DEPARTMENT OF THE INTEBIOR

BULLETIN

OP THE

UNITED STATES

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

No. 139

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1895

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY

CHAKLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA

1894

BY

CHARLES D. PERRINE

OF THE LICK OBSERVATORY

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

^ 1895

CONTENTS.

Page

Letter of transmittal ....:......................................:........... 7

Introduction................................................................ 9

Instruments ............................................................ 9

Scale of measurements.................................................. 10

Differences of intensity............................... .......... ........ 10

Stations ................................................................ 12

Chronologic record ......................................................... 13

Index ...................................................................... 25

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA,

LICK OBSERVATORY, 

Mount Hamilton, March 15,1895.

SIR : I have the honor to transmit herewith Mr. C. D. Perrine's report 

of earthquakes observed at Mount Hamilton and in California generally 

during the year 1894. in order that it may be printed as a bulletin of 

the Survey, as heretofore.

Very respectfully

EDWARD S. HOLDEN. 

Hon. 0. D. WALOOTT,

Director U. S. Geological Survey,

Washington, D. C.

1

By CHARLES D. PERRINE.

INTRODUCTION.

The following report is a continuation of similar records, 1 and brings 

the list up to the end of the year 1894. It contains accounts of all the 

shocks observed or felt on Mount Hamilton and all those reported to the 

Lick Observatory by letter, as well as newspaper reports of earthquakes 

occurring in the State during that year. Many newspapers have been 

examined, and this bulletin is largely made up from their reports. 

Some may have escaped notice.

It has been the object especially to record earthquakes occurring 

in California, but a number of shocks are here recorded which do not 

properly belong in a record of California earthquakes, which have been 

included for fear they may have escaped other compilers. The records 

of the United States Weather Bureau and of the United States. Lig-htHouse Board, together with th'e present list, wilf afford a fairly complete 

account of the California earthquakes of 1894.

,"' \ .

 . INSTRUMENTS.

The instruments used for recording earthquakes onsMount Hamilton 

are described in Publications of the Lick Observatory, Vol. I, page 82. 

The largest and most complete instrument records the three components of the earth's motion, viz, north and south, east and west, and 

vertical, separately, on a smoked glass plate, which is started by the 

preliminary tremors of the earthquake and rotates in'about three minutes, the edge of the plate being graduated into seconds at the same 

time by a clock, which also serves to record the time of occurrence of 

the shock. This instrument has been called the Ewing seismograph 

in the notes. ... - 

'List of recorded earthquakes in California, Lower California, Oregon, and Washington Territory 

(1769 to 1888), Sacramento, State Printing Office, 1887, 8vo° Earthquakes in California in 1888; 

American Journal of Science, Vol. XXXVII, May, 1889. Earthquakes in California in 1889; Bulletin 

of the U. S. Geological Survey, No. 68,1890. 'Earthquakes in California in 1890 and 1891; Bulletin of the 

U. S. Geological Survey, No. 95,1892. Earthquakes in California in 1892; Bulletin of the U. S. Geological Survey, No. 112, 1893.

- 9
10 0 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1894. [BULL. 129.

Another simpler form consists of a heavy "duplex" pendulum adjusted to a long period of vibration, with a magnifying pointer or pen, 

which records on a smoked glass plate the -two horizontal components 

of motion. The vertical component and the time are not recorded. 

The motion of the earth is magnified 4.0 times in the duplex seismometers.

The Observatory possesses other seismographs of various patterns, 

but they are not constantly in use.

SCALE OF MEASUREMENTS.

In the record made by the Ewing seismograph both horizontal components are magnified 3.3 times, and the vertical component is magnified 1.6 times. The measures of the vibrations as given in the notes 

are taken directly from the tracings, and therefore represent the magnified motions, unless otherwise noted.

If both the period (T) and the amplitude (a) of an earthquake wave 

are given, the maximum acceleration due to the impulse, which-may be 

taken as a measure of the intensity or destructive effect of the shock, 

is given by the formula 

4:71*0,

in which the motion is assumed to be harmonic.

DIFFERENCES OF INTENSITY.

Estimates of the intensity of shocks are also given (in roman numerals 

inclosed in parentheses) according to the Bossi-Forel scale, which for convenience of reference is inserted below. Experience has suggested that 

for observations in California a few additions should be made to this 

scale, and these are printed here in italics. When these are in quotation marks also, they are expressions actually used in the newspapers, 

etc., in describing earthquake shocks whose intensity is otherwise 

known. The scale as amended is as accurate as anything of the kind

can be.

I.

Microseismic shocks recorded by a single seismograph, or by seismographs of the same model, but not putting seismographs of different 

patterns in motion; reported by experienced observers only.

