DEPABTMENT OF THE INTEEIOE

BULLETIN

OF THK

UNITED STATES

INTo. 147

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

189C

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY

CHARLES B. AVALCOTT, DIRECTOR

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA

IN

1895

BY

CHARLES D. PERRINE

ASSISTANT ASTRONOMER IN CHARGE OF EARTHQUAKE OBSERVATIONS 

AT THE LICK OBSERVATORY

WASHINGTON

GOVEENMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1896

CONTENTS.

Pago. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chronologic record, 1895 ...................................................... 13

Index ........................................................................ 23

5

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA,

LICK OBSERVATORY, 

Mount Hamilton, August 2d, 1896.

SIR: I beg to transmit herewith the report of earthquakes observed 

at Mount Hamilton and throughout California in the year 1895, compiled by Mr. Perrine, and trust that it may be printed as a bulletin, as 

in previous years.

Yours, very truly,

EDWARD S. HOLDEN,

Director Licit Observatory. 

Hon. 0. D. WALCOTT,

Director United States Geological Survey.

7

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1895.

By CHARLES D. PERRINE.

INTRODUCTION.

The following paper is a continuation of similar records 1 furnished 

by officers of the Lick Observatory, and completes the list up to the 

end of 1895. It records 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 such earthquakes as occurred in the 

State during the year. It also includes a number of shocks in various 

localities on the Pacific Coast which it was thought might not have 

been recorded in other reports. No systematic examination of newspapers has been made, however, and some reports of earthquakes may 

have escaped notice.

INSTRUMENTS.

The instruments used for recording earthquakes on Mount Hamilton 

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

The largest and most complete instrument records the north-and-south, 

east-and-west, and vertical components of the earth's motion 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 at the same time graduated into seconds by the clock, which 

also serves to record the time of occurrence of the shock. This instrument has been called the Ewing seismograph in the notes. Another 

form consists of the heavy " duplex" pendulum adjusted to a long period 

of vibration, with a magnifying pointer or pen, which records on a 

smoked-glass plate both horizontal components of the motion. The 

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

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

from 1769 to 1888, by Edward S. Holden, Sacramento, State Printing Office, 1887. Earthquakes in 

California in 1888, by Edward S. Holdon: Am. Jour. Sci., 3d series, vol.37, May, 1889. Earthquakes 

in California in 1889, by James E. Keolor: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 68, 1890. Earthquakes in California in 1890 and 1891, by Edward S. Holden: Bull. IT. S. Geol. Survey No. 05, 1892. Earthquakes in 

California in 1892, by Charles D. Perrine: Bull. U. S. Gool. Survey No. 112,1893. Earthquakes in California in 1893, by Charles D. Porrine: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 114, 1894. Earthquakes in California in 1894, by Charles D. Porrine: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 129, 1895.

9
10 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1895. [BULL. 147.

earth is magnified four times in the duplex seismometers. The Observatory possesses other seismographs of various patterns, but they are 

not constantly in use.

SCALE OP MEASUREMENTS.

Iii the record made by the Ewing seismograph both the horizontal 

components are magnified 3.3 times, and the vertical component is 

magnified 1.0 times. The measures of the vibrations as given in the 

notes are taken directly from the tracings, and therefore represent the 

magnified motion, unless otherwise mentioned.

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 

y _ 47r2a

 rr\2 7

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.

Shocks recorded by several semismographs of different patterns; 

reported by a small number of persons at rest; "a very light shock."

III.

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

noted; "a shock;" "a light shock."

IV.

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

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

"sharp;" (sometimes) "light."
PERRINB.] SCALE OF INTENSITY. 11

V.

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

some cloclcs stopped; some sleepers waited; "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; falling of plaster; striking of chnrch 

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

VIII.

Falling 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 

ground; mountain slides.

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

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

has been reduced from all available data up to 1888 by Professor Hoiden, and is given below in tabular form. It is, of course, a rough 

approximation only:

Intensity, Kossi-Forel scale.

*I. ........................

II.........................

III.........................

