Can someone please help me understand the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and what happened?

Question

I have research it on google but I am yet to find a web site simple enough for me to be able to understand. What I need to know is:

I read that that the fault line ruptured, what does this mean? What happen to the people and the enviorment? How did the fires start?and some one please tell about the San Andeas fault line and how it cause the earthquake.Please tell me all the stuff you know! This is for a history project, where we have to research about about a earthquake. Please Help me!

Answer 1

go to:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/...

Good Luck!

Answer 2

1906 San Francisco Earthquake — 430 kilometers were ruptured in Northern California. The epicenter was near San Francisco. About 3000 people died in the earthquake and subsequent fires. This time the magnitude was estimated to be 7.8.

Fault Line Rupture on the San Andreas Fault - All land west of the fault on the Pacific Plate is moving slowly to the northwest while all land east of the fault is moving southwest (relatively southeast as measured at the fault) under the influence of plate tectonics. The westward component of the motion of the North American Plate creates compressional forces which are expressed as uplift in the Coast Ranges. Likewise, the northwest motion of the Pacific Plate creates significant compressional forces where the North American Plate stands in its way, creating the Transverse Ranges in Southern California, and to a lesser, but still significant, extent the Santa Cruz Mountains. All that is saying is that each side of the fault is pushing and rubbing against the other. Eventually results in an earthquake.

Fires broke out in many parts of town, some initially fueled by natural gas mains broken by the quake. Other fires were the result of arson and campfires set by evacuees. Most people had fire insurance, but not many had earthquake insurance. This resulted in a lot of people setting fire to their ruined houses and blaming it on the fire and not the earthquake. Worst of all, many were set when firefighters untrained in the use of dynamite attempted to dynamite buildings to create firebreaks, which resulted in the destruction of more than half of buildings that would have otherwise survived. The fire chief, who would have been responsible, had died in the initial quake. The dynamited buildings themselves often caught fire. The fires lasted for four days and nights.  

Answer 3

I recently worked on a centennial exhibit at the California State Capitol about the earthquake. But seeing as how this is a research project, you should probably research it. Especially considering what a large subject it is.

The Quake was about a 7.8 and could be felt all the way from LA to Oregon. San Francisco had massive structural damage due to the popular use of unreinforced masonry that shook apart and collapsed. Most of the damage though was due to gas lines that ruptured and caused raging fires that lasted for three days. The fire department added to the problem by trying to create fire breaks using explosions causing more fires.

The city was under martial law and there is some evidence that the people enforcing cerfews and preventing riots were, themselves, looting. Governor Pardee got the aid of President Teddy Roosevelt in obtaining the National guard to help both with order and rebuilding.

Initially people fled to the water and outskirts of the city- many were trapped by neighborhoods aflame. All in all, the quake and fires killed an estimated 3000 people.

After the quake, tens of thousands of people had to be relocated to various different areas including Oakland and Sacramento. Those who remained in the city lived in small hastily built shelters and all who were able were conscripted into working to rebuild the city.

Just some highlights. Just google 1906 earthquake and do some reading. It's pretty interesting.