On fire

    Buildings burn in the major fire sparked by the early morning quake. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Among rubble

    A man surveys the damage as he stands amid the rubble. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • 1906 earthquake

    (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • The earthquake and fire of 1906

    (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Fire on Market Street

    The blaze along the city thoroughfare of Market Street. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

  • Cracked earth

    The cracked street along the city's waterfront. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • People cook a meal on the street after the earthquake and fire. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Horses pull a cart through the city ruins. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • People made homeless by the earthquake share a meal at a camp following the disaster. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • The Crossley Building burning in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Rubble is piled in the street and homes stand lopsided after the earthquake. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • San Francisco's City Hall stands devastated after the disaster. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • The city in ruins in the wake of the earthquake and fire. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • An elderly man picks his way through the rubble as he walks along Kearney Street. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • Buildings burn in the major fire sparked by the early morning quake. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • A man surveys the damage as he stands amid the rubble. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • The blaze along the city thoroughfare of Market Street. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
  • The cracked street along the city's waterfront. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

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