  Olympia Seattle Tacoma  | |
| UTC time | 1949-04-13 19:55:43 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 896466 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | April 13, 1949 (1949-04-13) |
| Local time | 11:55:44 |
| Duration | ~ 20 seconds[1] |
| Magnitude | 6.7Mw[2] |
| Depth | 50 km (31 mi)[2] |
| Epicenter | 47°00′N122°32′W / 47.0°N 122.53°W /47.0; -122.53[2] |
| Areas affected | Puget Sound region Washington United States |
| Total damage | $25 million[3] |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe)[3] |
| Peak acceleration | 0.25g[1] |
| Casualties | 8 killed[3] At least 64 injured[4] |
The1949 Olympia earthquake occurred on April 13 at11:55:44 local time with a moment magnitude of 6.7 and a maximumMercalli Intensity of VIII (Severe). The shock was located in the area betweenOlympia andTacoma, and was felt throughout the state, as well as parts ofOregon,British Columbia,Idaho, andMontana. It is the largest recordedearthquake to occur in thePuget Sound region ofWashington.[citation needed] Eight people were killed, a minimum of 64 people were injured, and the total damage is estimated at $25 million.
Damage in Olympia from the earthquake was estimated between $500,000 and $1 million byGovernorArthur B. Langlie.[5] Eight buildings on theState Capital campus were damaged by the earthquake, as well as theOld Capitol Building in downtown Olympia.[6] A 23-ton cradle on the east tower of theTacoma Narrows Bridge fell 500 feet (150 m), injuring two men. The earthquake caused geysers to explode along the railroad track in the Tacoma tidal flats and inPuyallup.
In Seattle, nearly every building in thePioneer Square neighborhood was affected in some way, with damage ranging from lost parapets to entire floors and in some cases entire buildings needing to be demolished over the following years. Most buildings still show the scars of earthquake damage and the mostly hasty repairs made to them.[citation needed]
Chimneys throughout western Washington collapsed.[7] Severe damage were recorded at schools inAdna andNapavine, and structural losses to buildings inCentralia's downtown district. The earthquake caused catastrophic loss to two schools inChehalis, a state training school for youths and West Side Elementary; neither were rebuilt.[8][9]
Eight people were killed, including young crossing guardMarvin Klegman who shielded a second-grader from falling bricks.[7] At least 64 people were injured, and the total damage is estimated at $25 million.