May, 2000
This month we look back at April, which was Earthquake Preparedness Month in California. April is the anniversary month of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. This year marked the 94th anniversary.
Following a tradition begun in 1919, people gathered at 05:12 AM this year in front of Lotta's Fountain in San Francisco to commemorate that day. Lotta's Fountain is at the intersection of Market, Kearny, and Third Streets. The gift of Lotta Crabtree in 1875, the ornate drinking fountain became a meeting place for survivors of the 1906 earthquake and fire.
This article from the Examiner describes the gathering and discusses what was different this year.
Another April 18th tradition in San Francisco is the annual painting of the fire hydrant at the corner of 20th and Church Streets. This fire hydrant, at the edge of Dolores Park, is crediting with stopping the fire from going into Noe Valley as it was one of the few working hydrants in the city.
Related Web Sites
A great survivor of the great quake: This story by Robert Morse tells more about Bessie Shum, the first Chinese American survivor to attend the annual gathering.
Where can I learn more about the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake?: A FAQ sheet on the 1906 earthquake, with details about the event and links to online resources, including photographs.
The Great 1906 Earthquake and Fire: An excellent Web site from the Museum of the City of San Francisco on the 1906 earthquake. It includes newspaper clippings, records from the fire and police departments, and many other wonderful resources.
Related Classroom Activities
Earthquake Effects: Most of the damage from the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco was the result of the fire. This teacher's guide from the USGS uses computer animations and paper models to illustrate the effects of earthquakes, including fire and tsunami.
Science News Write-Up: Write a report on this article for your class! Here is a suggested outline to help you organize the report.
News Archive
Earth Science News Archive: We are building an archive of these news features. Feel free to browse earlier articles and resources!