The San Francisco Earthquake occurred on April 18, 1906, and is one of the most significant earthquakes in American history. It registered a magnitude of approximately 7.9 and caused widespread destruction across the city. The quake lasted about 30 seconds, leading to severe damage to buildings and infrastructure.
In addition to the earthquake, a massive fire broke out, exacerbating the destruction. The combination of the quake and the fire resulted in the loss of thousands of homes and significant casualties, with estimates of around 3,000 deaths. The disaster prompted major changes in building codes and emergency response practices in California.