II.

Shock recorded by several seismographs of different patterns; reported by a small number of persons who are at rest: "a very light

shock."

8 III.

Shock reported by a number of persons who are at rest; duration or 

direction noted; li a shock;'1 '1 "a light shock."
SCALE OF INTENSITY. 

IY.

11

Shock reported by persons in motion; shaking of movable objects, 

doors, and windows; cracking of ceilings; "moderate;" "strong;" 

"sharp; " (sometimes) " light."

V.

Shock felt generally by everyone; furniture shaken; some bells rung; 

some clocks stopped; some sleepers waked; "smart;" "strong;" "heavy;" 

"severe;" "sharp;" "quite violent"

VI.

General awakening of sleepers; general ringing of bells; swinging 

of chandeliers; stopping of clocks; visible swaying of trees; ( some persons run out of buildings; window glass broken; "severe;" "very 

severe;" "violent."

VII.

Overturning of loose objects; fall of plaster; striking of church bells; 

general fright, without damage to buildings; nausea felt; "violent;" 

"very violent."

vm.

Fall of chimneys; cracks in the walls of buildings.

IX. 

Partial or total destruction of some buildings.

X.

Great disasters; overturning of rocks; fissures in the surface of the 

earth; mountain slides.

The relation between the intensity (I) of a shock as determined by 

the formula already given and the numbers of the Eossi-Forel scale 

has been reduced from all available data up to 1888, and is given below 

in tabular form. It is, of course, a rough approximation only.

Rossi-Forfl scale.

I ..........................

ii ...... .....:.............

in ........................

IV.........................

v........................ .

VI.........................

VII........................

VIII.......................

ix:.... ....................

Intensity, 

millimeters 

per second.

40

60

fin

110

300

1,200

Difference.

20

20

20

40

200

700
12 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1894. IBULL. 129.

One of the objects of the earthquake observations on Mount Hamilton 

is to obtain data for correcting this table, so that the intensity of a 

shock, as defined mathematically by the formula 

(where V is the maximum velocity of the vibrating particle), can be 

approximately inferred from the ordinary descriptions of its effects.

STATIONS.

A number of duplex-pendulum seismographs, quite similar to the one 

used at the Lick Observatory, are placed at different points on the 

Pacific Coast, but they are not all in operation. The stations are:

Students' Observatory, Berkeley, in charge of Professor Leuschner.

Chabot Observatory, Oakland, in charge of Mr. Burckhalter.

Private observatory of Mr. Blinn, in East Oakland.

Observatory of the University of the Pacific, San Jose.

Observatory of Mills College, near Oakland, in charge of Professor 

Keep.

Residence of Mr. P. Perrine, 2138 Alameda avenue, Alameda.

Office of State Weather Bureau, Carson, Nev., in charge of Professor 

Friend.

Other seismographs are located as follows :

Private observatory of Professor Davidson, San Francisco.

Tacoma, Wash., Mr. F. G. Plunimer.
CHRONOLOGIC RECORD, 1894.

January 14. OLYMPIA, WASH. Mr. Fred. G. Plummer reports a disturbance at 3.25 a. m. A tremor lasting three seconds was followed 

after an interval of four seconds by a shock from south-southwest, and 

a slight tremor later. His seismograph at Tacoma barely showed the 

shock.

VANCOUVER (BRITISH COLUMBIA). The earth trembled in British 

Columbia to-day. While the quaking continued, hanging pictures 

Swayed Slightly and crockery rattled on the shelves. San Francisco 

Chronicle.

January 17. Eeports were published that on January 17 Mount Jefferson, as seen from Salem, Oreg., poured forth smoke and steam from 

its summit at sunrise. Later explanations showed this to be due to 

atmospheric phenomena.

January 24. RIVERSIDE. Quite a heavy shock of earthquake was 

felt here this morning at 3.50. The shock lasted several seconds. San 

Jose Mercury.

February 5. KEELER, CAL. A shock of earthquake was felt at 9.01 

p. m. Newspaper.

February 7. SAN JOSE. At 2.09 o'clock there ^as a slight earthquake shock in this city. There was perceptible but one short, sharp 

shock. San Jose Mercury.

February 8. Los ANGELES. News received during the day shows 

that the earthquake shock felt here at 5.45 this morning was also felt 

quite generally in this section. It was short and sharp, and there was 

only one shock. San Francisco Examiner.

February 15. HAWTHORNE, NEV. 9.01p. m. (II.) Eeport of Nevada 

State Weather Service, 1894.

