I. Main processes

1994 65438+1October 17 at 4: 03 a.m.1minute, an earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale occurred in Los Angeles, the epicenter of which was located in san fernando Gubeiling area, more than 200 kilometers northwest of the city center. Most people were still sleeping when the earthquake happened, and before they could react, disaster came. During the 30-second vibration, about 1 1 000 houses collapsed, highways and high-rise buildings within 30 kilometers of the epicenter were destroyed or collapsed, gas and water pipes burst, telecommunications were interrupted, and fires broke out everywhere, directly and indirectly causing 58 deaths, more than 600 injuries, and property losses exceeding $30 billion.

After the earthquake, California immediately sent a search and rescue team of 300 people to the disaster area to carry out emergency rescue. These rescuers are equipped with high-tech monitoring instruments and video equipment, which can go deep into the cracks in the ruins to shoot. Rescuers used these advanced equipment to rescue many trapped and injured residents.

On the day of the earthquake, President Clinton signed a document to provide more than $400 million in federal emergency assistance to the disaster area, and sent a special team to the disaster area to deal with the aftermath of disaster relief. The American Red Cross has set up 18 shelters in the worst-hit Beiling area to distribute tents, food, clothes and other daily necessities to the victims.

After the earthquake, the authorities also organized a large number of experts to evaluate the feasibility of undamaged buildings, and blocked more than 10000 dangerous houses for demolition.

Second, the reason analysis

Los Angeles is located on the west coast of the United States, just within the scope of the Pacific Rim seismic belt, which is the largest seismic belt in the world. According to the investigation of scientific and technical personnel, there is an active fault about 20 thousand meters underground. Experts believe that this is the chief culprit of this earthquake.

Third, some enlightenment.

The earthquake is said to be a major earthquake in the history of this area, but only 58 people died. The low death toll is mainly attributed to the good seismic function of buildings in Los Angeles. After many earthquakes in this area, the local people and people have established a strong consciousness. When building houses, most of them are made of wood structures, which are rooted in solid rock strata. According to the layout of mountains, the seismic performance of local houses is very superior. In the event of an earthquake, it can avoid collapse and greatly reduce casualties. On the other hand, although there are few casualties in this area, the economic loss is as high as 30 billion dollars. This is because Los Angeles is the second largest urban belt in the United States, and its economic density is quite high, and the amplification effect of disasters is very obvious, forming the disaster characteristics of low population mortality and high economic loss rate.