1 00:00:01,106 --> 00:00:08,109 This series presents information based in part on theory and conjecture. 2 00:00:08,109 --> 00:00:19,114 The producer's purpose is to suggest some possible explanations, but not necessarily the only ones to the mysteries we will examine. 3 00:00:19,114 --> 00:00:27,117 In 1964, two crewmen aboard an Alaskan freighter captured on film the eruption of a giant earthquake. 4 00:00:28,118 --> 00:00:31,119 While taking shots of the dock below, it struck. 5 00:00:35,121 --> 00:00:38,122 As the earth trembled, the harbor was sucked dry. 6 00:00:41,123 --> 00:00:43,124 Chasm opened beside the ship. 7 00:00:46,126 --> 00:00:48,126 A huge tidal wave smashed in. 8 00:00:49,127 --> 00:00:51,128 Much of Alaska was shaken apart. 9 00:00:58,131 --> 00:01:04,133 Since man first walked this planet, earthquakes have inspired both terror and awe. 10 00:01:04,133 --> 00:01:09,136 Ancient Greeks believed that earthquakes were caused by the dead fighting among themselves. 11 00:01:09,136 --> 00:01:17,139 Japanese folklore tells us that earthquakes result from the movements of a great spider which carries the earth on its back. 12 00:01:17,139 --> 00:01:21,141 Today, we accept more scientific explanations. 13 00:01:21,141 --> 00:01:26,143 Yet, giant tremors can still strike suddenly and without warning. 14 00:01:35,147 --> 00:01:39,149 On April 18, 1906, an earthquake shattered San Francisco. 15 00:01:41,149 --> 00:01:45,151 It was caused by a huge rupture in the fault line that runs below the city. 16 00:01:45,151 --> 00:01:48,152 A Hollywood film recreated that disaster. 17 00:01:52,154 --> 00:01:59,157 A pioneer news cameraman recorded the aftermath of the earthquake. 18 00:01:59,157 --> 00:02:04,159 The quake and resulting fires destroyed 28,000 buildings. 19 00:02:04,159 --> 00:02:08,161 Over 150,000 people were left homeless. 20 00:02:08,161 --> 00:02:10,162 450 died. 21 00:02:10,162 --> 00:02:17,165 Slowly, the dazed city pulled itself together to begin the awesome task of rebuilding. 22 00:02:18,165 --> 00:02:23,168 Today, the legacy of 1906 still haunts this beautiful city. 23 00:02:24,168 --> 00:02:30,171 Like the restless clouds of a gathering storm, the earth itself is alive and ever changing. 24 00:02:33,172 --> 00:02:37,174 Steering deep inside are dynamic forces of immeasurable strength. 25 00:02:38,174 --> 00:02:43,176 The earthquake is a major part of the world's history. 26 00:02:46,178 --> 00:02:53,181 Science has learned only recently that the earth's crust is divided into a dozen gigantic blocks or plates. 27 00:02:53,181 --> 00:02:58,183 Most of the world's earthquakes strike along the seams of these plates. 28 00:02:58,183 --> 00:03:02,185 Together, they form a huge mosaic on the earth's surface. 29 00:03:03,185 --> 00:03:08,187 Nearly all of North America, plus a large part of the Atlantic Ocean, 30 00:03:08,187 --> 00:03:11,188 make up a block called the North American Plate. 31 00:03:14,190 --> 00:03:18,192 The volcanically active floor of the Pacific Ocean, from Japan to California, 32 00:03:18,192 --> 00:03:22,193 is another giant slab known as the North Pacific Plate. 33 00:03:24,194 --> 00:03:29,196 About 80 miles thick, each plate is under constant pressure to move. 34 00:03:30,197 --> 00:03:34,198 Driven by enormous forces that we know very little about, 35 00:03:34,198 --> 00:03:37,200 they float like rafts on the earth's soft mantle. 36 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:40,201 Yet they do not float freely. 37 00:03:40,201 --> 00:03:44,203 Where they touch, there is constant strain and pressure. 38 00:03:44,203 --> 00:03:49,205 Each plate struggles to push, bump, and drive past the other. 