Lifeline and Geotechnical Aspects of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

This paper provides an overview of areas in San Francisco which were affected by soil liquefaction and significant ground deformation as a result of the Loma Prieta earthquake. The distribution of pipeline system damage is examined, and comparisons are made between 1989 and 1906 patterns of water supply damage. Special attention is given to the Marina to illustrate how the natural site conditions and artificial fills contributed to soil liquefaction and buried pipeline damage of both the water and gas distribution networks. Finally, the liquefaction potentials of natural beach and sand bar deposits, land-tipped fill, and hydraulic fill are evaluated and compared