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

V. ........................

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

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

Till.........................

IX.........................

Intensity, 

millimeters 

per second.

20

40

GO

80

110

150

300

500

1,200

Difference.

9ft

20

20

30

40

200

700
12 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1895.

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 

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 Leuschuer.

Ohabot 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.

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

Friend.

Alameda, Cal., at the residence of Mr. P. Perrine.

Tacoma, Wash., at the residence of Mr. F. Gr. Plummer. (Mr. Plummer's seismograph is not a " duplex.")

The reports of the United States Light- House Board and of the 

United States Weather Bureau should be consulted in this connection, 

as they record disturbances felt at their stations, which may not be 

included in this list.
CHRONOLOGIC RECORD, 1895.1

January 6. MOUNT HAMILTON. '^11 4ra 57s db a. m. One light 

shock." A. L. 0. The duplex seismograph registered a disturbance 

principally northeast and southwest (one wave), the displacement of 

the earth being 0.5mm. There was a series of vibrations at right angles 

to'this of about £mm.

January 23. UKIAH. A heavy shock of earthquake was felt in this 

city this morning. After the shock the sky cleared and the rain 

ceased. San Jose Mercury, January 23,1895.

January 26. HELENA, MONT. An earthquake shock was felt here at 

5 o'clock this morning. Small articles were shaken off the shelves. 

Newspaper report.

February 25. PORTLAND, OREG. 4.47 a. m., standard time. Three 

slight shocks from northward.

TAOOMA, WASH., and suburban points to the southward. Same time. 

Three slight shocks from S. 10° W. My "home-made" seismograph 

only records horizontal shocks and showed only -fa inch. The directions 

noted would place center near Toutle Biver, where I observed a vertical 

shock already reported (1893). F. G. Pluinmer, Tacoma, Wash.

PORTLAND, OREG. Three distinct shocks of earthquake were felt 

here early this .morning. Each shock lasted about three seconds. The 

first occurred at 4.47. The vibrations were from north to south. San 

Jose Mercury, February 26,1895.

TACOMA, WASH. This morning's earthquake shock was plainly felt 

in Tacorna, on top of the hill, and at Edison, at Sumuer, Puyallup, and 

Steilacoom. There were three light vibrations occurring just before 

5 o'clock, the general trend being from north to south, though at Steilacoom the vibrations seemed to be from east to west. San Jose Mercury, February 26,1895.

March 1. AYATLAN, MEXICO. Inhabitants of southwestern Mexico 

are alarmed over the frequent earthquake shocks which have occurred 

during the last month. Although little damage has been done, the 

helpless people are in great trepidation. Shocks are accompanied by 

subterranean rumblings, followed by a discharge as from an artillery, 

which shakes the earth for nearly half a minute at a time. The recent 

outbreak of the subocean volcano off the Pacific, coast, in Guerrero, is

'This list contains several occurrences the correctness of which may well bo doubted. Those 

caacs rest upon newspaper report entirely and are of such a nature that there should bo confirmatory 

evidence before accepting them. It has been thought best to include those doubtful cases, however, 

aiid they are indicated by some note after them.

13
14 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1895. [BULL. 147.

ascribed as the reason for the frightful demonstrations. San Francisco 

Examiner, March 2,1895.

AT SEA, off the Mendocino (Gal.) coast; longitude 125° 20', latitude 

40°. The recent earthquake which was reported as having disturbed 

the inhabitants of Mendocino proved to be a veritable terror at sea, 

according to the stories told by the crews of the schooners Volant and 

C. T. Hill, which have just arrived from that section of the coast.

The Volant was holding up to a stiff breeze about 52 miles off the 

Mendocino coast, in the vicinity of Shelter Cove, when she encountered 

the shake up. It took place a few minutes before 1 o'clock on the morning of March 1. The sea had been quite calm all night, but the breeze 

kept up well, and there was nothing to indicate that anything unusual 

was about to happen. The first warning of the earthquake came in the 

form of a deafening roar which seemed to rise out of the sea. In an 

instant the ocean \vas lashed into a mass of foam, and in spots it rose 

in great geyser-like columns. The schooner stopped with a crash and 

then shook for fully two minutes. Every timber and bolt groaned and 

creaked, and it was thought for a moment that she was going down. 