39 00:03:50,205 --> 00:03:55,208 Cutting through California like a giant scar is a major fracture in the earth's crust. 40 00:03:55,208 --> 00:03:58,209 It is known as the San Andreas Fault. 41 00:04:09,214 --> 00:04:11,215 At about the speed that fingernails grow, 42 00:04:11,215 --> 00:04:15,216 each plate is grinding against the other in opposite directions. 43 00:04:16,217 --> 00:04:21,219 Over thousands of years, the Fault's slow movement has displaced the course of riverbeds. 44 00:04:24,220 --> 00:04:27,221 In the city of Hollister in central California, 45 00:04:27,221 --> 00:04:32,224 the earth on either side of the San Andreas Fault moves freely and relatively quickly. 46 00:04:32,224 --> 00:04:36,225 Curb stones and sidewalks throughout the city are warped and displaced 47 00:04:36,225 --> 00:04:39,227 by the gradual slippage along the Fault. 48 00:04:39,227 --> 00:04:44,229 The continuous movement of the ground leaves fences bent and twisted. 49 00:04:46,230 --> 00:04:51,232 At a nearby winery, solid block concrete walls are creeping away from their supports. 50 00:04:51,232 --> 00:04:54,233 It is dramatic evidence of an active fault. 51 00:04:59,235 --> 00:05:05,238 In Southern California, near Los Angeles, the San Andreas Fault looks like a rocky ravine. 52 00:05:08,239 --> 00:05:12,241 For the last hundred years, this section of the Fault has been locked in place. 53 00:05:12,241 --> 00:05:16,243 Eventually, it must catch up with the movement of other sections. 54 00:05:18,244 --> 00:05:21,245 When rock resists a constant pressure to move, 55 00:05:21,245 --> 00:05:26,247 it bends and distorts until finally, it fractures. 56 00:05:27,248 --> 00:05:29,248 That is an earthquake. 57 00:05:33,250 --> 00:05:36,251 Friday, March 10, 1933. 58 00:05:36,251 --> 00:05:39,253 Hollywood's film studios are bustling with activity. 59 00:05:39,253 --> 00:05:44,255 On a sound stage at Paramount Studios, WC Fields has just begun a scene. 60 00:05:44,255 --> 00:05:47,256 Young family saved my life. Now what can I do for you? 61 00:05:47,256 --> 00:05:48,257 Take us to Shanghai. 62 00:05:48,257 --> 00:05:49,257 Shanghai? 63 00:05:49,257 --> 00:05:50,258 Yeah. 64 00:05:54,259 --> 00:05:55,260 What's the matter? 65 00:05:55,260 --> 00:05:56,260 Earthquake. 66 00:05:58,261 --> 00:06:00,262 Take your time. Everybody walk. 67 00:06:00,262 --> 00:06:01,262 It's all right now. 68 00:06:01,262 --> 00:06:02,263 It's all right. 69 00:06:10,266 --> 00:06:12,267 Hollywood is heavily shaken, 70 00:06:12,267 --> 00:06:17,269 but the earthquake's power is centered in the city of Long Beach, 40 miles away. 71 00:06:28,274 --> 00:06:30,275 115 people were killed. 72 00:06:30,275 --> 00:06:32,276 Thousands injured. 73 00:06:32,276 --> 00:06:36,277 The toll would have been even worse if the quake had occurred two hours earlier, 74 00:06:36,277 --> 00:06:39,279 while the schools were still in session. 75 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:44,281 The city's schools took the heaviest damage of any class of building. 76 00:06:44,281 --> 00:06:48,283 Most of the building still standing had to be demolished. 77 00:06:56,286 --> 00:06:58,287 Though its effect was devastating, 78 00:06:58,287 --> 00:07:02,289 the tremor that jolted Long Beach was only of moderate power. 79 00:07:03,289 --> 00:07:09,292 Computer technology is now being used to help record and analyze changes in the Earth. 80 00:07:09,292 --> 00:07:13,294 Much of the San Andreas Fault is now under close surveillance. 81 00:07:13,294 --> 00:07:17,295 It is booked with a network of ultra-sensitive instruments. 82 00:07:17,295 --> 00:07:22,297 Each detects subtle movements and changes in magnetic fields which might precede a quake. 