This site deals with the natural phenomenon of EARTHQUAKES--and the devastation caused by its occurence. -MEXICO CITY- On Tuesday, September 19, 1985, the Mexico City area was struck by the first of two devastating earthquakes that claimed about 6,000 lives. Monday, October 16, 2000 On October 16, 1999, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in the Mojave Desert, shook three states; and derailed an Amtrak train; but cause no serious damage or injuries. On Monday, October 16, 1999, Hurricane Irene, rumbled up the East Coast. On November 12, 1999, an earthquake struck western Turkey, killing an estimated 834 people. Sunday, November 12,2000 ALGIERS,Algeria-A strong earthquake struck a rural area in northeastern Algeria, killing two people, injuring 12 and damaging houses, as was reported by civil defense authorities on Saturday.  The quake which struck on Friday morning with a magnitude of 5.4, killed two women, whose ages were 53 and 80; in their homes, in the towns of Bougaa and Chemini, cilil defense officials said in a statement.  It struck an agricultural region known for its fig and olive crops; located about 185 miles east of the capital. Twelve slightly injured people were taken to local hospitals and eight others were treated for shock a statement said. Monday, October 9, 2000 On Monday, October 9, 1995, an earthquake with magnitude 7.6 shook the west coast of Mexico, killing 51 people. Saturday, 0ctober 7, 2000 OKAYAMA, Japan-A powerful earthquake jolted a wide swath of the hilly southwest of Japan on Friday, injuring dozens of poeple; knocking boulders down hillsides and throwing groceries off supermarket shelves. The midday earthquake; the strongest in at least five years, caught many Japanese at work; which they grasped office desks--as office buildings shook, and hanging lamps swung vigorously. The quake was so strong, that it was felt at a racetrack more than a hundred miles away; where drivers from around the world were practicing for the F-1 Grand Prix this weekend. Japan's National Police reported 39 people injured in the quake; which was centered 315 miles southwest of Tokyo. None of the injuries was reported to be life-threatening. Police reported a collapsed bridge was washed away in Okayama--and landslides were also reported in 25 locations in the region. Nine houses were destroyed--and 239 others damaged, police reported. Boulders rolled down a mountain and flattened the front of a car; streets buckled under the mighty force of the quake; wooden houses collapsed under the heavy weight of their tile roofs. The quake was followed by more than 100 aftershocks of variable intensities that continued into the night. In contrast to this quake; the 7.2-magnitude in 1995 that caused great devastation in Kobe city, killed 6,425 and 250,000 homes destroyed. In Hinocho town, a small hospital shook violently, causing the staff to evacuate all 80 patients from the building, in order to check it for damage. The 28 injured in Tottori prefecture, included three people who were caught in landslides, and rescued by civilians and local officials. Two of the victims were trapped inside their car. The third victim suddenly disappeared while working at a construction site. Saturday, October 7, 2000 SUZUKA, Japan--The strongest earthquake in five years struck a large region of the southwest of Japan, injuring about 39 people; including three who were caught in landslides--and destroying buildings, homes and a Shinto shrine. The epicenter of the 7.3-magnitude earthquake was 155 miles away from Suzuka. This quake occured when Formula One (Japanese Grand Prix) was in the midst of the race. The quake shook the circuit's grandstand. Sunday, October 1, 2000 LOS ANGELES--Two hidden faults capable of unleashing a magnitude 7.6 earthquake lie off the coast of heavily populated Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties, were reported by researchers on Sunday. Though there is potential for catastrophy, the chances are slim. Studies show that the biggest quakes occur once every 960 to 2,300 years on one of the faults;the thirty-mile Bank fault; and every 8,800 years on the Oceanside fault. A 6.7-magnitude Northridge earthquake struck in 1994, killing 72 people; and caused about $35 billion in damages in Los Angeles. -SAN FRANCISCO- Tuesday, September 5, 2000--Although California is earthquake-prone, the sharp jolt that caused millions of dollars in damage in the Napa Valley, caught residents as well as experts off guard. The magnitude 5.2 tremor that struck at 1:36 a.m. on Sunday about 6 miles northwest of Napa, near the small town of Yountville; an area that seismologists had never mapped for faults. Two people remained hospitalized on Monday--one in critical condition. Pat Jorgenson, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, said "it is a previously unknown fault" She said it is probably an off-shoot of the San Andreas Fault. The epicenter was three miles from the northern end of the nearest previously known fault, the West Napa, Jorgenson said. Jorgenson further stated that although the West Napa is well documented and considered active, has not produced a significant earthquake since the late 1800s. The area where the quake occured on Sunday will be researched and given a name as Jorgenson said. Officials estimated the quake caused an estimated $5 million to $15 million in damage.