The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake and the Field

The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake and the Field Act Rob Mellors* & Frank Vernon** *San Diego State University **Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UCSD

The earthquake • Long Beach earthquake • Ms 6. 3, March 10, 1933 at 5: 55 PM • 120 people killed • 70 schools destroyed; 120 damaged • Construction shortcuts

Geology • About 5 miles south of Huntington Beach • Newport-Inglewood fault • Right-lateral strike-slip • Severe damage in Long Beach and Compton • Previous similar events in 1769, 1812, and 1855. • Newport-Inglewood extends to San Diego (as the Rose Canyon fault). earthquake Ne wp ort -I ng lew oo df au lt

The Field Act • Earthquake-resistant design for K-12 schools and community colleges – Passed on April 10, 1933 (1 month!) – Led by Charles Field – No Field Act School has failed in an earthquake – Requires review and inspections of plans and construction. Luther Burbank High School

Since 1933 • Upgraded to include retrofits. • Last L. A. pre-Field act schools retrofit in 1974. • Does not cover non-structural damage. Compton-Union High School

Non-structural damage • Falling ceilings, objects • Pipes, chimneys, etc

More information • “Guide and checklist for non-structural earthquake hazards in California schools” http: //www. seismic. ca. gov California Seismic Safety Commission