* f*» « ir "T * 1 i/~*t ir\7 /^\T tr~\£> I hmt~/^/H ICIW Ml lllv UIllLCtl

1568-1989 (Revised)

11.S, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1527
418 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 3. Deaths from earthquakes in the United States

Date Earthquake locality No. of deaths

December 16, 1811-February 7, 1812.......................Northeast Arkansas-New Madrid. Missouri..................................................Several

Decembers, 1812......................................................San Juan Capistrano, California.......................................................................40

December 21, 1812....................................................Santa Barbara, California...................................................................................!

January 9, 1857..........................................................Fort Tejon, California........................................................................................!

April 3, 1868..............................................................Hawaii Island, Hawaii (landslides 31, tsunami 46) .............^....................77

October 21, 1868........................................................Hayward. California.........................................................................................30

March 26, 1872 ..........................................................Owens Valley, California.................................................................................27

May 10, 1877 .............................................................Hawaii Island, Hawaii........................................................................................5

September 1, 1886 .....................................................Charleston. South Carolina..............................................................................60

April 19, 1892............................................................Vacaville, California..........................................................................................!

December 25. 1899 ....................................................San Jacinto, California...............................................................»......................6

April 18, 1906............................................................San Francisco, California (earthquake and fire) ...............................about 3,000

June 23. 1915.............................................................Imperial Valley, California................................................................................6

April 21, 1918............................................................San Jacinto. California.......................................................................................!

June 29, 1925.............................................................Santa Barbara, California.................................................................................l3

June 29, 1926.............................................................Santa Barbara, California...................................................................................!

June 6, 1932...............................................................Eureka, California..............................................................................................!

March 11, 1933..........................................................Long Beach, California..............................................................................-.! 15

October 19. 1935........................................................He!ena, Montana................................................................................................2

October 31. !935........................................................Helena, Montana................................................................................................2

May 19, 1940.............................................................Imperial Valley, California................................................................................9

April 1, 1946..............................................................Aleutian Islands, Alaska

(tsunami 159 Hawaii, 5 Alaska, 1 California) ............................................165

April 13, 1949............................................................Puget Sound. Washington..........................................................w......................8

July 21, 1952..............................................................Kern County, California...................................................................................!2

August 22, !952.........................................................Kern County, California.....................................................................................2

December 21, 1954....................................................Eureka, California..............................................................................................!

October 24. !955........................................................Concord, California............................................................................................!

March 22,1957..........................................................Daly City. California..........................................................................................1

July 10, 1958..............................................................Southeasre^

August 18, 1959.........................................................Hebgen Lake, Montana....................................................................................28

May 21, 1960.............................................................Chile, South America (tsunami in Hawaii)......................................................61

March 28, 1964..........................................................Prince William Sound. Alaska

(tsunami 98 Alaska, 11 California, 1 Oregon:

earthquake 15 Alaska)................................................................................. 125

April 29, 1965............................................................Seattle, Washington ...........................................................................................7

October2. 1969..........................................................SantaRosa. California......................................,................................................!

February 9,1971 ........................................................San Fernando, California.................................................................................65

November 29, 1975....................................................Hawaii Island, Hawaii........................................................................................2

October 28, 1983........................................................Borah Peak, Idaho..............................................................................................2

October 1, 1987..........................................................Los Angeles-Whittier, California......................................................................8

October4, !987..........................................................Los Angeles-Whittier, California......................................................................!

Augusts, 1989...........................................................Santa Cruz County, California...........................................................................!

October 18. 19S9........................................................SantaCruzCountv, California.........................................................................63

irU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1993-774-049/66043
COVER Photograph of damage on East Bay Street, Charleston, South Carolina, after the 

earthquake of September 1, 1886 (Aug. 31 EST).
Seismicity of the United States, 

1568-1989 (Revised)

By CARL W. STOVER and JERRY L. COFFMAN

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1527

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1993
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

MANUEL LUJAN, JR., Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Dallas L. Peck, Director

Published in the Central Region, Denver, Colorado

Manuscript approved for publication February 20,1992

Edited by Richard W. Scott, Jr.

Graphics prepared by Wayne Hawkins; extensive use made of author-drafted material

Type composed by Shelly A. Fields

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is

for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement

by the U.S. Government

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Stover, Carl W.

Seismicity of the United States, 1568-1989 / by Carl W. Stover and Jerry L. Coffman. Rev.

p. cm. (U.S. Geological Survey professional paper ; 1527) 

Includes bibliographical references. 

Supt.ofDocs.no.: 119.16: P1527

1. Earthquakes United States. I. Coffman, Jerry L. II. Title. III. Series

QE535.2.U6S77 1993 92-26509 

551.2'2'0973 dc20 GIF

For sale by the Book and Open-File Report Sales

U.S. Geological Survey

Federal Center, Box 25286

Denver, CO 80225
CONTENTS

Abstract.......................................................................................... 1

Introduction................................................................................... 1

Acknowledgments.......................................................................... 2

Magnitudes..................................................................................... 2

Intensity, felt area, and isoseismal maps.................................... 3

Seismicity maps............................................................................. 4

Damage summaries....................................................................... 4

Explanation of tables..................................................................... 5

Modified Mercalli intensity scale of 1931.................................... 6

References cited............................................................................. 14

STATE CHAPTERS

Alabama.......................................................................................... 15

Alaska............................................................................................. 19

Arizona........................................................................................... 61

Arkansas......................................................................................... 65

California........................................................................................ 71

Colorado.......................................................................................... 187

Connecticut..................................................................................... 193

Delaware......................................................................................... 195

Florida............................................................................................ 197

Georgia........................................................................................... 199

Hawaii............................................................................................ 201

Idaho............................................................................................... 215

Illinois............................................................................................. 223

Indiana........................................................................................... 231

Kansas............................................................................................ 235

Kentucky........................................................................................ 237

Louisiana........................................................................................ 243

Maine.............................................................................................. 245

Massachusetts................................................................................ 249

Michigan......................................................................................... 253

Minnesota....................................................................................... 257

Mississippi...................................................................................... 259

Missouri.......................................................................................... 261

Montana.......................................................................................... 267

Nebraska........................................................................................ 279

Nevada........................................................................................... 283

New Hampshire ............................................................................ 301

New Jersey.................................................................................... 305

New Mexico................................................................................... 307

New York....................................................................................... 313

North Carolina.............................................................................. 321

North Dakota................................................................................. 325

Ohio................................................................................................ 327

Oklahoma....................................................................................... 333

Oregon............................................................................................ 337

Pennsylvania................................................................................. 343

Rhode Island.................................................................................. 345

South Carolina.............................................................................. 347

South Dakota................................................................................. 355

Tennessee....................................................................................... 357

Texas.............................................................................................. 361

Utah............................................................................................... 365

Vermont.......................................................................................... 373

Virginia.......................................................................................... 375

Washington.................................................................................... 379

West Virginia................................................................................. 391

Wyoming........................................................................................ 393

ILLUSTRATIONS

FIGURE 1-2. Locations of magnitude > 4.5 or damaging earthquakes in the conterminous:

1. Western United States, 1769-1989 .............................................................................................................................. 8

2. Eastern United States, 1568-1989............................................................................................................................... 9

3-6. Locations of earthquakes causing damage (MMI > VI) in:

3. The conterminous Western United States, 1769-1989............................................................................................... 10

4. The conterminous Eastern United States, 1568-1989 ............................................................................................... 11

5. Alaska, 1786-1989 ........................................................... 12

6. Hawaii, 1834-1989 ........................................................................................................................................................ 13

7-64. Isoseismal map for the:

7. Alabama earthquake of October 18, 1916.................................................................................................................... 17

ill
IV CONTENTS

8. Yakutat Bay, Alaska, earthquake of September 10, 1899........................................................................................... 51

9. Southeast Alaska earthquake of July 10, 1958........................................................................................................... 56

10. Prince William Sound, Alaska, earthquake of March 28, 1964.................................................................................. 59

11. Sonora, Mexico, earthquake of May 3, 1887................................................................................................................ 64

12. Arkansas earthquake of December 16, 1811................................................................................................................ 67

13. Fort Tejon, California, earthquake of January 9, 1857............................................................................................... 103

14. Owens Valley, California, earthquake of March 26, 1872........................................................................................... 107

15. San Francisco, California, earthquake of April 18, 1906............................................................................................ 119

16. Long Beach, California, earthquake of March 11, 1933.............................................................................................. 133

17. Kern County, California, earthquake of March 15, 1946............................................................................................ 139

18. San Bernardino County, California, earthquake of April 10, 1947............................................................................ 140

19. Riverside County, California, earthquake of December 4, 1948................................................................................. 142

20. Kern County, California, earthquake of July 21, 1952 ............................................................................................... 147

21. Borrego Mountain, California, earthquake of April 9, 1968....................................................................................... 155

22. San Fernando, California, earthquake of February 9, 1971....................................................................................... 160

23. Coalinga, California, earthquake of May 2, 1983........................................................................................................ 174

24. Santa Cruz Mountains (Loma Prieta), California, earthquake of October 18, 1989................................................ 186

25. Colorado earthquake of November 8, 1882.................................................................................................................. 189

26. Southwest Idaho earthquake of July 12, 1944 ............................................................................................................ 218

27. Borah Peak, Idaho, earthquake of October 28, 1983 .................................................................................................. 219

28. Southern Illinois earthquake of September 27, 1891.................................................................................................. 226

29. Southern Illinois earthquake of April 9, 1917............................................................................................................. 227

30. Southern Illinois earthquake of November 9, 1968 .................................................................................................... 230

31. Wabash River valley, Indiana, earthquake of September 27, 1909............................................................................ 233

32. Northern Kentucky earthquake of July 27, 1980........................................................................................................ 239

33. Southern Michigan earthquake of August 10, 1947.................................................................................................... 255

34. Charleston, Missouri, earthquake of October 31, 1895............................................................................................... 263

35. Southeast Missouri earthquake of March 3, 1963....................................................................................................... 265

36. Gallatin County, Montana, earthquake of June 28, 1925........................................................................................... 271

37. Southwest Montana earthquake of November 23, 1947............................................................................................. 273

38. Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake of August 18, 1959 ........................................................................................... 275

39. Northwest Nebraska earthquake of March 28, 1964.................................................................................................. 281

40. Pleasant Valley, Nevada, earthquake of October 3, 1915 ........................................................................................... 292

41. Cedar Mountain, Nevada, earthquake of December 21, 1932.................................................................................... 293

42. Fallon-Stillwater, Nevada, earthquake of July 6, 1954 .............................................................................................. 296

43. Fallon-Stillwater, Nevada, earthquake of August 24, 1954........................................................................................ 297

44. Dixie Valley-Fairview Peak, Nevada, earthquake of December 16, 1954................................................................. 299

45. New Hampshire earthquake of December 20, 1940.................................................................................................... 303

46. New York City, New York, earthquake of August 10, 1884........................................................................................ 315

47. Attica, New York, earthquake of August 12, 1929...................................................................................................... 317

48. Massena, New York, earthquake of September 5, 1944.............................................................................................. 318

49. Blue Mountain Lake, New York, earthquake of October 7, 1983 .............................................................................. 319

50. Waynesville, North Carolina, earthquake of February 21, 1916................................................................................ 323

51. Lima, Ohio, earthquake of September 19, 1884.......................................................................................................... 329

52. Northeast Ohio earthquakes of January 31, 1986 ...................................................................................................... 331

53. El Reno, Oklahoma, earthquake of April 9, 1952........................................................................................................ 335

54. Milton-Freewater, Oregon, earthquake of July 16, 1936............................................................................................ 340

55. Charleston, South Carolina, earthquake of September 1, 1886................................................................................. 352

56. Texas Panhandle earthquake of July 30, 1925............................................................................................................ 363

57. Valentine, Texas, earthquake of August 16, 1931....................................................................................................... 364

58. Kosmo (Hansel Valley), Utah, earthquake of March 12, 1934................................................................................... 369

59. Cache Valley, Utah, earthquake of August 30, 1962................................................................................................... 371

60. Giles County, Virginia, earthquake of May 31, 1897 .................................................................................................. 378

61. Central Washington earthquake of December 15, 1872.............................................................................................. 383

62. Northwest Washington earthquake of November 13, 1939........................................................................................ 386

63. Puget Sound, Washington, earthquake of April 13, 1949........................................................................................... 387

64. Eastern Wyoming earthquake of October 18, 1984..................................................................................................... 396
CONTENTS V

TABLES

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references............................................................................................................................................... 400

2. Magnitude references......................................................................................^^ 413

3. Deaths from earthquakes in the United States.............................................................................................................................. 418

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

By CARL W. STOVER and JERRY L. COFFMAN

ABSTRACT

Macroseismic effects of the principal earthquakes occurring in 

the United States from 1568 through 1989 are described. Principal earthquakes are defined as those of Modified Mercalli intensity 

> VI or Richter magnitude > 4.5. Exceptions are the State of 

Alaska and the offshore areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, where the magnitude cutoff is > 5.5. A tabular list of earthquake data giving date, location, magnitude, intensity, and 

reference information for each earthquake is provided for 47 

States (earthquakes in the categories described above were not 

reported in Iowa, Maryland, Wisconsin, or the District of Columbia). Following each table is a brief narrative of the damaging 

effects of each earthquake of intensity £ VI. The narrative 

includes, where reported, a description of property damage and 

geologic effects as well as an estimate of the total area over which 

the shaking was sensibly felt by humans. Isoseismal maps, depicting the areal distribution of effects, and photographs of property 

damage and geologic effects complement the narratives of selected 

earthquakes.

INTRODUCTION

This publication is a history of the principal earthquakes in the United States from 1568 through 1989. 

It contains all pertinent information on the date, 

location, size, and effects of these historical events. 

We have included only those earthquakes of Modified 

Mercalli intensity ("MM intensity" or "MMI") > VI 

and magnitude > 4.5. Exceptions are the State of 

Alaska and offshore areas of California, Oregon, and 

Washington, where the magnitude range was 

increased to > 5.5 because of the high seismicity of 

those regions. This publication supersedes the compilation by Coffman and others (1982), published 

jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA).

This publication differs from the publication by 

Coffman and others (1982) "Earthquake History of 

the United States," as listed below:

1. It is organized by State and has many new or 

revised isoseismal maps.

2. Epicentral locations were evaluated, and some 

were revised.

3. Many more earthquakes were added, making the 

data more complete.

4. All maximum intensities were reevaluated, and 

a uniform criteria for intensity assignment was 

used, thereby changing some of the intensities 

previously published.

5. Magnitudes are listed by type and source and are 

completely referenced.

The summaries of earthquake damage and other 

effects enumerated in this publication have been 

compiled from many sources (see table 1). Selection 

of information to be included for each earthquake 

was based on the authors' experience in evaluating 

and publishing earthquake data as well as on a 

review of the type of data most often requested from 

the USGS National Earthquake Information Center 

by scientists and laymen.

The earthquakes described herein are listed alphabetically by State name and chronologically by date 

of occurrence (1568 through 1989). Further, earthquakes in Canada and Mexico that caused damage in 

the United States are included in the chapter for the 

State in which the damage occurred. Each State 

chapter includes the following: a map showing the 

distribution of earthquakes; a tabular listing of location, magnitude, maximum intensity, and references; 

brief summaries of damage caused by earthquakes of 

MMI > VI; isoseismal maps showing felt areas for 

selected earthquakes; and photographs of damage 

and geologic changes induced by destructive earthquakes.

Intensity and damage summaries for earthquakes 

that occurred in 1987-89 have been compiled from 

unpublished USGS data and are supplemented by 

data published in journal articles for the most damaging events. Thus, the summaries for 1987-89 

reflect the data available at the time of compilation.
SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The isoseismal maps were drafted by F.W. Baldwin; 

L.R. Brewer prepared the tables and text for publication; and E.G. Reagor did the programming to format 

the tables. G.A. Bollinger, Virginia Polytechnic and 

State University, provided many discussions on the 

data and critically reviewed the final manuscript. T.R. 

Toppazada, California Division of Mines and Geology, 

reviewed the data for California and Nevada. R.L. 

Street, University of Kentucky, provided data for historical earthquakes in the Eastern and Central United 

States. Many of the photographs in this report were 

provided by the NOAA National Geophysical Data 

Center, Earthquake Hazards Photograph Library, 

Boulder, Colorado. After 32 years of providing earthquake information to the public, Carl W. Stover 

retired from government service on January 3, 1993.

MAGNITUDES

Magnitude, a logarithmic measure of the "size" of 

an earthquake, is related to the energy released as 

seismic waves at the focus of an earthquake. 

Although the magnitude scale has neither "top" nor 

"bottom" values, the highest magnitude known to 

have been calculated was about 9.5, the lowest about 

-3.0. On this logarithmic scale, a magnitude 6.0 

shallow-focus earthquake represents elastic-wave 

energy about 30 times larger than that generated by 

a magnitude 5.0 earthquake, 900 times (30x30) 

larger than that of a magnitude 4.0 shock, and so 

forth. Many factors influence the determination of 

earthquake magnitude, including focal depth, distance between earthquake focus and observing station, frequency content of the sampled energy, and 

earthquake radiation pattern (variation of vibrational 

amplitude with azimuth). Magnitude values calculated by the USGS are based on the following six 

formulas:

Surface-Wave Magnitude:

Ms=log (A/T)+1.66(logZ»+3.3, (1)

as adopted by the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior (Bath, 

1966, p. 153), where A is the maximum vertical surface-wave ground amplitude in micrometers; T is the 

period in seconds, and 18<T<22; and D is the distance in geocentric degrees (station to hypocenter), 

and 20<D<160°. No depth correction is made for 

depths less than 50 km, and, generally, MS magnitudes are not computed for depths greater than 50 

km.

Body-Wave Magnitude:

mb=log (A/T)+Q(D,h), (2)

as defined by Gutenberg and Richter (1956), except 

that T, the period in seconds, is restricted to 

0.1<T<3.0, and A, the ground amplitude in micrometers, is not necessarily the maximum of the P-wave 

group. Q is a function of distance (D) and depth (h), 

as published by Gutenberg and Richter (1956), where 

D>5°. * 

Local Magnitude (Western United States):

ML=logA-logA0 , (3)

as defined by Richter (1958, p. 340), where A is the 

maximum trace amplitude in millimeters, written by 

a Wood-Anderson torsion seismometer, and log A0 is 

a standard value as a function of distance, where the 

distance is < 600 km. Values of ML are also calculated from other seismometers by converting recorded 

ground motion to the expected response of the torsion 

seismometer. ML magnitudes are listed for events 

with depths less than 70 km. ML is the only true 

"Richter magnitude" (originally defined for California only), but general usage has extended that description to include other areas and types of 

magnitude as well. There is a potential for misuse in 

this practice, however. When technical or scientific 

applications are to be made, it is essential to specify 

the type of magnitude being used and not to resort to 

a generic "Richter magnitude."

Local and Regional Magnitude (Eastern United 

States):

Mn=3.75+0.90 (logZ» + log (AIT)

0.5C <D<4.0°

Mn=3.30+1.66(logZ»+log (AIT)

(4)

(5)

4.0°<D<30.0°,

as proposed by Nuttli (1973) for North America east 

of the Rocky Mountains, where AIT is expressed in 

micrometers per second, calculated from the verticalcomponent 1-second Lg waves, and D is the distance 

in geocentric degrees. The designator MbLg often is 

used in place of Mn.

Moment Magnitude:

M=2/3(logM0)-10.7, (6)

as defined by Hanks and Kanamori (1979), where the 

seismic moment (M0 commonly expressed in dynecm but may be expressed in Newton-meters; 1 Newton-meter = 107 dyne-cm) is equal to the product of 

the area of the earthquake fault, multiplied by the average fault slip over that area and by the shear modulus of the fault rocks; seismic moment may also be 

determined from the long-period body- and mantlewave moment tensor inversion method of Dziewonski 

and others (1981); or, in California, seismic moment 

is estimated from measurements on Wood-Anderson 

seismograms (Bolt and Herraiz, 1983).
INTENSITY, FELT AREA, AND ISOSEISMAL MAPS

Other Magnitudes:

Variations of MS, nib, and Mn magnitudes have 

been designed by seismologists for local seismographic networks or for particular geographic regions 

so that the results are compatible with the magnitude values derived from the standard formulas 

above. These variations are denned below.

MD designates magnitude estimates derived from 

the duration or coda length of earthquake vibrations. 

MD is commonly computed from the difference, in 

seconds, between Pn- or P^-wave arrival times and 

the time the final coda amplitude decreases to the 

pre-event background-noise amplitude. Duration or 

coda-length magnitude scales normally are adjusted 

to agree with ML or Mn estimates, so that resulting 

magnitudes can be accepted as compatible. Thus, 

the MD formulas vary for different geographic 

regions and for different seismograph systems.

Mfa is a body-wave (nib) magnitude commonly computed from the felt area for earthquakes occurring 

before seismic instruments were in general use. The 

computations are based on isoseismal maps or 

defined felt areas using either the intensity-attenuation method of Nuttli (1973), the magnitude-felt area 

relation of Nuttli and Zollweg (1974), or the intensity-felt area relation of Sibol and others (1987).

MLH is a local magnitude (comparable to ML) computed for earthquakes in California and adjacent 

areas and Hawaii. The computation is based on the 

area of perceptibility shown on isoseismal maps or on 

the area enclosed within a particular intensity level 

as defined by Toppozada (1975).

Mgn is a surface-wave (Ms) magnitude that is 

based on the source parameters for mid-plate earthquakes as defined by Nuttli (1983).

Some seismograph network operators determine a 

magnitude formula for their specific network by comparing their computed magnitude values with magnitudes published by other sources, such as the USGS 

mt» ML, or Mn magnitudes. In this publication, those 

types of magnitudes will be designated mx for bodywave magnitudes (nib) and Mx for local magnitudes 

(ML or Mn). ML applies west of the Rocky Mountains, Mn east of the Rocky Mountains.

MR magnitude represents the average of MS magnitudes computed by different seismograph stations 

or taken from other seismic networks after standardization as defined and published by Rothe (1969).

A magnitude labeled as "Ukn" means that the computational method was unknown and could not be 

determined from the published sources.

The published sources for the "Other" and Moment 

(M) magnitudes are shown by an alphabetic code. 

These codes are defined in table 2.

INTENSITY, FELT AREA, AND 

ISOSEISMAL MAPS

The term "intensity," as applied to earthquakes, 

represents a number assigned to the effects on people 

(number affected, frightened, etc.), manmade structures (toppled chimneys, collapsed walls, etc.), and 

the Earth's surface (landslides, faulting, etc.). The 

intensities listed in this publication were assigned 

according to the effects outlined in the Modified Mercalli intensity scale of 1931 (Wood and Neumann, 

1931), which has 12 discrete steps (see scale on p. 6). 

Modifications applied by the authors to this scale are 

described below. The single intensity value listed as a 

size parameter for each earthquake is the value 

assigned to the maximum reported effects of that 

particular earthquake. The maximum intensity is 

based on documented effects or damage at a place 

(usually a city or town) and are not necessarily the 

same as epicentral intensity (70), which is the estimated intensity at the location of the earthquake.

Some of the maximum intensities in this publication have been changed from previously published 

values (namely in Coffman and others, 1982), mainly 

owing to new sources of information, or reevaluation 

of existing information, or both. Interestingly, many 

of those changes have resulted in the downgrading of 

intensities from MM intensity VI to V This action 

has eliminated many earthquakes from this compilation if their associated magnitude was less than 4.5 

(< 5.5 for Alaska and offshore California, Oregon, 

and Washington). All Rossi-Forel intensities gleaned 

from earlier publications were converted to MMI values using table 4 from Barosh (1969).

The Modified Mercalli intensity scale of 1931 has 

been further modified by the authors for assigning 

intensity values. These modifications were made for 

several reasons: The recent changes the USGS has 

made in the format of the questionnaire used to collect earthquake information have improved both the 

qualitative and quantitative data on the effects of 

shaking; the field experience of the authors (including personal observation of damage) has provided 

insight for more accurate intensity evaluation; and 

the subjective effects on people described in the MM 

intensity scale are not reliable considerations for 

assigning values above the intensity IV level. These 

modifications to the MM intensity scale of 1931 are 

described in more detail below:

IV Felt by many to all. Trees and bushes were 

shaken slightly. Buildings shook moderately to 

strongly. Walls creaked loudly. Observer described the shaking as "strong."

V Felt, frightened, and awakened effects were not 

used at this or higher intensity levels. Hanging
SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

pictures fell. Spilled liquid effects were not used 

to assign any intensity. Trees and bushes were 

shaken moderately to strongly. People had difficulty standing or walking. Felt moderately by 

people in moving vehicles.

VI At this level, there must be reports of physical 

damage to man-made structures as described in 

the MM intensity scale. The only exception is 

that intensity VI is still assigned if many small 

objects fell from shelves and (or) many glassware items or dishes were broken.

VII Only damage to buildings or other man-made 

structures (as described in the MMI scale) is considered.

VIII XII The MM intensity scale is used as written, 

except that neither landslides nor effects on people were used for assigning an intensity. Geologic effects were used only if the earthquake 

occurred in an isolated area having no nearby 

structures that could be damaged.

The "felt areas" listed in the tables were taken 

from different published sources or were estimated 

by the authors from previously published or newly 

drawn isoseismal or intensity maps; the felt areas 

are listed to the nearest 1,000 km2. When an earthquake occurred in a State bordering an ocean, Canada, or Mexico, the total felt area sometimes could 

not be estimated precisely. In those instances, the 

felt area was estimated only for the land area in the 

United States.

Isoseismal maps depict the extent of the felt area 

of an earthquake and separate the effects into areas 

of different levels of intensity. The outer isoseismal 

line defines the total, or projected, contiguous geographical area over which the earthquake was sensibly felt by people. The isoseismal maps that 

illustrate this compilation either are modified versions of previously published maps or are new maps 

prepared by the authors (see figs. 7-64).

New isoseismal maps also have been compiled from 

MMI values assigned by the authors after reevaluating original sources of data. These intensity values 

were assigned only to the effects of shaking; geologic 

effects alone were not considered unless the area was 

uninhabited and there were no structures to damage. 

However, maximum MM intensities assigned by 

other researchers to geologic effects in remote areas 

(mainly in Nevada) have not been changed.

The isoseismal maps contained in this publication 

were mostly selected to represent geographic coverage. If States had a number of damaging earthquakes, only the isoseismal maps for the most 

damaging events were included.

SEISMICITY MAPS

The seismicity and intensity maps for the United 

States, Alaska, Hawaii (figs. 1-6), and those at the 

beginning of each State chapter, show the areal distribution of earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or larger. 

Those earthquakes are depicted by open symbols 

that increase in size with increase in magnitude or 

intensity.

To depict the earthquakes by magnitude on the 

maps, we assigned arbitrary magnitudes to events 

that had no computed magnitudes. This was accomplished by correlating the maximum intensity with 

the average magnitude of earthquakes in four geographical areas (Western U.S., Eastern U.S., Hawaii, 

and Alaska) that had both magnitudes and intensities. The results for four areas are listed below:

Western United States

MMI

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X-XII

Magnitude

<5.0

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Eastern United States

MMI

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X-XII

Magnitude

<5.0

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

Hawaii

MMI

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X-XII

Magnitude

<5.5

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

Alaska

MMI

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X-XII

Magnitude

<6.0

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

DAMAGE SUMMARIES

The effects of all earthquakes of MMI VI or higher 

are summarized for each State, and descriptive
EXPLANATION OF TABLES

information that substantiates the maximum intensity assigned to each earthquake is listed. The data 

sources used to compile the effects (see table 1) are 

listed by source-reference numbers in parentheses at 

the end of each earthquake description. For example, 

"(Ref. 1, 2, 250)" means that those three references 

were used to compile that particular summary, 

including the epicenter.