Those on deck were knocked down. The schooner pounded up and 

down frightfully for a few minutes, just as if she were aground, and 

then all became still. We had scarcely recovered our senses when a 

second shock came, but it was not nearly so severe as the first. When 

this one was over the sea became as still as a mill pond, the wind died 

out, and everything was as quiet as death.

The schooner C. T. Hill, which was carrying lumber to this port from 

Willapa Harbor, was also tossed about by the temblor. She was only 

a few miles astern of the Volant at the time. Captain Forest's story 

of the experience is similar to that told by the crew of the Volant. He 

wns unable to determine, however, what had caused the commotion 

until he had consulted with the mate of the Volant yesterday. Previous to that he was of the opinion that he had encountered a wreck 

or a reef, and had intended reporting to that effect to the Merchants' 

Exchange. San Francisco Chronicle.

NOTE. Inquiries addressed to the captains of the vessels named, 

through the Merchants' Exchange of San Francisco, elicited no reply. 

C. D/P.

The following paragraphs by Dr. Edward S. Holden, from the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Vol. VII, 1895, 

page 131, is of interest:

"The San Francisco Chronicle of March 8, 1895, gives an account 

of a severe earthquake shock experienced by two vessels some 50 

miles off Cape Mendocino, in longitude 125° 20', latitude 40° (both 

approximate).

"My List of Eecorded Earthquakes in California (1887) contains several notices of shocks felt in this vicinity, as follows: 

" 'At sea, 45 miles WSW. of Cape Mendocino j
PBKRINE.] CHRONOLOGIC RECORD. 15

" 'At sea, 50 miles WSW. from Cape Mendocino;

" 'At sea, longitude 120° 25', latitude 41° 55';

'' 'At sea, longitude 125° 50', latitude 40° 24';

" 'At sea, longitude 125° 20', latitude^0 (as above).'

"A relief map of the ocean bed near Cape Mendociuo, made by 

Prof. George Davidson and Mr. Winston, shows the coast to be very 

'steep-to'; and it further shows two submarine mountains in the neighborhood. The slipping of the earth at the junction of the steep submarine cliff with the (comparatively) flat ocean floor may very well be 

the cause of some of these disturbances. It is also possible, at least, 

that they are connected with the two submarine elevations mentioned. 

More observations are needed to decide this question. It is a little 

remarkable that we have reports of shocks felt at sea in this vicinity 

and none, or few, at other points along the coast."

March 10. SAN MIGUEL ISLAND. This is one of a chain of islands 

about 30 miles off the coast, near Santa Barbara, Cal. On March 17 

newspapers published reports of a disturbance on this.island about 

March 8, by which the shore in places was elevated 60 feet and other 

considerable changes wrought. Another disturbance is reported about 

March 30, by which a small schooner was wrecked in the harbor at the 

island.

A third disturbance was reported in July on Flea Island, an islet in 

the immediate neighborhood. Through the kindness of Mr. J. J. Hoilister, of Santa Barbara, we learn that there was a large landslide on 

San Miguel Isjaud. This fact was worked up by a newspaper reporter 

into a very sensational article.

CORDOBA, MEXICO. The peak of Orizaba is reported in press dispatches to.be in a state of eruption after many centuries of quiescence.

March 12. MOUNT HAMILTON. "9U 34'" 17" p. in., Pacific standard. 

One short, sharp, vertical shock. Bossi-Forel V." E. S. H.

uQh 341.. 178 pt m>? Pacific standard. (In sitting room on Ptolemy.) 

Strong vertical shock, followed by two very quick weak shocks. All 

three lasted less than I8. Absolutely no horizontal component noted. 

Intensity of first shock IV or V.» W. W. C.

" 9h 34m 17s p. m., Pacific standard. One sharp shock followed by one 

or two slight tremors. Doors and other objects rattled in third story of 

brick dwelling. Bossi-Forel V." 0. D. P.

