San Fernando earthquake conference - 50 Years of lifeline engineering

The 9 February 1971 San Fernando California Earthquake was a devastating yet seminal event which, for the first time, demonstrated the seismic threat to lifelines that fundamentally support our modern livelihoods. Knowledge gained from this event initiated the study of lifeline systems world-wide, including water, wastewater, electric power, gas and liquid fuels, communications, transportation, and solid waste management systems.

The 50th anniversary of the San Fernando Earthquake is an opportunity to reflect on the need to increase the resilience of our critical infrastructure systems to earthquakes and other hazards.