October 1987: The Deadly Whittier Narrows Earthquake Rattles Los Angeles

The deadly Whittier Narrows earthquake jolted Southern California at 7:42 a.m. on Oct. 1, 1987, marking the Los Angeles area's most destructive earthquake in nearly two decades.

9 photos
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The three-level parking garage at Quad Shopping Mall in Whittier collapsed in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake.
G. Reagor. U.S. Geological Survey
The three-level parking garage at Quad Shopping Mall in Whittier collapsed in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake.
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The back wall of a thrift store on Main Street in Alhambra collapsed in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. Some cars parked in the street were crushed by falling bricks.
G. Reagor. U.S. Geological Survey
The back wall of a thrift store on Main Street in Alhambra collapsed in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. Some cars parked in the street were crushed by falling bricks.
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San Gabriel Civic Auditorium is pictured after the main Whittier Narrows earthquake shock and before the large aftershock. The bell tower weakened by the main shock fell.
G. Reagor. U.S. Geological Survey
San Gabriel Civic Auditorium is pictured after the main Whittier Narrows earthquake shock and before the large aftershock. The bell tower weakened by the main shock fell.
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G. Reagor. U.S. Geological Survey
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A damaged residence in the 5000 block of Bright Street in North Whittier. Exterior image is on the left, interior on the right.
G. Reagor. U.S. Geological Survey
A damaged residence in the 5000 block of Bright Street in North Whittier. Exterior image is on the left, interior on the right.
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Many chimneys like this one collapsed through roofs of houses in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. In this case, the chimney fell onto the bed of a 4-year-old boy who was hospitalized with a broken collar bone.
G. Reagor. U.S. Geological Survey
Many chimneys like this one collapsed through roofs of houses in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. In this case, the chimney fell onto the bed of a 4-year-old boy who was hospitalized with a broken collar bone.
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The second story of Art's Jewelry and Loan in Whittier collapsed in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake.
G. Reagor. U.S. Geological Survey
The second story of Art's Jewelry and Loan in Whittier collapsed in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake.
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One of the many houses that shifted on their foundations in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. This residence in the 13300 block of Beverly Boulevard shifted at least one foot, causing a wooden column to snap at its base.
One of the many houses that shifted on their foundations in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. This residence in the 13300 block of Beverly Boulevard shifted at least one foot, causing a wooden column to snap at its base.
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This USGS ShakeMap depicts intensity of the shaking caused by the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake in Southern California. Orange and yellow shaded areas indicate points of strong, very strong and severe perceived shaking.
USGS
This USGS ShakeMap depicts intensity of the shaking caused by the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake in Southern California. Orange and yellow shaded areas indicate points of strong, very strong and severe perceived shaking.
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