83 00:07:22,297 --> 00:07:31,301 Dr. Peter Ward is chief of the Mechanics and Prediction Branch of the National Center for Earthquake Research in Menlo Park in California. 84 00:07:31,301 --> 00:07:34,303 We know that stress is building in California, 85 00:07:34,303 --> 00:07:38,304 and we know that stress will be primarily relieved in a major earthquake. 86 00:07:38,304 --> 00:07:42,306 When that earthquake will occur, we're not sure of, but we know that it will occur. 87 00:07:43,307 --> 00:07:48,309 Using the knowledge that certain physical changes occur in the Earth before some tremors, 88 00:07:48,309 --> 00:07:53,311 scientists have accurately predicted small, localized earthquakes. 89 00:07:53,311 --> 00:07:58,313 A tilt meter detects tiny variations in the Earth's level. 90 00:07:58,313 --> 00:08:03,315 Slight movements are sometimes a signal that an earthquake will take place. 91 00:08:03,315 --> 00:08:09,318 Powerful laser beams measure the movements of Earth along the fault line, checking for sudden changes. 92 00:08:09,318 --> 00:08:13,320 Much of the San Andreas Fault is highly active. 93 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:18,322 In Central California, about 10 earthquakes are recorded every day. 94 00:08:22,324 --> 00:08:26,325 The Mojave Desert, just north of Los Angeles. 95 00:08:26,325 --> 00:08:32,328 A striking landscape lies on the center of a little understood and controversial geological event. 96 00:08:32,328 --> 00:08:35,329 It has come to be known as the Vulge. 97 00:08:35,329 --> 00:08:40,331 It is a phenomenon that has preceded some major earthquakes. 98 00:08:40,331 --> 00:08:52,337 Music 99 00:08:52,337 --> 00:08:59,340 For 15 years, a vast area along the San Andreas Fault has been forced upward a full 10 inches. 100 00:08:59,340 --> 00:09:03,341 It may be a signal of a giant quake to come. 101 00:09:04,342 --> 00:09:09,344 We know that a major catastrophic earthquake is inevitable in California, 102 00:09:09,344 --> 00:09:11,345 certainly in the Los Angeles area. 103 00:09:11,345 --> 00:09:16,347 We know from detailed studies of the Los Angeles area and what the effects of this earthquake might be. 104 00:09:16,347 --> 00:09:21,349 If the earthquake occurs during the day, perhaps 12,000 people will be killed. 105 00:09:21,349 --> 00:09:24,350 If it occurs in the middle of the night, maybe only 3,000 people will be killed. 106 00:09:24,350 --> 00:09:28,352 But if one dam were to fail, perhaps tens of thousands of people will be killed 107 00:09:28,352 --> 00:09:31,353 and hundreds of thousands of people will be homeless. 108 00:09:32,354 --> 00:09:35,355 The threat of earthquakes is much too real. 109 00:09:35,355 --> 00:09:38,357 There may be warnings of a giant quake to come. 110 00:09:40,357 --> 00:09:44,359 If not a day passes without earthquakes striking somewhere in the world, 111 00:09:44,359 --> 00:09:46,360 often they are too slight to be felt. 112 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:54,363 Inevitably, however, a giant quake occurs, convulsing with such magnitude, it shakes the entire planet. 113 00:09:57,365 --> 00:09:59,366 The port of Valdez, Alaska. 114 00:09:59,366 --> 00:10:02,367 It is Good Friday, 1964. 115 00:10:02,367 --> 00:10:07,369 The China, the first freighter of the spring, has just come into dock. 116 00:10:07,369 --> 00:10:12,371 Standing on deck, two sailors begin taking 8mm movies. 117 00:10:13,372 --> 00:10:16,373 They film the people and dogs on the dock below. 118 00:10:21,375 --> 00:10:25,377 At 5.36pm, the earth begins to rumble. 119 00:10:26,377 --> 00:10:29,379 The sailors hold on and keep filming. 