Earthquakes are listed chronologically by date and 

time of occurrence (in Universal Coordinated Time 

UTC). When the UTC date differs from the local 

date (i.e., the date/time of the earthquake at its epicenter), the local date is given in parentheses following the UTC date. When more than one earthquake 

occurred on the same date, origin times are repeated 

after the date to prevent ambiguity (HST, HawaiiAleutian standard time; AST, Alaska standard time; 

PST, Pacific standard time; MST, Mountain standard 

time; CST, Central standard time; EST; Eastern 

standard time).

All published magnitude values cannot be listed in 

the tables because of lack of space or other reasons. 

However, those available values that are not listed are 

included at the end of the earthquake summaries, e.g., 

Magnitude 7.0 MS GR GR refers to a magnitude reference code; these codes are listed in table 2.

Dollar estimates of property damage are available 

for most destructive earthquakes. These estimates, 

where quoted, use the dollar value for the year in 

which the earthquake occurred. Table 3 lists the 

numbers of deaths caused by destructive U.S. earthquakes.

Information on the effects of many large earthquakes in Alaska's Aleutian Islands is not commonly 

available because of the remoteness of that region 

and the sparseness of its population. Therefore, the 

summaries for many large-magnitude earthquakes in 

Alaska give only date, region of occurrence, and 

magnitude.

EXPLANATION OF TABLES

Each State chapter includes a table that lists the 

basic parameters of the principal earthquakes in that 

State. Dates and origin times for each earthquake 

have been converted to the date and time of the 

Greenwich meridian and labeled as Universal Coordinated Time (UTC). The origin times for some 

earthquakes may differ from that given in the source 

reference. If so, the listed origin time was estimated 

using more accurate sources of data, such as 

seismograms, earthquake phase data, U.S. Weather 

Service reports, or other data sources.

Latitude and longitude values are listed in decimal 

degrees. The number of digits following the decimal

point does not indicate the level of accuracy, however: 

it only duplicates the value published in the original 

source reference.

More than one location has been published for 

many earthquakes in the United States. We, therefore, have selected for this publication the epicenter/ 

hypocenter that, in our judgment, most accurately 

represents the location of each earthquake. Some of 

these epicenters either have been revised from those 

previously published or have been assigned new, previously unpublished epicenters, based on felt-area 

descriptions and locations of damage. All epicenters/ 

hypocenters included in the tables have been given a 

reference number (see table 1).

Only in recent years has the depth of an earthquake in the United States been reliably computed. 

Therefore, the State tables do not give depth values 

for most pre-1930 earthquakes.

Magnitudes are listed for all earthquakes that had 

a published value. Some erroneous mb magnitudes 

computed and published in the Preliminary Determination of Epicenters during the 1960's have been 

eliminated. Published magnitudes that were based 

on maximum MM intensity, however, are not 

included. Many original magnitudes have been 

recomputed on the basis of recent research and new 

computational techniques. Consequently, magnitudes 

selected to be listed in the State chapters are values 

that the authors believe most accurately represent 

the "size" of the earthquake. The Mfa magnitudes, 

identified by the code "SC" in the tables for States 

east of the Rocky Mountains, were computed by the 

authors using the intensity-felt area relation of Sibol 

and others (1987). When magnitudes were published 

as a range (i.e., 6-6V4 ), the average of this range is 

the value listed in the tables. Additional magnitudes 

are listed in parentheses at the end of the summary 

of effects for many earthquakes.

The alphabetic codes associated with the magnitudes represent the source reference for that magnitude. These alphabetic codes are defined in table 2. 

West of longitude 126 W (offshore from California, 

Oregon, and Washington) only earthquakes with 

magnitudes > 5.5 were included.

The MMI values given in the State tables represent the maximum intensity observed for those 

earthquakes listed. However, for a few earthquakes 

in Canada or Mexico that caused damage in the 

United States, the maximum intensity given is that 

observed nearest the epicenter. If that maximum 

intensity is not known, the maximum intensity 

observed in the United States is then listed (see the 

State chapter for details). A "Felt" in the MM intensity column indicates that insufficient information 

was available to assign an intensity value. The
SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

source references for intensity are listed by number 

in the State tables and defined in table 1.

The felt area given in the tables should be considered only as an estimate because the limit of perceptibility of shaking requires detailed reports that are 

unavailable for many earthquakes.

MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY 

SCALE OF 1931

(From Wood and Neumann, 1931)

I Not felt or, except rarely under especially 

favorable circumstances.

Under certain conditions, at and outside the 

boundary of the area in which a great 

shock is felt: sometimes birds, animals, reported uneasy or disturbed; sometimes dizziness or nausea experienced; sometimes 

trees, structures, liquids, bodies of water, 

may sway doors may swing very slowly.

II Felt indoors by few, especially on upper 

floors, or by sensitive, or nervous persons.

Also, as in grade I, but often more noticeably: 

sometimes hanging objects may swing,

especially when delicately suspended; 

sometimes trees, structures, liquids, bodies 

of water may sway; doors may swing very 

slowly; sometimes birds, animals reported 

uneasy or disturbed; sometimes dizziness 

or nausea experienced.

III Felt indoors by several, motion usually 

rapid vibration.

Sometimes not recognized to be an earthquake at first. Duration estimated in 

some cases. Vibration like that due to 

passing of light, or lightly loaded trucks, or 

heavy trucks some distance away. Hanging objects may swing slightly. Movements may be appreciable on upper levels 

of tall structures. Rocked standing motor 

cars slightly.

IV Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few.

Awakened few, especially light sleepers. 

Frightened no one, unless apprehensive 

from previous experience. Vibration like 

that due to passing of heavy or heavily 

loaded trucks. Sensation like heavy body 

striking building or falling of heavy objects 

inside. Rattling of dishes, windows, 

doors; glassware and crockery clink and 

clash. Creaking of walls, frame,

especially in the upper range of this grade. 

Hanging objects swung, in numerous instances. Disturbed liquids in open vessels 

slightly. Rocked standing motor cars noticeably.

V Felt indoors by practically all, outdoors by 

many or most: outdoors direction estimated.

Awakened many, or most. Frightened 

few slight excitement, a few ran outdoors. Buildings trembled throughout. 

Broke dishes, glassware, to some extent. 

Cracked windows in some cases, but 

not generally. Overturned vases, small 

or unstable objects, in many instances, 

with occasional fall. Hanging objects, 

doors, swing generally or considerably. 

Knocked pictures against walls, or swung 

them out of place. Opened, or closed, 

doors, shutters, abruptly. Pendulum 

clocks stopped, started or ran fast, or 

slow. Moved small objects, furnishings, the latter to slight extent. Spilled 

liquids in small amounts from well-filled 

open containers. Trees, bushes, shaken 

slightly.

VI Felt by all, indoors and outdoors.

Frightened many, excitement general, some 

alarm, many ran outdoors. Awakened 

all. Persons made to move unsteadily. 

Trees, bushes, shaken slightly to moderately. Liquid set in strong motion. 

Small bells rang church, chapel, school, 

etc. Damage slight in poorly built buildings. Fall of plaster in small amount. 

Cracked plaster somewhat, especially 

fine cracks in chimneys in some instances. 

Broke dishes, glassware, in considerable 

quantity, also some windows. Fall of 

knickknacks, books, pictures. Overturned furniture in many instances. 

Moved furnishings of moderately heavy 

kind.

VII Frightened all general alarm, all ran outdoors.

Some, or many, found it difficult to stand. 

Noticed by persons driving motor cars. 

Trees and bushes shaken moderately 

to strongly. Waves on ponds, lakes, and 

running water. Water turbid from mud 

stirred up. Incaving to some extent of sand 

or gravel stream banks. Rang large church
MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY SCALE OF 1931

bells, etc. Suspended objects made to quiver. Damage negligible in buildings of 

good design and construction, slight to 

moderate in well-built ordinary buildings, 

considerable in poorly built or badly designed buildings, adobe houses, old walls 

(especially where laid up without mortar), 

spires, etc. Cracked chimneys to considerable extent, walls to some extent. Fall 

of plaster in considerable to large 

amount, also some stucco. Broke numerous windows, furniture to some extent. 

Shook down loosened brickwork and tiles. 

Broke weak chimneys at the roofline 

(sometimes damaging roofs). Fall of cornices from towers and high buildings. Dislodged bricks and stones. Overturned 

heavy furniture, with damage from 

breaking. Damage considerable to concrete irrigation ditches.

VIII Fright general alarm approaches panic.

Disturbed persons driving motor cars. 

Trees shaken strongly branches, 

trunks, broken off, especially palm trees. 

Ejected sand and mud in small amounts. 

Changes: temporary, permanent; in flow 

of springs and wells; dry wells renewed 

flow; in temperature of spring and well waters. Damage slight in structures (brick) 

built especially to withstand earthquakes. 

Considerable in ordinary substantial 

buildings, partial collapse: racked, tumbled down, wooden houses in some cases; 

threw out panel walls in frame structures, 

broke off decayed piling. Fall of walls. 

Cracked, broke, solid stone walls seriously. Wet ground to some extent, also 

ground on steep slopes. Twisting, fall, of 

chimneys, columns, monuments, also 

factory stacks towers. Moved conspicuously, overturned, very heavy furniture.

IX Panic general.

Cracked ground conspicuously. Damage 

considerable in (masonry) structures built 

especially to withstand earthquakes: 

threw out of plumb some wood-frame houses built especially to withstand earthquakes; great in substantial (masonry) 

buildings, some collapse in large part; or 

wholly shifted frame buildings off foundations, racked frames; serious to reservoirs; 

underground pipes sometimes broken.

X Cracked ground, especially where loose and 

wet, up to widths of several inches; fissures up to a yard in width ran parallel to 

canal and stream banks.

Landslides considerable from river banks 

and steep coasts. Shifted sand and mud 

horizontally on beaches and flat land. 

Changed level of water in wells. Threw 

water on banks of canals, lakes, rivers, 

etc. Damage serious to dams, dikes, embankments. Severe to well-built wooden 

structures and bridges, some destroyed. 

Developed dangerous cracks in excellent 

brick walls. Destroyed most masonry and 

frame structures, also their foundations. 

Bent railroad rails slightly. Tore apart, or 

crushed endwise, pipelines buried in 

earth. Open cracks and broad wavy folds 

in cement pavements and asphalt road 

surfaces.

XI Disturbances in ground many and widespread 

varying with ground material.

Broad fissures, earth slumps, and land slips 

in soft, wet ground. Ejected water in large 

amounts charged with sand and mud. 

Caused sea waves ("tidal" waves) of significant magnitude. Damage severe to woodframe structures, especially near shock 

centers. Great to dams, dikes, embankments often for long distances. Few, if any 

(masonry) structures remained standing. 

Destroyed large well-built bridges by the 

wrecking of supporting piers, or pillars. Affected yielding wooden bridges less. Bent 

railroad rails greatly, and thrust them endwise. Put pipelines buried in earth completely out of service.

XII Damage total practically all works of construction damaged greatly or destroyed.

Disturbances in ground great and varied, numerous shearing cracks. Landslides, falls 

of rock of significant character, slumping of 

river banks, etc., numerous and extensive. Wrenched loose, tore off, large rock 

masses. Fault slips in firm rock, with notable horizontal and vertical offset displacements. Water channels, surface and 

underground, disturbed and modified 

greatly. Dammed lakes, produced waterfalls, deflected rivers, etc. Waves seen on 

ground surfaces (actually seen, probably, 

in some cases). Distorted lines of sight. 

Threw objects upward into the air.
130°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

125° 120° 115° 110° 105° 100°

35

EXPLANATION

Magnitude

30

25

FIGURE 1. Locations of magnitude > 4.5 or damaging earthquakes in the conterminous Western United States, 1769-1989.
SEISMICITY MAPS

100° 95° 90

EXPLANATION

Magnitude

35°

30°

25°

FIGURE 2. Locations of magnitude > 4.5 or damaging earthquakes in the conterminous Eastern United States, 1568-1989.
10

45°

130°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

125° 120° 115° 110° 105° 100°

Intensity

o

O VII

A VIII

O'X

FIGURE 3. Locations of earthquakes causing damage (MMI > VI) in the conterminous Western United States, 1769-1989.
SEISMICITY MAPS 11

100'

25

FIGURE 4. Locations of earthquakes causing damage (MMI > VI) in the conterminous Eastern United States, 1568-1989.
to

165° 180° 165° 150" 135° 120°

60°

50°

EXPLANATION

Intensity

FIGURE 5. Locations of earthquakes causing damage (MMI > VI) in Alaska, 1786-1989.
SEISMICITY MAPS

FIGURE 6. Locations of earthquakes causing damage (MMI > VI) in Hawaii, 1834-1989.
14 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

REFERENCES CITED

Barosh, P.J., 1969, Use of seismic intensity data to predict the 

effects of earthquakes and underground nuclear explosions in 

various geologic settings: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 

1279, 93 p.

Bath, Markus, 1966, Earthquake energy and magnitude, in Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, v. 7, New York, Pergamon 

Press, p. 115-165.

Bolt, B.A., and Herraiz, Miguel, 1983, Simplified estimation of 

seismic moment from seismograms: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 73, no. 3, p. 735-748.

Coffman, J.L., von Hake, C.A., and Stover, C.W., 1982, Earthquake 

history of the United States: U.S. Department of Commerce, 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. 

Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, Publication 41- 

1, revised edition [through 1980], 258 p.

Dziewonski, A.M., Chou, T.A., and Woodhouse, J.H., 1981, Determination of earthquake parameters from waveform data for 

studies of global and regional seismicity: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 86, no. B4, p. 2825-2852.

Gutenberg, Beno, and Richter, C.F., 1956, Magnitude and energy 

of earthquakes: Annali di Geofisica, v. 9, no. 1, p. 1-15.

Hanks, T.C., and Kanamori, Hiroo, 1979, A moment magnitude scale: 

Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 84, no. B5, p. 2348-2350.

Nuttli, O.W., 1973, Seismic-wave attenuation and magnitude relations for eastern North America: Journal of Geophysical 

Research, v. 78, no. 5, p. 876-885.

 1983, Average seismic source-parameter relations for midplate earthquakes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, 

v. 73, no. 2, p. 519-535.

Nuttli, O.W., and Zollweg, J.E., 1974, The relation between felt 

area and magnitude for Central United States earthquakes: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 64, no. 1, p. 73-85.

Rothe, J.P., 1969, The Seismicity of the Earth, 1953-1965: Paris, 

France, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural 

Organization [UNESCO], 336 p.

Richter, C.F., 1958, Elementary Seismology, San Francisco and 

London, W.H. Freeman and Company, 768 p.

Sibol, M.S., Bollinger, G.A., and Birch, J.B., 1987, Estimation of 

magnitudes in central and eastern North America using 

intensity and felt area: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 77, no. 5, p. 1635-1654.

Toppozada, T.R., 1975, Earthquake magnitude as a function of 

intensity data in California and western Nevada: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 65, no. 5, p. 1223-1238.

Wood, H.O., and Neumann, Frank, 1931, Modified Mercalli intensity scale of 1931: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, 

v. 21, no. 4, p. 277-283.
ALABAMA

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity 

O 3.8-4.4/VI

Q 5.0-5.4/VII

Birmingham

ALABAMA

Montgomery

FLORIDA

100 KILOMETERS 

I I

Earthquakes in Alabama with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

15
16 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALABAMA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1916 10 18

1931 05 05

1957 04 23

1959 08 12

1975 08 29

Origin

time (urc)

h m s

2204

1218

092339.0

180601.4

042252.1

Hypocenter

Latitude

<°)

33.5 N

33.7 N

33.770N

34.789N

33.659N

Longitude

(°)

86.5 W

86.6 W

86.723W

86.562W

86.588W

Depth

(km)

005

005

004

Ref

272

38

349

349

349

USGS

fT>b MS

 

 

 

 

3.5 

Magnitude

Other

5.10Mfa

4.00Mfa

4.10Mfa

3.80Mfa

4.40MX

SC

SC

SC

SC

JLM

Intensity

Moment MM

M

 vn

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

Ref

38

38

30

32

48

Felt area

(1,000km2)

384

17

28

7

25

1989 08 20 000317.8 34.736N 87.645W 010 74 3.90Mn GS VI 579

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1916. Oct. 18. Irondale, Jefferson County, 

Ala. On the basis of the number of chimneys 

destroyed, this earthquake was more severe in Irondale than in any other town between Easonville and 

Birmingham. At Irondale, about 5 km north of Birmingham, 14 chimneys in a two-block area were 

partly destroyed, and six chimneys on a brick store 

were leveled almost to the roof. Many other chimneys 

either were leveled to the roofs or were cracked so 

badly that they had to be rebuilt. At Pell City, a few 

bricks were dislocated from one of the courthouse 

chimneys, and near Easonville, a few chimneys were 

damaged lightly. Poorly built chimneys on the eastern edge of Birmingham were damaged heavily.

A careful study of the Red Gap fault, which 

extends from near Gate City to beyond Irondale, did 

not reveal direct evidence of recent earth movement. 

The most significant geologic result was the effect of 

the earthquake on underground water, particularly 

in Irondale. Five wells in a one-block area of Irondale 

went dry immediately after the shock, and the water 

level in many others was lowered. At Pell City, the 

shock lowered the water level in one well about 50 

cm. Several small aftershocks occurred through Oct. 

28. Also felt in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee 

(see fig. 7). (Ref. 38, 105, 272, 508.)

1931. May 5. Near Birmingham, Jefferson 

County, Ala. This earthquake knocked bricks from a 

chimney at Birmingham, and shook objects from 

walls of a blacksmith shop at Cullman. Also felt in

Georgia and possibly in South Carolina. (Ref. 38, 

105, 508.)

1957. Apr. 23. Near Birmingham, Jefferson 

County, Ala. Several chimneys sustained minor 

damage at Birmingham; concrete steps were cracked 

and several small cracks formed on interior walls. 

Items on tables tumbled to the floor. Also felt in 

Georgia and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.2 Mfa BAR, 4.2 

Mfa DG. (Ref. 30, 349, 508.)

1959. Aug. 12. Hazel Green, Madison County, 

Ala. This earthquake was strongest in Madison 

County in northern Alabama. North of Huntsville, at 

Hazel Green, bricks toppled from chimneys and 

alarmed residents ran from their houses. One chimney and a new concrete-block building were damaged 

at nearby Meridianville. Plaster cracked slightly at 

Huntsville, and merchandise was thrown from 

shelves. Also felt at several towns in Tennessee. Magnitude 3.8 Mn BAR, 3.8 Mfa DG. (Ref. 32, 349, 508.)

1975. Aug. 29 (Aug. 28). Palmerdale, Jefferson County, Ala. The earthquake cracked a sheetrock ceiling and shifted lamps on tables at 

Palmerdale, north of Birmingham. It caused slight 

damage at Watson, where furniture was displaced 

slightly Also felt in southern Tennessee. Magnitude 

4.4 Mn SLM. (Ref. 48, 349.)

1989. Aug. 20 (Aug. 19). Near Littleville, 

Colbert County, Ala. A Colbert County official 

reported that, south of Florence between Littleville 

and Russellville, a basement wall collapsed beneath 

a house. Only slight damage was reported north of 

the epicenter at Florence, where windows were 

cracked and hairline cracks formed in plaster. Also 

felt in Lauderdale, Lawrence, and Morgan Counties 

in northwest Alabama and Lawrence County in 

south-central Tennessee. (Ref. 74, 579.)
90°

EARTHQUAKES IN ALABAMA 

86° 84°

17

EXPLANATION 

W Epicenter 

Intensity 7

GULF OF MEXICO

30°

FIGURE 7. Isoseismal map for the Alabama earthquake of October 18,1916. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from data listed

in reference 272 of table 1.

165° 180° 165° 150° 135° 120°

60°50°

Magnitude/Intensity

0 5.5-6.4/VI 

o 6.5-6.9/VII

Q 7.0-7.4/VIII 

Q 7.5-7.9

<8.0

ALASKA

>

Qo 0 . /I pa\rbanKs

+mFQMil

Earthquakes in Alaska with magnitudes > 5.5 or intensity > VI.
20 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1786

1788 07

1788 08

1792

1796 05

1802

1812

1817 03

1818 04

1826 06

1836 04

1836 08

1840 04

1843 12

1843 12

1843 12

1844 04

1847

1847 04

1848 03

1848 06

1854 01

1857 09

1866 09

1867 07

1868 05

1872 08

1878 08

1879 06

1880 09

1880 09

1880 09

1880 09

1880 10

1883 10

1896 05

1897 01

1898 06

1898 08

1898 08

1898 10

1899 04

1899 07

1899 07

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

Origin Hypocenter

time (UTC) Latitude

Da

22

07

20

14

14

15

16

17

13

16

30

30

28

08

06

20

15

23

29

03

29

29

29

29

26

06

11

29

01

25

11

02

11

14

04

04

04

04

10

10

10

10

h m s

1045

2230

0100

1000

16

1045

10

18

21

09

1802

2032

04

07

13

23

2220

18

1836

08

1637

0330

1332

0022

0427

0440

0526

1704

2020

2035

2042

(°)

55.0

56.0

55.0

57.0

54.0

54.0

52.0

53.0

54.0

54.0

57.0

57.0

60.5

57.0

57.0

57.0

57.0

57.0

55.0

57.0

55.0

57.0

58.0

58.0

62.0

55.0

52.0

54.0

52.0

55.8

55.8

55.8

55.8

57.0

59.0

61.0

60.0

52.0

61.0

61.0

50.71

55.0

61.0

60.0

60.0

60.0

60.0

60.0

60.0

60.0

60.0

60.0

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude Depth 

(°) (km)

162.0

157.0

161.0

152.0

167.0

167.0

174.5

168.0

167.0

167.0

170.0

170.0

152.0

136.0

136.0

136.0

152.0

136.0

158.0

136.0

155.0

152.0

152.0

152.0

161.0

161.0

172.0

167.0

174.5

155.6

155.6

155.6

155.6

136.0

154.0

146.0

140.0

172.0

150.0

146.0

179.50

161.0

151.0

150.0

142.0

142.0

142.0

142.0

140.0

140.0

140.0

140.0

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

_

_

__

_

_

__

_ _

_

_

__

_

_ -

__

_

_ _

_

__

__

_

_

__

^_

_

_

_

__

___

Ref

255

456

456

456

38

38

38

38

38

38

38

436

515

38

38

38

456

38

456

515

456

456

38

38

38

38

516

38

38

463

463

463

463

463

38

38

38

425

420

38

477

420

38

412

404

420

412

420.

404

420

420

420

Magnitude Intensity

USGS Other Moment MM 

mb MS M

 Felt

_ _ _ _ vn

_ _ _ _ _ . 

 _ vn

 Felt

 Felt

 Felt

_ Felt

 _ Felt

 

_ _ _ _ yjj

_ _ _ _ VI

_ _ VI

 Felt

 Felt

_ _ VI

_ _ _ _ yj

_ _ _ vn

 VI

_ VI

_ _ _ _ Yj

_ _ . _ _ y

_ _ _ _ V

_ _ _ _ vn

_ _ _ _ v

_ _ _ _ _

_ _ 

_ _ _ _ vn

 Felt

_ _ _ vm

 Felt

 _ Felt

_ _ _ _ Felt

_ _ vm

 

 vn

_ _ _ _ Y

 7.60MS AB2 

_ _ _ _ YI

 

 6.90MS AB2 

_ _ _ _ Y

 Felt

 7.20M8 AB2 

 7.90M8 AB2 8.15PT X

___ ___ _ _ Felt

 6.90M8 AB2 Felt

 Felt

_ _ 7.40M8 AB2 Vn

 Felt

 Felt

Ref

436

456

456

436

436

436

436

436

520

436

515

420

420

420

456

520

456

515

456

456

420

515

436

_

463

463

463

463

463

463

463

420

420

420

t , v_

420

420

424

420

420

420

420

420

420

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_. m

__

^^

_ __

 m

_

_

__

_

_

__

__

_

_

_

610&

_ - 
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 21

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader ( -) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 09

1899 12

1899 12

1899 12

1899 12

1900 02

1900 10

1900 12

1901 03

1901 12

1901 12

1901 12

1902 01

1903 01

1903 02

1903 03

1903 06

1903 06

1903 07

1904 08

1905 02

1905 03

1905 09

1905 12

1905 12

1906 08

1906 12

1907 08

1907 09

1907 09

1907 12

1908 02

1908 05

1909 02

1909 04

1909 05

1909 09

1910 05

Da

10

10

10

11

11

11

16

17

23

23

23

26

27

14

20

20

21

16

09

27

30

30

31

01

17

05

02

03

26

27

14

22

15

08

10

17

23

22

02

24

29

14

15

16

10

06

08

13

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

2047

2141

2149

0318

0326

0334

0433

1250

0813

1104

1250

1231

0028

0930

1030

1530

0515

2210

1225

1015

2234

090230.0

05 20 30.0

1605

1826

1317

0330

2156

0846

0338

0602

1236

001042

1722

222400

1601

1259

1125

08 31 36

1650

1936

164948

075806

Hypocenter

Latitude

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

59.0 N

59.0 N

55.0 N

60.0 N

59.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

60.0 N

57.09 N

58.0 N

65.0 N

59.4 N

52.0 N

51.45 N

52.38 N

50.85 N

52.0 N

61.0 N

61.56 N

61.0 N

59.0 N

64.66 N

50.73 N

51.28 N

52.06 N

61.0 N

53.88 N

51.05 N

56.85 N

57.0 N

52.59 N

59.5 N

66.0 N

61.0 N

59.0 N

60.0 N

52.0 N

59.5 N

52.5 N

57.0 N

Longitude Depth 

(°) (km)

140.0 W

140.0 W

140.0 W

140.0 W

140.0 W

140.0 W

138.0 W

136.0 W

161.0 W

143.0 W

143.0 W

143.0 W

143.0 W

140.0 W

140.0 W

140.0 W

140.0 W

140.0 W

153.48 W

150.0 W

152.0 W

153.5 W

160.0 W

171.02 W

167.45 W

175.16 W

175.0 E

146.0 W

158.54 W

146.0 W

138.0 W

148.08 W

178.55 W

174.83 E

171.45 W

160.0 W

161.66 W

179.69 E

153.90 W

161.0 W

169.73 E

135.5 W

168.0 W

146.25 W

141.0 W

140.0 W

175.0 E

139.5 W

169.0 W

160.0 W

_^ ,

__

_

__

 .

^- 

__

^_

__

__

_

120

^ _ -

090

100

Ref

420

404

420

420

420

420

420

412

420

412

412

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

477

420

38

403

426

477

404

477

425

38

477

38

38

477

477

477

477

427

477

477

477

258

477

420

38

38

258

420

412

38

258

258

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

 8.00M8 AB2

 

M 

 . 

______ ____ . ______

 

 6.90M8 AB2

- _ __

 - 6.90Ms AB2

 7.00Ms AB2

 

 

MM* 

______ ______ _____

____ , 

 -

 

 7.70Ms AB2

 

_ _ _

 

 7.00M8 AB1

 7.10M8 AB2

 7.00M8 AB2

 7.00M8 AB2

 - 6.80M8 AB2

 

 6.90Ms AB2

 

 

 7.30M8 AB2

 7.30M8 AB2

 7.00M8 AB2

 7.40Ms AB2

 

 6.90Ms AB2

 7.80Ms AB2

 7.30Ms AB2

 6.50mb GR

 7.40Ms AB2

 

 

______ _ __ V ._.| _ 1

 7.00Ms AB2

 

 7.00Ms AB2

 

 7.40mb GR

 6.75mb GR

Intensity

Moment 

M

8.15PT

__

__

_

^_

7.85PT

___

 _ , _

__

MM

XI

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

vn

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

vm

Felt

Felt

Felt

VI

V

^_

Felt

VI

V

Felt

V

VI

VI

VI

V

V

Ref

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

420

424

420

420

403

426

420

_

38

38

420

420

420

420

38

420

420

420

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

700&

__

. 

