The vibrations that shook Northridge, California, in 1994 caused 60 deaths and more than $40 billion in damage (Figure 8. 25) This level of destruction was the result of an earthquake of moderate intensity (Mw 6. 7 ). Seismologists warn that other earthquakes of comparable or greater strength can be expected along the San Andreas system, which cuts a 1, 300 - kilometer (800-mile) path through the state. Can these earthquakes be predicted?