120 00:10:32,380 --> 00:10:35,381 Suddenly, the water in Valdez Harbor begins to drain away. 121 00:10:55,390 --> 00:10:57,391 The ship is ready to sail. 122 00:11:05,394 --> 00:11:10,396 Formed 20 miles in sea, a 50-foot tidal wave smashes into Valdez Harbor. 123 00:11:12,397 --> 00:11:15,399 Anchorage, Homer, and Seward, 124 00:11:15,399 --> 00:11:19,400 jolted with a force equal to thousands of atomic bombs. 125 00:11:20,401 --> 00:11:23,402 Tidal waves sweep Kodiak and Cordova. 126 00:11:23,402 --> 00:11:26,403 A half-million square miles feel the effect. 127 00:11:31,406 --> 00:11:35,407 Downed power lines explode oil tanks, which blaze uncontrolled. 128 00:11:37,408 --> 00:11:40,409 Broken gas mains set houses aflame. 129 00:11:41,410 --> 00:11:45,412 In Anchorage, the central business district is all but demolished. 130 00:11:45,412 --> 00:11:48,413 Large areas of ground turned liquid during the quake, 131 00:11:48,413 --> 00:11:51,414 dropping the streets and buildings as much as 30 feet. 132 00:11:52,415 --> 00:11:56,416 The Alaska quake was the largest to strike North America in this century. 133 00:11:56,416 --> 00:11:59,418 114 people were killed. 134 00:11:59,418 --> 00:12:02,419 Nearly 5,000 were left homeless. 135 00:12:02,419 --> 00:12:05,420 Valdez Harbor was destroyed. 136 00:12:09,422 --> 00:12:14,424 Scientists are looking in many directions for new ways to predict Valdez Harbor. 137 00:12:15,425 --> 00:12:18,426 And they are looking at violent quakes. 138 00:12:23,428 --> 00:12:27,430 Up to 12 billion light-years away, like fixed beacons in space, 139 00:12:27,430 --> 00:12:30,431 are points of light called quasars. 140 00:12:30,431 --> 00:12:34,433 They emit regular bursts of high-frequency radio energy. 141 00:12:35,433 --> 00:12:38,435 Radio antennas on opposite sides of the San Andreas fault 142 00:12:38,435 --> 00:12:41,436 receive and measure signals from a quasar. 143 00:12:41,436 --> 00:12:44,437 By comparing the arrival times of these signals, 144 00:12:44,437 --> 00:12:47,439 minute movements of the Earth's crust can be detected. 145 00:12:49,439 --> 00:12:54,442 Subtle changes in the San Andreas fault now reveal themselves in three dimensions. 146 00:12:54,442 --> 00:12:58,443 A sudden variation may be an early signal of a forming earthquake. 147 00:13:00,444 --> 00:13:05,446 Unusual animal behavior before earthquakes has been reported for hundreds of years. 148 00:13:06,447 --> 00:13:11,449 Zookeepers have noticed monkeys and chimps act strangely just before quakes. 149 00:13:11,449 --> 00:13:15,451 They stay low to the ground and will not enter their shelters. 150 00:13:16,451 --> 00:13:20,453 Many household dogs have also seemed to know that a tremor is coming. 151 00:13:20,453 --> 00:13:24,455 They often bark for no reason or wander nervously around a room. 152 00:13:25,455 --> 00:13:31,458 On November 27, 1974, horses near Hollister, California became nervous and skittish. 153 00:13:31,458 --> 00:13:35,459 The next day, a moderate quake struck the area. 154 00:13:37,460 --> 00:13:42,462 A unique experiment is testing the idea that animals can predict earthquakes. 155 00:13:42,462 --> 00:13:45,464 The subjects are common cockroaches. 156 00:13:45,464 --> 00:13:49,465 A sensitive monitor continually records their level of activity, 157 00:13:49,465 --> 00:13:51,466 looking for sudden changes. 158 00:13:52,467 --> 00:13:57,469 It seems almost funny that a nervous cockroach may herald a major catastrophe, 159 00:13:57,469 --> 00:14:00,470 but it could turn out that the Earth's oldest living inhabitant 160 00:14:00,470 --> 00:14:03,472 could tell us something about our planet. 161 00:14:04,472 --> 00:14:09,474 At the University of California, scientists create their own earthquakes. 162 00:14:13,476 --> 00:14:18,478 Scale models and buildings shake under the impact of an earthquake simulator machine. 