__

310&

__

 -

__

_
22 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued 

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1910 08

1910 09

1910 09

1911 09

1911 09

1911 09

1911 11

1912 01

1912 01

1912 06

1912 06

1912 06

1912 06

1912 07

1912 08

1912 11

1912 12

1913 03

1913 04

1913 04

1913 06

1914 01

1914 07

1915 04

1915 08

1916 02

1916 02

1916 02

1916 04

1916 12

1917 05

1917 06

1917 06

1917 07

1917 07

1917 12

1917 12

1918 04

1918 09

1918 12

1919 05

1919 12

1920 08

1920 10

1920 11

1922 04

1922 07

1923 04

1923 05

1923 06

1923 07

Da

05

01

09

17

22

13

04

31

04

05

07

10

07

17

07

05

31

29

30

22

30

17

03

16

06

15

20

18

14

31

04

07

25

25

21

28

15

30

09

22

15

26

28

29

02

02

25

04

19

17

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

01 13 18

0326

050124

16 13 12

154654

20 11 48

095554

160606

0757

074024

12 27 36

034106

2330

1135

13 49 52

03 42 32

070625

202936

005622

21 51 19

11 35 52

17 47 35

040148

16 52 16

0847

01 29 18

024743

031900

22 32 43

17 54 16

211430

082740

13 34 20

18 03 45

11 52 36

0110

22 59 54

072340

080230

19 17 42

133548

193153

16 26 39.3

224330

010211

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

60.0 N

54.0 N

50.75 N

60.0 N

51.0 N

60.5 N

52.0 N

52.0 N

61.0 N

57.0 N

57.0 N

59.0 N

59.0 N

63.07 N

58.5 N

57.5 N

57.5 N

51.0 N

50.0 N

50.0 N

48.0 N

50.0 N

47.5 N

48.5 N

48.5 N

48.5 N

61.5 N

51.0 N

53.25 N

49.0 N

54.79 N

53.5 N

54.5 N

53.5 N

53.5 N

53.5 N

55.5 N

59.2 N

51.0 N

52.0 N

52.0 N

57.5 N

52.5 N

51.0 N

60.5 N

53.3 N

54.0 N

59.0 N

55.55 N

61.8 N

63.0 N

Longitude 

(°)

160.0 W

168.0 W

179.38 E

140.0 W

180.0 E

149.0 W

173.0 E

179.0 W

147.5 W

156.0 W

156.0 W

153.0 W

153.0 W

146.14 W

157.0 W

155.0 W

154.0 W

179.0 W

171.0 E

174.0 W

178.0 W

170.0 W

174.0 W

171.5 W

179.0 W

178.5 E

145.0 W

169.0 W

170.0 W

174.0 E

159.12 W

159.0 W

160.0 W

159.0 W

159.0 W

152.0 W

152.0 W

151.0 W

179.5 W

178.0 W

178.0 W

137.0 W

170.0 W

179.5 W

147.0 W

164.5 W

160.5 W

138.0 W

156.75 W

151.0 W

147.0 W

Depth 

(km)

_

_ 

060

080

__

090

090

060

__

_

_

__

 OT

_____

. 

_____

 

170

^ ^ m

_

_

 _

_

_

_

___

__

__

__

000

Ref

420

420

477

420

412

258

428

258

258

427

437

258

258

477

38

258

258

258

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

258

265

477

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

272

265

265

272

265

265

258

432

265

258

Magnitude

USQS Other 

nib Mg

 

 

 7.00M8 AB2

__ _ _

 7.10M8 AB2

 6.90M8 GR

 6.90M8 AB2

 6.70M8 ABE

 7.00mb ABE

 

_ _ _ 

 6.40M8 GR

 6.90M8 AB2

 7.20M8 AB2

 . 

 7.30mb ABE

 6.90mb ABE

 6.90M8 GR

_ _ _ _

 - 

 7.20UknDDA

_ . _ _ _ .

 

_ __ __ _ x « p»

__ __ __ __

 7.70UknDDA

_ _ _ _ 

 

_ _ 7.40mb ABE

 

 7.90M8 AB1

. 

 

M MV» W

______ ______ ______

______ ______ ______

 . ______ . 

 _____

..- . _____ ____

______ ______ ______

_____ _____ . ______

_____ . ______ ______

 

 

______ ______ ____ .

_ ______ ______

 

 5.75Ms GR

 . 7.10M8 GR

 

 5.60Ms GR

Intensity

Moment 

M

^^ 

_

 .

^_

^_

. 

 .

^- 

__

_

__

_ _

 .

1 mif

_

_

__

__

_

_ _

_

_

___

MMI

V

Felt

V

Felt

vm

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

V

Felt

__

__

__

__

__

V

__

 ,_

_

_ ,

_

_ _

. 

VI

__

_ .

Felt

__

Felt

Ref

420

420

38

420

38

420

437

437

437

437

38

38

___

 .

_..

. 

__

272

 ^^ .

_

. 

__

__

272

,^_

_

272

__

434

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_r_ _

_

310&

388 &

518

_..

. 

__

_

.._

__

.....

__

. 

. 

-

 ,

_

.^
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 23

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1923

1923

1924

1924

1924

1924

1925

1925

1925

1925

1926

1926

1926

1926

1926

1927

1927

1927

1927

1927

1927

1927

1928

1928

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1929

1930

1930

1930

1930

1930

1930

1931

1931

Mo

07

11

01

08

08

09

01

02

08

09

07

08

10

10

10

03

04

07

08

08

08

10

05

06

01

03

03

03

05

06

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

07

10

11

12

12

02

04

05

06

10

12

01

03

Da

22

17

07

13

21

14

30

23

19

05

14

09

13

13

13

25

16

28

01

01

06

24

16

21

21

07

07

10

20

26

03

04

05

05

05

06

07

11

12

17

14

09

17

17

02

26

20

13

25

06

27

29

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

141754

02 53 20

095542

13 30 19

185045

13 12 52

172820

23 53 36

052450

16 30 17.5

22 22 25

03 39 22

060220.1

14 17 46.4

190810.3

125450

081451

161740

17 05 55

18 46 18

001352

155944.8

051306

16 27 13

10 30 53

01 34 37.9

05 45 09.0

22 46 57.7

04 52 56.3

062918

005300

042835

14 19 01.9

14 35 05

22 36 17.8

02 03 49.0

21 23 10.2

20 57 02.2

15 54 33

08 38 02.3

100948

01 40 15

10 58 36.9

121200.5

14 55 55.4

16 18 18

11 15 03

005356

120318

070328

142903

17 24 58

Hypocenter

Latitude

0

51.6

51.0

55.0

52.0

51.0

50.1

52.8

60.0

52.5

54.68

66.0

52.0

51.35

54.54

51.63

54.5

51.0

54.7

51.0

51.0

54.5

57.69

49.3

60.0

64.0

50.88

50.81

51.93

52.17

50.2

62.5

64.0

51.42

51.0

52.12

51.45

51.60

51.88

62.8

51.22

53.2

50.0

53.67

52.01

51.17

51.7

51.7

50.5

61.7

53.0

60.75

51.0

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude 

(°)

172.0

179.5

160.0

178.0

179.5

178.7

174.0

146.0

170.0

170.63

163.0

176.0

179.64

179.91

175.65

156.5

179.5

157.8

179.5

179.5

156.5

136.07

179.3

146.5

148.0

169.71

169.95

168.86

175.52

174.7

149.0

148.0

178.34

179.5

177.86

177.32

177.87

178.19

151.0

178.82

162.6

174.0

171.46

173.47

179.75

179.3

179.3

170.2

154.2

172.0

149.0

170.0

E

W

W

W

W

E

E

W

W

E

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

E

E

E

E

W

W

W

W

W

Depth 

(km)

__

160

^^ m

__

_ .

_

0%

_

, i

 .

_

_______

 

000

_ t-

, _

__

000

__

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

_

000

___

000

_

__

__

__

080

Ref

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

432

258

265

432

432

432

265

265

265

265

265

265

432

265

258

258

432

432

432

432

265

258

258

432

265

432

432

432

432

265

432

265

265

432

432

432

265

265

265

265

258

258

258

Magnitude Intensity

USGS Other Moment MM Ref 

mb MS M

«^ > < ___ m^mrnrn - 

 

__ __ __ 

. _ __ __ __ __ . 

__ _ . __ __ __ __

__ . _ __ _ . __ __

 

 VH 38

 . . _- .

 . 

 5.60Mg OR 

 

^^ ______ _____ ____ _____

 ______ __ 

 7.00M. ABE 

 _ _ Felt 218

 

 Felt 435

_ _ . __ __ __ _

_ _ _ _ _ ___ _

. . _ .

 7.10M8 ABE VH 218

 Felt 1

 6.80Mg AB1 VI 1

 6.25M8 OR VI 2

 7.50M8 ABE 7.83KAN Felt 2

 

« ^^ ^^ mmm ,_ ^ ^^^ ^_.

_ _ _ _ _ __

 . . . . 

 6.25M8 OR 

 6.50Mg OR 

 7.00M8 ABE 

 . __ . 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

 _ _ . . .

 7.30Mg ABE 

_____ _____ _____ ___ » _____ _____

_____ ___ _____ 

. ______ _____ . , , .

______ ______ 

_____ _____ _____

 7.80M8 ABE 

_ _ _ . _ _ _

__ _ _ _ __ __

_ 

 _ _ _

_____ _____

 Felt 3

 6.50M8 OR _ _

 5.60Mg OR 

 6.00M. OR _ _

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

mmmm,

 

___

__

__

__

 

fm m

 

__

__

 

__

__

__

__

 

_, m

__

. _ .

__

- 

__

 

 

. 

 

_ _

__

__

__

 

___

__

__

__

 

 _ m

. _

. _ .

 

__

, _ .

__

__

 

__

__

 

 

 
24 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1931 05

1931 05

1931 08

1931 10

1931 12

1932 01

1932 03

1932 03

1932 03

1932 04

1932 06

1932 08

1932 09

1932 10

1932 10

1933 01

1933 03

1933 04

1933 04

1933 05

1933 06

1933 06

1933 06

1933 06

1933 07

1933 07

1933 07

1933 07

1933 07

1933 07

1933 07

1933 09

1933 10

1933 11

1934 01

1934 05

1934 05

1934 06

1934 06

1934 07

1934 07

1934 08

1934 11

1935 01

1935 02

1935 09

1936 01

1936 03

Da

29

30

14

17

24

13

08

25

25

29

08

12

14

16

30

04

28

27

27

01

12

13

19

28

19

19

19

19

22

26

28

24

14

02

11

04

14

02

18

20

28

02

05

23

22

04

18

10

Origin 

time (uic)

h m s

05 16 32

11 34 16

161203

12 34 50

034040

16 17 27

042930

23 54 51

23 58 31

18 18 23

075247

03 23 57

08 43 23

12 08 01

204656

03 59 28

042026

023604

11 55 38

184947

15 23 38

22 19 47

18 47 43

23 34 58

104529

105553

13 32 21

14 59 52

20 55 13

045726

11 48 08

151941

221901

122654

102155

043607

221246

164529

091350

021044

21 36 57

071308

230220

072400

170554

01 27 39

012000

120508

Hypocenter

Latitude

63.0 N

52.2 N

52.5 N

63.0 N

60.0 N

52.0 N

51.5 N

62.5 N

62.5 N

51.5 N

62.5 N

52.25 N

61.0 N

54.25 N

55.0 N

61.0 N

58.25 N

61.25 N

52.5 N

51.75 N

61.5 N

61.0 N

61.25 N

53.5 N

51.75 N

51.75 N

51.75 N

51.75 N

53.0 N

63.0 N

52.6 N

51.75 N

53.75 N

52.0 N

50.5 N

61.25 N

57.75 N

61.25 N

60.50 N

52.0 N

55.5 N

61.5 N

52.0 N

52.25 N

52.25 N

63.75 N

62.0 N

51.8 N

Longitude

149.0 W

173.3 E

168.0 W

147.0 W

152.0 W

179.0 W

178.0 W

153.0 W

152.5 W

178.0 W

153.3 W

169.0 W

148.0 W

160.0 W

159.75 W

148.0 W

149.0 W

150.75 W

167.0 W

173.0 W

150.5 W

151.0 W

150.5 W

165.0 W

174.0 W

174.0 W

174.0 W

174.0 W

169.5 W

147.0 W

168.7 W

177.0 W

164.0 W

176.0 W

177.5 W

147.5 W

152.25 W

147.0 W

151.0 W

173.0 W

156.75 W

147.5 W

175.0 W

169.5 W

175.0 E

152.5 W

152.0 W

171.0 W

Depth 

(km)

_

100

__

050

050

_

_

_ ___

070

080

060

080

__

__

Ref

258

265

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

265

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

265

258

258

258

265

258

258

258

258

258

258

258

258 258"

258

258

258

265

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

 5.60M8 GR 

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.00M8

 5.60M8

 6.25M8

 6.00Ms

 6.00Mg

 6.00Mg

 6.90Mg

 6.25Mg

 6.00M8

 6.75M8

 6.25M8

 6.75M8

 6.75M8

 6.25M8

 5.60M8

 6.90M8

 6.00M8

 6.50M8

 5.60M8

 6.25Mg

 6.00M8

 6.00Ms

 6.00M8

 6.00M8

 6.25M8

 6.25M8

 6.75M8

 5.60Mg

______ miMIU_ ___ _ _,

 6.75M8

 6.25M8

 6.50M8

 

 7.10mb

 6.50M8

 6.25M8

 6.75M8

 6.00M8

 6.75M8

 6.00M8

 6.50M8

 6.75M8

 7.10M8

 6.25Mg

 5.60Mg

 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

PAS 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

PAS 

GR 

ABE 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

^_

GR 

GR 

GR 

ABE 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

ABE 

GR 

GR 

Intensity

MM

IV

VI

V

IV

__

vn

m

V

VI

m

vn

Felt

IV

Felt

Felt

_

V

VI

VI

IV

V

_ 

V

Felt

m

Ref

4

38

38

4

_

38

5

5

38

6

38

6

6

6

6

6

7

7

7

7

..

7

8

8

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

__

__

_

__

__

_

_
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 25 

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1936 04

1936 05

1936 10

1937 04

1937 05

1937 07

1937 07

1937 07

1937 09

1937 10

1938 07

1938 11

1938 11

1938 11

1938 11

1938 11

1938 11

1938 11

1938 12

1938 12

1938 12

1939 02

1939 05

1939 05

1939 07

1939 08

1939 08

1939 09

1939 09

1939 12

1940 02

1940 02

1940 04

1940 04

1940 04

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 06

1940 07

1940 07

1940 07

1940 07

1940 08

1940 09

1940 10

1940 11

1941 04

1941 04

1941 04

Da

23

08

23

29

04

18

22

25

03

24

24

10

11

11

15

16

17

18

09

23

30

24

09

10

02

20

21

11

15

07

07

12

16

16

19

04

11

23

18

14

15

19

19

22

08

11

16

01

21

21

Origin 

time (urc)

h m 3

23 14 21

17 22 18

062425

185240

050841

01 01 15

17 09 28.0

131301

18 48 12

11 35 57

13 12 13

20 18 41.2

005741.1

083050.9

09 52 01.8

05 36 09.0

03 54 34.0

23 24 50.4

03 55 24.4

18 14 44.5

121048

14 15 55.7

07 28 28.0

07 44 16

194252

071726

151903

075326

21 48 58

11 16 19

171602

091746

060747.6

06 43 02.4

000645

072403.4

135437.1

06 01 24.4

18 38 59.6

05 52 53.5

23 56 14

044728

1627

03 27 18

101508

075309

02 27 07.7

104059

025404

18 32 05

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°)

50.25 N

61,0 N

61.3 N

54.3 N

59.2 N

54.0 N

64.6 N

60.2 N

52.5 N

60.0 N

53.5 N

55.48 N

55.07 N

55.98 N

54.97 N

55.02 N

55.45 N

56.10 N

57.74 N

55.86 N

59.0 N

54.05 N

56.24 N

51.7 N

51.7 N

54.0 N

51.5 N

53.4 N

51.3 N

51.7 N

51.5 N

55.0 N

52.30 N

52.69 N

52.4 N

52.25 N

52.15 N

51.21 N

52.52 N

52.0 N

52.0 N

52.29 N

61.0 N

53.0 N

53.3 N

60.0 N

52.14 N

56.0 N

53.6 N

53.6 N

Longitude 

<°>

179.0 E

153.0 W

150.7 W

161.5 W

153.8 W

166.5 W

147.1 W

148.9 W

177.5 W

150.5 W

167.0 W

158.37 W

158.84 W

154.72 W

160.91 W

156.83 W

157.55 W

155.95 W

153.03 W

157.28 W

153.0 W

162.01 W

155.17 W

178.5 W

178.5 W

164.0 W

177.0 E

168.7 W

175.1 E

178.5 W

175.0 E

161.5 W

173.56 E

173.25 E

173.5 E

172.94 W

173.30 W

173.31 E

173.26 E

178.2 E

178.0 E

174.01 E

150.0 W

165.5 W

170.5 E

150.5 W

174.28 E

153.5 W

166.6 W

166.6 W

Depth 

(km)

__

170

__

070

_

080

050

000

000

000

057

000

000

000

000

000

100

079

026

__

075

_ _ m

_

070

000

000

000

000

000

000

065

065

000

_

065

__

Ref

258

258

265

265

265

258

265

265

258

265

258

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

258

432

432

265

265

258

258

265

265

265

258

258

432

432

265

432

432

432

432

265

265

432

38

258

265

265

432

258

265

265

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nfib MS

 6.25M8 GR

_ 5.75mb GR

_ __ __

 

. 

 6.25Ms GR

 7.30M8 ABE

_ _ _ _

 7.20mb ABE

 

 6.25Mg GR

 8.30Mg ABE

 _ _

 

 _ . 

 .

 7.30Ms ABE

_ _ _

 . 

 

 5.50mb GR

 6.25M8 GR

 » «_ «- 

_ _ 

 

 6.25Mg GR

 6.00Ms GR

* ». _ ___

 _ 

 

 6.90mb ABE

 6.75MS GR

 6.80M8 ABE

 7.10Mg ABE

 

_ _ _ _

 

___ __ ^__

 

_ _ 7.40mb ABE

 5.75Mg GR

 

__ _ _ _

 7.00MsABE

 

 6.00Ms GR

 

 6.50M8 GR

 

 

Intensity

Moment 

M

^_

_

_

___

8.25KAN

__ _ (

 .

_ _

^^

__

_

^_

_ 

_^

^_

MM

_ _

n

VI

vm

__

Felt

V

VI

__ _

 

V

_ _

_

V

___

. 

V

^_

_ _

VI

V

IV

_^_

_

Felt

Ref

_

9

9

10

__

10

38

11

^__

_ 

38

._

38

___

38

_

. ._

13

13

13

___

14

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

__

640

__

 _

^ m

 ^^

__

__

__ w

__

___
26 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1941 07

1941 08

1941 08

1941 09

1941 11

1942 03

1942 09

1942 09

1942 09

1942 12

1942 12

1943 01

1943 06

1943 07

1943 11

1944 07

1944 08

1944 12

1945 03

1945 06

1945 07

1945 11

1945 11

1945 12

1946 01

1946 02

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 04

1946 06

1946 07

1946 07

1946 08

1946 08

1946 10

1946 11

Da

30

04

06

28

06

20

02

04

09

05

09

27

28

09

03

27

14

12

18

01

11

03

16

25

12

04

01

01

01

01

01

01

01

01

02

02

02

02

02

03

04

04

06

03

12

25

02

07

30

01

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

01 51 21

105312.4

061506

05 34 12

122946

01 12 59

03 17 17

17 46 16

01 25 17

142840

22 18 59

02 45 12

15 05 21

23 28 29

14 32 17.5

000423

110723

041710

18 54 41

151340

003034

220903

18 02 22

01 25 45

202540.2

034448

12 28 56.0

12 52 43.0

12 55 47.0

132850

15 20 22

155034

16 59 14.0

18 57 35.4

041338.1

05 38 15.7

05 57 12.4

14 27 27.4

163025.2

08 58 33.3

16 31 07.7

212541.8

045234.1

134408

21 56 27

164207

01 37 56

193129

074734

11 1424

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

61.0

51.44

55.75

56.5

54.0

52.8

53.4

53.4

53.5

59.5

53.6

51.4

51.7

52.0

61.90

54.0

59.0

51.5

55.0

53.4

59.2

58.5

58.0

52.2

59.11

53.0

53.32

54.08

54.17

53.4

53.4

53.4

53.88

53.95

53.63

53.98

54.12

53.96

53.96

53.85

53.56

53.93

53.42

52.1

53.5

51.4

53.4

51.5

54.25

51.5

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude

151.0

178.59

163.0

157.5

161.5

168.2

168.7

168.7

165.9

152.0

166.6

179.2

178.5

166.9

150.84

165.5

155.0

179.5

156.5

168.7

152.4

151.0

136.5

173.9

148.94

176.0

163.19

162.61

163.22

163.1

163.1

163.1

163.48

163.50

163.73

162.69

162.06

163.18

163.59

163.42

163.15

163.19

163.59

171.2

169.0

179.2

163.1

173.5

164.0

174.5

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Depth 

(km)

090

150

100

__

080

100

_

000

070

100

_

080

050

___

056

160

000

000

000

_

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

100

__

040

Ref

258

260

258

258

258

265

265

265

265

258

265

265

265

265

432

258

258

258

265

265

265

258

258

265

432

258

432

432

432

265

265

265

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

265

258

265

265

265

258

258

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

 6.25Mg

 6.75M8

 6.75mb

 6.50mb

 - 6.00M8

 . 

 

__ _ ___

 6.90mb

 6.50mb

 

 

 __!_______ _________ ____

 

_ __ 7.40M8

 7.10mb

 6.25mb

 6.90M8

 

 

 . 

 6.75Ms

 5.60M8

 

 6.70M8

 6.75mb

 7.30M8

_ _ _

__ _ _

_ _ 

 _ 

 

 . 

_ . . _

_ ___ _ _

 

_ _ 

_ .. 

_ _ __

 

 

 6.75mb

 

__ 

_ _ 

 6.90M8

 7.00M8

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

GR 

 

 

__

ABE 

GR 

_ ^

ABE 

ABE 

GR 

ABE 

_

GR 

GR 

ABE 

GR 

ABE 

_

_

_

__

_

__

__

_

_

. 

GR 

^_

GR 

GR 

Intensity

MM Ref Felt area 

(1,000km2)

VI 38 

 

 . 

 

 

 

 

_ __ _ _

 

 

 

 

^^ ..» _____

 

V 38 

 

 

_ _ _ _ . _ 

 

 

 

 

IV 18 

 

IV 19 

 

VI 38 

« «» « - 

 . .

 

 

 

_ _ _

 

 

 

 

 - _

 _ 

_ _ 

 

 

 _ _

 

 

 

 

_ _ _ __

 

 
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 27 

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1946 11 

1946 12

1947 01 

1947 07 

1947 10

1947 10

1947 10

1947 10

1948 01

1948 02

1948 05

1948 05

1948 05

1948 05

1948 08

1948 09

1948 12

1949 02

1949 06

1949 08

1949 09

1949 10

1950 03

1950 04

1950 04

1950 04

1950 05

1950 07

1950 07

1950 08

1950 09

1950 09

1950 11

1951 01

1951 02

1951 02

1951 03

1951 05

1951 06

1951 06

1951 07

1951 10

1951 11

1951 12

1952 01

1952 01

1952 01

1952 01

1952 02

1952 03

Da

12 

25

23 

28 

07

15

16

20

16

11

14

15

17

26

19

19

12

02

15

25

27

31

27

04

04

05

25

12

19

26

02

16

22

18

12

13

31

10

01

25

19

01

08

30

12

19

21

24

02

22

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

05 56 20 

11 13 10

155740 

03 48 52 

01 53 21

19 34 37

020952.5

01 43 16

110838.2

15 41 56

22 31 43.4

02 41 50.7

17 48 38.6

091653

135046

061404

13 17 18

17 41 29

01 47 17

041421

153045

01 39 29.5

130402

022107

022445

01 17 13

08 34 37

110910

105157

043927

024713

21 58 15

101628

21 15 45

033140

22 12 53.8

092034

194447

200213

16 12 37

204128

10 11 50

13 45 07.3

17 42 14

20 11 37

071531

03 42 55

091404

102007

18 15 42

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

53.6 

51.5

53.3 

63.4 

64.2

64.2

64.28

64.2

52.09

63.8

54.71

54.81

55.08

56.3

63.0

51.6

51.6

53.0

51.4

52.2

59.75

56.05

53.3

51.5

51.5

52.1

65.5

52.5

51.5

65.0

52.5

52.0

51.5

52.1

51.9

55.55

60.4

51.5

53.1

61.1

51.6

55.0

54.33

62.0

52.5

52.5

52.5

52.5

51.4

51.5

N 

N

N 

N 

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude

164.4 

180.0

162.5 

147.9 

148.3

148.3

148.23

148.3

174.73

145.4

160.88

161.61

160.99

153.8

150.5

177.8

177.2

173.0

179.2

179.3

149.0

135.69

172.2

173.5

173.5

177.5

151.5

167.5

179.5

162.0

170.0

177.0

176.5

177.5

179.4

156.35

153.6

179.5

172.5

150.1

177.8

164.0

160.69

148.8

167.5

167.5

167.5

167.5

179.2

173.5

W 

E

W 

W 

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

E

W

W

E

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Depth 

(km)

090

066

_

033

000

048

044

100

220

050

. _

_

_

_

100

060

000

223

_

065

128

065

033

_

_

____

096

Ref

265 

258

265 

265 

265

265

260

265

260

265

432

432

432

265

258

265

265

258

265

265

258

448

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

266

265

266

266

265

265

432

265

265

265

265

265

265

260

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

Magnitude Intensity

USGS Other Moment MM Ref 

mb M8 M

 6.50mb GR 

 

 7.20Mg ABE 

_ _ _ _

 6.70UknPAS 

 . .

 7.50Ms ABE 

 

» __ _____

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.25mb GR 

. _ 

 6.63UknPAS 

 6.80mb ABE 

 

 6.75UknPAS 

 6.70MS ABE 

 6.25MS GR 

 6.70UknPAS 

_ _ _ _

_ _ _ 

_ __ _ _ _

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.25UknPAS 

_ __ _ _ _

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.40UknPAS 

 6.60UknPAS 

 6.75UknPAS 

 6.38UknPAS 

 

 7.10Ms ABE 

 

_ _ __ _

_ _ 

 6.25UknPAS 

 5.88UknPAS 

 

 6.25UknPAS 

_ . _ _ __

 6.50UknPAS 

_ _ _ __

 6.75UknPAS 

__ _...._ __ ^»

. _ , __ . __ __

 6.38UknPAS 

IV 20

 

vm 20

_ _

i . 

IV 21

 

 

 _ ^^^

 

V 21

 

 

_ _

 

 

V 38

 

__ __

_ _

_ 

_ _

 

_ _

. _ _

IV 23

_ _

 

Felt 24

__ __

_ _

 

 

 

V 24

Felt 294

 

_ _

IV 24

_ _

_ . _

 

 -I.-TTT-.T

Felt 25

 

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

^_

_

_

. 