The duplex seismograph recorded several small vibrations without 

any decided tendency as to direction; the displacement of the earth 

being about fmm.

March 22. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLO. A letter from Steamboat 

Springs, Colo., which is far from railroad or telegraph lines, dated 

March 22, says:

" To-day about 1 o'clock a distinct 'earthquake shock was felt in the 

Yampa Yalley from Pleasant Valley, about 12 miles south of Steamboat 

Springs, to Hayden, about 25 miles west of town. The shock was
16 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1895. [DULL. 147.

accompanied by a "report, resembling the discharge of a blast in a 

mine, accompanied by a long, low rumbling sound. The sound was 

accompanied by a distiuct vibration, from east to west, and violent 

enough to cause windows to rattle and dishes and spoons to dance." 

San Jose Mercury, March 25,1895.

April 1. EUREKA. At 8.42 o'clock this morning a sharp shock of 

earthquake was felt here. The vibrations were from southwest to 

northeast. Newspaper report.

April 6. SAN JOSE. The Evening News reported a shock "just 

before 7 a. m." The correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle 

reported a shock about 6.45 a. m.

Not felt at Lick Observatory.

April 16. PORT TOWNSEND, WASH. Two slight shocks of earthquake were felt here shortly after midnight last night. Heavy brick 

buildings trembled and many people were frightened badly. San 

Francisco Examiner, April 17,1895.

April 17. VACAVILLE. Quite a sharp earthquake shock was felt 

here this morning about 12.30 o'clock. Some people were quite uneasy, 

it being only two days from the third anniversary of the great shock 

of April 19,1892, when so much damage was done.

VIRGINIA, NEV. There was a short, sharp seismic shock at 6 o'clock 

this evening. San Francisco Chronicle, April 18,1895.

April 18. UKIAH. A small unnamed island off the coast of this 

county (Mendociuo), opposite Bournes Lauding, is now in a state of 

eruption, according to the report of an observer. For some time past 

it has been reported that flames were issuing from the center of the 

isle. J. E. Meredith, who resides in Trinity County and who has been 

traveling along the northern coast for some weeks, passed the island 

Thursday. It was some time during the early evening, and he was 

attracted by a bright light in the west. The flames were so brilliant 

that he at first imagined they were caused by a burning ship at sea. 

On his return south the next day, however, he discovered smoke curling up and then saw it emanated from a peak on the island. San Jose 

Mercury, April 22,1895.

NOTE. This has not been verified. C. D. P.

April 19. VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA. A slight shock of earthquake, moving from east to west, was felt here a little before midnight. 

Buildings all through the city trembled and all the telephone calls came 

down together with a clatter. Newspaper report.

April 27. CITY OF MEXICO, MEXICO. Colima volcano is again in a 

state of eruption, emitting great columns of smoke and fire, both night 

and day. The inhabitants of the immediate neighborhood of the volcano are leaving their homes. Newspaper report.

May 1. LAKEPORT. Quite a severe shock of earthquake was felt 

here at 2.30 o'clock this morning. The vibrations were from west to 

east and lasted from five to seven seconds. No damage was done.
PEEKINE.] CHRONOLOGIC RECORD. 17

UKIAH. May day opened with a severe shock of earthquake. It 

occurred at 3 o'clock aud lasted some seconds. Newspaper report.

May 21. SAN JOSE-MOUNT HAMILTON. The telephone operator in 

San Jose reported a shock of earthquake in San Jose about 10.45 a. m.

W. W. 0. and E. H. T. (at Mount Hamilton) noticed rattling about 

that time, but felt nothing.

The duplex instrument shows a slight mark, probably from this 

shock, of lmm (earth's movement ^mm ). N. W.

Later it was learned that the nitroglycerin works at Pinole, Contra 

Costa County, had exploded at 10.40 on that morning. Doubtless the 

shock noted above was due to this explosion. Pinole is nearly 60 miles, 

air line, from Mount Hamilton.

