This page gives you an explanation about what actually happened during the earthquake.
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck knocking out power, collapsing walls and breaking windows in downtown Seattle and sending workers streaming outside or diving beneath desks.
| The damage of the quake was reduced by its 30-mile depth. |
| The Capitol dome was cracked during the quake and immediately evacuated. |
| Some older building in downtown Olympia were in a shambles. |
| Structural damage throughout the state and damage to the control tower and runways at Sea-Tac Airport, which was closed. Boeing Field has reported a one-foot drop along one of its runways. The other Boeing Field runway is open only for emergencies. |
| Damage was less than that of the nearly equal 1949 quake because area buildings and other structures have been built more safely. |
When did it happen?
It did happen in February 28, 2001 at 10:54am.
Where did it happen?
Western Washington state
Who?
| 200,000 people without power |
| About 150 people from state agencies and the national guard are in the operations center, coordinating the state's response. |
| Twenty-nine people suffered injuries, five serious, and were being treated at Harborview Medical Center. Two of the most seriously injured were an 83-year-old woman and her 84-year-old husband |
| Thirty five people were treated and released from St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, none from serious injuries. Two people had broken bones. Others experienced chest pain. |
It was the biggest quake to hit the area since April 13,1949, when a magnitude 7.1 quake struck Puget Sound .
For more information, go to the USGS
Earthquake
Bulletin or the
Seattle Times article
for Feb.28, 2001.
This page was done by Valentina and Grigory.