_ _

_

_

_

__

_

_

_ _

__

_

_

_

_

_ IBBIB

_
28 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Contin ued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1952 05 01

1952 06 14

1952 07 07

1952 07 29

1952 08 27

1952 08 28

1952 09 07

1952 09 24

1952 11 15

1952 11 29

1952 12 04

1952 12 07

1952 12 12

1952 12 28

1953 01 05

1953 02 09

1953 02 10

1953 02 25

1953 03 23

1953 03 25

1953 04 19

1953 05 12

1953 05 13

1953 06 15

1953 06 16

1954 03 03

1954 03 28

1954 03 28

1954 03 28

1954 04 17

1954 04 24

1954 04 28

1954 06 17

1954 08 05

1954 10 03

1954 12 30

1955 01 13

1955 01 13

1955 01 13

1955 01 21

1955 03 14

1955 04 28

1955 05 29

1955 05 29

1955 06 02

1955 06 02

1955 06 05

1955 06 20

1955 07 03

1955 07 03

1955 07 04

1955 07 17

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

150414

02 05 38

02 52 59

19 54 28

11 27 50

105242

043014

202924

05 01 12

23 46 27

035140

005017

004755

045507

07 48 21.6

21 32 37

100758

21 16 12

12 36 13

05 51 21

22 47 39

123906

041629

17 47 14

194825

204608.2

171040

20 36 21

205810

20 10 37

083304.1

045052

01 42 23.2

084953

11 18 45.9

11 32 30

02 03 43

023546

024446

14 18 35

13 12 04.0

190502

13 31 24.8

21 03 09.3

001857

020211

01 53 17

120731

080059

142634

14 19 52

21 58 23

Hypocenter

Latitude 

O

51.3 N

59.2 N

54.2 N

53.0 N

55.6 N

55.6 N

51.5 N

56.3 N

52.5 N

56.3 N

52.0 N

52.5 N

56.3 N

65.8 N

53.32 N

52.6 N

52.6 N

56.0 N

52.6 N

52.6 N

50.5 N

52.3 N

52.5 N

56.3 N

55.6 N

61.54 N

52.8 N

51.6 N

51.6 N

51.5 N

62.99 N

51.6 N

56.29 N

51.7 N

60.71 N

52.5 N

53.2 N

53.2 N

53.2 N

53.2 N

52.5 N

51.8 N

55.66 N

55.84 N

51.4 N

51.4 N

51.5 N

51.4 N

51.5 N

51.6 N

51.4 N

54.4 N

Longitude

175.1 E

152.4 W

164.5 W

175.0 W

160.4 W

160.4 W

173.5 W

158.6 W

171.3 W

153.8 W

178.2 E

174.2 E

153.8 W

167.8 W

171.04 E

169.4 W

169.4 W

156.2 W

169.4 W

169.4 W

179.0 W

177.3 W

174.2 E

153.8 W

160.4 W

146.78 W

168.2 W

175.8 E

175.8 E

179.0 W

148.54 W

175.8 E

154.09 W

175.8 E

150.52 W

168.4 W

167.4 W

167.4 W

167.4 W

167.9 W

173.5 W

178.1 W

154.37 W

154.27 W

179.8 W

179.8 W

179.8 W

179.5 W

177.2 E

177.6 E

177.4 E

168.3 W

Depth 

(km)

 ,

065

__

033

033

033

096

. 

128

___

 .

000

_

096

065

033

056

065

090

000

065

073

065

_

100

000

000

__

033

033

033

065

Ref

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

432

265

265

265

265

265

26

265

265

265

265

447

265

265

265

265

447

265

447

265

447

265

265

265

265

265

266

265

447

447

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

USGS 

nib MS

_ _ _

 

_ _

. 

 

 

 

__ «« 

 . 

 

_ _

 

_» «» 

 

 

 

 

__^_ ^ ^

 

 

 

 

__ __

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

__ __

 

_ _

_ _ _

___ ___

_ _

 

 

_ _

. 

 

_ _

. _ _

, _ _

 

 

_ _

_ _

_ _

 

Magnitude

Other

__

6.25UknPAS

__

6.75UknPAS

6.00UknBRK

6.25UknPAS

 __

7.10M8 ABE

6.75UknPAS

5.50MR ROT

5.50MR ROT

6.50UknPAS

6.20UknPAS

6.25UknKIR

6.50UknBRK

5.50MR ROT

6.75UknBRK

6.50UknPAS

6.00UknPAS

6.75UknPAS

6.63UknPAS

6.88UknPAS

6.50UknPAS

7.00UknPAS

6.50UknPAS

5.75UknPAS

5.50UknPAS

6.75UknPAS

6.00MR ROT

6.38UknPAS

6.75UknPAS

5.75UknKIR

6.50UknPAS

6.63UknPAS

5.88UknPAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

^_

__

__

___

^^

^_

_

_

_

_

__

_ _

_

__

^^

_

_

_

_

MM

._.

Felt

_

Felt

__

Felt

VI

_ 

IV

Felt

__

Felt

V

^^

V

_

Felt

m

_

vm

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

IV

^^

_

_

_

m

Ref

_ _ .

25

_

25

___

25

38

_

25

26

___

26

26

..

27

_

27

27

rr_.J

__

27

266

28

28

28

28

^^

28

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

.

_ _

__.

_

_

. 

MM*

. 

^ _

 

32&

 MMI

 

. 

 

 

____

 

_____

 

 

_____

 

 

 

 
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 29

ALASKA Contin ued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1955 

1955 

1955 

1955 

1955

1955 

1955 

1955 

1955 

1955

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1956

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

Mo

07 

07 

07 

08 

08

09 

09 

10 

10 

11

01

02

03

04

04

05

06

08

08

10

11

12

12

12

12

01

01

01

01

01

01

01

01

01

01

01

02

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

Da

19 

26 

27 

02 

29

13 

30 

09

31 

15

14

19

02

18

22

06

04

24

30

19

17

02

03

04

08

02

02

02

02

02

02

02

02

03

09

25

21

09

09

09

09

09

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m 3

235223.1 

040419.4 

18 19 10.1 

22 12 47 

153400

020040 

194424 

23 13 49 

01 05 52 

100647.2

14 08 52

04 13 14.5

11 56 22.7

110022

17 21 52.5

205718.1

070919

042734

042421.5

204731

202717.2

02 59 55

072006

104207

161025

00 39 22.9

02 17 37.0

03 12 52.8

03 30 34.2

03 48 47.0

04 03 30.0

104932.8

12 47 07.2

004103.0

07 52 56.4

03 36 55.0

14 30 11.0

142231.9

154151.5

19 37 37.0

202203.3

20 39 16.5

03 06 18.8

03 09 05.6

07 23 24.2

112045.6

123605.8

12 45 37.4

13 10 13.4

13 28 36.4

152629.1

16 37 53.2

194059.8

Hypocenter

Latitude

56.33 N 

56.51 N 

56.59 N 

51.7 N 

51.8 N

52.0 N 

51.5 N 

51.3 N 

51.5 N 

55.27 N

51.8 N

58.52 N

63.57 N

51.8 N

53.79 N

54.50 N

52.1 N

52.74 N

53.69 N

52.27 N

54.55 N

52.51 N

52.64 N

52.55 N

51.37 N

52.36 N

52.41 N

52.51 N

52.72 N

52.51 N

52.65 N

52.66 N

52.57 N

52.91 N

52.80 N

51.76 N

53.02 N

51.292N

50.74 N

51.546N

52.12 N

52.43 N

51.698N

51.396N

51.117N

51.88 N

51.18 N

50.566N

51.28 N

51.083N

51.575N

51.568N

51.348N

Longitude

153.16 W 

153.25 W 

152.78 W 

175.9 E 

178.1 W

176.0 W 

176.5 W 

177.1 E 

175.2 W 

155.64 W

172.9 W

153.74 W

149.33 W

177.7 W

161.48 W

162.47 W

170.6 W

172.6 E

163.88 W

177.40 E

133.67 W

169.05 W

168.61 W

169.15 W

179.17 W

168.36 W

168.39 W

168.10 W

168.00 W

168.03 W

168.61 W

168.00 W

168.09 W

167.88 W

167.44 W

177.03 W

171.27 W

175.629W

176.16 W

173.759W

169.55 W

169.58 W

173.98 1W

174.289W

175.944W

170.91 W

170.84 W

176.831W

179.99 W

178.626W

172.990W

173.166W

173.335W

Depth 

(km)

000 

000 

000 

065

065 

000 

065

000

079

033

000

000

000

000

_

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

047

126

033

000

033

000

000

033

033

033

000

000

033

000

030

033

033

033

Ref

447 

447 

447 

265 

265

266 

266 

265 

265

447

265

447

447

265

447

447

265

265

447

265

448

265

265

265

265

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

265

265

479

432

479

432

432

479

479

479

432

432

479

432

479

479

479

479

Magnitude

USQS Other Moment 

nib MS M

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.25UknPAS 

 5.75UknUPP 

 5.88UknPAS 

 6.00UknKIR 

 5.88UknPAS 

 6.38UknPAS 

 6.00UknPAS 

 5.60UknKIR 

 5.50MR ROT 

 6.75UknPAS 

 6.00UknPAS 

 5.75UknPAS 

 6.25UknPAS 

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.75UknPAS 

 6.50UknPAS 

 5.50UknMOS 

 6.63UknPAS 

_ __ _ __

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.75UknPAS 

 6.63UknPAS 

 6.00MR ROT 

 6.70MS AB3 

 6.70UknUPP 

 6.50UknPAS 

 

 _ 6.40MR ROT 

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.75UknPAS 

 8.10MS ABE 8.82RK

 6.00UknROT 

 

_ __ _ _ _

 7.10Ms ABE 

 6.63UknPAS 

 6.60UknUPP 

 

 6.50UknUPP 

_ _ 6.00MR ROT 

 6.40UknUPP 

 6.10MR ROT 

__ _ 6.00MR ROT 

 6.75UknBRK 

 6.00MR ROT 

 

Intensity

MM

IV

^ ^

IV

_

_ _

_

__

. 

_ _

vm

Felt

Felt

_

Felt

Felt

Felt

^^^

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Ref

< _

29

^^^

29

_

_ _ B

_

__

__

38

30

30

_

30

30

30

 mm f

30

30

30

30

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_ _

__

^^

__

_^

__

.^^

__
30 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

Mo

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

Da

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

13

13

13

13

13

14

14

14

15

15

16

16

17

17

17

18

18

19

19

19

19

19

20

20

21

22

22

24

24

25

28

29

29

30

30

31

Origin 

time (UTC>

h m s

23 56 49.5

000811.5

031247.0

03 35 05.5

04 05 18.2

07 08 05.4

09 58 44.4

145525.1

15 35 59.8

07 28 53.7

07 39 22.7

08 03 18.8

11 44 56.3

124612.1

170029.3

23 45 32.8

02 48 20.8

03 33 03.4

090934.9

15 42 12.8

195924.1

01 52 19.4

14 47 50.6

15 51 06.4

025209.0

04 13 02.4

02 34 17.7

033405.9

07 53 52.2

16 17 18.2

224444.8

02 25 33.0

050833.1

08 14 09.8

11 28 56.0

125057.2

15 47 31.7

17 04 25.4

000057.8

00 22 22.8

12 31 33.3

14 21 05.5

170949.3

11 06 10.0

113649.6

00 39 27.6

200820.0

051028.7

22 49 50.8

004240.4

09 17 08.0

100834.3

Hypocenter

Latitude 

O

52.70 N

52.50 N

50.826N

50.660N

50.948N

50.968N

52.66 N

51.094N

51.013N

51.526N

51.014N

50.992N

51.187N

52.95 N

51.447N

51.675N

51.70 N

51.362N

52.51 N

51.131N

53.96 N

52.59 N

51.098N

50.991N

52.73 N

51.114N

51.159N

51.861N

51.57 N

52.02 N

53.79 N

52.19 N

50.75 N

52.65 N

51.070N

51.249N

51.582N

52.13 N

51.605N

52.40 N

52.31 N

52.61 N

52.11 N

52.29 N

52.27 N

52.79 N

51.62 N

53.40 N

52.65 N

51.47 N

51.817N

51.181N

Longitude 

(°)

168.40 W

169.50 W

177.250W

176.960W

176.915W

177.222W

169.02 W

178.535W

178.972W

173.505W

178.246W

178.027W

177.388W

168.42 W

174.890W

173.327W

171.17 W

174.793W

170.06 W

178.68 1W

165.44 W

168.48 W

176.824W

177.187W

166.94 W

176.03 1W

178.797W

173.734W

179.49 W

166.03 W

165.29 W

171.05 W

179.06 W

167.76 W

176.835W

175.326W

172.162W

170.74 W

172.7 10W

168.66 W

170.87 W

165.76 W

171.03 W

169.53 W

171.53 W

167.02 W

171.26 W

166.84 W

168.38 W

179.57 W

175.208W

178.478W

Depth 

(km)

000

000

033

033

033

033

000

033

030

033

030

033

033

000

033

033

000

033

000

033

000

000

033

033

000

033

033

033

000

042

000

051

000

000

033

033

033

000

033

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

033

033

Ref

432

432

479

479

479

479

432

479

479

479

479

479

479

432

479

479

432

479

432

479

432

432

479

479

432

479

479

479

432

432

432

432

432

432

479

479

479

432

479

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

432

479

479

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

__ _ _ __

 

 6.88UknPAS 

_ _ 6.00MR ROT 

 

 

 7.00MS ABE 

 6.90MS ABE 

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.38UknPAS 

 6.38UknPAS 

 

 7.00MS ABE 

 6.00MR ROT 

 

_ 

 6.10MR ROT 

__ 

_^ _ _ _

 6.75UknPAS 

 6.20MR ROT 

 5.70UknUPP 

 7.10Ms ABE 

 

 6.75UknPAS 

 . 

_ _ 7.00MS ABE 

 

 6.10MR ROT 

 6.40MR ROT 

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.20MR ROT 

«, ««_ « _ »

__ __ __ ^ 

 6.00MR ROT 

 6.75UknPAS 

 

«« «M 

_______ ______ . _____ , _______

_______ _______ _______ _______

 .

 7.00MS ABE 

_ _ __ _ . __

 6.20MR ROT 

 6.00MR ROT 

 6.00MR ROT 

 5.75UknMOS 

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.13UknPAS 

 

 6.20UknUPP 

 6.10MR ROT 

Intensity

MM

_

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

.-.^

Felt

_

_. 

 .

Felt

Felt

Ref

_

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

^.^m

30

_

^__

30

30

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

__

_

_

_

_

 .

_

^_

,__

_

 
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 31 

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 04

1957 05

1957 05

1957 05

1957 05

1957 05

1957 05

1957 05

1957 06

1957 06

1957 06

1957 06

1957 06

1957 06

1957 07

1957 07

1957 07

1957 08

1957 08

1957 08

1957 09

1957 09

1957 09

1957 10

1957 10

1957 10

1957 10

1957 11

1957 11

1957 11

1957 11

1957 11

Da

01

02

02

02

04

05

09

10

10

12

14

15

15

17

19

19

25

28

29

02

02

18

20

22

24

31

11

13

14

15

23

29

03

23

25

01

13

19

02

06

07

04

10

23

30

07

16

18

20

23

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

11 35 31.0

003945.0

20 16 59.0

21 27 56.0

00 13 02.2

024940.0

11 02 12.0

090922.0

11 29 58.2

041745

205901.0

10 38 42.0

21 33 06.0

13 24 56.0

15 44 56.0

22 19 30.0

140753.0

144854.0

043006.0

11 29 14.0

11 38 54.0

052406.0

015054.0

13 29 48.0

03 36 37.0

22 17 09.0

23 53 56.0

104041.0

06 24 25.0

18 18 24.0

03 27 00.4

07 48 15.0

12 24 38.0

004510.0

07 42 24.0

161848

120004.5

21 31 55.0

14 20 14.0

04 54 39.0

100645.0

23 55 43.0

18 54 09.0

05 56 56.0

02 13 08.0

041535

01 48 47.0

10 12 00.0

124027.0

005845.0

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

50.66

51.11

51.04

50.85

58.06

52.09

51.27

50.50

55.84

51.5

50.14

51.48

52.07

52.52

51.47

52.20

60.02

52.59

52.40

52.74

52.67

51.19

51.28

50.46

53.24

51.19

51.59

51.51

51.95

52.31

57.92

51.71

50.17

51.36

51.22

52.0

60.91

51.17

51.69

50.50

51.23

52.56

53.87

52.53

53.12

52.0

51.43

51.29

53.79

52.96

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude

173.12

173.02

173.01

173.16

155.18

172.10

178.56

176.86

153.88

178.5

178.81

179.02

167.04

168.69

168.21

166.28

146.38

168.52

168.80

168.76

168.78

171.27

179.57

176.90

167.50

179.24

176.04

175.14

176.11

171.32

137.75

166.64

179.12

177.19

177.21

170.0

147.43

171.16

168.01

177.28

178.58

177.80

165.41

169.69

166.82

179.0

177.01

179.32

164.71

167.58

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

Depth 

(km)

000

000

000

000

074

000

000

020

000

000

039

000

000

000

004

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

036

000

000

000

040

028

000

000

000

000

000

«

022

000

000

000

000

000

079

038

000

150

000

000

000

068

Ref

265

265

265

265

447

265

265

265

432

266

265

265

265

265

265

265

447

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

448

265

265

265

265

266

447

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

266

265

265

265

265

USGS 

rcife MS

_ _ __

 

 

 

 

. _

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

 

 

__ - «IMW>

. 

 ______

 

 

______ 

 

 

 

 

 ______

 

______ ______

______ _____

 

.____ ^ ^^

 ______

 

. ____ ,

 

_ __ _____

______ _____

 

 

 

 

 . 

 

 . _____

 

^^__ ___ __

 

 

 

 

Magnitude Intensity

Other Moment MM Ref 

M

6.00MR ROT 

6.10MR ROT 

6.10MR ROT 

6.20MR ROT 

6.00MR ROT IV 30

6.50UknPAS 

6.00MR ROT 

6.20MR ROT 

6.90M8 ABE 

S.OOUknMOS 

6.00MR ROT 

6.00MR ROT 

6.43MR ROT 

6.00MR ROT 

6.70MR ROT 

7.30UknPAS 

 

5.90MR ROT 

S.SOUknMOS 

6.30MR ROT 

6.40MR ROT 

6.20MR ROT 

5.80MR ROT 

6.50UknPAS 

6.13UknBRK 

6.20MR ROT 

6.10MR ROT 

6.75Mg AB3 

6.25UknBRK 

6.00UknBRK 

5.62UknBRK Felt 30

6.30UknUPP 

6.13UknPAS 

6.40UknPAS 

6.25UknBRK 

5.60UknMAT 

 _ _ _

6.50UknPAS 

6.20MR ROT 

5.70UknUPP 

6.10MR ROT 

5.50MR ROT 

5.75UknBRK 

6.25UknPAS 

 

5.50MR ROT 

5.70UknMAT 

6.00MR ROT 

6.40UknBRK 

6.20MR ROT 

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

_

__

___

__

. _ .

_

__

_ _

_

^^^

_

_ - 
32 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1957 11 

1957 12 

1957 12 

1957 12

1958 01

1958 01

1958 02

1958 02

1958 02

1958 02

1958 02

1958 03

1958 03

1958 04

1958 04

1958 04

1958 04

1958 04

1958 05

1958 05

1958 05

1958 05

1958 05

1958 05

1958 05

1958 05

1958 05

1958 05

1958 06

1958 06

1958 06

1958 06

1958 06

1958 06

1958 06

1958 07

1958 07

1958 07

1958 07

1958 07

1958 07

1958 07

1958 07

1958 07

1958 08

1958 08

1958 08

1958 08

1958 08

1958 09

1958 09

1958 10

1958 10

Da

26 

03 

03 

13

13

24

12

22

22

22

25

18

20

07

08

09

13

27

10

11

12

15

17

22

25

25

26

30

01

04

08

09

10

12

12

01

07

10

13

17

17

18

21

24

13

14

16

17

31

09

24

01

20

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

11 35 44.0 

01 46 05 

21 46 18.0 

202620.0

000227.0

23 17 30.5

23 43 52.0

105026.0

13 21 50.0

17 05 03.0

01 56 39.0

222000.0

01 38 05.0

153040.3

00 14 16.0

06 15 11.6

090724.6

190353.0

22 54 39.5

05 23 55.6

05 38 18.0

04 24 50.0

15 38 22.0

113251.0

00 35 23.0

14 54 30.0

105645.0

18 04 53.0

18 21 17.5

14 29 54.0

00 38 53.0

155906.0

001030

205301.0

21 34 12

05 53 14.0

051602.0

06 15 53.6

081001.7

190213.0

20 59 24.0

00 39 21.0

14 37 24.0

13 08 05.0

20 12 59.0

14 55 12.0

13 17 54.0

09 08 35.0

23 00 17.0

22 23 36

03 44 17.6

17 47 17.0

005532.0

Hypocenter

Latitude

51.18 N 

51.5 N 

52.64 N 

52.12 N

52.37 N

60.16 N

51.79 N

50.32 N

50.39 N

52.15 N

51.42 N

50.24 N

50.49 N

65.99 N

65.87 N

56.14 N

65.83 N

52.94 N

65.12 N

65.01 N

52.21 N

51.86 N

51.59 N

50.69 N

51.48 N

51.27 N

53.26 N

52.73 N

60.57 N

52.69 N

53.20 N

52.95 N

52.95 N

52.98 N

53.4 N

51.59 N

50.06 N

58.34 N

57.91 N

51.54 N

51.45 N

51.45 N

51.50 N

52.74 N

50.59 N

51.59 N

51.43 N

51.38 N

63.22 N

53.97 N

59.63 N

52.67 N

51.90 N

Longitude

176.38 W 

178.0 W 

169.80 W 

169.67 W

176.73 E

151.76 W

175.20 W

175.49 W

175.40 W

174.91 W

179.42 E

172.95 W

172.84 W

156.55 W

155.95 W

139.23 W

155.55 W

169.50 W

152.09 W

151.97 W

169.54 W

173.64 W

179.29 W

175.02 W

177.42 W

177.11 W

169.61 W

168.62 W

143.56 W

167.22 W

166.79 W

167.22 W

167.25 W

166.97 W

166.3 W

176.87 W

179.94 E

136.52 W

136.95 W

176.68 W

176.69 W

176.60 W

178.43 W

169.77 W

177.75 W

175.39 W

176.11 W

176.23 W

144.32 W

171.14 E

142.93 W

165.40 W

175.15 W

Depth 

(km)

000

000 

000

121

052

050

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

_

000

000

000

000

000

130

000

000

019

___

000

200

067

000

000

000

000

000

__

057

000

000

000

000

000

017

000

000

000

000

Ref

265 

266 

265 

265

265

447

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

447

447

448

447

265

447

447

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

447

265

265

265

265

265

449

265

265

448

448

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

265

447

265

447

265

265

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

 6.20MR ROT 

 6.20MR ROT 

 5.60UknMAT 

 6.00MR ROT

 6.50UknUPP

 6.40UknPAS

 6.00UknPAS

 6.75UknPAS

_ _ 

 5.50UknMAT

 5.75UknMOS

 6.20UknUPP

 6.50UknPAS

 7.30M8 ABE

 6.10MR ROT

 5.50MR ROT

 6.75UknPAS

 5.90MR ROT

 6.38UknPAS

 6.38UknPAS

« M« »

_____ ______ 

_____ 

_____ ______ 

 5.62UknPAS

 5.63UknPAS

 6.13UknPAS

 6.13UknPAS

_ _ 

 6.13UknPAS

 6.00MR ROT

 

_ _ 

 6.50UknPAS

 5.50MR ROT

 6.00UknPAS

 5.50MR ROT

 7.90Ms ABE

 5.63UknBRK

 5.75UknBRK

 6.00UknBRK

 5.75UknBRK

 6.25UknBRK

 5.75UknMAT

 6.40UknPAS

 6.50UknPAS

 6.13UknPAS

 6.00MR ROT

 5.90UknBRK

 

 6.25UknPAS

 6.25UknPAS

 5.70UknUPP

Intensity

Moment 

M

^^

_

__

^^

_

_

__

_ __

_

_

^^^^

_

_

^_

_

_ _

8.26KAN

^ _

__

_

_

_

. 

_

_

MM

IV

. 

. 

^_

vm

Felt

V

V

V

V

__ _

_

_ 

___

_

__

^_

XI

Felt

^^^

_

_

Felt

V

_rir

__

Felt

Ref

31

__

31

31

31

31

31

31

.._ 

_ _

_

___

,^_

31

31

___

_

_

266

31

.

__

31

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

mm 

_

__

^_

650

___

__

__

___

_

_

_

_

__

__

570&

^ _ B

_

^^

_ m
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 33 

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1958 10 

1958 10

1958 10 

1958 11

1958 11

1958 11

1958 12

1959 01

1959 01

1959 01

1959 02

1959 02

1959 02

1959 02

1959 02

1959 04

1959 04

1959 04

1959 05

1959 05

1959 05

1959 06

1959 07

1959 07

1959 07

1959 08

1959 08

1959 08

1959 09

1959 09

1959 10

1959 11

1959 12

1959 12

1959 12

1959 12

1960 01

1960 01

1960 02

1960 02

1960 02

1960 03

1960 03

1960 04

1960 05

1960 06

1960 06

1960 06

1960 06

1960 07

1960 07

1960 07

Da

28 

29

29 

02

18

19

19

16

29

29

05

06

09

17

28

14

19

22

12

12

18

04

13

14

16

07

07

28

05

21

08

30

14

18

23

26

13

16

19

26

27

04

15

10

13

17

22

29

30

03

03

05

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

235007.0 

07 44 10.0

07 55 13.0 

104447.0

07 45 22.0

150215.7

18 36 24.0

01 31 26

202127.0

20 58 20.0

01 04 50.5

14 33 05.0

04 42 35.0

12 03 04.0

01 32 24.0

072027.3

15 03 30.7

105511.0

214023.0

21 59 56.0

072408.0

12 31 56.4

12 28 47.0

113351.4

15 17 28.0

104331.1

21 45 25.5

12 07 47.4

212841.0

16 16 19.9

02 35 21.0

15 18 36.2

220051.0

16 24 50.0

03 49 07.5

18 19 07.8

16 29 42.0

204931.1

050928.1

23 29 24.0

081004.0

02 15 58.0

092056.0

202611.0

160711.2

16 35 33.0

23 28 47.0

17 06 57.0

19 58 37.7

202046.0

22 52 24.0

05 07 56.0

Hypocenter

Latitude

51.53 N 

51.49 N

51.37 N 

51.57 N

51.66 N

60.46 N

51.46 N

52.34 N

51.88 N

52.14 N

57.43 N

51.72 N

50.00 N

51.10 N

53.02 N

57.95 N

58.20 N

53.80 N

51.54 N

51.21 N

52.51 N

59.98 N

52.01 N

56.83 N

50.47 N

56.41 N

56.45 N

63.42 N

51.30 N

62.47 N

52.35 N

59.73 N

52.45 N

52.56 N

56.45 N

59.67 N

51.73 N

63.29 N

60.87 N

51.32 N

51.53 N

50.60 N

50.64 N

52.88 N

54.81 N

51.90 N

51.68 N

52.69 N

60.30 N

50.28 N

50.28 N

51.50 N

Longitude

179.30 

179.41

179.15 

175.19

179.37

150.91

177.68

177.11

173.79

173.86

156.88

176.02

177.64

171.23

168.06

155.01

151.74

166.87

177.14

176.95

173.69

152.70

172.00

157.73

177.32

153.58

153.51

148.85

179.36

158.68

170.81

151.29

168.21

168.39

157.64

151.26

179.93

150.41

150.36

177.97

177.%

176.85

174.55

167.05

161.35

173.15

173.43

168.04

150.90

177.10

177.19

178.27

E 

E

E 

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Depth 

(km)

000 

000

000 

000

000

046

000

041

000

000

068

044

000

000

067

037

051

000

000

000

099

000

043

000

000

000

044

000

000

000

000

000

000

055

000

000

125

044

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

055

000

000

000

Ref

265 

265

265 

265

265

447

265

265

265

265

447

265

265

265

265

447

477

265

265

265

265

447

265

447

265

447

447

447

265

447

265

447

265

265

447

447

265

447

447

265

265

265

265

265

447

265

265

265

447

265

265

265

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment

Tib MS M

 5.75UknMAT 

 6.25UknPAS 

 5.63UknMAT 

 5.75UknMAT 

 5.90MR ROT 

 5.60UknMAT 

 6.20MR ROT 

 5.88UknPAS 

 5.50UknPAS 

___ _ _ _

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.20MR ROT 

 6.13UknPAS 

 5.50UknMAT 

 6.00MR ROT 

 6.25UknPAS 

 6.00UknPAS 

 5.80MR ROT 

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.10MR ROT 

 5.50UknPAS 

 6.50UknPAS 

 

_ _ _ _

 5.75UknPAS 

 6.00MR ROT 

 6.00MR ROT 

 5.63UknMAT 

 5.50MR ROT 

 . .