March 3. MOUNT HAMILTON. One short shock of intensity III, 

E. F. 4h 42m 50s 1 p. m. E. S. Holden.

Eattled stoves, etc., slightly in second and third stories of brick 

dwelling. 4h 43m I8 p. m. Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Campbell.

Neither of the seismographs showed any record of this shock.

May 7. MOUNT HAMILTON. Two distinct shocks, two seconds apart, 

of equal intensity. llh 561U 7s p. m. for the last shock. E. E. Barnard.

Four shocks in less than 2 seconds, of intensities III, II, II, III, E. 

F., respectively. llk 56m 16s ± 10s p. m. In bed in the third story of 

the brick dwelling. W. W. Campbell. ,

No record of this disturbance was found on either of the seismographs.

13
14 EAKTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1894. [BULL. 129.

MOUNT . HAMILTON. At 10h 52m p. m. a movement of the earth 

was detected by the meridian circle, which was so slight as not to be 

felt by the observer. The motion was a regular oscillation in an east 

and west direction, and lasted for fifteen to twenty seconds. At llh 

561U 458, approximately, one single sharp shock was felt. E. H. Tucker.

July 13. PINE EIDGE, OAL. News comes by telephone from Pine 

Ridge lumber district, 60 miles northeast of this city, to the effect that 

a sharp shock of earthquake, lasting a few seconds, was felt there at 

8.50 last night. The shock was accompanied by the greatest electric 

display ever witnessed by inhabitants there. The strange feature is 

that no clouds were noticed by the citizens. San Francisco Call.

FRESNO, August 16. Parties arriving from Pine Eidge, 50 miles 

east of here, state that a recent earthquake (July 13?) injured the dam 

across Stephenson Creek, by which water is turned into the Pine Eidge 

flume. The joints in the masonry were damaged sufficiently to allow the 

water to pass through, but it is believed that no permanent injury was 

done, as the openings can be plugged. San Francisco Chronicle.

July 14. FRESNO. A remarkable phenomenon is reported from the 

Sierra Nevada Mountains east of Fresno. About sunset last evening 

a red cloud, apparently 50 miles in length, gradually settled over the 

range, and as soon as night came on persons in this city observed a 

wonderful display of electricity on the edges of the cloud.

To-day news from that region says that when the electrical display 

was at its height an earthquake, violent enough to rattle houses and 

shake trees, was felt. It continued several seconds. After it had subsided the cloud rapidly passed away and the atmosphere became clear.

So far as can be learned the earthquake was felt at no place else than 

immediately under the cloud. It was not felt on the plains, 20 miles 

distant. San Francisco Chronicle.

July 18. OGDEN, UTAH. At 3.50 p. m. distinct earthquake shocks

were felt. Dishes were shaken from the tables, the walls of some large 

blocks were cracked, and a general shaking up occurred. Many people 

were frightened into leaving their houses. San Francisco Chronicle.

July 29. SAN BERNARDINO. A shock of earthquake occurred at 

about 9.15 p. m. The movement was of several seconds' duration, and 

seemed to be from the northwest to the southeast. The disturbance 

was very noticeable, causing doors and windows to rattle, chandeliers 

to swing, and buildings to vibrate. As far as can be ascertained no 

one was injured and no property destroyed.

The First Methodist Episcopal church was occupied at the time the 

earthquake occurred. The building is large and built of brick, and the 

disturbance caused a panic that was soon quelled by those who had 

presence of mind, though a number sought safety in the open air. The 

pastor continued his discourse as soon as quiet was restored.

Instances of parties leaving buildings hurriedly are reported.

In the yard at the depot cars standing on the track were put in 

motion and the men had to set the brakes.
PKRKINE.] CHRONOLOGIC RECORD. 15

Some report seeing a large meteor in the heavens at the same time 

the shock occurred.

The clock in the old court-house tower stopped at 9.21 p. m. as a 

result of the shock. Newspaper report.

Los ANGKELES. At 9.12 p. in. the city was shaken by a shock of 

earthquake, which was one of the most severe felt in this part of the 

country for many years. The undulations appeared to be from south 

to north, and there were three distinct tremors. The first was a light 

one, but the second made the windows rattle and disturbed loose articles lying about ou mantels and shelves. With the third tremor the 

wave passed.

As far as could be learned no damage was done, aside from the breaking of a few panes of glass. The shocks naturally created consternation 

in some of the large lodging houses and hotels, and caused the inmates 

to start out in more or less confusion. The tower of the city hall swayed

very perceptibly, and the electric-light masts continued to vibrate for 

fifteen or twenty minutes after the disturbance.

In the restaurants and drug stores along Spring and Main streets 

the chandeliers swung like clock pendulums and the glassware and 

crockery rattled at a lively rate. In some places the guests rushed out, 

leaving their meals uneaten, but soon recovered from the scare and 

returned.

