The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989—Recovery, Mitigation, and Reconstruction

The papers in this chapter reflect the broad spectrum of issues that arise following a major damaging urban earthquake—the regional economic consequences, rehousing problems, reconstruction strategies and policies, and opportunities for mitigation before the next major seismic event. While some of these papers deal with structural or physical science topics, their significant social and policy implications make them relevant for improving our understanding of the processes and dynamics that take place during the recovery period.

This publication consists of the following articles:

• Introduction, by Joanne M. Nigg

• Macroeconomic effects of the Loma Prieta earthquake, by Raymond J. Brady and Jeanne B. Perkins

• Sheltering and housing of low-income and minority groups in Santa Cruz County after the Loma Prieta earthquake, by Brenda D. Phillips

• Hazard mitigation and housing recovery Watsonville and San Francisco one year later, by Mary C. Comerio

• Local earthquake mitigation programs: perceptions of their effectiveness following the Loma Prieta earthquake, by Patricia A. Bolton and Carlyn E. Orians

• Rebuilding after the earthquake in areas of ground failure, Santa Cruz Mountains summit area, by Martha Blair Tyler and George G. Mader

• The Sate of California’s response to the Loma Prieta earthquake, by Charles C. Thiel, Jr., George W. Housner, and L. Thomas Tobin 63

• Earth science, earthquake response, and hazard mitigation: lessons from the Loma Prieta earthquake, by William M. Brown III and Carl E. Mortensen

This publication is part of the set of four multi-chapter USGS Professional Papers on the Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989:

Professional Paper 1550, Earthquake Occurrence, Coordinators: William H. Bakun and William H. Prescott

Professional Paper 1551, Strong Ground Motion and Ground Failure, Coordinator: Thomas L. Holzer

Professional Paper 1552, Performance of the Built Environment, Coordinator, Thomas L. Holzer

Professional Paper 1553, Societal Response, Coordinator: Dennis S. Mileti