 6.10MR ROT 

 6.40MR ROT 

 6.50UknPAS 

 

 6.25UknPAS 

 

 5.90MR ROT 

 

 6.13UknPAS 

 6.10MR ROT 

 5.90MR ROT 

_ __ _ 

_ 

 6.25UknPAS 

 6.13UknPAS 

 6.13UknPAS 

 5.90MR ROT 

 5.90MR ROT 

 6.90mb AB3 

 

 

Intensity

MM

:

Felt

^_

_

_

^_

___

m

_ _

Felt

 .

Felt

^_

m

m

V

Felt

Felt

.^

IV

Felt

_

Felt

Felt

Ref

««

31

_.

_

__

__

32

__

32

32

_

32

33

33

33

33

_ .

33

33

33

33

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

____

__

__

__

__

__

__

_

_

__
34 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1960 08

1960 08

1960 08

1960 08

1960 08

1960 09

1960 09

1960 09

1960 10

1960 10

1960 11

1960 11

1960 12

1960 12

1961 01

1961 01

1961 01

1961 01

1961 01

1961 01

1961 01

1961 01

1961 02

1961 03

1961 04

1961 05

1961 06

1961 06

1961 08

1961 08

1961 09

1961 09

1961 09

1961 09

1961 09

1961 09

1961 09

1961 09

1961 10

1961 12

1961 12

1962 01

1962 01

1962 01

1962 03

1962 04

1962 04

1962 05

1962 05

1962 06

1962 07

1962 07

1962 08

Da

02

04

04

05

25

01

02

12

01

14

06

13

03

21

05

11

12

14

20

29

30

31

27

28

21

17

26

29

08

25

02

04

05

11

25

27

27

27

31

09

30

01

03

23

11

01

05

10

10

29

07

16

18

Origin 

time (UTC>

h m s

06 14 45.0

073448.0

14 05 28.7

22 27 41.0

174154.0

15 37 13.0

220244.0

024439.7

16 10 52.0

21 19 13.0

221003.0

09 20 30.9

07 07 42.6

14 39 58.9

140632.0

11 59 52.0

14 13 30.9

16 38 54.8

17 09 12.3

13 23 54.7

12 12 36.3

004835.5

13 06 35.8

12 29 15.0

212642.1

19 29 19.3

144721.0

14 02 42.5

12 18 19.0

06 59 27.6

002603.0

094915.0

11 34 31.4

02 46 50.3

02 27 13.5

112045.0

192044.0

19 27 00.0

01 43 54.0

02 15 20.8

003927.1

024111.6

17 53 10.0

15 59 27.4

15 23 42.0

12 11 59.5

034008.9

000339.9

05 12 12.0

16 28 03.8

06 12 48.9

125443.1

16 43 55.9

Hypocenter

Latitude

51.61 N

51.41 N

51.4 N

51.34 N

52.52 N

56.25 N

52.21 N

60.5 N

51.79 N

51.83 N

52.69 N

51.23 N

52.7 N

61.81 N

51.83 N

51.98 N

57.81 N

53.9 N

56.52 N

52.0 N

65.23 N

56.17 N

52.7 N

51.90 N

51.9 N

52.2 N

52.08 N

52.4 N

51.15 N

53.52 N

52.18 N

51.58 N

59.77 N

51.4 N

60.36 N

52.40 N

52.46 N

52.35 N

51.83 N

56.35 N

52.3 N

52.2 N

52.31 N

52.8 N

52.29 N

63.4 N

53.7 N

61.96 N

52.39 N

62.40 N

51.43 N

62.27 N

62.26 N

Longitude

178.30 W

179.04 E

178.9 E

178.83 E

169.67 W

153.59 W

171.51 W

153.8 W

172.40 W

172.25 W

168.07 W

168.86 W

177.4 W

152.35 W

175.94 W

170.87 W

155.47 W

163.4 W

152.42 W

175.9 W

150.25 W

153.77 W

168.8 W

176.15 W

173.9 W

173.9 E

174.62 E

173.4 W

170.63 W

161.26 W

171.05 W

178.25 W

150.80 W

180.0 E

152.88 W

168.68 W

168.79 W

168.75 W

175.82 E

153.49 W

177.6 E

177.7 E

177.48 E

169.0 W

178.46 E

150.7 W

163.6 W

150.11 W

171.03 W

152.17 W

178.76 E

152.58 W

152.54 W

Depth 

(km)

000

000

034

052

000

000

000

195

000

041

000

000

160

100

051

000

075

038

000

041

000

000

056

062

036

021

000

076

000

000

000

052

000

060

117

000

000

000

022

000

056

048

077

065

110

108

065

082

000

023

060

050

046

Ref

265

265

266

265

265

447

265

266

265

265

265

432

266

447

265

265

447

266

447

266

447

447

266

265

266

266

265

266

265

447

265

265

447

266

447

265

265

265

265

447

266

266

265

266

265

449

266

447

265

447

266

447

447

Magnitude

USGS Other 

(Tib MS

_« 

 6.13UknPAS

 

 5.70UknMAT

 6.00MR ROT

 6.13UknPAS

 5.88UknPAS

 5.50MR ROT

 6.50UknPAS

 6.50UknPAS

 6.20MR ROT

 6.70M8 ABE

 5.50MR ROT

 5.75UknPAS

 6.75UknPAS

 6.20MR ROT

 . 

 5.75UknPAL

 6.38UknPAS

 

 5.50UknPAL

 6.25UknPAS

 

 6.25UknPAS

 5.63UknPAL

 6.00UknPAS

 6.20MR ROT

 

 6.13UknPAS

 

 5.50UknMAT

 6.25UknBRK

 6.13UknPAS

 5.90MR ROT

 5.88UknPAS

 5.63UknMAT

 6.00MR ROT

 6.00MR ROT

 5.50MR ROT

 5.63UknBRK

 6.75UknPAS

 

 

 

 6.10UknUPP

 5.50MR ROT

 5.50UknMOS

 6.00UknBRK

 6.00UknBRK

 6.00MR ROT

 5.88UknPAS

 6.00UknPAL

 6.13UknPAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

^_

__

_

_ .

__

__

__

__

MM

Felt

Felt

IV

_

m

Felt

Felt

V

Felt

Felt

.^

VI

Felt

_

Felt

V

rv

_

V

V

Ref

33

33

33

33

33

34

34

34

34

_

34

34

449

35

35

35

35

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

_
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 35 

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hjrpocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1962 08 18

1962 08 31

1962 08 31

1962 09 01

1962 09 01

1962 09 01

1962 10 21

1962 12 08

1962 12 21

1962 12 21

1962 12 21

1962 12 21

1962 12 22

1963 01 01

1963 01 28

1963 03 24

1963 04 02

1963 04 03

1963 04 06

1963 04 07

1963 04 29

1963 04 30

1963 05 04

1963 05 08

1963 05 12

1963 06 24

1963 06 27

1963 08 18

1963 09 26

1963 12 11

1964 01 12

1964 02 06

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

1964 03 28

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

17 46 15.7

170245.0

17 56 10.0

034601.0

044141.5

07 51 08.0

020523.7

22 55 01.2

06 27 44.0

084243.0

090041.4

091001.6

152025.0

23 39 06.0

130046.1

21 35 23.2

16 18 55.3

155451.7

11 19 23.2

15 27 59.4

21 44 17.2

07 07 53.3

055601.1

08 50 56.3

200840.8

04 26 31.0

07 08 01.8

18 43 16.0

05 28 02.0

17 08 09.0

060012.9

130721.1

03 36 14.0

045407.9

05 33 52.3

05 35 39.1

060846.5

06 32 38.5

064128.0

064354.4

065335.9

071022.0

073029.5

083348.3

08 39 55.2

090100.9

09 52 56.0

103538.0

11 08 28.3

122050.0

144737.3

144914.2

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

62.21 N

51.32 N

51.27 N

51.29 N

51.3 N

51.32 N

61.39 N

50.5 N

52.58 N

52.47 N

52.4 N

52.5 N

52.46 N

56.57 N

54.58 N

51.8 N

53.1 N

61.2 N

63.4 N

53.7 N

51.3 N

51.3 N

51.8 N

54.9 N

57.3 N

59.45 N

60.5 N

50.59 N

50.11 N

51.42 N

53.17 N

55.75 N

61.04 N

59.8 N

60.05 N

57.20 N

60.15 N

60.09 N

59.94 N

58.26 N

58.79 N

58.83 N

57.31 N

58.08 N

57.52 N

56.42 N

59.72 N

57.17 N

60.05 N

56.45 N

60.36 N

60.51 N

Longitude 

(°)

152.50 W

179.75 W

179.86 E

179.70 W

179.9 W

179.86 W

149.21 W

176.8 W

168.71 W

168.54 W

168.5 W

168.5 W

168.83 W

157.56 W

161.65 W

178.1 W

171.7 W

147.8 W

149.6 W

170.0 W

178.7 E

178.6 E

175.4 W

163.8 W

154.0 W

152.05 W

140.8 W

177.01 W

176.92 W

179.30 W

166.30 W

155.79 W

147.73 W

149.4 W

146.40 W

153.00 W

148.50 W

147.62 W

147.85 W

151.25 W

149.54 W

149.29 W

151.71 W

151.00 W

151.48 W

152.01 W

146.47 W

152.45 W

148.39 W

153.94 W

146.61 W

146.70 W

Depth 

(km)

040

037

055

000

037

046

071

033

000

000

033

033

000

051

051

047

140

071

042

174

056

045

041

090

060

000

031

017

000

000

033

000

033

025

020

033

035

033

015

004

020

017

015

032

020

023

030

026

032

025

012

010

Ref

447

265

265

265

266

265

447

266

265

265

266

266

265

265

447

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

447

266

265

265

265

299

432

451

266

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

__

__

,^ m

_

 -

-

_

5.5

5.7

5.7

5.3

6.0

5.9

5.8

5.1

5.6

5.9

5.7

5.9

5.5

5.3

5.3

5.5

..-

6.1

5.6

5.7

5.6

5.5

5.5

6.1

5.7

6.1

5.7

5.6

5.4

6.0

5.5

6.0

5.7

6.1

5.7

5.8

 6.38UknPAS

 6.75UknPAS

_ 

 6.50UknPAS

 6.00MR ROT

 6.50UknPAS

 6.00MR ROT

 5.70UknBRK

 6.10UknUPP

 6.50UknPAS

 6.20MR ROT

 6.20MR ROT

 6.25UknPAS

 6.50UknPAS

 6.50UknPAS

 6.00UknPAS

 6.38UknPAS

 5.50MR ROT

 6.00MR ROT

 6.00MR ROT

 6.00UknPAS

 

 6.00MR ROT

 6.00MR ROT

 6.50UknPAS

 6.75UknPAS

 

__ .^_

 5.88UknPAL

 6.00MR ROT

 5.50Ms BRK

 7.00M8 ABE

8.3 8.40MS ABE

 

 5.50mb ISC

 5.80mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 5.63UknBRK

 5.70mb ISC

 6.20UknPAS

 5.38MS BRK

 6.50UknPAS

 5.50mb ISC

 6.20UknPAS

 6.20UknPAS

 6.30UknPAS

 5.60UknPAS

 6.50UknPAS

 6.30UknPAS

 6.50UknPAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

___

___

-

. 

^_

__

__

__

^_

__

__

. 

9.23KAN

__

__ _

_

MM

V

Felt

_

Felt

Felt

VI

_

_

_

Felt

Felt

_

IV

IV

vn

__

Felt

Felt

V

X

Felt

n

n

Felt

Felt

Felt

Ref

35

35

_

35

35

35

__

_

_

36

36

_

36

36

36

__

36

37

37

37

37

37

37

37

37

37

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

_

_ _

_

_ _

_

_

__

1800&

_

__
36 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1964 03

1964 03

1964 03

1964 03

1964 03

1964 03

1964 03

1964 03

1964 03

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 04

1964 05

1964 05

1964 05

1964 05

1964 05

1964 05

1964 05

1964 05

1964 06

1964 06

1964 07

1964 08

1964 08

1964 09

1964 09

1964 09

1964 09

Da

28

29

29

29

29

30

30

30

30

02

02

03

03

04

04

04

04

04

04

05

05

05

07

09

10

10

12

13

13

14

15

16

17

20

21

01

06

08

08

08

17

17

29

28

29

11

02

24

01

16

23

25

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

234620.1

01 09 37.2

012934.1

060444.3

164058.8

020304.9

02 18 06.8

07 09 33.8

160927.7

11 41 10.7

22 34 32.5

08 38 42.9

223343.1

045401.3

08 40 30.8

091055.1

174609.0

17 59 44.0

22 16 54.4

01 22 14.0

01 41 43.8

19 28 16.4

19 28 25.2

13 06 19.2

010801.1

21 44 12.3

012431.2

140459.2

21 25 33.7

22 55 30.0

153047.0

19 26 56.7

044929.1

11 56 38.5

05 01 35.7

060154.9

15 26 36.2

16 21 50.9

21 34 38.7

23 40 44.5

005018.3

04 41 44.9

10 17 35.0

190904.9

07 21 34.2

202538.0

08 36 17.3

21 56 54.5

17 16 39.7

01 50 33.4

04 59 49.7

15 42 18.8

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

57.42 N

59.86 N

57.52 N

56.13 N

59.79 N

59.14 N

56.65 N

59.89 N

56.58 N

58.8 N

59.76 N

59.60 N

61.62 N

60.11 N

56.52 N

56.85 N

56.30 N

56.51 N

59.34 N

56.28 N

56.15 N

60.25 N

55.70 N

59.93 N

58.38 N

60.15 N

56.60 N

57.51 N

57.45 N

57.97 N

56.53 N

56.41 N

56.43 N

61.51 N

61.50 N

60.38 N

56.61 N

56.73 N

60.81 N

52.26 N

59.46 N

53.54 N

60.16 N

58.23 N

62.78 N

59.72 N

56.18 N

58.39 N

51.06 N

60.04 N

53.78 N

50.27 N

Longitude 

(°)

151.09

149.08

151.30

154.30

146.82

147.86

152.82

145.66

152.04

149.6

144.07

144.67

147.39

146.71

152.56

152.69

154.40

154.33

145.24

153.34

153.43

146.71

151.83

145.04

150.60

153.51

152.20

151.30

153.87

152.57

154.39

152.90

152.88

147.20

147.30

145.86

152.12

153.91

143.47

169.31

142.62

159.56

146.45

150.42

151.85

146.25

149.90

150.40

170.58

146.78

163.70

176.63

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

E

Depth 

(km)

020

023

022

028

014

026

022

013

018

020

022

010

041

036

019

014

024

022

010

024

027

002

020

018

019

045

022

021

036

020

034

025

014

006

038

020

015

026

018

012

035

033

008

024

041

017

031

024

018

017

036

036

Ref

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

266

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299.

299

299

299

299

USGS 

nib MS

5.2

5.5

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.1

5.8

5.6

5.5

5.4

5.0

5.4

5.7

5.6

5.3

5.9

5.7

5.5

5.1

5.4

5.2

5.8

5.6

5.1

5.5

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.4

5.7

5.6

5.3

5.7

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.3

5.4

5.2

__

5.5

5.6

5.5

5.6

5.6

5.4

5.8

5.5

5.7

5.5

5.5

^ p

_

__

. 

__

 -

__

_ _

_

 - 

^ _

__

_

__

_ __

 .

^_

, _

^_

Magnitude Intensity

Other Moment MM Ref 

M

5.60MS BRK 

5.38UknPAS 

5.88MS BRK 

5.60UknPAS 

5.80UknPAS 

4.90mb ISC 

6.60UknPAS 

6.20UknPAS 

5.88UknPAL 

5.50mb ISC 

5.88UknPAL 

5.50mb ISC 

6.00UknPAS V 37

5.63UknBRK 

6.00UknPAL 

5.88UknPAL Felt 37

6.50UknPAS 

6.13UknPAS 

5.63UknPAL 

6.00UknPAS 

5.88UknPAL 

5.50UknPAL 

5.50mb ISC 

5.63UknPAL 

5.13UknPAL 

5.63UknPAL 

6.25UknPAS 

5.40mb ISC 

5.50mb ISC 

5.50mb ISC VI 37

5.40MS BRK 

6.63UknPAS 

5.60Ms BRK 

6.50UknPAS Felt 37

6.00UknPAS Felt 37

5.50mb ISC 

5.63UknPAL 

5.50UknPAL 

5.50UknPAL 

5.50UknPAL 

5.75UknPAS 

5.40mb ISC 

5.50UknPAL Felt 37

5.50mb ISC 

5.40Ms BRK IV 37

5.63UknPAL 

6.00UknPAS m 37

5.50mb ISC 

5.50mb ISC 

5.75UknPAS Felt 37

5.40mb ISC 

5.40mb ISC 

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

__

_

_

__

_

___

_

_

_

__

_
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 37

ALASKA Contin ued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1964 10

1964 12

1964 12

1965 01

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

1965 02

Da

10

13

17

30

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

04

05

05

05

05

05

05

05

05

06

06

06

06

07

07

07

09

09

12

12

15

17

18

19

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

200634.7

00 33 26.9

23 44 45.4

04 37 21.4

04 53 57.2

05 01 21.6

05 19 18.4

05 48 50.5

060458.2

06 37 05.5

063930.1

065252.4

071121.4

07 14 58.8

07 23 12.9

07 43 41.0

08 04 10.3

08 06 17.2

080629.0

08 33 41.3

084042.1

085920.0

09 51 59.2

120605.7

14 18 26.5

15 51 25.8

223005.6

062523.1

063949.2

093206.3

13 38 46.9

140823.2

190041.9

204712.4

221601.2

01 40 34.6

040252.2

165028.9

210258.5

02 17 10.1

04 11 20.2

092552.1

04 34 59.7

17 37 14.4

004317.8

00 55 09.5

01 25 08.0

10 18 50.0

23 13 39.5

18 52 39.4

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

60.38 N

64.878N

51.211N

51.68

51.18

51.29

50.4

51.40

51.74

52.57

51.64

52.20

51.03

51.88

51.8

52.64

52.18

51.92

51.67

51.93

51.39

52.55

51.56

52.74

53.03

53.05

51.82

51.8

51.77

52.37

51.99

51.74

52.0

51.83

51.53

53.14

52.05

53.26

52.81

51.34

52.03

51.37

52.27

52.73

51.46

52.32

51.11

51.64

51.45

51.13

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude

145.97 W

165.570W

177.8 13W

179.67

178.49

178.55

173.2

174.84

175.02

172.05

175.83

173.17

177.86

173.94

173.4

172.79

172.87

174.30

174.80

174.03

179.59

173.71

175.72

172.05

171.08

170.83

174.32

177.0

174.84

174.33

173.96

174.38

173.2

174.41

176.64

161.85

175.60

161.74

171.98

173.44

175.48

179.20

179.64

171.99

175.84

172.84

179.39

176.63

179.28

178.47

W

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

W

E

W

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

Depth 

(km)

001

028

030

088

030

036

035

033

037

035

030

033

024

025

021

015

030

044

040

031

040

034

004

030

016

040

031

040

025

016

037

035

027

030

036

043

032

033

010

045

025

038

040

028

034

039

042

034

048

012

Ref

299

299

479

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

Magnitude Intensity

USGS Other Moment MM Ref 

mb MS M

5.4

5.4

5.5

5.6

5.8

6.0

5.7

6.1

5.9

5.5

5.9

5.8

5.5

5.5

5.9

5.6

5.7

6.4

5.5

5.6

5.8

5.7

5.7

5.4

5.5

5.7

5.9

5.8

5.5

5.7

5.6

6.4

5.9

6.1

5.6

6.0

5.5

5.3

5.5

5.7

5.4

5.5

5.8

5.6

5.4

5.6

 5.60M8 BRK 

 6.00UknPAL VI 37

 5.50mb ISC Felt 37

 5.10mb ISC 

 5.30mb ISC 

 8.20M8 ABE 8.68KAN VI 75

 5.50mb ISC 

 5.75M8 BRK 

 6.13UknBRK 

 5.50mb ISC 

 5.88UknBRK 

 5.40mb ISC 

 5.50mb ISC 

 5.70mb ISC 

 5.60mb ISC 

 5.40mb ISC 

 5.30mb ISC 

 5.50mb ISC 

 5.50mb ISC 

 5.60mb ISC 

 7.00M8 ABE 

 5.40mb ISC Felt 75

 5.30mb ISC 

 6.50UknPAS Felt 75

 6.25UknPAS Felt 75

 6.25UknPAS Felt 75

 5.50mb ISC 

 5.10mb ISC 

 6.38UknPAS 

 6.50UknPAS 

 5.60mb ISC 

 5.40mb ISC 

 5.40mb ISC 

 5.70mb ISC 

 5.30mb ISC 

 6.63UknPAS IV 75

 6.00UknPAL 

 6.50UknPAS IV 75

 5.00mb ISC 

 5.80mb ISC 

 5.40mb ISC 

 6.25UknPAS 

 5.00mb ISC 

 5.80mb ISC 

 5.75UknPAS 

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.00UknPAS 

 6.50UknPAS 

 6.00UknPAS Felt 75

 5.50mb ISC 

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_ - 

__

_

,^_

__

_ .

_

_^

_ _
38 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued 

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1965 02 22

1965 02 25

1965 03 01

1965 03 03

1965 03 04

1965 03 05

1965 03 05

1965 03 05

1965 03 13

1965 03 17

1965 03 30

1965 03 31

1965 04 04

1965 04 08

1965 04 10

1965 04 16

1965 04 20

1965 04 22

1965 04 26

1965 05 05

1965 05 11

1965 05 23

1965 05 25

1965 06 03

1965 06 09

1965 06 11

1965 06 15

1965 06 19

1965 06 23

1965 06 30

1965 07 02

1965 07 21

1965 07 22

1965 07 25

1965 07 29

1965 07 29

1965 07 29

1965 08 11

1965 09 02

1965 09 04

1965 09 08

1965 09 08

1965 09 18

1965 09 27

1965 10 01

1965 10 12

1965 10 19

1965 10 20

1965 10 23

1965 11 22

1965 11 22

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

091451.7

05 22 14.5

19 21 59.9

16 47 25.0

06 30 18.8

06 14 59.8

134244.5

17 59 13.6

07 33 23.5

142711.7

022703.4

104610.9

13 30 37.4

13 43 52.6

165456.1

23 22 18.6

064306.6

18 35 59.0

202907.5

230202.1

17 37 39.1

23 46 14.3

13 07 49.3

074338.1

132651.6

02 37 35.0

044613.8

063811.8

11 09 16.5

08 33 27.5

205838.1

17 52 27.0

01 18 52.2

214646.1

08 29 22.0

122023.2

15 08 32.7

18 29 38.5

04 26 37.8

14 32 50.2

03 26 21.0

11 1633.6

204636.7

050907.5

085201.9

134059.4

204845.9

11 08 10.3

060052.5

140029.3

202531.4

Hypocenter

Latitude 

C°)

51.91 N

52.11 N

52.17 N

53.02 N

52.04 N

51.25 N

52.22 N

52.29 N

53.17 N

52.80 N

50.32 N

50.29 N

51.83 N

52.22 N

53.11 N

64.69 N

52.42 N

51.85 N

54.25 N

52.56 N

61.33 N

52.17 N

51.23 N

51.91 N

52.55 N

51.80 N

50.07 N

52.39 N

56.61 N

51.81 N

53.03 N

53.31 N

50.96 N

51.52 N

51.11 N

50.88 N

51.00 N

59.36 N

51.91 N

58.29 N

57.48 N

55.71 N

59.38 N

51.86 N

50.02 N

56.1 N

52.37 N

51.254N

53.85 N

51.576N

51.32 N

Longitude 

(°)

173.49 E

173.16 E

174.05 E

171.35 E

175.14 E

179.58 E

174.98 E

174.33 E

162.07 W

171.97 E

177.93 E

178.35 E

175.38 E

173.45 E

170.95 E

160.23 W

172.04 E

176.16 E

162.51 W

173.65 E

149.52 W

175.17 E

178.76 E

175.83 E

173.31 E

174.17 E

178.26 E

172.14 E

152,68 W

176.62 E

167.55 W

170.38 E

175.95 E

175.95 E

171.30 W

171.57 W

171.30 W

146.08 W

175.51 E

152.50 W

152.10 W

155.30 W

145.18 W

175.60 E

178.28 E

153.6 W

174.33 E

173.762W

165.30 W

175.948W

179.67 W

Depth 

(km)

032

033

013

014

057

005

033

031

036

014

020

048

032

037

008

005

016

015

051

031

061

031

035

046

017

032

026

038

031

015

040

Oil

044

037

018

037

003

015

030

030

025

024

005

000

005

029

029

020

039

046

041

Ref

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

479

299

479

299

USGS 

rrib MS

5.5 

5.6 

5.5 

5.6 

5.5 

5.6 

5.3 

5.7 

5.5 

6.0 

 

5.6 

5.7 

5.4 

5.8 

5.8 

5.5 

5.1 

5.9 

5.6 

5.5 

6.1 

5.5 

5.5 

5.6 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.7 

5.7 

6.7 

5.7 

5.6 

5.5 

6.3 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.7 

6.2 

5.6 

5.5 

5.3 

5.5 

6.3 

5.5 

5.6 

5.6 

5.5 

5.6 

5.9 

Magnitude

Other

5.38UknPAL

5.70mb ISC

5.50mb ISC

5.90mb ISC

5.30mb ISC

5.50mb ISC

5.50mb ISC

5.60mb ISC

5.50mb ISC

5.70mb ISC

7.40Mg ABE

5.30mb ISC

6.00UknPAS

5.70UknPAS

5.38UknPAL

5.88UknPAS

S.lOUknPAL

5.60UknPAL

5.13UknPAL

5.30mb ISC

5.75Ukn PAS

6.00UknPAS

5.88UknPAL

5.30mb ISC

5.10mb ISC

5.60mb ISC

5.13UknPAL

5.38UknPAL

6.38UknPAS

5.63UknPAS

6.50MS ABE

5.70mb ISC

5.30mb ISC

5.75UknPAS

6.70M8 ABE

5.50mb ISC

5.40mb ISC

5.30mb ISC

5.38UknPAL

6.80MS ABE

5.38UknPAL

5.50UknPAL

6.00UknPAL

5.38UknPAL

6.50UknPAS

5.40mb ISC

5.88UknPAL

5.25UknPAL

5.38mb ISC

5.50mb ISC

5.80mb ISC

intensity

Moment 

M

^_

_

7.64KA

^_

^_

_

_ .

___

 --,

_

__

^_

. 

_

_

_

_

___

MM

__

_

Felt

Felt

__

VI

Felt

IV

IV

__

_

_ _

VI

__

Felt

_ _

Felt

Felt

_

_

Felt

. 

__

Felt

Ref

__

__

75

75

__

75

75

75

. 

75

_

___

75

_

75

_

75

75

... .._

75

_

75

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

___

__

_

 .

__

__

_

 _

. 

