Larry Mantle, AirTalk Listeners Remember Northridge Quake 30 Years Later

Listen • 37:48

Most of Southern California was sound asleep at 4:31 a.m. on January 17th, 1994 when the earth below began to shake. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake had struck the Southland, centered in the Northridge area of the San Fernando Valley. Two magnitude 6.0 aftershocks followed, one immediately and the other about 11 hours after the initial quake 57 people died, more than 9,000 were hurt and tens of thousands were displaced by the temblor, which crumbled buildings and tore freeway overpasses asunder. The destruction on CSUN's campus was extensive and dramatic. A large parking structure collapsed onto itself, its giant columns bent backward by the force of the quake. A fire broke out in a science building. The university's Oviatt Library sustained damage and most of its books were dumped onto the floor. A second library building was so decimated it had to be demolished. Staff and faculty worked out of tents that became their temporary offices and information center. For many residents of Southern California, it was one of those “I remember where I was when” moments that you never forget and tell stories about for years.

Today on AirTalk, we want to hear your memories of the 1994 Northridge quake -- where you were when it happened, what you did in the moment, what your neighborhood looked like in the aftermath and how that day affected your life. Join our live conversation by calling us at 866-893-5722 or by emailing atcomments@laist.com.

With files from LAist.com.

We don't want to scare you, but the Big One is coming. We don't know when, but we know it'll be at least 44 times stronger than Northridge and 11 times stronger than the Ridgecrest quakes in 2019. To help you get prepared, we've compiled a handy reading list:

LAPD Chief Moore On Retirement And More

Listen • 31:31

LAPD Chief Moore On Retirement And More

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore joins Larry Mantle on AirTalk today for his monthly visit to discuss his announcement that he’s planning to retire at the end of February, plus the latest in LAPD and law enforcement news.

Today’s topics include:

Chief Debrief With LAist Civics And Democracy Correspondent Frank Stoltze

Listen • 14:12

Chief Debrief With LAist Civics And Democracy Correspondent Frank Stoltze

Following Larry’s interview with LAPD Chief Michel Moore, LAist Civics and Democracy Correspondent Frank Stoltze joins us to debrief on some of the items discussed in the chief’s interview, and to talk about who might be on the shortlist of candidates to become the next chief.

NPR Science Correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce Explores The ‘Transient And Strange’ Of Our Lives, And How Science Connects To It All

Listen • 16:17

NPR Science Correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce Explores The ‘Transient And Strange’ Of Our Lives, And How Science Connects To It All

Cover any beat long enough in the world of journalism, and you’re bound to start viewing your own life through the lens of the topic you cover. In her new book “Transient and Strange: Notes on the Science of Life,” NPR Science Correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce does exactly this in a collection of personal essays, weaving together the clarity and matter-of-fact style of a science writer with the personal prose of a memoirist. The result is an intimate portrait of her life, and how the subjects she’s covered in her science reporting over the years connect to personal events that have shaped her, from seeking advice from meteorologists and storm chasers on how to calm her children’s fear of tornadoes to how modern science and medicine both saved her husband’s life and yet was unable to help her bear longed-for children.

Today on AirTalk, Nell joins Larry to talk about her new book.