163 00:14:18,478 --> 00:14:23,480 Hydraulic arms slam a 45-ton concrete block in two directions at once, 164 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:27,482 duplicating the ground motion of the most severe quakes. 165 00:14:28,482 --> 00:14:32,484 Information gained from such tests may lead to new building standards 166 00:14:32,484 --> 00:14:35,485 and possibly save countless lives. 167 00:14:40,488 --> 00:14:45,490 In 1982, a rare and perhaps ominous event will take place in our solar system. 168 00:14:46,490 --> 00:14:53,493 For the first time in nearly 200 years, all nine planets will form a straight line on one side of the sun. 169 00:14:56,495 --> 00:14:59,496 Two British astronomers believe that this unusual alignment 170 00:14:59,496 --> 00:15:02,497 will cause an epidemic of giant earthquakes. 171 00:15:03,498 --> 00:15:07,499 Their theory states that the combined gravitational fields of the planets 172 00:15:07,499 --> 00:15:11,501 will create an enormous increase in the number of earthquakes in the world. 173 00:15:11,501 --> 00:15:17,504 The combined gravitational fields of the planets will create an enormous increase in the sun's magnetic activity. 174 00:15:22,506 --> 00:15:26,508 Huge storms of sunspots and solar flares will explode into space. 175 00:15:34,511 --> 00:15:39,513 Radiation from the turbulent surface of the sun will severely affect the Earth's atmosphere. 176 00:15:41,514 --> 00:15:45,516 The phenomenon like the northern lights will be greatly intensified. 177 00:16:01,523 --> 00:16:05,525 Prevailing patterns of world weather will be radically altered. 178 00:16:06,525 --> 00:16:10,527 Changes in high altitude winds will slow the rotation of the Earth. 179 00:16:11,527 --> 00:16:16,529 Predictably, the sudden strain will cause swarms of earthquakes along the world's active faults. 180 00:16:17,530 --> 00:16:22,532 If this theory holds up, the strained fault line near San Francisco would be highly vulnerable. 181 00:16:25,533 --> 00:16:30,535 Ten miles south of San Francisco, hundreds of houses stand on unstable ground 182 00:16:30,535 --> 00:16:33,537 directly above the San Andreas Fault. 183 00:16:34,537 --> 00:16:38,539 In the last several years, the backyards of numerous homes have eroded away. 184 00:16:39,539 --> 00:16:41,540 They've dropped into the fault. 185 00:16:42,541 --> 00:16:46,542 A large tremor on this area would have a devastating effect. 186 00:16:56,547 --> 00:16:59,548 In San Francisco, the project of the Earth's largest earthquake 187 00:16:59,548 --> 00:17:01,549 is frightening and grim. 188 00:17:03,550 --> 00:17:06,551 Every morning, as thousands of commuters swell its population, 189 00:17:07,551 --> 00:17:10,553 San Francisco becomes a setting for potential disaster. 190 00:17:11,553 --> 00:17:15,555 That a great quake will jolt this city is to scientists inevitable. 191 00:17:16,555 --> 00:17:19,557 Many seismologists believe it is already overdue. 192 00:17:21,558 --> 00:17:24,559 Several detailed studies of the city have been made. 193 00:17:25,559 --> 00:17:28,561 They project what would happen if a tremor the same size as the earthquake. 194 00:17:29,561 --> 00:17:32,562 The same size of the 1906 quake occurred again. 195 00:17:33,563 --> 00:17:35,564 It is a bleak scenario. 196 00:17:36,564 --> 00:17:39,565 Suddenly, the Earth begins to tremble and sway. 197 00:17:40,566 --> 00:17:45,568 In the crowded financial district, high-rise buildings shiver and sway like blades of grass. 198 00:17:46,568 --> 00:17:49,570 Inside, people have flung across rooms. 199 00:17:50,570 --> 00:17:54,572 Fires break out, elevators jam, walls crack and collapse. 