At the post-office, in the Federal Building, which is one of the most 

solidly constructed edifices in the city, the shock was very severe, and 

caused a panic among the clerks. The only damage done, however, 

was the breaking of several bottles of ink, which were jarred off the 

shelves.

Up at the grim prison on the hill there was the biggest kind of a scare. 

The steel floors and partitions, the great steel doors and staircases 

rattled and creaked and strained.

PASADENA. A severe shock of earthquake was felt here at 9.17 p. ra., 

lasting ten seconds. The motion was from northwest to southeast, 

and the shock was accompanied by a loud rumbling. It was felt all 

over the city, brick buildings being shaken until the bricks creaked. 

There was much excitement in the churches and meetings, and at the 

Salvation Army meeting quite a panic ensued; one woman was slightly 

hurt, and fainted when the crowd was making its exit. No damage 

Was done in the city so far as known. At Echo Mountain the new 

hotel was shaken.

SANTA MONICA. Two distinct shocks of earthquake were felt here 

about 9.11 p. m., the last shock being the heaviest ever felt here. The 

plate-glass windows in the Hotel Jackson were distinctly seen to wave 

in and out. No damage has been reported.

SANTA ANA. At 9.15 o'clock this evening this city Avas visited by 

the heaviest earthquake ever experienced here. Buildings shook and 

glassware and crockery rattled. There were three shocks, the vibra-
16 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1894. [BULL. 129.

tion being from south to north. The electric-light masts continued to 

vibrate for some minutes after the shock.

MOJAVE. A heavy shock of earthquake at 9.12 o'clock this eveningshook this town badly. Goods were knocked off the counters of stores 

and general excitement prevailed. The vibration was from north to 

south.

ONTARIO, GAL. The severest earthquake shock ever felt here 

occurred at 9.12 p. m. No damage reported. Los Angeles Times.

August 3. MOUNT HAMILTON. Professor Holden reports a single 

shock of intensity III to IV on the Rossi-Forel scale as awakening him 

at llh 50m p. m. ± one-half minute. He was expecting an alarm clock 

to go off, and presumably was easily awakened. The duplex seismograph gave a record of this shock, the displacement of the earth being 

0.25mm in an east and west direction.

August 22. LEWERS EANCH, NEVADA. 4.28 a. m. (II). Report 

of Nevada State Weather Service, 1894.

September 30. MOUNT HAMILTON. The record of a single vibration 

was found on the plate of the duplex seismograph on the morning of 

October 1. The seismographs were examined on the evening of September 30 and again on the morning of October 1, when the record was 

noticed, so that the shock must have occurred in this interval, although 

it was not felt by anyone here and did not start the Ewing instrument. 

The displacement of* the earth was about 0.25mm.

EUREKA. Two heavy earthquake shocks occurred here this morning, 

the first at 9.36 o'clock, lasting nearly half a minute. The vibrations 

were from north to south. The second was at 9.59 o'clock, the vibrations being northeast to southeast. It lasted five seconds. No damage, was done.

SiSSON. A slight earthquake shock was felt in this vicinity thismorning. The vibrations were from north to south. San Francisca

Chronicle.

October. NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS. The New Hebrides group passed 

through a series of heavy earthquakes and volcanic disturbances m 

October and November, which threatened the existence of several of 

the largest and best islands, includin g Arnbrim. A layer of ashes from 

2 to 6 inches thick covers the once fertile fields.

At Bpi, on November 2, there was a severe earthquake in the early 

morning, which opened an entirely new volcanic crater on the west side 

of Ainbrim. about 14 miles distant, and all the next day the whole island 

trembled. Since then it has opened in fiv*3 or six different places. 

Even the island of Epi, which was much less affected, had to the 7th of 

November felt sixty-three distinct shocks, and for weeks had been 

covered by clouds of ashes and "smoke. Traders and planters living 

on Ainbrim Island fled precipitately to Port Sandwich (Malicollo), the 

nearest port, in many cases abandoning all their possessions.

On the 13th of November an earthquake shock rocked Arnbriin from.
PERRINE.] CHRONOLOGIC RECORD. 17

east to west, causing the land on which stood a small native village to 

slip, with the humble homes of the inhabitants, into the sea. It is impossible to accurately determine the extent of the fatalities, but the lowest 

estimate of the loss of life is 50. Fatalities are reported from other 

islands of the group also. Owing to the lateness of the disaster details 

were not available when ikeWarrimoo left the southern seas, although 

natives from all the volcanic islands were flocking to the centers of 

civilization for safety.

