Resident responses to the Loma Prieta earthquake : a summary report.

"This study summarizes the significant findings from a longer, more detailed research report: Experiences during and response to the Loma Prieta earthquake, by Linda Bourque and Lisa A. Russell. In 12 chapters, that document presents the data tables and methods of analysis used to arrive at the conclusions noted in this summary"-T.p. verso

The objective of this study was to find out about the San Francisco Bay Area residents' experiences during and after the earthquake near Santa Cruz, California on October 17, 1989. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused many injuries and deaths, the collapse of highway structures and bridges, and the destruction and damage of homes and businesses. This study examined a number of the residents' experiences in, and responses to the earthquake: loss of utilities, reported damage to property and personal possessions, physical injuries to respondents and others, use of the media, decisions to evacuate, contact with officials and agencies after the earthquake, psychological distress, earthquake preparedness, knowledge about what to do during an earthquake, and hearing and responding to earthquake predictions. The study compares its findings with those from other earthquake-related and disaster studies