May 28 to 31. PERU AND CHILE. San Francisco, July 19. South 

American advices brought by the steamer San Bias to-day state that 

the south coast of Peru and the coast of Chile north of Valparaiso

have been visited by a tidal wave which has done a great (leal of 

damage. Earthquake shocks preceded the marine disturbance, and at 

Serena on May 28, at 1.30 a. m., a severe earthquake lasting forty-five 

seconds occurred. At 3.55 o'clock another shock followed. The shocks 

were felt along the coast, and on May 31 there were several severe 

shocks, and after one of them, the sea made an incursion inland to a 

distance of 200 meters. San Jose Mercury, July, 1895.

June 4. SAN FRANCISCO. A blast of 15,000 pounds of powder was 

exploded on Clarendon Heights.

No effect was noticed at Mount Hamilton.

June 11. A newspaper report from New Whatcoin, Wash., says 

Mount Baker (40 miles away) has been smoking or steaming, and that 

a new peak has appeared between the dome and south peak, visible 

at New Whatcoin with the naked eye.

NOTE. This report has not been verified. C. D. P.

June 15. PORT TOWNSEND, WASH., June 16. Chimacum, a small 

farming center 4 miles from here, was terribly shaken, last night at 8 

o'clock by the falling of a huge meteor, which burst with a loud noise, 

and after causing a small sized cyclone of several minutes' duration 

buried itself deep in the muddy bottom of a neighboring lagoon. The 

meteor struck with force enough to break crockery in farmhouses 3 

miles away and created great terror among the residents. Ten hours 

after the occurrence the waters of the lagoon were still bubbling and 

seething, and were found to be hot. Systematic dragging of the 

lagoon failed to bring up any traces of the celestial messenger. San 

Francisco Examiner, June 17, 1895.

June 20. MOUNT HAMILTON. 911 43m 26s p. m., Pacific standard. 

" One shock of intensity II or III, northeast and southwest, third-story 

brick house." 0. D. P.

The duplex instrument shows a single displacement of the earth of 

about £miu in a north east-arid- south west direction with several very 

sinull vibrations at the end, 

Bull. 147 2
18 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1895. [BULL, 147.

"About forty-five minutes after the first earthquake shock a star 

viewed in the 12-iuch equatorial was seen to vibrate sharply over an 

arc of 1" or 2". The telescope was clamped at the time. If this was a 

second earthquake shock it was too slight to be felt." E. G. A.

SMITH CREEK:. A lady visitor reported that the earthquake .of June 

20 was felt at Smith Creek. She was from San Jose, but did not feel 

it there.

June 23. SAN DIEGO, June 16. George Neal, a mining man, who is 

putting in a hydraulic plant at Juarez, on the peninsula, saw a sight 

on the desert last Sunday that filled him with amazement. He was in 

company with Lew Hosgate at the time. Their property is on the Tajo 

Biver. At that place the desert is in plain view for miles. Neal looked 

across toward the Cocopah Mountains, and was surprised to see a heavy 

column of smoke ascending from the central peak of the three Pichacos 

that rose several hundred feet. Neal and Hosgate watched the black 

column, and saw it shoot high into the air at intervals, and a distant 

booming sound was heard as of cannonading. The Indians told them 

that the Cocopah country was on one of its " tantrums" again, and that 

the mud volcanoes, gas fissures, hot springs, and fire volcanoes were all 

at work with more activity than ever before.

Many Cocopah and Santa Catarina Indians were reported to have 

fled from the mountains into the interior of the peninsula and over to 

the Colorado River. Gas wells or fissures exist, according to the Indians, 

which blow at irregular intervals, emitting a whistle which can be heard 

for miles. Newspaper report.

NOTE. This has not been verified. 0. D. P.

June 24. MOUNT HAMILTON. " 9b 25m 36s ± 23 , standard Pacific time. 

One earthquake shock at the above time. I was observing with the 

36-inch. Planet moved north and south over about 5" or 6"." E.E.B.