^_
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 39

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1965 11 23

1965 12 04

1965 12 05

1965 12 22

1965 12 23

1965 12 30

1966 01 13

1966 01 16

1966 01 20

1966 01 22

1966 01 27

1966 02 26

1966 04 06

1966 04 08

1966 04 11

1966 04 16

1966 04 22

1966 05 15

1966 05 19

1966 06 02

1966 06 08

1966 06 11

1966 07 04

1966 07 04

1966 08 07

1966 08 12

1966 08 17

1966 08 30

1966 08 30

1966 10 07

1966 11 11

1967 01 18

1967 01 28

1967 01 28

1967 02 07

1967 04 29

1967 04 29

1967 05 27

1967 06 01

1967 06 03

1967 06 19

1967 06 20

1967 06 21

1967 06 21

1967 06 21

1967 06 23

1967 07 01

1967 07 06

1967 09 28

1968 01 04

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

02 17 49.8

02 11 50.3

181451.0

194121.6

204737.6

020630.4

1041 12.9

09 11 47.5

144605.2

14 27 07.9

193905.9

00 33 47.3

22 28 37.5

221057.7

230022.9

012714.1

23 27 20.3

144608.7

07 06 28.5

032754.1

19 56 22.9

18 13 40.0

02 55 37.7

183337.1

02 13 04.3

20 17 00.9

205835.0

202055.0

202318.2

205556.0

15 31 04.4

08 18 22.0

13 52 58.2

17 42 01.8

14 53 13.9

03 55 19.9

122531.7

17 22 58.5

03 36 18.0

090854.0

170747.1

07 38 50.0

180449.5

18 13 02.9

182445.7

11 54 33.5

231008.6

134227.6

15 44 52.0

005741.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

51.41 N

51.07 N

52.61 N

58.35 N

60.57 N

54.09 N

52.94 N

52.85 N

52.98 N

56.03 N

51.31 N

52.70 N

56.47 N

56.62 N

56.57 N

56.93 N

57.37 N

51.216N

54.04 N

51.01 N

53.17 N

51.265N

51.78 N

51.9 N

50.57 N

52.67 N

52.16 N

61.34 N

61.5 N

61.66 N

52.26 N

52.534N

52.375N

52.401N

56.661N

51.146N

51.106N

51.866N

53.60 N

58.35 N

52.76 N

52.79 N

64.756N

64.8 N

64.8 N

64.8 16N

54.44 N

52.58 N

59.43 N

52.17 N

Longitude 

<°>

179.67 W

170.49 W

173.27 E

153.13 W

140.64 W

164.28 W

172.04 E

172.00 E

171.74 E

153.78 W

178.27 E

173.52 E

154.64 W

152.29 W

152.07 W

153.61 W

152.27 W

178.317W

164.08 W

175.98 E

171.03 E

178.349W

176.44 E

179.8 E

171.22 W

161.53 W

175.02 E

147.44 W

147.5 W

150.06 W

169.07 W

168.202W

169.515W

169.386W

157.177W

178.256W

178.258W

176.124E

165.64 W

151.31 W

166.90 W

167.06 W

147.372W

147.4 W

147.4 W

147.450W

157.94 W

168.13 W

147.12 W

171.36 W

Depth 

(km)

045

019

038

038

025

019

021

008

022

030

038

017

028

031

024

023

023

030

037

048

025

035

041

015

029

032

023

045

033

054

037

033

043

050

063

025

025

032

049

013

044

045

017

017

017

009

038

049

004

008

Ref

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

479

299

299

299

479

299

266

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

266

266

266

74

479

479

74

299

299

299

299

452

74

74

74

299

299

299

299

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

5.6

5.7

5.6

6.5

5.8

5.7

5.6

5.5

5.6

5.8

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.0

5.4

5.7

5.9

5.7

5.9

5.4

5.5

5.5

6.0

6.2

5.6

5.5

5.8

5.5

5.6

5.4

5.8

5.9

5.6

5.5

5.9

5.3

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.4

5.4

5.6

5.4

6.2

5.9

5.4

5.7

 5.75UknPAL

 5.60mb ISC

 5.38UknPAL

 6.88UknPAS

 5.70mb ISC

 5.75UknPAL

 5.70mb KG

 5.50mb ISC

 5.30mb ISC

 6.00UknPAS

 5.30mb ISC

 5.40mb ISC

 5.10mb ISC

 5.63UknPAL

 5.88UknPAL

 6.25UknPAS

 5.80mb ISC

 5.88UknPAS

 6.00UknPAS

 6.00UknPAS

 5.50mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 6.88MS ABE

 7.00mb ABE

 5.50mb ISC

 5.40mb ISC

 5.88UknPAS

 5.30mb ISC

 5.30mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 6.00UknPAS

6.7 6.38UknPAS

 6.00UknPAS

 5.60mb ISC

 6.00mb ISC

 5.60mb ISC

 6.00UknPAS

 5.70mb ISC

 5.40mb ISC

 6.00UknPAS

 5.50UknPAL

5.6 6.10ML JDH

5.9 6.10ML JDH

5.5 5.90ML JDH

 5.60ML JDH

 6.75UknPAS

 6.38UknPAS

 5.60MS BRK

 6.13UknPAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

_^ _

_

_

__

__

_

m^^l

_

_

6.86KA

__

_

___

_

 .

^_

.^^

__

MM

Felt

_..

V

 .

Felt

_

__

__

Felt

m

IV

 .

m

Felt

Felt

V

V

IV

Felt

__

m

n

__

IV

vn

vn

vn

VI

IV

__

Felt

Ref

75

__

75

75

_

___

_

81

81

81

81

81

81

81

81

81

40

_

40

40

_

40

452

452

452

40

40

__

40

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

_

__

__

_

^_

78 &

_

_ _

__

135

__
40 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1968 01 14

1968 01 14

1968 03 10

1968 04 23

1968 05 28

1968 06 10

1968 08 11

1968 10 29

1968 12 14

1968 12 15

1968 12 15

1968 12 17

1969 01 03

1969 03 15

1969 04 04

1969 05 14

1969 05 23

1969 06 18

1969 06 20

1969 06 22

1969 07 27

1969 07 28

1969 09 12

1969 09 12

1969 10 18

1969 10 21

1969 10 31

1969 11 06

1969 11 12

1969 11 20

1969 11 24

1970 01 16

1970 01 22

1970 02 24

1970 02 27

1970 02 28

1970 03 11

1970 03 17

1970 03 19

1970 04 11

1970 04 16

1970 04 18

1970 04 19

1970 05 20

1970 06 02

1970 06 13

1970 06 22

1970 07 18

1970 08 14

1970 08 18

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

124048.5

17 43 06.0

034928.1

202914.6

222958.1

124104.3

123729.1

22 16 16.5

095902.3

02 14 17.8

022831.9

120214.8

132814.1

13 35 35.3

08 45 19.1

19 32 55.0

130437.0

234411.2

02 37 51.5

104524.8

21 21 40.6

06 29 54.0

08 57 06.9

150018.3

08 43 58.0

205347.5

11 33 04.3

202019.2

190902.0

234611.6

22 51 49.6

08 05 39.0

03 55 30.0

08 05 39.6

07 07 56.5

105232.4

22 38 32.4

220012.4

23 33 28.7

040541.1

05 33 17.5

085040.0

01 15 47.0

203054.7

02 59 29.5

05 27 55.6

14 39 30.6

01 48 38.7

03 39 34.0

175208.4

Hypocenter

Latitude

52.8 N

52.65 N

52.201N

58.69 N

52.19 N

56.29 N

52.13 N

65.46 N

51.479N

51.56 N

51.67 N

60.15 N

51.14 N

51.31 N

51.17 N

51.29 N

53.36 N

52.627N

53.172N

51.46 N

59.414N

57.43 N

51.27 N

51.29 N

52.52 N

51.306N

51.059N

51.128N

52.975N

56.6 N

56.14 N

60.28 N

51.32 N

59.567N

50.13 N

52.589N

57.39 N

59.2 N

51.34 N

59.7 N

59.8 N

59.82 N

59.60 N

51.188N

61.54 N

51.370N

55.194N

51.130N

64.98 N

60.70 N

Longitude

171.4 W

171.25 W

177.243W

149.93 W

172.85 E

161.55 W

179.97 W

150.07 W

175.745E

175.86 E

175.76 E

152.82 W

179.39 W

179.02 W

173.67 E

179.85 W

160.12 W

167.893W

162.435W

179.95 W

145.318W

153.89 W

179.17 W

179.14 W

173.42 E

179.235W

178.901W

178.829W

168.276W

153.2 W

153.66 W

152.66 W

177.16 E

143.874W

179.59 W

175.054W

153.97 W

147.9 W

173.75 E

142.7 W

142.6 W

152.79 W

142.72 W

178.456W

151.79 W

178.311W

156.501W

178.486W

147.83 W

145.38 W

Depth 

(km)

044

003

012

022

021

165

166

007

033

033

029

082

038

044

035

022

032

018

044

056

033

027

038

048

009

048

025

025

053

033

028

085

012

015

007

158

016

047

008

007

007

089

020

030

080

040

033

025

017

030

Ref

74

299

479

299

299

299

299

299

74

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

299

74

74

299

74

299

299

299

299

74

479

479

74

74

299

299

299

74

299

479

299

74

299

299

74

299

299

479

299

479 -

74

479

299

299

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

5.6

5.5

5.4

6.3

5.6

5.6

5.5

6.0

5.2

5.7

5.4

5.9

5.7

5.6

5.6

6.2

5.6

5.4

5.7

6.1

5.3

5.3

6.0

5.6

5.6

5.9

6.0

5.5

5.4

5.1

5.5

5.5

5.3

5.0

6.0

6.0

6.0

5.1

5.8

5.2

5.5

5.7

5.8

5.7

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.8

5.0

5.6

 5.50mb ISC

 6.25UknPAS

 5.60UknPAL

 6.12UknPAS

5.7 5.60mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 5.60mb ISC

6.5 7.10ML GS

5.8 6.25UknPAS

6.2 6.38UknPAS

6.1 5.40mb ISC

 6.50UknPAS

5.2 5.60UknBRK

5.2 5.50mb ISC

5.3 5.60mb ISC

7.0 6.50ML GS

5.3 5.50mb ISC

5.6 5.40mb ISC

5.1 5.80mb ISC

 6.10mb ISC

5.3 5.50UknPAS

4.8 5.50MS BRK

6.6 6.30ML GS

 5.70mb ISC

5.3 5.50mb ISC

5.4 6.00UknPAS

6.3 6.50UknPAS

5.7 5.50mb ISC

 5.75MS BRK

5.5 5.60ML GS

5.7 6.00ML GS

 6.10ML GS

5.5 5.20mb ISC

5.6 5.40ML GS

5.9 6.25UknPAS

 6.70UknBRK

6.0 6.40ML GS

4.8 5.50ML GS

6.2 6.50UknPAS

6.2 5.80ML GS

6.8 6.20ML GS

 5.40mb ISC

6.0 5.80ML GS

 5.60mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

5.2 5.70ML GS

5.9 5.90MS BRK

5.0 5.60ML GS

5.9 5.90ML GS

Intensity

Moment 

M

 _ m

__

_

__

__

_

__

 _

.^_

_

__

MM

»

IV

IV

Felt

Felt

vn

VI

n

Felt

V

__

Felt

Felt

IV

IV

Felt

IV

IV

V

__

m

ID

V

n

IV

m

IV

V

Felt

IV

IV

V

IV

Ref

^__

41

41

41

41

41

41

259

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

43

_

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_ _

..

420

260&

_

_

_
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 41 

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1970 11 03

1970 12 01

1970 12 02

1970 12 10

1971 01 07

1971 01 25

1971 01 26

1971 02 01

1971 02 07

1971 02 07

1971 02 11

1971 03 26

1971 03 27

1971 03 30

1971 04 05

1971 05 02

1971 05 20

1971 05 21

1971 06 02

1971 06 11

1971 07 21

1971 07 25

1971 07 29

1971 09 04

1971 10 19

1971 11 22

1972 01 03

1972 02 21

1972 03 20

1972 03 24

1972 04 21

1972 06 06

1972 06 12

1972 07 30

1972 08 03

1972 08 03

1972 08 04

1972 08 12

1972 08 15

1972 08 23

1972 08 28

1972 10 13

1972 11 21

1972 12 26

1973 02 20

1973 03 19

1973 03 23

1973 03 27

1973 04 16

1973 05 24

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

023011.8

210937.1

02 34 56.5

10 15 06.9

025000.9

160816.4

19 32 04.9

05 19 22.6

02 29 26.4

02 42 02.7

12 55 51.6

17 35 18.0

17 09 52.6

113040.7

090442.8

060827.8

02 35 37.6

185643.0

190632.9

13 58 37.7

120341.1

154121.3

22 18 20.1

15 53 25.4

11 02 37.7

004611.1

17 06 22.3

19 34 50.9

23 31 47.7

033827.1

01 28 09.5

02 19 42.5

19 47 35.6

214514.1

044053.3

06 59 44.6

11 38 08.3

094206.3

105612.8

08 47 15.9

15 21 01.2

044611.0

17 01 55.3

22 03 42.0

07 40 35.2

11 41 07.7

065533.1

12 32 05.0

14 48 00.3

18 47 10.7

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

62.01 N

51.2 12N

51.192N

52.93 N

52.265N

51.246N

51.665N

51.474N

51.124N

50.997N

50.960N

60.342N

52.614N

50.98 IN

53.359N

51.228N

52.281N

52.653N

61.055N

51.487N

51.946N

52.151N

52.080N

54.98 IN

52.656N

52.269N

51.136N

55.902N

50.947N

56.142N

54.007N

51.313N

53.250N

56.820N

50.957N

50.944N

56.205N

50.972N

56.252N

58.227N

51.013N

52.833N

52.449N

51.405N

58.263N

52.835N

51.301N

52.576N

50.902N

51.425N

Longitude 

(°)

151.05 W

175.189W

175.160W

169.70 W

. 173.199W

177.616W

174.916W

172.889W

176.766W

177.03 1W

177.222W

140.991W

174.537W

177.363W

170.553W

177.173W

173.340W

173.257W

151.147W

176.084E

170.540W

173.095E

173.376E

163.357W

166.967W

174.317E

178.900E

158.265W

179.23 1W

157.180W

166.853W

178.23 1W

166.780W

135.685W

178.099W

178.139W

135.342W

179.273W

135.495W

153.513W

179.26 1W

163.064W

173.611E

176.21 3W

149.816W

173.773E

174.217E

172.872E

178.8 10W

173.286W

Depth 

(km)

070

021

018

044

088

030

036

020

017

020

020

007

122

020

153

030

058

015

029

032

036

028

042

107

022

043

046

060

016

069

103

035

027

025

019

020

020

017

021

060

021

038

050

034

012

081

027

043

020

020

Ref

299

479

479

299

479

479

74

479

479

479

479

74

479

479

74

479

479

479

299

74

299

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

454

74

74

479

299

74

479

479

74

454

74

299

454

74

74

479

299

74

74

74

479

479

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

5.6

5.6

5.4

5.5

5.8

5.9

5.4

5.5

6.0

5.8

5.5

5.5

5.6

5.7

5.8

6.0

5.5

5.7

5.0

5.9

4.9

5.8

5.6

5.8

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.7

6.0

6.0

5.8

5.3

5.8

6.5

5.8

5.5

5.6

5.9

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.9

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.8

5.8

5.6

5.5

5.4

 5.25M8 BRK

5.8 6.00UknPAS

 5.50UknPAS

5.3 5.50mb BRK

 5.70mb ISC

6.3 6.25UknPAS

5.5 5.30mb ISC

5.8 6.00UknPAS

 6.50UknPAS

 5.50mb ISC

5.2 5.50mb ISC

5.7 5.90ML OS

 5.60mb ISC

5.4 5.10ML OS

 5.90UknPAS

7.1 6.80UknPAS

 5.40mb ISC

5.3 5.70ML OS

 5.50ML OS

6.5 6.10UknPAS

5.7 SJOMg BRK

6.3 6.00UknPAS

5.6 5.60mb ISC

 5.70mb ISC

 5.60mb ISC

5.5 6.00UknPAS

5.4 5.40mb ISC

 5.70mb ISC

5.4 6.00mb ISC

 6.00mb ISC

 6.00UknPAS

 5.60ML OS

5.8 5.80MS BRK

7.6 7.40MS ABE

6.2 6.10UknPAS

5.4 5.60mb ISC

5.8 6.00UknPAS

5.7 5.80ML GS

4.8 5.40mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

 5.40mb ISC

5.4 6.40UknPAS

 5.50mb ISC

 5.40mb ISC

5.1 5.40mb ISC

 5.70mb ISC

5.9 5.70mb ISC

5.2 5.60mb ISC

 5.50mb ISC

5.1 5.50mb ISC

Intensity

Moment 

M

^_ _

__

__

__

_

__

_ _

__

_

_

7.60SR

__

__

_ _ ,

MM

V

n

n

IV

IV

m

___

V

m

IV

n

m

IV

n

IV

IV

n

IV

IV

n

V

IV

V

m

Felt

vn

VI

m

V

m

V

IV

IV

V

V

V

Felt

V

IV

IV

Ref

43

43

43

44

44

44

_

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

45

45

45

74

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

46

46

46

46

46

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

__

_

__

_ 

. 

130&

_
42 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1973 05 26

1973 05 29

1973 05 29

1973 06 15

1973 06 23

1973 07 01

1973 07 03

1973 08 16

1973 08 16

1973 08 22

1973 09 06

1973 11 06

1973 11 06

1973 11 09

1973 12 02

1973 12 14

1974 01 31

1974 02 06

1974 03 27

1974 03 29

1974 04 06

1974 04 06

1974 05 27

1974 06 15

1974 08 01

1974 08 01

1974 08 01

1974 08 13

1974 08 14

1974 08 16

1974 08 20

1974 08 24

1974 11 11

1974 11 14

1974 12 07

1974 12 25

1974 12 29

1975 01 01

1975 01 13

1975 02 02

1975 02 02

1975 02 22

1975 04 11

1975 05 25

1975 07 25

1975 08 02

1975 10 17

1975 11 01

1975 11 30

1976 08 22

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

12 19 34.2

01 46 44.9

06 14 22.3

12 11 02.3

05 26 48.5

13 33 34.6

165935.1

12 16 59.0

142531.4

18 14 37.2

10 59 36.7

093607.4

182635.1

14 13 03.5

22 09 54.5

17 37 34.7

19 55 26.2

040407.2

16 28 47.3

215035.3

01 53 47.3

O35601.«

14 01 43.5

02 37 13.8

05 07 59.0

05 55 38.2

075955.4

03 46 20.6

05 34 54.3

094131.9

204501.4

1041 11.2

05 17 51.4

04 48 54.7

07 34 11.0

02 49 13.0

18 25 00.7

03 55 12.0

09 19 10.3

07 24 53.3

084339.1

08 36 07.4

104715.3

190434.4

104025.0

10 18 17.9

19 39 12.5

004823.4

20 30 17.0

02 01 47.4

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

51.287N

51.685N

54.01 IN

51.304N

51.402N

57.840N

57.980N

51.149N

51.134N

57.067N

61.039N

51.428N

51.331N

52.444N

52.283N

51.172N

52.357N

53.799N

50.109N

57.585N

55.102N

55.120N

60.328N

52.262N

56.516N

56.670N

56.5 15N

51.293N

51.281N

51.228N

52.243N

52.407N

51.454N

58.797N

51.857N

51.697N

61.597N

61.909N

52.220N

53.053N

53.113N

51.377N

54.097N

57.375N

55.055N

53.387N

57.446N

53.655N

52.599N

60.220N

Longitude 

(°)

179.708W

176.239E

163.760W

179.392W

176.673W

137.330W

138.021W

176.608W

176.535W

154.101W

146.828W

175.356W

175.201W

178.353E

168.735W

177.827W

168.740W

164.672W

179.657W

153.922W

160.440W

160.443W

146.016W

178.791E

152.315W

152.105W

152.43 1W

178.068W

178.1 18 W

177.791W

174.972E

168.273W

178.079W

154.620W

170.795W

174.635E

150.511W

149.738W

171.142W

173.446E

173.497E

179.419W

163.248W

150.119W

160.377W

161.485W

149.008W

163.366W

167.184W

153.304W

Depth 

(km)

035

046

030

048

039

033

033

020

020

038

029

037

027

182

040

030

036

002

037

044

027

040

021

157

010

033

021

033

034

031

058

041

047

037

033

040

067

066

042

025

010

048

020

033

017

033

033

025

024

144

Ref

299

74

74

74

479

74

74

479

479

74

74

479

479

74

74

479

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

299

479

479

479

74

74

479

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

Magnitude

USGS Other

ITIb MS

5.8

5.2

6.0

5.8

5.5

6.1

6.0

5.6

5.6

5.9

5.5

5.8

5.9

5.6

5.6

5.8

5.6

5.9

5.6

5.7

5.7

6.0

5.5

5.7

5.2

5.7

5.2

5.8

5.7

5.7

5.6

5.7

5.8

5.5

5.5

5.7

5.6

5.9

5.7

5.9

6.1

6.3

5.5

5.6

5.8

6.2

5.7

5.7

5.7

5.5

 5.70mb ISC

5.7 5.50M8 BRK

5.5 5.30M8 BRK

 5.80mb ISC

 5.40mb ISC

6.7 6.70UknPAS

6.0 6.40UknPAS

5.8 5.80MS BRK

 5.30mb ISC

5.6 5.50MS BRK

5.3 5.50ML PMR

6.4 6.20UknPAS

6.3 6.20UknPAS

 5.50mb ISC

5.0 5.60mb ISC

 5.80ML ADK

5.0 5.60mb ISC

6.5 6.30UknPAS

4.8 5.60mb ISC

5.2 5.50ML PMR

5.1 5.80mb ISC

5.3 6.00mb ISC

5.7 5.40ML PMR

 5.50mb ISC

6.1 5.30mb ISC

6.3 5.70mb ISC

6.0 5.10mb ISC

 5.90M8 BRK

 5.20Ms BRK

5.8 5.90ML ADK

 5.10MS BRK

5.6 5.50ML ADK

 5.20MS BRK

5.6 5.40ML PMR

5.8 5.10MS BRK

5.8 5.90ML ADK

 5.60mb ISC

 5.90mb ISC

5.6 5.50M8 BRK

5.5 5.90mb ISC

7.6 7.40MS ABE

6.5 6.00UknPAS

5.2 5.70MS BRK

5.4 5.70ML PMR

5.2 5.60mb ISC

6.0 5.70MS BRK

5.5 5.50mb ISC

5.7 5.70mb ISC

6.3 6.60UknPAS

 5.50mb ISC

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

___

_

 .

_

_

_

MM

V

V

IV

V

V

V

IV

m

Felt

m

IV

IV

V

V

IV

V

V

m

V

n

IV

m

V

IV

IV

V

V

n

DC

V

IV

IV

V

V

Ref

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

49

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

_ .
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 43

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1976 10 21

1976 10 22

1977 03 26

1977 05 30

1977 09 04

1977 09 04

1977 09 04

1977 09 04

1977 09 04

1977 10 26

1977 11 04

1977 11 05

1977 11 23

1977 12 17

1978 03 16

1978 03 23

1978 04 11

1978 04 12

1978 05 11

1978 05 24

1978 07 13

1978 07 19

1978 08 18

1978 12 15

1979 01 16

1979 01 25

1979 01 27

1979 02 13

1979 02 28

1979 05 20

1979 05 25

1979 09 01

1979 09 23

1979 10 18

1980 01 19

1980 03 24

1980 03 24

1980 05 03

1980 08 01

1980 08 03

1980 11 21

1981 01 30

1981 01 30

1981 02 01

1981 02 05

1981 03 24

1981 06 05

1981 07 13

1981 11 09

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

14 54 35.6

18 35 25.9

04 36 14.7

151601.6

154057.3

17 10 30.6

17 16 14.7

172442.8

232044.9

151058.8

09 52 58.6

144406.4

16 55 20.4

17 27 27.5

020938.4

07 23 13.4

05 12 55.5

034203.5

002337.8

06 16 55.4

13 25 19.7

093208.6

18 52 28.4

083034.7

07 13 31.0

193006.1

18 57 55.0

05 34 25.9

21 27 07.2

081400.1

164527.3

05 27 17.6

10 17 20.8

03 35 26.9

070235.1

035951.3

04 02 19.3

093008.5

23 07 14.7

07 11 43.0

14 56 14.2

085244.1

144922.3

13 17 11.3

105201.9

18 21 27.9

070919.1

22 1005.1

164505.9

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

52.229N

56.143N

52.295N

52.428N

51.207N

51.096N

51.097N

51.144N

51.179N

51.146N

51.436N

51.403N

52.195N

52.210N

52.295N

52.010N

53.604N

56.423N

51.436N

51.232N

52.242N

56.769N

59.885N

52.1 ION

52.499N

60.131N

54.768N

55.453N

60.642N

56.647N

52.611N

53.978N

52.292N

51.859N

51.120N

52.969N

52.600N

51.233N

59.617N

51.999N

51.473N

51.744N

51.573N

51.337N

50.174N

52.673N

52.28 IN

50.254N

53.221N

Longitude 

(°)

169.390W

153.274W

168.257W

169.707W

178.388E

178.265E

178.233E

177.954E

178.249E

178.327E

175.935W

175.565W

171.546W

170.025W

168.622W

169.465W

163.712W

152.691W

176.023W

179.213W

168.8 16W

151.647W

153.532W

175.227E

167.921W

153.121W

161.250W

157.162W

141.598W

156.725W

167.019W

165.204W

174.034E

177.129E

178.438W

167.670W

167.453W

173.679E

148.937W

169.284W

175.948W

176.274E

176.075E

176.777E

176.334W

168.037W

165.199W

173.190W

165.747W

Depth 

(km)

036

026

038

033

034

031

033

008

041

033

037

041

053

040

049

023

032

014

040

025

033

033

123

047

044

105

017

033

013

071

023

069

043

062

033

033

033

033

026

033

040

033

019

023

022

033

033

016

033

Ref

74

74

74

74

74

74

299

74

74

74

479

479

74

74

74

74

74

74

479

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

455

74

74

74

74

74

479

74

74

74

74

74

479

74

74

74

479

74

74

479

74

USQS 

nib MS

5.4

5.5

5.7

5.6

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.8

5.5

5.6

5.7

5.3

5.5

5.3

5.5

5.6

5.5

6.0

5.6

6.0

5.8

5.7

5.4

5.6

5.5

5.5

6.0

5.9

6.4

6.4

6.0

5.8

5.8

6.0

5.8

6.2

6.1

5.8

5.4

4.8

5.6

6.3

5.6

5.6

5.7

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.5

__

4.8

6.0

6.0

6.4

6.4

6.6

5.3

5.2

6.7

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.3

5.8

5.6

6.6

5.9

6.7

5.6

5.5

_

5.6

5.2

6.0

6.7

7.1

6.2

5.6

5.7

6.9

5.3

5.1

5.5

5.7

7.0

5.3

5.5

5.0

5.3

4.7

5.3

Magnitude

Other Moment 

M

5.50mb ISC 

5.40mb ISC 

6.10Mg BRK 

6.00UknPAS 

6.10Ms PAS 

6.20Ms PAS 

5.40mb ISC 

6.40M8 PAS 

5.50Mg BRK 

5.50mb ISC 

6.60MS PAS 

5.70M8 BRK 

5.50MS BRK 

5.30mb ISC 

5.70M8 ISC 

5.90M8 ISC 

5.60MS ISC 

6.30MS PAS 

5.80MS BRK 

6.20Mg PAS 

5.40Mg BRK 

4.90ML PMR 

5.70mb BRK 

5.60M8 ISC 

5.10MS BRK 

5.40mb ISC 

5.80MS BRK 

6.50MS PAS 

7.00MS ABE 7.55HLS

7.00mb ABE 

6.00MS BRK 

6.30mb PAS 

5.60Mg ISC 

6.20mb BRK 

5.70MS BRK 

6.90MS PAS 

6.00mb ISC 

6.40mb PAS 

5.70ML PMR 

5.20ML PMR 

6.00mb PAS 

6.70MS PAS 

5.50MS BRK 

5.60M8 BRK 

5.00MS ISC 

5.50ML PMR 

4.90ML PMR 

5.30ML PMR 

5.40MS BRK 

Intensity

MM

__

IV

IV

n

n

n

VI

. 

