2003 M6.5 San Simeon Earthquake
December 22, 2003
11:15:56 AM (PST)
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| Collapsed wine barrel stacks at Turley Wine Cellars, Highway 46 West, Paso Robles, CA (Photo:J.Marrow) |
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the central California coast on December 22, 2003 at 11:15:56 am (PST). The event was located 11 km NE of San Simeon, and 39 km WNW of Paso Robles, where the brunt of the damage and casualties occurred. Two deaths have been confirmed due to a building collapse in Paso Robles. Preliminary reports suggest that the most severe damage was to unreinforced masonry structures that had not yet been retrofitted to better withstand earthquakes. Some unreinforced masonry structures that had been retrofitted survived the earthquake.
Many wineries throughout the region sustained damage to tasting rooms and production facilities. The most heavy winery damage was centered along Highway 46 West, west of the city of Templeton.
Ground Shaking Intensity Map With Winery Locations
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| Ground shaking intensity map of the Paso Robles Wine Region. Click on the map above to view a larger version and drill down to damage locations. |
Earthquake ground shaking in the Paso Robles, Templeton region is illustrated in the map to the right. Red and Dark-Red indicate areas ogf greater ground shaking intensity and generally more damage to buildings and contents.
A larger version of the map is available by clicking on the map to the right. Information about each of the damage sites can be obtained by moving the cursor over the icon (purple dots represent wineries with known damage).
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