Sylmar earthquake, aerial survey

Currently not on view

Sylmar earthquake, aerial survey,

February 9, 1971: 6:01 a.m.

United States Geological Survey
2012-39
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More Context

Also known as the San Fernando Earthquake, this 6.6 magnitude earthquake occurred on the San Fernando fault zone and broke the surface in the Sylmar-San Fernando area. It created a total surface rupture approximately twelve miles long, with a maximum slip along the fault zone of six feet. No fewer than seven photographers from the United States Geological Survey photographed the property destruction caused by this. Ever since George Lawrence took <em>San Francisco in Ruins</em> three weeks after the 1906 earthquake, photographs of earthquake aftermath double as time capsules of urban infrastructure even when they cannot fully expose the layers of destruction and distress beneath the surface.

Information

Title
Sylmar earthquake, aerial survey
Dates

February 9, 1971: 6:01 a.m.

Maker
United States Geological Survey
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
image: 19.5 x 24.3 cm. (7 11/16 x 9 9/16 in.) sheet: 20.6 x 25.4 cm. (8 1/8 x 10 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, bequest of John W. H. Simpson, Class of 1966, in memory of Wellington Hope Simpson, Class of 1931
Object Number
2012-39
Place Depicted

North America, United States, California, San Fernando

Marks/Labels/Seals
Stamped on verso: Whelan
Culture
American
Type
photographs, gelatin silver prints, black-and-white photographs
Techniques
gelatin silver process
Subject
cities, earthquakes, roads, aerial photographs

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