"A slight earthquake shock was noticed at 9 h 25m 41s, Pacific standard, The 12-iucli equatorial telescope was directed at v Scorpii at the

time, and stars A and B were seen to vibrate three or four times over 

'an arc of nearly 4" north and south in the field of view, coming back 

nearly to their original position." li. G. A.

The duplex seismograph shows a single displacement of the earth of 

about £mm about north-northeast and south-southwest.

June 28. SEATTLE, WASH. Assistant Weather Observer E. O. Hobbs 

has recently been making some examinations on the summit of Mount 

Kainier with a small telescope and has discovered a large, dark crevasse 

through the center of Columbia Crest which can be seen plainly with 

the naked eye. A large snowslide has recently occurred at the base of 

Liberty Cap on the north side, and on the west side there appears to be 

several new crevasses of various sizes. Mr. Hobbs has also noticed the 

mountain steaming and smoking in the same manner as last winter. 

San Francisco Chronicle, June 29.

NOTE. This report has not been confirmed. 0. D. P.
CHRONOLOGIC RECORD. 19

July. NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA. Vancouver, British Columbia, July 9. The earthquake shock at Nanaimo this week caused no 

little alarm in that city, it being thought that another explosion had 

occurred at the mines. The alarm was, however, soon dissipated, and 

the shook, which lasted a few seconds only, did no damage except the 

breakage of some crockery in houses and stores.

It may be worth noting, in this connection, that there are persistent 

reports by dwellers in the neighborhood of Hope, a small town about 

100 miles up the Eraser Eiver, to the effect that one of the small 

mountains in the Smimilkameen is an active volcano. Flames are seen 

shooting therefrom at night, and several parties have lately attempted, 

in consequence, to explore the vicinity. Newspaper report.

July 26. SANTA BARBARA. 4.10 p. m. Earthquake lasted three 

seconds. Vibration northwest to southeast. San Francisco Chronicle, 

 July 27. '

August 4. GILROY, CAL. An earthquake shock was felt here at 2 

a. m. to-day. The vibration was from west to east, and lasted but a 

second. No damage is reported. San Francisco Call. . ;

August 15-17.-^VIRGINIA, NEV. Six shocks of. earthquake, two of 

which'were quite severe, constitute the seismic record of Virginia, 

Nev., for the past two days. Newspaper report.

September 1. TAGOMA, WASH. The mountain climbers who returned 

to-night from Mount Tacoma report steam, smoke, and gas belching 

from the foot of Msqually Glacier, where the Msqually Eiver has its 

source. The mountain climbers and mountaineers are much alarmed 

by the strange phenomenon.

At the rim of the crater, southeast of Columbia Crest, the ground 

is quite warm, notwithstanding the arctic atmosphere of the summit. 

Steam comes out of the crater at this particular point more freely 

than any other part. San Jose Mercury, September 2, 1895.

October 7. MILLS COLLEGE. 7.17 p. m. "With this I send a rather 

faint blue print of an earthquake tracing, the first I have observed for 

some time. The shock occurred about 7h 17m p. m., October 7, 1895, 

and was distinctly felt, though it was not severe. There was a slight 

premonitory rumbling, then a distinct shaking, giving one the idea of 

the exertion of great force." Josiah Keep.

The tracing inclosed with the above is somewhat indistinct, and the 

limits of vibration consequently uncertain, but seems to be about 10mm 

by"l£mm, the longer direction being about north-northwest by southsoutheast. The disturbance seemed to be composed of several nearly 

parallel waves.

ALBUQUERQUE, N. MEX. The people of Sabinal and Jorales, two 

small settlements south of this city, are greatly excited over three 

distinct earthquake shocks, and many have moved from their homes 

into the mountains. The waves were from the southeast to the northwest and were so strong that houses rocked to and fro and household
20 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1895. [BULL. 147.

goods tumbled from the shelves. The shocks were felt here last night 

but only slightly. San Francisco Examiner, October 8, 1895.

October 14. The tide gauge of the United States Coast Survey at 

Sausalito shows evidences of a heavy storm or earthquake. The irregularities in the record began at 8.20 a. m. on October 14 and lasted 

continuously for eighteen hours. San Francisco Call, October 19,1895.