V

IV

IV

VI

V

IV

V

IV

vn

VI

IV

IV

IV

m

Felt

V

,

IV

V

V

m

_

m

_

IV

Ref

^_

39

39

39

39

39

39

__

240

240

240

240

240

262

240

262

424

262

262

262

262

262

300

300

______

300

300

325

325

 .

_

325

__

325

Feit area 

(1,000km2)

__

 .

__

_

500&

_

_^

_ _ .

__

__
44 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Contin ued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1982 01 25

1982 04 23

1982 06 04

1982 07 01

1982 07 31

1982 08 06

1982 09 06

1982 09 12

1982 09 12

1982 10 04

1982 12 02

1983 01 14

1983 01 24

1983 02 14

1983 02 14

1983 04 03

1983 06 09

1983 06 28

1983 07 12

1983 09 07

1983 12 27

1984 05 06

1984 07 27

1984 08 14

1984 09 20

1984 09 23

1984 11 08

1984 11 19

1984 11 19

1985 01 02

1985 01 09

1985 03 09

1985 03 10

1985 05 09

1985 05 09

1985 05 24

1985 07 17

1985 07 31

1985 08 09

1985 08 30

1985 09 15

1985 10 01

1985 10 09

1985 10 25

1985 10 26

1985 10 30

1985 10 31

1985 11 14

1985 12 28

1985 12 30

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

05 29 33.5

23 18 23.5

03 01 04.2

07 41 53.2

06 29 15.5

04 53 59.2

07 48 54.9

092223.1

16 50 37.7

074653.1

09 43 53.4

18 20 52.6

13 02 37.2

032003.7

081002.7

191405.0

184602.7

03 25 17.6

151003.7

19 22 05.0

23 05 52.9

195449.3

15 57 50.9

01 02 08.4

04 17 24.4

17 06 36.3

130200.1

041042.4

120637.9

053249.1

192821.2

140804.3

133029.5

190521.5

19 14 07.7

220445.4

19 31 29.5

07 37 54.6

13 03 10.6

173111.9

01 28 16.7

155451.1

09 33 32.4

020904.3

15 59 36.0

19 05 37.5

19 33 06.5

22 17 44.5

07 44 38.2

124102.7

Hypocenter

Latitude

53.222N

51.178N

51.280N

51.426N

51.755N

51.600N

56.844N

52.640N

52.8 19N

51.421N

51.883N

55.911N

51.381N

54.809N

54.862N

51.976N

51.249N

60.182N

61.035N

60.978N

53.586N

51.389N

50.324N

61.857N

60.322N

53.577N

52.181N

51.170N

51.580N

55.428N

60.289N

66.239N

66.136N

51.465N

51.302N

51.193N

51.443N

52.404N

52.424N

53.097N

59.102N

52.296N

54.765N

52.072N

54.838N

51.801N

53.249N

54.756N

56.580N

61.541N

Longitude

165.719W

179.844W

177.154W

179.943W

176.137E

175.921W

151.588W

166.941W

167.053W

176.615W

170.447W

154.154W

176.25 IE

159.108W

158.875W

179.259E

174.056W

141.253W

147.185W

147.320W

164.376W

176.62 1W

176.870W

149.104W

146.001W

165.424W

170.999W

179.096E

175.243W

157.835W

140.744W

150.029W

150.148W

177.913E

178.024E

178.367W

172.883W

173.487E

173.648E

172.629E

136.423W

168.856W

159.613W

171.350W

159.534W

175.533E

166.936W

159.787W

156.509W

150.340W

Depth 

(km)

060

043

039

047

038

043

033

033

033

036

033

033

033

016

014

116

023

012

030

030

040

037

021

019

018

033

033

038

039

033

014

on

010

033

033

033

016

045

037

033

001

033

030

033

033

033

030

033

058

062

Ref

74

74

479

74

74

479

74

74

74

479

74

360

360

360

360

360

479

360

360

360

360

479

479

74

74

74

74

74

479

74

74

74

74

74

74

479

479

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74 ,

74

74

74

74

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

6.1

5.6

5.8

6.3

6.2

5.4

5.7

5.7

5.5

5.5

5.5

5.6

5.4

5.9

6.0

5.6

6.2

6.0

6.2

6.2

5.6

5.6

5.8

5.7

5.5

5.7

5.4

5.6

5.6

5.6

5.7

5.9

5.2

5.7

5.4

5.8

5.5

5.7

5.5

5.1

5.4

5.7

6.2

5.6

5.6

. 5.6

5.8

5.5

5.3

5.5

 6.40mb PAS

5.1 5.20MS BRK

 5.70MS BRK

5.5 5.40ML PMR

6.0 6.10MS BRK

 5.50mb ISC

5.6 5.40MS BRK

5.9 5.60Mg PAS

5.1 5.30ML PMR

5.0 5.20ML PMR

4.8 5.50mb ISC

5.8 

5.7 

6.3 6.50MS BRK

5.6 6.00ML PAL

 5.60mb ISC

5.8 5.80MS BRK

5.4 5.90ML PMR

6.4 6.20MS PAS

6.2 6.20MS BRK

5.3 5.80ML PAL

 5.60ML PMR

5.0 5.70ML PMR

5.2 5.70ML PMR

5.2 5.20ML PMR

5.5 5.90ML PMR

5.3 5.50ML PMR

5.5 5.70Mt PMR

 5.50ML PMR

5.6 6.10ML PMR

5.1 5.40ML PMR

6.0 6.00ML PMR

4.9 5.60ML PMR

6.0 6.20MS BRK

6.0 5.90MS BRK

5.8 5.80ML PMR

5.9 5.70MS BRK

5.0 5.70mb ISC

4.9 5.40ML PMR

5.0 5.60ML PMR

5.9 5.10ML PMR

5.4 5.30ML PMR

6.6 6.60MS BRK

5.5 5.60ML PMR

 5.30ML PMR

5.4 5.50ML PMR

5.7 5.80MS PAS

5.7 5.70ML PMR

 5.70mb PAL

 5.20ML PMR

Intensity

Moment 

M

5.93HAV

5.64HAV

6.00HAV

5.84HAV

6.20HAV

5.48HAV

5.77HAV

6.23HAV

5.64HAV

5.42HAV

6.05HAV

5.84HAV

6.52HAV

5.95HAV

5.54HAV

5.56HAV

5.86HAV

6.46HAV

6.34HAV

5.58HAV

5.57HAV

5.82HAV

5.47HAV

5.89HAV

5.90HAV

5.87HAV

5.66HAV

5.95HAV

6.14HAV

5.45HAV

6.25HAV

6.14HAV

6.05HAV

5.61HAV

5.38HAV

6.30HAV

5.67HAV

6.58HAV

5.95HAV

5.36HAV

5.82HAV

6.14HAV

6.05HAV

___

MM

IV

m

V

IV

m

IV

m

_

Felt

V

V

m

IV

VI

VI

V

V

IV

VI

IV

IV

n

IV

m

IV

V

Felt

IV

m

m

m

IV

IV

V

m

V

n

V

n

IV

V

__

V

Ref

350

350

350

350

350

350

350

350

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

_

371

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

. 

__

675

230

74&

_

__

_

__

__
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 45

ALASKA Contin ued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1986 01 18

1986 03 04

1986 03 09

1986 04 11

1986 05 07

1986 05 07

1986 05 07

1986 05 07

1986 05 07

1986 05 07

1986 05 07

1986 05 07

1986 05 08

1986 05 08

1986 05 08

1986 05 08

1986 05 08

1986 05 09

1986 05 09

1986 05 09

1986 05 09

1986 05 11

1986 05 11

1986 05 14

1986 05 15

1986 05 17

1986 06 03

1986 06 04

1986 06 09

1986 06 18

1986 06 19

1986 07 05

1986 07 19

1986 07 19

1986 07 19

1986 07 19

1986 07 25

1986 07 25

1986 08 01

1986 08 03

1986 09 12

1986 09 16

1986 10 26

1986 11 06

1986 11 14

1987 01 05

1987 02 18

1987 02 18

1987 02 27

1987 03 21

1987 03 22

1987 04 18

1987 05 02

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

015900.9

08 47 14.6

13 49 28.2

17 22 20.8

204333.3

22 47 12.3

22 55 05.0

22 57 47.6

23 07 45.0

23 36 18.3

23 51 01.9

23 52 20.5

011102.1

01 15 14.9

02 04 00.2

04 03 49.7

05 37 21.6

010531.2

01 08 10.5

190428.4

19 24 42.0

194030.7

22 48 47.2

01 58 30.9

06 38 37.9

162024.3

23 05 28.8

15 48 20.8

02 17 38.2

08 05 16.4

090909.2

03 01 32.6

04 31 55.9

05 04 08.2

06 53 17.8

22 32 36.0

09 01 32.6

09 04 16.3

210540.1

13 29 10.4

23 57 15.6

205721.9

04 43 27.4

18 27 02.9

214245.9

12 11 55.7

000052.5

05 28 23.2

08 31 54.4

104135.9

02 49 15.9

02 01 38.8

19 21 29.6

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°>

51.387N

51.553N

54.256N

54.164N

51.234N

51.325N

51.500N

51.575N

51.317N

51.297N

51.273N

52.300N

50.960N

51.028N

51.002N

50.97 IN

51.166N

51.061N

51.062N

51.283N

51.268N

51.359N

51.371N

51.364N

52.432N

52.443N

51.256N

65.636N

54.142N

51.465N

56.331N

51.248N

53.352N

53.339N

53.600N

53.521N

51.079N

51.056N

51.262N

51.026N

56.201N

56.222N

53.758N

51.242N

51.442N

52.448N

51.298N

51.344N

53.470N

52.056N

51.594N

61.374N

54.801N

Longitude 

<°>

173.055W

166.943W

167.864W

167.883W

174.741W

174.75 1W

174.800W

174.219W

174.598W

174.132W

174.836W

174.423W

176.655W

176.778W

176.886W

176.449W

175.329W

176.902W

176.856W

174.200W

174.036W

173.696W

174.616W

173.437W

174.719W

174.27 1W

174.63 1W

152.604W

168.132W

176.833W

152.914W

179.746W

165.882W

165.859W

167.171W

167.301W

176.137W

175.996W

174.224W

176.749W

153.405W

153.600W

170.049W

176.63 1W

173.845W

169.38 1W

179.279W

179.298W

167.291W

177.547W

173.574W

150.656W

160.103W

Depth 

(km)

016

033

033

033

025

031

033

015

020

020

020

015

020

020

020

020

015

023

018

021

020

018

029

021

015

015

020

010

033

041

017

033

033

033

033

033

021

020

022

022

031

033

214

039

025

033

033

033

010

093

020

068

033

Ref

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

5.8

5.6

5.2

5.3

6.1

6.4

5.6

5.7

5.5

5.7

5.8

5.7

5.9

5.6

5.5

5.8

6.0

5.5

5.6

5.8

5.3

5.6

5.5

5.5

5.7

5.8

5.4

5.2

5.0

5.8

6.0

5.6

5.5

5.1

5.5

5.6

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.4

6.1

5.3

5.4

5.1

5.5

6.1

6.2

5.5

6.2

6.0

5.9

5.7

5.1

5.3 5.00ML PMR

4.6 5.60ML PMR

5.5 5.50MS BRK

5.9 6.00MS BRK

6.0 6.10ML PMR

7.7 7.90MS BRK

 

 

__ __

 

 

 

 5.90ML PMR

__ __

 5.50ML PMR

5.5 5.70ML PMR

6.2 6.20ML PMR

5.6 5.40ML PMR

5.5 5.50ML PMR

5.6 5.50MS BRK

5.8 

5.2 4.90ML PMR

5.2 5.70ML PMR

4.7 _

6.4 5.50ML PMR

6.6 6.50MS BRK

5.1 5.80ML PMR

4.7 5.70ML PMR

4.7 5.60ML PMR

6.3 6.00ML PMR

6.3 5.40ML PMR

5.2 5.20ML PMR

5.1 5.90ML PMR

4.5 5.60ML PMR

5.7 5.80ML PMR

5.6 5.60MS BRK

5.6 5.30ML PMR

5.6 

5.0 4.60ML PMR

5.6 5.60ML PMR

6.3 6.00MS BRK

5.5 5.10ML PMR

 5.90mb BRK

5.5 5.20ML PMR

 4.90ML PMR

6.7 6.50MS BRK

5.9 5.50ML PMR

4.7 5.40ML PMR

6.7 6.80MS BRK

 6.20MS BRK

6.0 5.80ML PMR

 5.60MS BRK

4.6 5.80ML PMR

Intensity

Moment 

M

5.54HAV

5.42HAV

5.72HAV

5.98HAV

6.24HAV

7.95HAV

__

 .

-

6.42HAV

5.89HAV

5.68HAV

5.65HAV

5.34HAV

6.38HAV

6.40GS

5.24HAV

6.46HAV

6.75HAV

5.65HAV

5.58HAV

5.18HAV

5.95HAV

5.98HAV

5.81HAV

5.40HAV

5.89HAV

6.5 1GS

5.87HAV

5.74HAV

5.90HAV

6.73HAV

6.23HAV

6.89HAV

6.37HAV

6.15HAV

5.31HAV

5.26HAV

MM

Felt

IV

Felt

vn

__

__

m

IV

IV

^_

VI

VI

n

V

_ _

IV

IV

IV

IV

IV

V

IV

Felt

IV

IV

IV

m

IV

V

V

m

V

V

IV

V

V

Ref

562

562

562

562

^_

__

562

562

562

__

562

562

562

562

. _

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

577

577

577

577

577

577

577

577

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

__

_

__

150

__

_

^_

__
46 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1987 05 06

1987 05 10

1987 06 21

1987 06 21

1987 07 05

1987 07 06

1987 07 24

1987 08 14

1987 08 22

1987 09 10

1987 10 20

1987 11 17

1987 11 17

1987 11 18

1987 11 23

1987 11 30

1987 11 30

1987 12 01

1988 01 13

1988 01 23

1988 02 07

1988 02 07

1988 02 13

1988 02 13

1988 02 16

1988 02 16

1988 02 24

1988 03 06

1988 03 06

1988 03 08

1988 03 25

1988 03 29

1988 04 26

1988 05 22

1988 05 25

1988 11 06

1988 11 15

1988 11 30

1989 01 08

1989 01 08

1989 01 08

1989 02 22

1989 04 09

1989 04 23

1989 05 19

1989 06 16

1989 07 03

1989 09 04

1989 09 20

1989 10 07

1989 10 07

1989 10 07

1989 10 07

Origin 

time (urc)

h m 3

040614.1

093906.6

05 46 10.0

05 55 26.9

09 23 00.0

002325.6

05 25 10.5

17 39 32.2

05 09 14.4

03 48 44.8

09 23 36.2

08 46 53.3

09 38 12.3

13 01 55.2

07 18 20.5

19 23 19.5

194826.0

12 03 59.7

01 01 50.2

02 45 35.7

08 46 58.6

18 15 05.6

23 56 58.7

23 57 45.6

042236.1

05 44 38.6

02 54 22.6

223538.1

23 14 38.4

16 27 18.8

21 58 20.5

08 31 31.9

01 47 35.0

09 39 55.9

14 05 17.6

082057.0

08 41 42.3

08 55 30.6

19 57 06.0

202625.1

22 37 30.9

102545.2

05 07 50.6

19 21 06.4

02 21 56.3

105121.5

17 09 55.8

13 14 58.2

131931.9

15 48 29.0

16 42 30.7

17 42 36.4

175247.3

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°)

51.272N

51.394N

54.211N

54.285N

51.486N

51.508N

56.231N

53.4 16N

52.164N

51.931N

52.577N

58.586N

58.608N

58.642N

61.616N

58.679N

58.239N

57.953N

51.309N

51.400N

60.296N

50.785N

50.636N

52.296N

51.564N

51.495N

51.723N

56.953N

57.499N

51.340N

54.776N

52.278N

57.534N

53.619N

50.549N

51.311N

52.109N

61.348N

51.435N

51.432N

51.393N

56.152N

5 1.5 ION

66.960N

54.305N

57.755N

51.617N

55.543N

51.184N

51.314N

51.188N

51.137N

51.115N

Longitude 

(°)

179.898W

179.820W

162.601W

162.597W

174.660W

174.721W

153.650W

169.113W

174.066E

176.006W

172.320E

143.270W

143.096W

143.190W

141.323W

142.786W

142.742W

142.611W

174.654W

174.268W

152.972W

173.465E

173.410E

173.379W

175.04 IE

175.054E

176.797W

143.032W

142.803W

176.862E

159.840W

168.182W

143.073W

163.267W

174.571W

178.148W

171.103W

152.270W

174.880W

174.799W

174.758W

153.642W

178.386W

156.289W

165.574W

153.992W

175.208W

156.835W

178.821E

179.028W

179.234W

179.22 1W

179.241W

Depth 

(km)

020

033

034

033

033

033

033

118

033

049

033

010

010

010

005

010

010

010

033

048

138

033

033

054

033

033

060

010

010

033

033

033

010

033

040

033

023

144

033

033

033

033

033

006

104

058

033

Oil

033

020

033

033

033

Ref

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

6.3

5.0

6.2

5.5

5.5

5.8

5.5

5.7

5.5

5.1

5.5

6.6

5.5

5.2

5.7

6.7

5.9

5.4

5.6

5.5

5.6

6.2

5.2

5.7

5.9

5.5

5.5

6.8

6.2

5.5

5.4

5.4

5.4

5.7

5.7

5.5

5.9

5.5

5.7

5.1

5.6

5.7

5.2

5.7

6.1

5.8

5.7

6.5

5.5

6.1

5.7

5.6

5.5

6.4 6.10ML PMR

 5.50ML PMR

6.2 6.60ML PMR

 5.40ML PMR

5.2 5.40ML PMR

5.5 5.80ML PMR

5.3 5.70ML PMR

 

4.8 5.20ML PMR

 5.50ML PMR

5.6 5.50ML PMR

6.9 7.00ML PMR

 5.20ML PMR

5.6 5.60ML PMR

5.0 5.40ML PMR

7.6 7.10ML PMR

 5.60ML PMR

5.7 5.60ML PMR

5.2 

4.7 

 5.60mb BRK

6.0 5.90MS PAS

5.5 

 

5.7 5.60ML PMR

5.0 5.00ML PMR

 

7.6 7.40ML PMR

 6.30ML PMR

5.5 5.50ML PMR

4.6 5.90ML PMR

5.5 5.10ML PMR

5.6 5.90ML PMR

5.7 5.70ML PMR

4.9 5.30MS BRK

4.8 

5.4 5.50MS BRK

 

5.5 5.70MS BRK

5.6 5.70ML PMR

5.4 5.80ML PMR

5.8 5.80ML PMR

4.7 5.70ML PMR

5.1 5.30ML PMR

 5.40MS BRK

__ _

5.7 5.70MS BRK

6.9 6.90ML PMR

5.8 5.80MS BRK

6.7 

5.9 5.70ML PMR

5.7 

5.6 

Intensity

Moment 

M

6.57HAV

6.50HAV

5.63HAV

5.89HAV

5.65HAV

5.98HAV

5.21HAV

5.95HAV

7.16HAV

5.78HAV

5.50HAV

7.86HAV

5.77HAV

5.51HAV

5.02HAV

6.46HAV

6.30HAV

5.21HAV

5.98HAV

5.54HAV

5.34HAV

7.74HAV

5.81HAV

__

5.79HAV

5.83HAV

5.95HAV

5.58HAV

__

5.91HAV

5.73HAV

6.00HAV

5.44HAV

5.76HAV

5.95HAV

5.25HAV

5.45HAV

6.15HAV

5.67HAV

6.05HAV

7.06HAV

6.22HAV

6.79HAV

6.19HAV

5.44HAV

MM

V

V

m

n

rv

m

rv

rv

rv

__

V

rv

VI

Felt

V

m

n

.,m

V

rv

Felt

m

Felt

V

m

m

m

m

rv

V

V

rv

V

Felt

rv

m

Ref

577

577

577

74

577

577

74

577

74

_

577

577

577

74

578

578

74

_

74

578

74

578

578

74

578

579

579

579

579

579

579

579

579

579

74

579

74

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

__

__

_

375&

470&

175

_

580&

_

_

90

_

_

_
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 47

ALASKA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1989 

1989

Mo Da

10 07 

10 07

Origin

time(uic) Latitude

h m s (°)

185040.8 51.076N 

190634.7 51.173N

Hypocenter

Longitude

179.306W 

179.412W

Depth 

(km)

033 

033

Ref

74 

74

USGS 

(Tib MS

5.5 

4.9

5.3

Magnitude

Other

5.40ML 

5.50ML

PMR 

PMR

Intensity

Moment MM 

M

5.68HAV m

Ref Felt area 

(1,000km2)

74 

1989 1009 180107.8 51.780N 171.869E 026 74

1989 1201 050612.1 51.63 IN 178.102W 043 74

1989 12 21 165319.3 62.421N 155.620W 000 74

6.0 5.3 5.40ML PMR 5.73HAV 

5.6 5.0 5.70ML PMR 5.59HAV IV 74

5.4 5.5 5.50ML PMR IV 579

INTRODUCTION

Only those earthquakes of Modified Mercalli intensity > VI or magnitude > 5.5 are listed in the Alaska 

table. Earthquakes without published magnitude or 

intensity values and those having intensities < VI 

were estimated to fall within the magnitude > 5.5 

range if they met the following criteria:

1. Pre-1913 earthquakes (the year instrumental epicenters were first published) had to be well documented. It is believed that most shocks before 

1913 would have to have a magnitude larger 

than 5.0 to generate sufficient interest for detailed information to be published;

2. The hypocenter had to be computed using a set of 

phase data comparable (in terms of reporting 

seismograph stations and distances recorded) to 

one published in the International Seismological 

Summary (ISS) or International Seismological 

Centre (ISC) bulletins with a computed magnitude > 5.5. The earthquake must have occurred 

within 3 years of the ISS or ISC event.

The origin times in the Alaska table may not be 

identical to those shown in the source reference. If 

not, the listed origin times were estimated from more 

accurate sources, such as seismograms, earthquake 

phase data, U.S. Weather Service reports, and others. Some corrections in dates also were necessary 

because all sources did not list the same date.

Many of the published origin times were given in 

"local time" (i.e., the time on the clock at the location 

reporting the earthquake). Most of these local times 

in the 1800's were local solar meridian time. We, 

therefore, converted all the local times to UTC. 

Other origin-time corrections resulted from differences between local time and the time that the phase 

data were recorded on seismograms. In those 

instances, the arrival times published from phase 

data were used to compute new origin times.

The Alaska table cannot be considered to be a complete listing of magnitude > 5.5 earthquakes. However, it is as complete as possible on the basis of the 

selection criteria listed above and on the data available to us. In the early days of seismology, the only 

earthquakes recorded were those having large magnitudes or those located near populated centers. 

Because of this, the list of earthquakes can be considered complete only after about 1964, when the installation of worldwide seismograph stations and the use 

of computers allowed the routine computation of 

hypocenters and magnitudes for smaller earthquakes.

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1786. Date unknown. Alaska Peninsula. Following an eruption of Pavlof Volcano, and during a 

severe earthquake, the north crater of the volcano 

collapsed with a tremendous noise. (Ref. 38, 255, 426, 

436, 520.)

1788. July 22. Shumagin Islands-Kodiak 

Island region, Alaska. Strong ground motion and 

landslides occurred on both Kodiak and Unga 

Islands. Land subsidence also was reported on 

Kodiak near the harbor. The earthquake is described 

as "a great shock that ruptured at least a 600-km 

segment of the plate boundary" (extending from 

Kodiak Island perhaps to Unga Island or beyond). A 

tsunami perhaps as high as 10 m inundated Three 

Saints Bay and caused extensive loss on Kodiak 

Island. Aftershocks on Kodiak Island lasted a month 

or longer. (Ref. 38, 426, 456, 520, 610.)

1788. Aug. 7. Unga Island, Alaska. A strong 

earthquake may have ruptured the plate boundary 

"from Unga to Sanak on Aug. 7. There was such a 

terrible flood on Unga Island that many Aleuts were
48 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

killed, and the water rose to 50 sazhens (about 91 

m)." The tsunami was much smaller at Pavlof Bay 

(on the south coast of the Alaska Peninsula) and did 

not affect the north side of Unimak Island. There is 

some doubt that this is a second earthquake in 1788 

(Ref. 456, 520.)

1792. Date unknown. Kodiak Island, Alaska. 

A strong earthquake occurred on Kodiak Island, "continuing for 18 hours." All cabins collapsed, and rocks 

slid down the hillsides. A vessel that was entering 

Three Saints Bay (Kodiak Island) at the time of the 

earthquake "encountered a strong agitation and suffered greatly from the unusual and highly anomalous 

wave patterns." (Ref. 456.)

1796. May 20. Umnak Island, Alaska. An 

earthquake shook Umnak, and a new island (St. 

John Bogoslov) appeared in the Unalaska district. A 

rumble resembling shots from a cannon came from 

the mountains off the northeast point of Umnak. 

Rocks were thrown from the new island as far as 

Umnak Island. (Ref. 38, 436, 520.)

1802. Date unknown. Unalaska Island, 

Alaska. Makushin Volcano erupted "with great violence," and an earthquake destroyed "a considerable 

number of the earth huts." (Ref. 38, 436, 520.)

1812. Date unknown. Atka Island, Alaska. 

Sarychef Volcano erupted, and a violent earthquake 

terrified residents on Atka. (Ref. 38, 255, 426, 436, 

520.)

1817. Mar. 14. Umnak Island, Alaska. A violent earthquake occurred. Yunaska Volcano erupted, 

sending ash as far as Unimak Island. (Ref. 38, 255, 

436, 520.)

1818. Apr. Unalaska Island, Alaska. An earthquake occurred following the strong rumbling of 

Makushin Volcano. To the residents on Unalaska, it 

seemed that the nearby island of Amakhnak had collapsed. (Ref. 38, 436, 520.)

1826. June. Unalaska Island, Alaska. Two violent earthquakes occurred, during which flames shot 

out of Makushin Volcano. (Ref. 38, 255, 436, 520.)

1836. Apr. 14. Pribilof Islands, Alaska. Shocks 

were so strong on St. Paul and St. George Islands 

that people could not remain standing. The first 

shocks collapsed many cliffs on the coast of St. 

George and caused others to settle. A barn collapsed 

on St. Paul. (Ref. 38, 255, 426, 520.)

1836. Aug. Pribilof Islands, Alaska. The earthquake was less violent and the rumblings were more 

muted than the shocks and noises experienced in 

April 1836. (Ref. 38, 255, 426, 436, 520.)

1840. Apr. Alaska Peninsula. A strong earthquake occurred at Nikolaev Redoubt in Kenai Bay

(Kenai Village, Cook Inlet). Stoves fell to pieces and 

chimneys collapsed. (Ref. 515, 520.)

1843. Dec. 17 (Dec. 16). Sitka, Alaska. At 4 

p.m. local time, a strong 3-second earthquake "rent 

houses" and moved trees back and forth. Cracking 

noises were heard. Two light foreshocks occurred on 

Dec. 15 and 16. (Ref. 38, 420, 515, 520.)

