1868 Hayward earthquake
The 1868 Hayward earthquake occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States on October 21. With an estimated moment magnitude of 6.3–6.7 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), it was the most recent large earthquake to occur on the Hayward Fault Zone. It caused significant damage and a number of deaths throughout the region, and was known as the "Great San Francisco earthquake" prior to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Earthquake
The earthquake occurred at 7:53 a.m. on October 21, 1868. Its epicenter was likely located near Hayward, California, and its magnitude has been estimated to have been 6.3–6.7 on the moment magnitude scale. At the surface, ground rupture was traced for , from San Leandro to what is now the Warm Springs District in Fremont. Damage
The town of Hayward experienced the most damage, with nearly every building destroyed or significantly damaged in the earthquake. The Alameda County Courthouse in San Leandro was destroyed, which resulted in the re-location of the County Seat to Oakland, its current site. The adobe chapel of Mission San José in what is now Fremont was also destroyed, as were several buildings in San Jose, San Francisco and throughout Alameda County. Damage was reported from Santa Rosa in the north to Gilroy and Santa Cruz in the south. Thirty deaths were attributed to the earthquake. Intensity
The United States Geological Survey estimates that Hayward experienced shaking measuring IX (Violent) on the modified Mercalli scale. San Leandro experienced shaking measuring VIII (Severe), while San Francisco and Oakland experienced shaking measuring VII (Very strong). See also
List of earthquakes in California
List of earthquakes in the United States
List of historical earthquakes

References

Further reading

External links
1868 Hayward Earthquake Alliance
Images from the 1868 earthquake aftermath – The Bancroft Library
Photos of damage in San Francisco following the 1868 earthquake – San Francisco Public Library
Prepare for big ruptures on Hayward fault, scientists say – Stanford University
The 150th Anniversary of the Damaging 1868 Hayward Earthquake: Why It Matters and How We Can Prepare for Its Repeat – Tom Brocher (USGS)

1868
Hayward earthquake
History of the San Francisco Bay Area
Hayward earthquake
History of Hayward, California
October 1868 events
1868 natural disasters in the United States