200 00:17:55,572 --> 00:17:58,574 Plate glass windows pop out of their frames. 201 00:17:59,574 --> 00:18:02,575 Sharks of broken glass sail through the city's streets. 202 00:18:04,576 --> 00:18:07,577 Most of this area stands on unstable landfills. 203 00:18:08,578 --> 00:18:12,580 As the Earth continues to shake, much of the soil turns to liquid. 204 00:18:13,580 --> 00:18:15,581 The street level drops instantly. 205 00:18:18,582 --> 00:18:21,584 Earthquake-proof skyscrapers fall into the void. 206 00:18:24,585 --> 00:18:28,587 Along Chinatown's famed Grant Street, the shaking is severe. 207 00:18:29,587 --> 00:18:34,589 Built almost entirely of unreinforced brick, it is especially susceptible to tremors. 208 00:18:35,590 --> 00:18:38,591 Virtually all of Chinatown collapses in on itself. 209 00:18:39,591 --> 00:18:41,592 It becomes a mass graveyard. 210 00:18:42,593 --> 00:18:45,594 Loose bricks and balconies are the first to go. 211 00:18:49,596 --> 00:18:55,598 Throughout the city, parapets, ornamental sculpture and facades smash down on the people below. 212 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:01,601 The city's city is a city of the city. 213 00:19:08,604 --> 00:19:11,605 Everywhere, there are exploding fires from ruptured gas mains. 214 00:19:17,608 --> 00:19:20,609 Cars on the freeways are tossed about like little toys. 215 00:19:22,610 --> 00:19:25,611 Sections of asphalt break away in huge chunks. 216 00:19:25,611 --> 00:19:28,613 The elevated highways slither, then fall. 217 00:19:29,613 --> 00:19:31,614 The cars below are crushed. 218 00:19:32,614 --> 00:19:37,617 The stench of raw sewage mixes with smoke from hundreds of houses that burn uncontrolled. 219 00:19:40,618 --> 00:19:42,619 The approaches to the Golden Gate Bridge have collapsed. 220 00:19:43,619 --> 00:19:46,620 The ground beneath them has liquefied and run off. 221 00:19:47,621 --> 00:19:50,622 The bridge itself whips back and forth like a giant snake. 222 00:19:51,623 --> 00:19:53,624 Cars are hurled into the water below. 223 00:19:56,625 --> 00:19:58,626 The human toll is enormous. 224 00:19:59,626 --> 00:20:01,627 At least 10,000 are dead. 225 00:20:02,627 --> 00:20:03,628 300,000 are injured. 226 00:20:04,628 --> 00:20:05,629 Nearly everyone is homeless. 227 00:20:07,630 --> 00:20:10,631 This is the projection for a disaster that probably will occur. 228 00:20:11,631 --> 00:20:12,632 We just don't know when. 229 00:20:13,632 --> 00:20:17,634 Perhaps one day we will predict and control our planet's violent quakes. 230 00:20:19,635 --> 00:20:22,636 Until then, the world will be in a state of chaos. 231 00:20:23,637 --> 00:20:27,638 Until then, we are well advised to look for warnings in any form 232 00:20:28,639 --> 00:20:30,640 and heed them if there's time. 233 00:20:35,642 --> 00:20:40,644 For over four billion years, earthquakes have shaken and reshaped the Earth's surface. 234 00:20:41,644 --> 00:20:44,646 They are a violent expression of our planet's continuing evolution. 235 00:20:45,646 --> 00:20:49,648 In California, along the San Andreas Fault, the frequency of earthquakes is high. 236 00:20:49,648 --> 00:20:54,650 Yet an active fault line cut through New York City at 125th Street 237 00:20:54,650 --> 00:20:56,651 between the Hudson and East Rivers. 238 00:20:57,651 --> 00:21:00,653 The regions around Boston and Charleston, South Carolina 239 00:21:01,653 --> 00:21:04,654 have as high a seismic risk as Los Angeles or San Francisco. 240 00:21:05,655 --> 00:21:08,656 In fact, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey has determined 241 00:21:09,657 --> 00:21:14,659 that one-third of our nation's population lives in areas of high earthquake probability. 242 00:21:14,659 --> 00:21:16,660 So I...