The special correspondent of the Sydney Morning Her;ild, writing 

from Epi early in November, said: "Ambrim Island is still in violent 

eruption. The outbreak commenced on the 16th of October at an old 

crater in the center of the island. The lava stream extends from the 

crater to near Dip Point, at the western end. The center of the island 

is one mass of lava.

"Frequent earthquakes were felt as far as Malekula, many of them 

being severe. Some of the officers have ascended the crater, which is

1 mile in diameter and 1,000 feet deep. Dense srnoke continues to issue 

from this crater. The lava streams are moving slowly toward the sea 

and cooling. All the western end of the island is covered with a 

deposit of line ashes. As far as at present can be ascertained the losof life has been 60 killed by the great landslip of the 13th and by falling stones."

Following is the report made by the commander of H. M. S. Dart:

"While we were lying at Dip Point, Ambrim Island, an eruption on 

that island took place. On weighing anchor at 6 a. m. (October 16) and 

proceeding to the eastward to resume our surveying work a remarkably heavy mass of cloud was seen rising over the center of the island, 

and on clea"iug the point dense columns of smoke were seen descending 

from just the other side of the low coast range.

"It presently became evident that a lava stream, marked by a dense 

column of smoke, was making its way through the hills to the sea. 

The ship was stopped some 300 yards offshore, where it was seen that 

the stream would emerge, and at 8 a. m. tongues of flanje were seen 

among the trees, and presently the head of the stream appeared, a redhot, molten mass, with lumps of slag tossing about on the surface.

" When it reached the water a most magnificent sight ensued. A 

dense pillar of steam rose rapidly in a perpendicular direction to a 

height which was afterwards found to be 4,500 feet. A few seconds 

later violent submarine explosions of steam took place, the water rising 

in huge bubbles some 100 feet high and then bursting in all directions 

in radiating tongues of water mixed with black masses, presumably of 

lava. A considerable swell was set outward, and as the area of explosions appeared to be extending rapidly the ship was moved to a safer 

distance.

"Canoes full of natives were leaving the island in all directions, some 

of which were taken in tow to Dip Point, where they were clear of 

Bull. 129 2
18 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1894. [BULL. 129.

immediate danger. The ship then proceeded around to the south side 

of the island, when it was seen that the-old crater of Mount Maryun, in 

the center of the island, was in violent eruption, and that dense masses 

of smoke were rising over all the western end of the island.

"On returning, while rounding Dip Point, a sudden outburst, accompanied by continuous violent explosions, took place. About 2 miles to 

the southward of Mission Station the cliffs were seen to be falling 

inland and, when anchoring, flames appeared over the crest of the gap 

behind the mission.

"The natives were assembled in terrified groups on the beach, and I 

accordingly sent boats in, offering to take off all that wished. The 

group was in a state of terror and the noise of the eruption was indescribable. Dust and debris from the burning brush fell continuously. 

We embarked over 80 men, women, and children, for the most part 

belonging to Dr. Lamb's mission, and proceeded with them to Eannon, 

near the northeast point of the island; a place of comparative .safety. 

Throughout the next day earthquake shocks were so severe as to cause 

resident trader Mr. Eossi, a Frenchman, to remove to Port Sandwich 

with all his natives and belongings. The natives brought from Dip 

Point were comfortably housed in the schoolhouse belonging to Dr. 

Lamb.

"The next morning we proceeded to the northeast point of the island 

as far as Dip Point, which was found to be in inky darkness; objects 

being scarcely visible over a quarter of a mile. We communicated with 

the shore and found the natives reassured, as the actual fires in the 

vicinity had ceased. At 6 p. in. we proceeded to Port Sandwich, not 

clearing the shower of dust till more than halfway across.

"Several shocks were experienced on the way, and that night thirty-. 

one shocks were distinctly felt in seven hours forty minutes on board 

the ship, one at 2.30 a. in. being particularly severe.

"A great portion of the cliff at Dip Point has fallen into the sea, and 

all along the shore to the eastward continuous clouds of dust are arising 

and landslides have occurred. We anchored at Eaunoii afterwards and 

reembarked all the natives and landed them at Dip Point, the present 

danger being removed. Dust was now falling heavier than ever, but 

of lighter color and finer description. Everything on shore was covered with the deposit, the landscape being of one uniform dull slate

 color and the ship a gray mass. We landed and proceeded over the 

hill for about 2 miles until the stream of lava was reached. Although

 cooled down, it was still proceeding at some 4 or 5 feet an hour in the 

direction of Banlag, on the south coast. Owing, however, to the thickness of the atmosphere it was impossible to get any views of what was 

happening. We then returned to Port Sandwich." Extract from San 

Francisco Examiner.

