Earthquake stops baseball, starts inspections

Kamila Crane, who earned a bachelor’s degree (1985) and master’s degree (1986) in civil engineering, was prepared to start rebuilding the Bay Area of California almost immediately after the Loma Linda earthquake of Oct. 17, 1989 — the same earthquake that interrupted the first game of that year’s baseball World Series. 

Crane worked in the bridge structures department of Sverdrup Corp. and was assigned to the California Department of Transportation in San Francisco at the time. She supervised falsework erection on the Cypress Freeway (I-880), which had partially collapsed on itself. The temporary supports that Crane helped install gave rescue workers the opportunity to search for survivors while preventing further collapse. 

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

Chase Barnes and Auburn Meister

Chase Barnes and Auburn Meister

Chase Barnes met Auburn Meister during Opening Week in August 2015 at his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. “We kept hanging…

He even has a spaceship named after him

He even has a spaceship named after him

In 1967, Farouk El-Baz, was appointed by NASA as secretary of lunar landing site selection and chairman of astronaut training…

Lynnae (Kempf) and Joe Wilson

Lynnae (Kempf) and Joe Wilson

Lynnae (Kempf) and Joe Wilson met and became friends during their first week on campus as freshmen. “I was on…

Creating fashion for feet

Creating fashion for feet

When Darla Ellis, a 2006 graduate in chemical engineering, began a summer internship with Nike, Inc. during her senior year…

Ruth (Farrar) and Richard Kinsey

Ruth (Farrar) and Richard Kinsey

Ruth (Farrar) met Richard Kinsey on the steps of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Theta in 2011. Ruth grew up in…

Courtney (Mandeville) and Josh Weber

Courtney (Mandeville) and Josh Weber

Courtney (Mandeville) met Josh Weber at a Greek life mixer that she attended with her roommate in April 2015.  “Going…