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Bernardo de La Paz

(59,327 posts)

15. I experienced Loma Prieta earthquake in 89

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Mon Sep 22, 2025, 08:51 AM

Sep 22

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 Sep 22 OP

Glad you are okay. Brace yourself for the aftershocks. livetohike Sep 22 #1

Yup - woke me right the hell up and got me out of bed! 5 to 6 seconds of heavy shaking. No damage, NBachers Sep 22 #2

I thought it was about to "the one". RandySF Sep 22 #3

What neighborhood are you in? My friend on 12th and Folsom said it was strong. diane in sf Sep 22 #7

Nob Hill/Union Square area. RandySF Sep 22 #9

Yeah, it was a real heart-beater. NBachers Sep 22 #18

Got a really solid rattle down here by the airport. Grokenstein Sep 22 #4

Glad to hear you're okay. democrank Sep 22 #5

Rattlely and crunchy up here in Vallejo. Scary, but not too dramatic. House and contents are fine. People diane in sf Sep 22 #6

Glad you're okay! HeartsCanHope Sep 22 #8

Yikes! surfered Sep 22 #10

I didn't feel a thing down here in San Luis Obispo. n/t Jacson6 Sep 22 #11

Fuck, not the television. 3Hotdogs Sep 22 #12

Nicely done. You made me smile. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 22 #13

The Old Baby-Raper controls the tectonic plates RVN VET71 Sep 22 #14

I experienced Loma Prieta earthquake in 89 Bernardo de La Paz Sep 22 #15

I left Silicon Valley in July 1989 just before Loma Prieta Zorro Sep 22 #20

Glad you are safe. Duncanpup Sep 22 #16

I grew up in San Jose....earthquakes were common occurrences. ProudMNDemocrat Sep 22 #17

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 22 #19

I live in the north bay woke up to the sensation of a mildly decernable tremor. I had actually forgotten about it! msfiddlestix Sep 22 #21

Being Reported As A 4.3 ProfessorGAC Sep 22 #22

We live pretty close to the epicenter. RandySF Sep 22 #23

Be safe over there! Quite rare in NYC... electric_blue68 Sep 22 #24