October 23. SAN DIEGO. This city and neighboring towns were 

visited this afternoon by a series of earthquakes of more than ordinary
FKRIHNE.] CHEONOLOGIC EECORD. 19

severity. The first shock occurred at 3.03 p. m. and was followed at 

intervals of a quarter of a minute by two others, the last being one of 

the strongest experienced hereabouts since the advent of Americans. 

People in brick houses swarmed into the streets, hearing the grinding 

of brick and mortar and seeing in some cases the walls crack. A loud 

noise was heard in all parts of the city immediately preceding the 

shock. Considerable consternation was caused in the public schools, 

the children in some of the rooms being hastily dismissed.

The second shock was observed by few people, being very light and 

coming when all were talking of the first; but the third was so pronounced as to bring the people into the streets without delay. Telephone messages from Coronado. Upper Otay Dam, Oampo, National 

City, and other places show that the earthquake was felt about equally 

at all surrounding points. Loose rocks were shaken from the hillsides 

and rattled down the canyons, and a heavy booming noise accompanied 

the tremors.

The weather observer reported another slight shock at about 4.25 

o'clock, not so strong as the first ones, but quite perceptible. It was 

not felt on the ground. The waves were from east to west in all 

instances. So far as known no serious damage was done.

EIVERSIDE. Two distinct shocks of earthquake occurred to-day at 

3 p. m. The first was light, followed in a few seconds by quite a sharp 

shake. No damage was done.

SAN BERNARDINO. Two distinct shocks of earthquake were felt here 

at.2.04 p. m. The vibrations lasted twenty seconds and the motion was 

from west to east.

COLTON. A light earthquake shock was distinctly felt here about 3 

p. m. San Francisco Examiner.

Los ANGELES. A slight earthquake shock was felt here at 3.05. 

San Jose Mercury.

October 27. Los ANGELES. A slight earthquake shock occurred 

here to-night at about 11 o'clock. No damage is reported.

SAN DIEGO. An earthquake shock of 10 seconds' duration was felt 

here at 11.05 to-night. It caused some excitement, but no damage is 

reported. San Francisco Chronicle.

November 2. MEXICO CITY. Two violent earthquake shocks occurred at 4.17 p. m., with four minutes' intermission. During the 

vibrations the earth seemed rocking like a ship at sea and the natives 

were on their knees in the streets praying frantically. San Francisco 

Bulletin. . .

November 14. GOLD HILL, NEV. An earthquake was felt here to-day 

at 2.02,o'clock. There were two shocks, with an interval of a minute 

between them. No particular attention was paid to them, most of the 

people thinking that the disturbances were caused by blasts in the 

mines.

At 6.58 o'clock this evening a shock occurred that brought the occu-
20 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1894. [BULL. 129.

pants of many buildings into the streets. It was of short duration, 

but rattled windows and glassware at a lively rate. The vibrations 

appeared to be from southeast to northwest. San Francisco Chronicle.

CARSON, NEV. ('..55 a. m. (I).

LEWERS KANCH, NEVADA. 7.05 p. in. (I). Report of Nevada State 

Weather Service, 1894.

November 15. CARSON, NEV. Three heavy earthquake shocks were 

felt here. The first and heaviest was at 11.05 p. m., the second at 11.25 

p. m., and the third at 12. The direction was east and west. Though 

the shocks caused fright, no damage was done. San Francisco Chronicle.

GOLD HILL, NEV. Three tremors of intensity II. (No time given.)

LEWERS RANCH. At midnight three tremors of intensity III; felt 

by persons all over Washoe Valley.

VIRGINIA, NEV. 11 a. m. (II); 11.18 p. m. (II); 11.52 p. m. (II). 

Report of Nevada State Weather Service, 1894.

November 16-22. VIRGINIA, NEV. There have been, according to 

different calculations, over one hundred shocks of earthquake in this 

city within the week. It is in evidence that the greater number of vibrations have come from west to east. Theories without number have been 

put forward giving reasons why such disturbances should occur in 

Nevada, which has been almost free from earthquakes since the advent 

of the white man.. There are no Indian traditions in reference to former 

earthquakes in this vicinity, nor in any portion of Nevada, as far as can 

be ascertained from the most intelligent of the Indian residents here.

The cone of Mount Davidson shows undoubted evidence of volcanic 

action formerly, and scoria is found on portions of its western slope. 

The great gold and silver ore producing mines on its eastern side occupy 

a depressed amphitheater. Lava is visible on the mountain in small 

patches, which goes still further to indicate that Mount Davidson is 

an extinct volcano. San Francisco Examiner.

November 17. SAN DIEGO. A heavy earthquake shock was felt at 

Campo Saturday evening (November 17) at 5 o'clock, lasting several 

seconds. The oscillation seemed to be from northeast to southwest. 

