1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake
Statistics
- Date: October, 1 1987, 7:42:20 AM
- Casualties: 8
- Magnitude: 5.9
- Type: Thrust
- Fault: Puente Hills Fault
Description
The Whittier Narrows Earthquake occured on a previously unknown fault (Like the 1994 Northridge Earthquake) in the Whittier, Montebello area of the San Gabriel Valley. It killed 8 people and left $358 million in damages. Most of the damage was centered in the area east of Los Angeles with none of the major skyscrapers in downtown L.A. reporting any significant damage.
The most severely damaged structures were those unreinforced masonary structures found in Old Town Pasadena and Alhambra as well as downtown Whittier. Most homes with chimneys ended up with a new skylight. Wood frame structures were relatively unscathed.