In the early hours of April 18, 1906, a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California, with its epicenter near San Francisco. The quake, estimated to be around 7.9 magnitude, and subsequent fires devastated the city, destroying over 80% of San Francisco and claiming the lives of thousands. This catastrophe remains one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States, reshaping not only the city’s landscape but also its approach to disaster preparedness and urban development.
