M6.8 - Hayward, California, 1868
At 7:53 AM local time, the destructive waves from an
earthquake on the southern end of the Hayward Fault, quickly
traveled across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Because of its
location in the heart of the Bay Area, then having a total population of
about 260,000 (Federal Census records), and its magnitude, variously
estimated as between 6.8 and 7.0, this earthquake was one of the most
destructive in California history. Property loss was extensive and 30
people were killed. Five deaths were reported in San Francisco, out of a
population of 150,000, where the total property loss was estimated to be
$350,000 ($5-100 Million in 2007 dollars). This earthquake was known as
the "great San Francisco earthquake" until the magnitude 7.8 shock on 18
April 1906. The cracking of the ground along the Hayward Fault was traced
about 20 miles (32 km) from San Leandro to Warm Springs in Fremont,
although modeling of survey data suggest that the fault moved as far north
as Berkeley, and from these data the average amount of horizontal movement
along the fault is inferred to be about 6 feet (1.9 meters).
