OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.
January 2026 NEWSLETTER
1994 Northridge earthquake
Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.
On January 17, 1994, at 4:31 a.m., a 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck the San Fernando Valley, just 20 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Caused by the rupture of a previously unknown blind thrust fault, the Northridge earthquake became the costliest in U.S. history, resulting in more than $20 billion in damages and 57 fatalities. Widespread structural failures affected apartments, shopping centers, parking structures, and major freeways, including the collapse of the Northridge Meadows apartment complex, where 16 residents lost their lives.
The aftermath of the Northridge earthquake reshaped seismic policy and preparedness across California. While stronger building codes helped reduce casualties, the event exposed serious vulnerabilities in older buildings and led to major changes in the state’s earthquake insurance system. As we mark the anniversary of the Northridge earthquake, it remains a powerful reminder that seismic retrofitting is essential to protecting lives, reducing damage, and strengthening our communities before the next major earthquake occurs.
San Francisco’s Historic ‘Relief Cottages,’ Built After the 1906 Earthquake, Are Hidden in Plain Sight
Jane Cryan walked into a leasing agency on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco just before closing one evening in 1982.
She was looking for an apartment that could accommodate her grand piano. The flat she was inquiring about had already been rented, but the agent asked if she’d be interested in a cottage out in the Sunset District.
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Earthquake swarm jolts California as scientists warn of 95% chance of major disaster by 2043
An earthquake swarm has broken out in Northern California and experts fear it’s almost certain the region will suffer a major disaster by 2043.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded dozens of small earthquakes in a region known as The Geysers, less than 75miles north of San Francisco.
The latest swarm included a 4.2 magnitude earthquake that struck near the city of Cloverdale just after 3am ET Thursday morning.
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Deep earthquake beneath Taiwan reveals the hidden power of the Ryukyu Subduction Zone
On December 27, 2025, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck about 32 kilometers offshore eastern Taiwan, generating widespread shaking across much of the island. Although the epicenter was located nearly 70 kilometers beneath the surface, the earthquake was felt broadly, underscoring that some of Taiwan’s most impactful seismic events originate deep within the subducting plate rather than at shallow crustal depths. Fortunately, there was minimal damage and no reported deaths.
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LA Chamber of Commerce 2025 Holiday VIP Reception
Optimum Seismic, Inc. was honored to serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the LA Area Chamber Holiday VIP Reception, an evening celebrating resilience, leadership, and community impact across Los Angeles. The event featured opening remarks from Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO of the LA Area Chamber, and welcome remarks from George Pla, the Chamber’s 2025 Board Chair. Our Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Ali Sahabi, joined Jeff Wilson of Chevron Corporation in sharing remarks in support of the Small Business Disaster Relief Fund. We are proud to support initiatives that strengthen small businesses and contribute to a more resilient Los Angeles.
