Damage to the back of the Oviatt Library at California State University, Northridge, January 1994. At 4:31 AM on Monday January 17, 1994, the San Fernando Valley was hit with a massive earthquake registering 6.7 on the Richter scale. Dubbed the Northridge Earthquake because its epicenter was around Wilbur Avenue and Arminta Street in Northridge, this earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, caused extensive damage to the Northridge and Sherman Oaks areas. Numerous building on the California State University, Northridge campus sustained severe damage including the Oviatt Library. Color digital photograph.