The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 1989: Landslides

David K. Keefer; Michael W. Manson; Gary B. Griggs; Nathaniel Plant; Robert L. Schuster; Gerald F. Wieczorek; David G. Hope II; Edwin Harp; J. M. Nolan; Gerald E. Weber; William F. Cole; Dale R. Marcum; Patrick O. Shires; Bruce R. Clark

doi:10.3133/pp1551C

The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 1989: Landslides

Professional Paper 1551-C

Prepared in cooperation with the National Science Foundation

By: David K. Keefer, Michael W. Manson, Gary B. Griggs, Nathaniel Plant, Robert L. Schuster, Gerald F. Wieczorek, David G. Hope II, Edwin Harp, J. M. Nolan, Gerald E. Weber, William F. Cole, Dale R. Marcum, Patrick O. Shires, and Bruce R. Clark

Edited by: David K. Keefer

https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1551C

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Abstract

Central California, in the vicinity of San Francisco and Monterey Bays, has a history of fatal and damaging landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall, coastal and stream erosion, construction activity, and earthquakes. The great 1906 San Francisco earthquake (M_S=8.2-8.3) generated more than 10,000 landslides throughout an area of 32,000 km²; these landslides killed at least 11 people and caused substantial damage to buildings, roads, railroads, and other civil works. Smaller numbers of landslides, which caused more localized damage, have also been reported from at least 20 other earthquakes that have occurred in the San Francisco Bay-Monterey Bay region since 1838. Conditions that make this region particularly susceptible to landslides include steep and rugged topography, weak rock and soil materials, seasonally heavy rainfall, and active seismicity.

Given these conditions and history, it was no surprise that the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake generated thousands of landslides throughout the region. Landslides caused one fatality and damaged at least 200 residences, numerous roads, and many other structures. Direct damage from landslides probably exceeded $30 million; additional, indirect economic losses were caused by long-term landslide blockage of two major highways and by delays in rebuilding brought about by concern over the potential long-term instability of some earthquake-damaged slopes.

Study Area

Additional publication details
Publication type	Report
Publication Subtype	USGS Numbered Series
Title	The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 1989: Landslides
Series title	Professional Paper
Series number	1551
Chapter	C
DOI	10.3133/pp1551C
Year Published	1998
Language	English
Publisher	U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location	Reston, VA
Contributing office(s)	Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, Geologic Hazards Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description	Report: iii, 185 p.; 8 Plates: 37.90 x 26.46 inches or smaller
Country	United States
State	California
Other Geospatial	San Francisco Bay-Monterey Bay region
Additional Online Files (Y/N)	Y
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page