How has there not been any major structural damage or deaths from this earthquake? (Glendale: living in, tree)

[destroycreate]

I find it strange and miraculous that this quake, bigger than both Loma Prieta/Northridge, hasn't caused major damage of any sort or killed anybody? No freeway overpass collapses, etc? It was right near Mexicali! 7.2 is HUGE...

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by destroycreate

I find it strange and miraculous that this quake, bigger than both Loma Prieta/Northridge, hasn't caused major damage of any sort or killed anybody? No freeway overpass collapses, etc? It was right near Mexicali! 7.2 is HUGE...

But there's a whole lot of nothing out there. No elevated freeways in the imperial valley for sure.

[justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

But there's a whole lot of nothing out there. No elevated freeways in the imperial valley for sure.

That is my concern. That one that size will hit much closer to SD or LA.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by destroycreate

I find it strange and miraculous that this quake, bigger than both Loma Prieta/Northridge, hasn't caused major damage of any sort or killed anybody? No freeway overpass collapses, etc? It was right near Mexicali! 7.2 is HUGE...

It was a larger magnitude, however it was deeper than the other two--thus less of a ground impact. I think, anyway--someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[SandyCo]

It was also on a strike slip fault, meaning that it's a smooth, rolling motion with longer waves. Earthquakes on thrust faults (like the Northridge Quake) have much more vertical motion. I was in Joshua Tree for the Landers Quake in 1992. Rolling motion, no dishes even fell out of the cupboards. Then there was Northridge, which was completely different. I was living in Glendale then, but I worked in the Valley and was there for a few decent aftershocks that were really scary; thrust quakes are rough.

[TristramShandy]

On the news tonight, it looked like there was some structural damage to the roads in El Centro, but your point is well taken. When I heard that this was the second biggest earthquake in California history, I was taken aback. It seemed like the SF earthquake in the 1910s plus 1989 and 1994 had to be greater (and I'm not exactly sure how this qualifies for a "California" earthquake ).

[SandyCo]

It qualifies because it was just across the border. Technically, yes, it took place in Mexico, but it's close enough for California to take secondary ownership, too.

Originally Posted by TristramShandy

(and I'm not exactly sure how this qualifies for a "California" earthquake ).

[nmnita]

Though it could have been much worse, there are now reports of 2 deaths, and probably will be more according to the news this AM>

Nita

[1AngryTaxPayer]

The destruction in Mexicali is pretty bad. They are still digging people out and the aquaduct to TJ took a bad hit.

[loveautumn]

I assume what we felt in SD was not 7.2, but something less since we are somewhat away from the epicenter. If we got a 7.2 here, it would be devastating. What I felt yesterday was scary enough!