San Francisco Chronicle.

November 18. CARSON, NEV. Earthquake shocks continue to be 

felt in this section, with prospects of creating a panic if the shocks 

continue. Between 3 and 7 o'clock this morning six distinct shocks 

were felt, the first being very heavy. Thus far no damage has been 

done except to cause acuto nausea and prevent sleep. The direction 

of the vibrations varies considerably, and the shocks are usually preceded by a roaring sound. San Francisco Chronicle.

AUSTIN, NEV. 10 a. m. (II); Carson, 2.38 a. m. (1); 2.40 a. ra.'(I); 

2.49 a. m. (Ill); 5.15 a. in. (I); 5.33 a. m. (I;; 6.22 a. m. (I).

GOLD HILL, NEV. Four tremors of intensity II. (No time given.)

LEWERS RANCH,NEVADA. (No time given.) (I)-.
PEBRINE.] CHRONOLOGIC RECORD. 21

VIRGINIA, NEV. 2.28 a. in. (II); 2.30 a. rn. (I}; 2.40 a. m, (IV) 

(this shock cracked plastering; in some places walls were damaged; in 

many instances window glass was broken); 5 a. m. (II); 5.24 a. m. (I); 

6.18 a.m. (II). Report of Nevada State Weather Service, 1894.

November 21 MOUNT RAINIER(TACOMA),November 26 F.L.Lowe, 

a carpenter, says he and some hunting companions were within 6 miles 

of Mount Tacoma's top last Wednesday afternoon' (November 21), and 

that several shocks of earthquake were distinctly felt at the mountain's 

base. Several great avalanches were heard crashing down the mountain side and making such a noise that it seemed. Lowe says, as if the 

world were coming to an end. This occurred on the north side of the 

mountain. Eocks were piled over 100 feet high in the Puyallup River, 

and returning they crossed the de"bris of au avalanche which was of 

great depth and half a mile wide and 4 or 5 miles long. San Jose 

Mercury.

TACOMA, WASH. To-night at 6.30 o'clock several slight shocks of 

earthquake were felt here. Windows were rattled throughout the city. 

The first shock was most severe, being accompanied by rumbling noises, 

as of a distant explosion, and simultaneously a sheet of flame was 

observed in the eastern heavens.

CARSON, NEV., in night (I). Keport of Nevada State Weather Service, 

1894.

MOUNT RAINIER, WASHINGTON. Much has been said in the news 

papers concerning an appearance of change In the summit of this 

mountain. The principal facts seem to indicate some sort of change, 

possibly due to avalanches, and the report that smoke issued from the 

crater seems worthy of credence.

On the morning of November 21 five reputable citizens of Seattle 

report that they saw puffs of smoke coming from the west side of the 

top of the mountain at intervals of twenty seconds from 6.20 to 8 a. m. 

The smoke came up in huge, balloon-shaped masses, and after hanging 

suspended for a short time was wafted toward the eastern side of the 

mountain. Before 8 o'clock the top of the,mountain had lost its whiteness, and appeared dark, jagged, and rough.

The same phenomena were observed from Tacoma and Portland.

Again, oji the afternoon of Thursday, December 13, smoke was seen 

rising from the crater by Observer Saulsbury, of the Weather Bureau, 

E. C. Hobbs, J. A. McClellan, J. J. McGrilvera, John Arthur, S. L. 

Crawford, and others, from Seattle. Mr. Saulsbury saw the phenomenon through a glass repeatedly from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m., and was positive 

that the substance was smoke and not vapor.

The'Seattle Post-Intelligencer sent out an exploring party in the 

latter part of December to reach, if possible, the summit and determine the character of the phenomena. This party, owing to the dangerous condition of the snow fiejds, could get no farther than the foot
22 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1894. [BULL. 129.

of Carbon Glacier, from where the following message was sent back by 

homing pigeon on December 26:

"The expedition has been an entire success. It has demonstrated 

that while the mountain has been smoking and steaming, the change 

is due principally to tremendous avalanches and not to an eruption. 

The new peak observed from Seattle is off Columbus crest, and was 

formed by spiral winds carrying snow and whipping it into the coneshaped peak described. The party will be home Friday." San Jose 

Mercury.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer of January 6, 1895, contains a full 

report of the expedition, which was sent out under its auspices. Without being able to reach the summit, the explorers report having seen, 

on December 24, jets of steam issuing from the large crater and a column of black smoke from the small crater.

