Ray Hudson reacts as a friend's home goes up in flames after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles on January 17, 1994. The <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fearthquake.usgs.gov%2Fearthquakes%2Fstates%2Fevents%2F1994_01_17.php" target="_blank" target="_blank">Northridge earthquake</a> killed 60 people, injured more than 7,000 and damaged more than 40,000 buildings, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
Ray Hudson reacts as a friend's home goes up in flames after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles on January 17, 1994. The Northridge earthquake killed 60 people, injured more than 7,000 and damaged more than 40,000 buildings, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Douglas C. Pizac/AP
Hyun Sook Lee cries after being told by Dave Thompson of the Los Angeles Fire Department that her 14-year-old son had been killed in the collapse of her apartment. Her husband was also found dead.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
Hyun Sook Lee cries after being told by Dave Thompson of the Los Angeles Fire Department that her 14-year-old son had been killed in the collapse of her apartment. Her husband was also found dead.
Mark J. Terril/AP
Firefighters carry a janitorial worker who was rescued from a collapsed garage at the Northridge Mall in Northridge, California. The earthquake occurred in the early morning, at 4:31 Pacific Standard Time.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
Firefighters carry a janitorial worker who was rescued from a collapsed garage at the Northridge Mall in Northridge, California. The earthquake occurred in the early morning, at 4:31 Pacific Standard Time.
Denis Poroy/Getty Images
A few hours after the earthquake, cars sit in the rubble of a collapsed highway ramp in Sylmar, California.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
A few hours after the earthquake, cars sit in the rubble of a collapsed highway ramp in Sylmar, California.
Jonathan Nouroka/Getty
This is an aerial view of Los Angeles houses that were destroyed by fire after the quake.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
This is an aerial view of Los Angeles houses that were destroyed by fire after the quake.
Lloyd Cluff/Corbis
Medical personnel work a triage unit outside Sylmar's Olive View Medical Center to help some of the people injured in the earthquake.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
Medical personnel work a triage unit outside Sylmar's Olive View Medical Center to help some of the people injured in the earthquake.
Douglas C. Pizac/AP
A 64-car freight train carrying hazardous materials was derailed between the Chatsworth and Northridge sections of the San Fernando Valley, about 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
A 64-car freight train carrying hazardous materials was derailed between the Chatsworth and Northridge sections of the San Fernando Valley, about 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.
Reed Saxon/AP
A family sits beside the street in front of their destroyed home in Northridge.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
A family sits beside the street in front of their destroyed home in Northridge.
Denis Poroy/Getty
Two sections of highway ramps are collapsed a day after the earthquake.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
Two sections of highway ramps are collapsed a day after the earthquake.
Douglas C. Pizac/AP
Troops with the California National Guard march in the streets of Northridge to protect areas affected by the earthquake.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
Troops with the California National Guard march in the streets of Northridge to protect areas affected by the earthquake.
Tim Clary/Getty
A homeless mother and her children walk near a tent city at Winnetka Recreation Center in Winnetka, California. The National Guard set up shelters for the thousands of victims who lost their homes.
The Northridge earthquake of 1994 —
A homeless mother and her children walk near a tent city at Winnetka Recreation Center in Winnetka, California. The National Guard set up shelters for the thousands of victims who lost their homes.
Tim Clary/Getty