How the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Shaped Economic Activity in the American West

Philipp Ager, University of Southern Denmark
Katherine Eriksson, University of California, Davis
Casper Worm Hansen, University of Copenhagen
Lars Lønstrup, University of Southern Denmark

This paper examines the long-run effects of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake on the spatial distribution of economic activity in the American West. Using variation in the potential damage intensity of the earthquake, we show that more severely affected cities experienced lower population increases relative to less affected cities until the late 20th century. This long-lasting effect is largely a result of individuals' high geographical mobility at that time. Less affected areas became more attractive migration destinations after the earthquake, which gradually changed the spatial pattern of economic activity in the American West.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 52. Public Health and Environmental Planning