Of interest in this connection is the following report from Ellensburg:

"Theeruption of Mount Rainier has explained to the satisfaction of 

many a mystery that has baffled all. The waterworks reservoir here 

suddenly became exhausted. Investigation showed a crevice running 

along the hill north and south, varying from 1 inch to 1 foot in width 

and of unknown depth. It ran directly through the reservoir, letting 

the water out. It has been traced several hundred feet along the hill. 

No shocks of earthquake have been felt here as far as known." San 

Francisco Chronicle.

(Ellensburg is over 200 miles distant from Mount Rainier. C. D. P.)

November 24. CARSON, NEV. 10.03 p. m. (II); 11.22 p. m. (III). 

Eeport of Nevada State Weather Service, 1894.

December 4. CARSON, NEV. 9.39 p. m. (I); Lewers Ranch, 9.40 p. in. 

(II). Report of Nevada State Weather Service, 1894.

December 18. CARSON, NEV. 9.08 a. in. (II). Report of Nevada 

State Weather Service, 1894.

December 21. GOLD HiLL, NEV. 2.20 a. m. (II). Report of Nevada 

State Weather Service, 1894.

December 23. Los ANGELES. Earthquake shocks were experienced 

this morning at San Diego, Riverside, Ppmono, and other points. No 

damage was done. San Jose Mercury.

December 24. BOISE, IDAHO. Boise was visited by three slight earthquake shocks this morning. The first was very slight, about 4 o'clock; 

the second light, about 6 o'clock. The third shock was felt everywhere 

in the city, and came at 7.10 o'clock. Houses vibrated perceptibly and 

people were awakened. The shock was accompanied by a booming 

sound like the roar of a gale of wind. San Francisco Chronicle.

December 28. GOLD HILL, NEV. 9.15 a.m. (1). Report of Nevada 

State Weather Service, 1894.

December 29. GOLD HILL, NEV. 4.30 a. ra. (II); 5 p. m. (I). Report 

of Nevada State Weather Service, 1894.
PERRINE.) CHRONOLOGIC RECORD. 23

December 30 CITY OF MEXICO. At 10.53 o'clock on Sunday 

(December 30), an oscillatory earthquake shock was felt In this city 

and other parts of the valley of Mexico. The movement was east and 

north, but of short duration. The disturbance caused great alarm 

among those who feared a repetition of the disastrous earthquakes of 

.Novembei 2, which killed 18 people and did great property damage. 

In the Arbeu Theater, the only playhouse now open in this capital, as 

a result 01 the damage sustained by other theaters in previous shocks, 

a stampede occurred. Women leaped from lower boxes and the audience 

struggled foi escape at the narrow exits. The manager appeared on 

the stage and tried to calm the fear-crazed people, and at last a degree 

of quiet was restored, but not until most of the audience had taken 

refuge in the streets, which were full of frightened people, many in 

their night clothes.

The scene of November 2 was repeated in a large part, and thousands 

of penitents knelt in the open streets and prayed and cried in a loud 

voice for deliverance, from death. In Belem prison, where thousands 

ot wretched beings are huddled together in barracks, pandemonium 

reigned, and the guards had hard work to prevent hundreds from break 

ing out and Hinging themselves over the walls.

Large supply pipes leading to the city burst, flooding the streets. 

The shock last night lasted nine seconds. It is known that three persons were seriously injured. A number of buildings were destroyed. 

San Francisco Call, January 2, 1895.

INDEX TO PLACES.

Pago. 

Austin, Nov................................ 20

Boise, Idaho................................. 22

Canljio..................................... 19

Carson, Nev............................. 20,21,22

Colton..................................... 19

Corouado .................................. 19

Ellensburg, Wash.......................... 22

Epi Island ................................. 16

Eureka .................................... 16

ITresno..................................... 14

Gold Hill, Nev.......................... 19,20,22

Hawthorne, Nev........................... 13

Keeler . 1...............'.................... 13

Lewer's Ranch, Nevada.................... 1C, 20

Los Angeles ......................... 13,15,19, 22

Mexico City............... 1................ 19,23

Mojave..................................... 16

Mount Hamilton........................ 13,14,16

.Page. 

Mount Rainier, Washington ............... 21

National City.............................. 19

New Hebrides Islands ..................... 16

Ogden, Utah ............................... 14

Olyuipia, Wash............................ 13

Ontario .................................... 16

Pasadena .................................. 15

Pine Kidge................................. 14

Pomona.................................... 22

Riverside ............................... 13,19,22

San I-iernardino ............................ 19,20

San Diego.......... i................. 18,19, 20, 22

San Jose.................................... 13

Santa Monica.............................. 15

Sisson...................................... 16

Tacoma, Wash............................. 21

Vancouver, British Columbia .............. 13

Virginia, Nev .............................. 20,21

25