October 20. OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON. This range was 

reported in active eruption about this time, but upon investigation it 

was found that the flames seen were those of forest fires and from a 

burning vein of lignite coal.

October 24. AT SEA, off the California coast. The ship John G. Potter, 

Captain Meyer, makes the following report to the Merchants' Exchange:

"October 24, in latitude 43° 54' north and longitude 128° 32' west, 

experienced a severe shock of earthquake, lasting 25 seconds. It 

made the ship shake as if it had jumped over a coral reef in a heavy 

swell." San Francisco Chronicle, October 31,1895.

October 31. CHICAGO, ILL. Prof. E. E. Barnard reports a sharp 

shock at 5U 12m 108-158 a. m.

November 7. MOUNT HAMILTON. " 5h 46m 34s a. m., slight shock. 

31' 12m 55s p. m., two severe vibrations a second or two apart; direction 

of motion seemed to be downward and toward the northeast." A. L. C.

"3lj 12m 51£s p. m., Pacific standard. In southeast corner room, first 

story, brick house. Heavy shock lasting four or five seconds; E. F., V. 

One or two light trembles and then two heavy waves, the principal 

direction felt being about southwest and northeast. Motion appeared 

to be almost entirely horizontal; could not distinguish any decided verticalmotion. Some article in dark room fell to the floor after the heaviest shocks. Disturbance ended rather abruptly. Wind light, from 

northeast. Hazy. No noise noticed before the shock. A small notch 

in barograph record at this time. Barometer unsteady, but this notch 

seems as if it might be clue to the earthquake." Notch is 0.01 or 0.02 

of an inch in depth. 0. D. P.

The Ewing instrument was not started, but the pens show a vibration as follows:

East and west, 4.0ram =1.2ram displacement of earth, 

North and south, 3.7mm =l.lmm displacement of earth, 

Vertical movement, 10.5mm =6.6mm displacement of earth,

which, however, is very uncertain and is undoubtedly very much 

augmented by the "creep" of this pen due to temperature, which is 

large. The clock was started, giving the time as 3h 12.7m p. m.

The duplex seismograph shows a complicated series of motions, of 

which the greatest were east-southeast and west-northwest 7mm , or 

lfmm actual displacement of the earth. The greatest displacement of 

the earth at right angles to this direction was fnim .

SAN JOSE. The city was visited by a sharp shock of earthquake at
CHRONOLOGIC RECORD. 21

3.14 o'clock this afternoon, lasting ten seconds, the vibrations apparently being from east to west. San Francisco Examiner, November 8, 

1895.

SANTA CRUZ. An earthquake shock, the heaviest in five years, was 

felt here at 3.15 o'clock this afternoon. The vibrations were from east 

to west. San Francisco Examiner, November 8, 1895.

SAN JOSE. San Jose was visited by an earthquake about 3.15 o'clock 

yesterday afternoon. There were two sharp shocks of short duration. 

No damage was done. San Jose Mercury, November 8,1895.

November 26. MOUNT HAMILTON. UA light earthquake shock was 

felt to-day at I'1 56m 358 , Pacific standard. Its direction could not be 

noted. Its duration was but momentary. I should estimate its intensity on the Rossi-Forel scale as III." E. G. A.

lh 56'" 358 p. m., Pacific standard. Light shock. Eossi-Forel II. 

C. D. P.

Did not start the Ewing instrument. t The east-and-west pen shows 

a vibration of the earth of about 0.5niln , and the north-and-south pen a 

vibration of about 0.4mm . The vertical motion is masked entirely by 

the "creep" due to temperature. The duplex instrument shows one 

(only) complete wave, about northeast and southwest, with a displacement of the earth of 0.4mm .

