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What Was The Cause Of The 1906 Earthquake

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The tremors increase in power and the walls begin to crumble around you. Rushing outside you see the ground rise like the back of a whale. Thrown to the ground by the beast below, your ear hits the ground and the roar comes loud and clear. The roar is so deafening that even the screams of people are drowned out in chaos. This is what it was like during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The cause of the earthquake at 5:12 on April 18, 1906 was a section of rock along the San Andreas Fault. The stone snapped causing the shaking to start a few miles down in San Francisco. This earthquake was measured a magnitude of 7.8. (San Francisco 1906 Earthquake and Fire) This earthquake was remembered as the USA’s worst natural disaster, alongside the Galveston …show more content…

“The Horrific Wreck of the City” says, “I was thrown on my back and the pavement pulsated like a living thing. Around me the huge buildings, looming up more terrible because of the odd dance they were performing wobbled and veered. Crash followed crash and resounded on all sides. Screeches rent the air as terrified humanity streamed out into the open in agony of despair.” Likewise, “The street beds heaved in frightful fashion. The earth rocked and then came the blow that wrecked San Francisco from the bay shore to the Ocean Beach and from the Golden Gate to the end of the peninsula.” These quotes show how destructive the earthquake was because the first one talks about how buildings were crashing down into the streets of San Francisco; and the second quote talks about how San Francisco was wrecked by the rocking of the earth. “Comprehending the Calamity” says, “The spirals of smoke now began to ascend from various places In the business section, and we realized how completely we were at the mercy of fire, with the broken water-mains, and reservoirs perhaps destroyed. The gas and water had been cut off immediately to most of our homes. The electricity was gone too.” Similarly, “Men, met, introduced one another; exchanged business cards of places consumed by the flames, …show more content…

We will all be burned. This must be the end of this wicked world. Welcome to the inferno.” Similarly, “Strong men bellowed like babies in their furor. All humanity within eyesight was suffering. No one knew which way to turn, when on all sides of them destruction stared them in the very eye. A number of slight tremors followed the first seven series of shocks.” This shows how Fred Hewitt’s account is pessimistic and down beat, because he is highlighting the chaos of the earthquake. These quotes show how Fred had basically given up when he talked about how it must be the end of the world and everyone will be burned. It also talks about how suffering was the only thing that the earthquake brought. “Comprehending the Calamity” says,“Delivery wagons crammed with everything but what they advertised, wheelbarrows piled mountain high, people with packs on their backs, and all so good- natured and ready for a smile! I never saw one person crying.” Likewise, “The all-prevailing cheerfulness and helpfulness were encouraging signs

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