Host Dave Schlom teams up with scientists from the United States Geological Survey for part one of a two-part in-depth look at the massive earthquake that struck Northern California on April 18, 1906.
The magnitude 7.8 (estimated based on modern examination of seismograms and ground motion accounts) temblor struck in the early morning and coupled with major fires, destroyed 80 percent of the structures in San Francisco.
But the event also helped accelerate the modern science of seismology, which was in a relatively primitive state at the time. Over a century later, there are many lessons to be learned from the 1906 earthquake as well as some unresolved questions.
Dave is joined by USGS geophysicist Susan Hough to look at the historical accounts of the event and what we can glean from them now. Then Dave visits with research geologist Austin Elliott about the tectonics of the earthquake and our modern understanding of faulting on the landscape.
Finally, the aftershocks of major earthquakes like 1906 are discussed with Andrew Michael, a USGS seismologist who also created a unique piece of audio art/music titled "Earthquake Quartet #1."