November. KYUQUOT, BRITISH COLUMBIA. Victoria, British Columbia, November 30. Kyuquot, an Indian village on the west coast 

of Vancouver Island, received a severe shock of earthquake early this 

month which the natives will long remember. Their little houses were 

shaken almost from their foundations, trees swayed, and considerable 

damage was done. The natives regarded the strange disturbance as 

the beginning of the end, when their dead relatives would rise from 

the earth and join them. They rejoiced greatly at the thought of such 

an event, and filled the air with sounds of gladness, firing off big 

guns, beating tin pans, and otherwise creating noises heard for miles 

away. San Francisco Call, December 1, 1895.

December 8. FAIRFIELD. A few minutes before 8 o'clock this morning a heavy shock of earthquake was experienced here, lasting five 

seconds. Three distinct oscillations were plainly felt, the vibrations 

running from northeast to southwest. San Francisco Chronicle, 

December 9, 1895.

FULLERTON. A heavy shock of earthquake, closely followed by a 

lighter one, was felt here early this morning. San Francisco Chronicle, 

December 9,1895.

NAPA. A distinct shock of earthquake was experienced in Napa 

yesterday morning, lasting several seconds. San Francisco Call, 

December-10,1895.

December 12. UKIAH. A slight shock of earthquake was felt in this 

city at 12.40 this morning. The oscillations were from east to west. 

San Francisco Call, December 13,1895.
22 EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA IN 1895. [BULL.UT.

December 23. SANTA BARBARA. About 9.30 this evening an earthquake was felt here which lasted several seconds. Newspaper report.

December 28. MOUNT HAMILTON. 9h 12m 138 a. m., Pacific standard. E. G. A.

9h 12m 01" a. m., Pacific standard, by seismograph clock. Eecorded 

on both seismographs.

The Ewing instrument shows a disturbance lasting, about ten seconds in each horizontal component, and about six seconds in the vertical.

North and south. The waves of shortest period and greatest amplitude occurred in this component, beginning within one second of the 

starting of the plate. The vibrations are of short period, but smooth 

arid regular. The largest one measured had a double amplitude (magnified) of about £nim and a period of one-fourth second, which according to the formula gives an intensity of 32mm per second and would be 

between I and II of the Eossi-Forel scale. The main portion of the 

disturbance lasted about five seconds, some tremors for ten seconds.

East and west. The first few vibrations are of short period, followed 

by slower vibrations of about two seconds. The greatest amplitude 

(double and magnified) is about ^mm.

Vertical. Two waves of about two and one-half seconds each and a 

double amplitude of about Jmm (magnified).

The waves are all too small to measure with any great accuracy.
INDEX OF PLACES.

Pago.

Albuquerque, N. Mox ...................... 19

Ayatlan,Mexico ........................... 13

Chicago.................................... 20

Chile....................................... 17

Cordoba, Mexico........................... 15

Edison, Wash.............................. 13

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

Fail-field.................................... 21

Fullcrtou .................................. 21

Gilroy ..................................... '19

Hayden, Colo............................... 15

Helena, Mont.............................. 13

Kyuquot, British Columbia................ 21

Lakoport................................... 10

Mexico..................................... 1C

Mills College............................... 19

Mount Hamilton............ 13,15,17, ]8,20, 21, 22

Nanaiiuo, British Columbia................. 19

JUa^n.............................. ......... 21

Olympic Mountains........................ 20

1'eru....................................... 17

Pago. 

Pleasant Valley, Colo...................... 15

Portland, OTO^............................. 13

PortTownsciid, Wash..................... 10,17

Puyallup, Wash ........................... 13

San Diego.......... ....................... 18

Sau Jose........-....:................ 10,17,20,21

San Miguellsland........................... 15

SantaBarbara.......................... ..... 19,22

Santa Cruz................................. 21

San salito................................... 20

Seattle, "Wash.............................. 18

Smi ih Creek...... .......................... 18

Steamboat Springs, Colo.................... ] 5

Steilacoom, Wash.............'............. 13

SUTnner, Wash . ............ ............... 13

Tacoma, Wash............................. 13,19

"Dkiah.................... ............ 13,10,17,21

Vacaville ................................... l(j

Victoria,British Columbia...... .......... 10

Virginia, Nov.............................. 10,19

23