1844. Apr. 13. Kodiak Island, Alaska. A strong 

earthquake accompanied by a loud noise occurred at 

Pavlof (St. Paul) Harbor. The shock continued for 

more than 2 minutes and sent residents fleeing from 

their homes. Older residents reported this shock was 

the strongest in memory. The epicenter is uncertain. 

(Ref. 456, 515, 520.)

1847. Date unknown. Sitka, Alaska. This 

earthquake generally was felt along the Alaska coast 

and was severe at Sitka. The Governor's mansion 

was destroyed. Flame and ashes arose from the summit of Mount St. Elias. The epicenter is uncertain 

(Ref. 38, 436, 520.)

1847. Apr. 16, 16 UTC. Chirikof Island, 

Alaska. A large earthquake on Ukamok (Chirikof 

Island) cracked the ground in many places and collapsed cliffs. On Unga Island, Alaska, a "fairly large" 

earthquake occurred early in the morning. At 10 a.m. 

(20 UTC), it "grew" to the point that it was impossible to remain standing. At about the same time, a 

large earthquake was felt on the Alaska Peninsula. 

These two events, 4 hours and 320 km apart in time 

and space, are considered to describe one 

earthquake; however, the possibility exists that two 

earthquakes occurred. (Ref. 515, 456, 520.)

1848. Mar. 30. Sitka, Alaska. A large earthquake 

knocked down chimneys, damaged stoves, and cracked 

stones on many houses. The 15-second shock, which 

was accompanied by a muffled underground noise, 

terrified residents. The trembling continued almost 

without interruption until Apr. 27. (Ref. 515, 520.)

1848. June 30. Chirikof Island, Alaska. An 

earthquake on Ukamok (Chirikof Island) began about 

midnight. Several minutes later, the earth shook so 

hard that it was impossible to remain standing. It 

was accompanied by a wind-like noise and a rumbling. (Ref. 456, 515, 520.)

1866. Sept. 6. Kodiak Island, Alaska. A violent 

earthquake struck Pavlof (St. Paul) Harbor. It "half 

destroyed" the landing on Woody Island and damaged many buildings, stoves, and chimneys. Huge 

rocks were thrown down the mountains. (Ref. 38, 

426, 515, 520.)

1868. May 15. Shumagin Islands, Alaska. 

"During a slight earthquake the elevation is said to 

have amounted locally at Unga to over 20 feet." (Ref. 

38, 420, 610.)
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 49

1872. Aug. 23. Aleutian Islands region, 

between the Andreanof and Fox Islands, 

Alaska. It is suggested that, on Aug. 23, a tectonic 

displacement of the Aleutian continental shelf or 

slope was accompanied by an earthquake of large 

magnitude. A tsunami of 1.3 m was observed in Hilo 

harbor, lesser heights were observed at Hanalei, 

Honolulu, and Nawiliwili, Hawaii. It was also 

recorded at Honolulu, Hawaii; Astoria, Oreg.; and 

San Francisco and San Diego, Calif. From the reports 

of the arrival of the tsunami in Hawaii and marigraphic evidence of its arrival in Oregon and California, its source has been determined to be off the 

Aleutian Islands. (Ref. 516, 610.)

1878. Aug. 29. Unalaska Island, Alaska. The 

village of Makushin was destroyed by an earthquake. 

Major volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occurred 

on several Aleutian islands in late August and early 

September 1878. (Ref. 38, 426, 463, 520.)

1880. Sept. 29, 04 UTC (Sept. 28). Chirikof 

Island, Alaska. A major earthquake occurred, followed by three severe aftershocks at 07, 13, and 23 

UTC. Many deep fissures 38-51 cm in width were 

observed on Chirikof after the shocks. In a one-story 

log cabin, shelves were thrown from walls, a brick 

stove was upset, flooring was twisted out of shape, 

and heavy barrels were pitched from one side of the 

room to the other. Outside, no one was able to 

remain standing owing to a violent jerking and 

rotary motion of the earth, which continued for at 

least 20 minutes.

At low tide, the sea rose several times and traveled 

onshore about 55 m. On the south side of the island, 

a small, shallow creek widened about 2 m, and its 

depth increased. On the southwest shore of the 

island, heavy breakers were observed where they had 

not been seen previously. On the west side of the 

island, the tide did not rise as high as before the 

shocks. From the beginning of the earthquake series 

through Oct. 16, 1880, an uninterrupted trembling 

motion, interspersed with heavy subterranean rumbling sounds, was observed.

During these earthquakes, the northwest part of 

the island, bounded by a northeast-trending fault, 

tilted to the southeast. The fault on the southeast 

boundary displaced vertically about 1.8 m. Evidence 

of this faulting is still preserved in dammed streams 

and uplifted, wave-cut terraces. (Ref. 426, 463, 520.)

1880. Oct. 26. Sitka, Alaska. A severe earthquake along with cracking and splitting earth noises 

occurred at Sitka. At the warm springs 32 km southeast of Sitka, the springs spouted like geysers. The 

shocks were severe at Whale Bay, about 58 km 

southeast, and a "tidal wave of huge dimensions ran

into the bay." The shock was violent on Tihiagreff 

Island (north of Baranof Island). At Hoonah village, 

people were thrown around "like chips in an eddy." 

Aftershocks continued through Nov. 14. (Ref. 426, 

463.)

1883. Oct. 6. Alaska Peninsula. Mount St. 

Augustine burst into volcanic activity. It was accompanied by a severe earthquake and tsunami. A wave 

estimated at 7.6-9.1 m flooded Port Graham, followed by 2 waves of lesser height (Ref. 38, 426.)

1896. Late May. Prince William Sound 

region, Alaska. About 12 km north of Orca, this 

severe earthquake bent trees almost to the breaking 

point and made it difficult to remain standing. Waves 

appeared in the ground. Water in the creek splashed 

from one side to the other. (Ref. 38, 420, 426.)

1898. Aug. 1. Susitna Station, Alaska. Trees 

swayed violently (Ref. 420.)

1899. July 11 or July 14. Cook Inlet, Alaska. A 

"severe" earthquake occurred at Tyonek. Possibly, 

there is a misprint in the date in ref. 420 (the table in 

ref. 420 lists earthquakes in chronological order, but 

the July 11 event is listed between two events on July 

14), and the date should be July 14, 1899 (magnitude 

7.2, epicenter at lat 60°N., long 150°W). Tyonek is 

located at lat 61°N., long 151°W (Ref. 38, 412, 420.)

1899. Sept. 4, 00 22 UTC (Sept. 3). Near Cape 

Yakataga, Alaska. During September, the Yakutat 

Bay region was shaken by a series of severe 

earthquakes. The first earthquake at 00 22 UTC was 

moderately strong at Yakutat but was extremely violent at Cape Yakataga, about 160 km west. The 

shock broke off the tops of trees, generated landslides, and raised the ocean beach about 1 m. 

Although no loss of life or property occurred in the 

region, reported effects include uplift of the coast, 

landslides, difficulty in standing upright, water 

waves on the bay, and shaking of houses. Faulting 

probably occurred at Cape Yakataga. The shock was 

felt at about 30 known locations, the most distant on 

the lower Yukon River, about 1,100 km from Yakutat 

Bay. Strong aftershocks were observed on Sept. 4. 

Magnitude of first shock, 8.3 Ms CFR. (Ref. 38, 404, 

412, 420, 424.)

1899. Sept. 10, 17 04 and 21 41 UTC. Yakutat 

Bay, Alaska. During September, the Yakutat Bay 

region was shaken by a series of major earthquakes, 

the most violent of which were felt at all settlements 

within a radius of 400 km. Several heavy shocks 

occurred on Sept. 4 and 10, but the main earthquake 

that caused great topographic changes occurred at 21 

41 UTC, Sept. 10 (see fig. 8.)

A U.S. Geological Survey team did not study the 

region until 6 years after the shocks, but the topographic changes were obvious. Dead barnacles and
50 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

other shellfish were found everywhere, and several 

uplifted beaches were observed. A maximum uplift of 

14.5 m occurred on the west coast of Disenchantment 

Bay, and changes of 5 m or more affected a large 

area. Subsidence of as much as 2 m was observed in 

a few areas. Phenomena observed included surface 

faulting, avalanches, fissures, spouting from sand 

craterlets, and slight damage to buildings. A destructive tsunami 10.6 m in height occurred in Yakutat 

Bay, and tsunamis also were observed at other places 

along the Alaskan coast.

The earthquake altered the regimen of glaciers in 

the area. The shattering of Muir Glacier started the 

rapid discharge of icebergs and the later retreat of 

this and other ice tongues in Glacier Bay. Avalanching resulted in the later advance of at least nine glaciers in Yakutat Bay and perhaps many others in 

more remote regions. Some severely crevassed glacier 

fronts, which were found 6 years later, had taken 

several years for the fractured parts to reach the sea.

The first earthquake on Sept. 10 lasted 90 seconds 

and was heavier at Yakutat than that of Sept. 4 (00 

22 UTC). It was strong enough to throw people off 

their feet at Disenchantment Bay. The main earthquake on Sept. 10 was felt over a largely unsettled 

region, and so the total felt area is unknown. Prospectors camped on Disenchantment Bay felt over 50 

shocks on Sept. 10, two of which were strong. 

Residents at Yakutat village also described as severe 

two of the many shocks observed on that day. Ten or 

more earthquakes were felt in the Coast and Geodetic Survey camp near the Copper River delta, and 

several of them were violent. Several shocks were 

also felt on Sept. 10 in the Chugach Mountains near 

Prince William Sound; five were reported about 300 

km to the northeast on the Yukon River; and several 

were felt to the southeast at Juneau and Skagway. 

Many large aftershocks occurred in September and 

the following months. Magnitude 7.8 MS CFR (first 

shock), 8.6 MS CFR (second shock). (Ref. 38, 404, 

420, 426.)

1899. Sept. 16 (Sept. 15). Yakutat Bay, Alaska.

Two strong earthquakes were felt at Yakutat village, 

each lasting as long as it took to run outdoors. At 

Skagway, this shock was more pronounced than 

those of Sept. 4 and 10. A section of one of the long 

piers at Skagway sank into the water. Several buildings moved "a foot or two" on their foundations, and 

two small buildings toppled. (Ref. 420.)

1899. Sept. 23, 11 04 and 12 50 UTC. Near the 

Copper River delta, Alaska. Eight shocks were 

noted in the Coast and Geodetic Survey camp, one of 

which was strong enough to awaken everyone in the 

camp. A plumb bob vibrated through 25 cm from

northwest to southeast; the vibrations were distinct 

and slow. Possibly felt at Sitka. (Ref. 412, 420.)

1900. Oct. 9. Kodiak Island region, Alaska. 

The wharf at Woody Island was partly destroyed; 

chimneys, windows, and crockery were destroyed in 

Kodiak. About 50 slight aftershocks continued 

through the next day. Felt along all of southern 

Alaska and probably to the west of Kodiak. Magnitude 8.3 MS CFR. (Ref. 420, 424, 477.)

1901. Dec. 30. Kenai, Alaska. A strong volcanic 

eruption occurred. The accompanying earthquake 

caused several tsunamis. This event is listed as 

"destructive" in Ref. 426. (Ref. 38, 426.)

1901. Dec. 31 (Dec. 30). Cook Inlet, Alaska. A 

strong volcanic eruption occurred. The accompanying 

earthquake caused several tsunamis. Magnitude 7.8 

MS CFR. (Ref. 38, 477.)

1902. Jan. 1 (Dec. 31, 1901). Fox Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.8 MS CFR. 

(Ref. 404.)

1903. June 2. Southwest Alaska. Magnitude 

8.3 MS CFR. (Ref. 38, 477.)

1904. Aug. 27. Rampart, Alaska. Buildings 

swayed and cracked. Magnitude 8.3 MS CFR, 7.7 MS 

GR, 7.8 mb ABE. (Ref. 38, 477.)

1905. Feb. 14 (Feb. 13). Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.9 MS CFR, 

7.7 MS GR, 7.5 mb ABE. (Ref. 477.)

1906. Aug. 17 (Aug. 16). Rat Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 8.3 Ms CFR, 8.0 Ms 

GR. (Ref. 477.)

1907. Sept. 2. Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.4 MS GR, 7.3 mb ABE. (Ref. 477.)

1908. Feb. 14. Prince William Sound, Alaska. 

This earthquake was strong at Valdez, where it upset 

bottles and vases and threw objects from shelves in 

all the stores. The Valdez-Sitka and Valdez-Seward 

submarine cables were broken close to Valdez, well 

inside Valdez Narrows. A ship approaching the Valdez dock reported it "felt as though the ship struck 

on bottom." Also felt at Cordova, Ellamar, Katalla, 

Landlock, and Latouche. (Ref. 38, 420.)

1908. May 15 (May 14). Southeast Alaska. At 

Katalla, the ceiling in one house was cracked, furniture was displaced, and dishes were knocked from 

shelves. Rockslides were reported at Cape Yakataga. 

Felt from Sitka to Seward. Magnitude 7.0 Ms GR, 

7.1 mb ABE. (Ref. 38, 258, 420.)

1909. Feb. 16. Near Yakutat, Alaska. This 

earthquake was felt more strongly at Skagway 

and Yakutat than at Juneau, Seward, and Sitka. 

(Ref. 420.)

1910. Sept. 9 (Sept. 8). Rat Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. The earthquake displaced furniture
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 51

156° 148° 140° 132° 124°

EXPLANATION 

Epicenter 

)(| Intensity 11

58°

54(

FIGURE 8. Isoseismal map for the Yakutat Bay, Alaska, earthquake of September 10, 1899. This map is a simplified version of figure 4

in reference 424 of table 1.

in some houses. Magnitude 7.1 MS GR, 7.1 

(Ref. 38, 477.)

ABE.

1911. Sept. 17 (Sept. 16). Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE. 

(Ref. 412.)

1911. Sept. 22 (Sept. 21). Prince William 

Sound region, Alaska. This severe earthquake 

broke a submarine cable near Valdez, close to a point 

where the cable was broken in the earthquake of 

Feb. 14, 1908. Objects fell from shelves at Valdez. 

Large rockslides occurred at the head of the sound. 

At Golden, on the shores of Wells Bay in northern 

Prince William Sound, rockslides buried a gulch. One

huge slide, carrying with it a part of a small glacier, 

"passed within a few hundred feet of the town." The 

shock also was "heavy" in the mountains of Kenai 

Peninsula, which borders the western shore of Prince 

William Sound. An observer north of Kenai Lake 

reported that it was difficult to remain upright, trees 

swayed, and rocks rolled down the mountain slopes. 

Several aftershocks were observed in the area. (Ref. 

38, 258, 420.)

1911. Nov. 13. Near Islands, Aleutian Islands, 

Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE. (Ref. 428.)

1912. Jan. 4. Andreanof Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 MS GR, 7.0 nib 

ABE. (Ref. 258.)
52 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1912. June 10. Cook Inlet, Alaska. Magnitude 

7.0 Ms GR, 7.3 mb ABE. (Ref. 258.)

1912. July 7 (July 6). Central Alaska. This 

earthquake was violent at Fairbanks and strong at 

Kennicott. The earth "heaved and rolled" at the 

north base of Mount McKinley, and the country was 

scarred with landslides. Magnitude 7.4 MS GR, 7.3 

mb ABE. (Ref. 38, 437.)

1919. Dec. 15 (Dec. 14). Juneau area, 

Alaska. Buildings were badly shaken by "one of the 

heaviest earthquakes experienced here in years." 

(Ref. 38, 272.)

1923. May 4. Alaska Peninsula area, Alaska.

Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1925. Feb. 23. Gulf of Alaska. Several chimneys 

were destroyed and walls were cracked at Anchorage 

and Seward. One bridgehead was cracked, and the 

submarine cable between Seward and Valdez was 

severed. Part of a dock collapsed at Valdez. Two 

shocks, the second of which was stronger, followed 

the first within a few seconds. Several aftershocks 

were observed to Feb. 28. (Ref. 38, 218, 265, 610.)

1926. Oct. 13, 19 08 UTC. Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.1 MS GR, 

7.1mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1927. Oct. 24. Southeast Alaska. Submarine 

cables were broken between Petersburg and Wrangell 

and between Juneau and Skagway. At Sitka, cracks 

formed in buildings and people were thrown from 

their feet. Near Hoonah, water in Icy Straits was 

"churned and muddy," and strong "tide rips" were 

reported on Cross Sound. A few windows were 

broken at Juneau, and several hundred were broken 

at Petersburg. At Seattle, Wash., small waves were 

observed on water in swimming pools. Felt throughout southeast Alaska, west to Cordova, and to the 

north of Fairbanks. Magnitude 7.1 MS GR, 7.1 mb 

ABE. (Ref. 38, 218, 432, 477.)

1928. June 21. Gulf of Alaska. Three distinct 

shocks were felt in the Cordova area, the second of 

which was the strongest. Men were thrown from 

their bunks 48 km north of Cordova; plaster cracked 

at Cordova; and landslides occurred at several places 

in the mountains. The earthquake was "heavy" at 

Valdez. Also felt at Anchorage, Chickaloon, Matanuska, and Seward. Magnitude 7.0 MS GR, 7.3 mb 

ABE. (Ref. 1, 258, 477.)

1929. Jan. 21. Near Fairbanks, Alaska. The

first earthquake was the most severe at Fairbanks, 

where it lasted several seconds. Windows were broken, furniture was displaced, and many residents 

rushed into the streets. Heavy rumbling was heard. 

The shocks lasted about 4 hours and continued into 

the next day. (Ref. 2, 258.)

1929. Mar. 7, 01 34 UTC (Mar. 6). Fox Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. This earthquake was felt 

onboard several ships at sea and severely at Dutch 

Harbor, Alaska. A small tsunami was recorded at 

Hilo, Hawaii. Magnitude 8.3 Ms CFR, 8.1 Ms GR, 7.9 

mb ABE. (Ref. 2, 432, 610.)

1929. July 5, 14 19 UTC. Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 MS GR, 

6.9 mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1929. July 7. Andreanof Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.3 MS GR, 7.4 mb 

ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1929. Dec. 17, 10 58 UTC. Near Islands area, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.6 MS GR, 

7.4 mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1931. May 30, 11 34 UTC. Attu Island, Alaska. 

The earthquake broke dishes and overturned small 

objects on Attu. Almost all canned goods in a store 

were thrown to the floor. (Ref. 38, 265.)

1932. Mar. 25, 23 58 UTC. South-central 

Alaska. This earthquake was strongest at Seward, 

where it broke a water main; landslides occurred on 

the railroad to the north. (Ref. 5, 38, 258.)

1933. Jan. 4 (Jan. 3). Southern Alaska. 

Ground cracks formed in the streets of Seward and 

at several other points in Alaska. The valley leading 

north from Seward was noticeably disturbed; cracks 

formed in the Forestry Bureau road for a distance of 

about 32 km to Kenai Lake. Felt at several towns in 

the region. Magnitude 7.0 Ms GR, 7.1 mb ABE. (Ref. 

6, 38, 258, 477.)

1933. Apr. 27 (Apr. 26). Near Anchorage, 

Alaska. Houses were shaken from their foundations 

at Old Tyonek, west of Anchorage across Cook Inlet. 

Plate-glass windows were broken in several stores in 

Anchorage, and merchandise tumbled from shelves. 

Telegraph lines were down for a distance of 80 km 

from Anchorage. The shock was felt strongly on 

Kodiak Island and along the Aleutian Islands. Many 

aftershocks occurred. Magnitude 7.0 MS GR, 7.1 mb 

ABE. (Ref. 6, 38, 258.)

1934. May 4 (May 3). Southern Alaska. At 

Anchorage, windows were broken, stock in stores was 

jarred from shelves, and telephone lines were 

"knocked out of commission." Felt at several towns in 

the region. (Ref. 7, 258.)

1934. May 14. Kodiak Island region, Alaska. 

Kodiak and Whale Islands were shaken severely 

Plaster cracked at Kodiak and stock fell from 

shelves. A landslide occurred near Kodiak. The shock 

"probably was almost as severe" on Afognak and 

Whale Islands. (Ref. 7, 258.)

1935. Feb. 22. Near Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 6.9 MS GR, 6.7 mb 

ABE. (Ref. 258.)
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 53

1936. Oct. 23 (Oct. 22). Near Anchorage, 

Alaska. The earthquake was described as the strongest shock in three years at Anchorage, where 

property loss was estimated at $500. The shock was 

described as "heavy" at Seward and "strong" at 

Susitna. Many aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 9, 265.)

1937. July 22. Central Alaska. Only slight 

damage was caused by this major earthquake 

because the epicentral area was sparsely populated. 

Fairbanks sustained considerable minor damage, 

consisting mostly of broken windows and loss of merchandise in stores. Slight damage also was reported 

at Anchorage, about 580 km south of Fairbanks. At 

Salcha Bluff, southeast of Fairbanks, the highway 

was blocked for several meters by a landslide. Near 

there, mud boils appeared and cracks as wide as 38 

cm formed. Water in the nearby slough rose considerably above its normal level and did not subside for 

several days.

At mile 33 station of the Alaska Road Commission, 

a two-story log structure was knocked askew and 

several windows were broken. About 22 km from 

Fairbanks, small cracks formed in the road, and near 

the mile 18 roadhouse, silt and sand from many 

cracks covered the highway. The main earthquake 

was felt over most of central Alaska. Aftershocks 

occurred for several months. Magnitude 7.3 Mg GR. 

(Ref. 10, 265.)

1938. Nov. 10. Shumagin Islands region, 

Alaska. A major submarine earthquake, centered in 

a sparsely populated area, was felt strongly at False 

Pass, Unimak Island. It also was reported at Port 

Moller and Anchorage. The earthquake generated a 

small tsunami, which was recorded at Dutch Harbor, 

Seward, and Sitka, Alaska, and at Hilo and Honolulu, Hawaii. Magnitude 8.7 Ms CFR, 8.3 Ms GR, 8.2 

mb ABE. (Ref. 11, 38, 432, 610.)

1938. Nov. 17 (Nov. 16). Alaska Peninsula 

area, Alaska. Magnitude 7.2 Ms GR, 7.2 mb ABE. 

(Ref. 432.)

1940. Apr. 16, 06 07 UTC (Apr. 15). Near 

Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.1 

Ms GR, 7.1 mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1940. Apr. 16, 06 43 UTC (Apr. 15). Near 

Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.2 

MS GR. (Ref. 432.)

1940. July 19, 16 27 UTC. Kenai Peninsula 

area, Alaska. Slight damage occurred at Anchorage, 

where walls were cracked and small objects were displaced. (Ref. 13, 38.)

1940. Aug. 22 (Aug. 21). Near Unalaska 

Island, Alaska. Magnitude 7.1 Ms GR, 7.2 mb ABE. 

(Ref. 258.)

1941. July 30 (July 29). Kenai Peninsula 

area, Alaska. At Anchorage, one building was

shaken from its foundation and four "pipes" (probably water pipes) were broken. Plaster fell, dishes 

broke, windows cracked, and stock toppled to the 

floor. Three aftershocks were observed. (Ref. 14, 

38, 258.)

1943. Nov. 3. South-central Alaska. This earthquake was felt at Anchorage, where an abrupt, heaving motion swung doors and rattled windows. 

Magnitude 7.3 Ms GR, 7.2 mb ABE. (Ref. 38, 432.)

1944. Dec. 12 (Dec. 11). Rat Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 MS GR, 7.1 mb 

ABE. (Ref. 258.)

1946. Jan. 12. Gulf of Alaska. Magnitude 7.2 

MS GR, 7.2 mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1946. Apr. 1, 12 28 UTC. Unimak Island 

region, Alaska, southeast of Scotch Cap Lighthouse. This major earthquake caused only minor 

damage to buildings on Unimak Island, but it generated a tsunami that devastated the lighthouse and 

swept away its five occupants. The height of the 

wave at the lighthouse was estimated at about 35 m. 

Tsunami damage also occurred at Dutch Harbor and 

Ikatan Island in the Aleutian Islands, on the west 

coasts of North and South America, and in Hawaii. 

At Hilo, Hawaii, the tsunami took 159 lives and 

caused $26 million loss to property. The tsunami 

caused one death in California. Magnitude 7.4 MS 

GR, 7.2 mb ABE. (Ref. 19, 38, 432, 533, 610.)

1946. Nov. 1 (Oct. 31). Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 Ms ABE, 

6.9 mb ABE. (Ref. 258.)

1947. Oct. 16 (Oct. 15). Fairbanks area, 

Alaska. This major earthquake centered southeast of 

Nenana on the Salcha River fault. Small fissures 

formed in the ground near the Nenana Airport, 

southwest of Fairbanks. Streets "upheaved" at 

Nenana in several places, and several long cracks 

formed in the ground. Cracks in river mud and ice 

occurred from Shaw Creek on Richardson Highway 

to the headwaters of the Kantishna and Tolavana 

Rivers. Cracks 56 cm wide, as much as 30 cm deep, 

and several meters long were reported about 24 km 

below Chena Bluffs on the Tanana River. A few pressure ridges were observed where large, frozen blocks 

came together.

Alaska Railroad officials reported that rails were 

bent between Julius, Nenana, and Browne, and that 

some changes were observed in the elevation of the 

roadbed. Landslides occurred on the Richardson 

Highway, and rockslides were observed between Fairbanks and Nenana on the Tanana River.

In Fairbanks, merchandise in stores was damaged 

heavily, many windows were broken, and a powerline 

short-circuit occurred near the University of Alaska. 

Changes in the flow of water in several wells were 

reported both at Fairbanks and Nenana. Trees and
54 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

poles were shaken violently. At the town of Clear, 

south of Nenana, some prefabricated buildings were 

damaged.

The felt area is rather well defined to the south 

and west but is uncertain to the north and east 

because of the sparse population. The earthquake 

was felt over most of central and southern Alaska 

and at two places in the Yukon Territory of Canada, 

an area within a radius of about 500 km of the epicenter. This earthquake series consisted of more than 

200 foreshocks and aftershocks. The strongest aftershock occurred on Oct. 20. Magnitude 7.0 MS GR, 6.9 

mb ABE. (Ref. 20, 38, 260.)

1948. May 14. Alaska Peninsula area, Alaska. 

Magnitude 7.5 Ms GR, 7.3 mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1949. Sept. 27. Gulf of Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 

mb ABE. (Ref. 258.)

1951. Feb. 13. Alaska Peninsula area, Alaska. 

Magnitude 7.1 Ms GR, 7.1 mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1952. Dec. 7 (Dec. 6). Shemya Island, Alaska. 

This earthquake disconnected a water main and electrical cables and cracked a cement floor at Shemya 

Air Force Base. (Ref. 25, 38, 265.)

1953. Jan. 5 (Jan. 4). Near Islands area, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Felt on Attu Island, 

Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE. (Ref. 26, 432.)

1954. Oct. 3. Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. At 

Anchorage, the violent shaking broke water connections in two 14-story buildings. North of Potter, more 

than 42 m of railroad track was "knocked out of 

commission." Minor landslides spilled down on the 

Seward-Anchorage Highway. Cracks in concrete 

walls, fallen plaster, and shattered plate-glass windows were reported at Anchorage, Homer, Kenai, 

Seward, Sterling, and Valdez. Magnitude 6.5 Ukn 

BRK. (Ref. 27, 38, 447.)

1957. Mar. 9, 14 22 UTC. Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. This great earthquake 

destroyed two bridges on Adak Island, damaged 

houses, and left a 4.5-m crack in a road. On Umnak 

Island, part of a dock was destroyed, and Mount 

Vsevidof erupted after being dormant for 200 years. 

Further, this shock generated a 15-m tsunami that 

smashed into the coastline at Scotch Cap and an 8-m 

tsunami that washed away many buildings and damaged oil lines extensively at Sand Bay. This tsunami 

continued to Hawaii, where it destroyed two villages 

and inflicted about $5 million in property damage on 

Oahu and Kauai Islands. The tsunami also caused 

minor damage in San Diego Bay, Calif., before traveling to such distant countries as Chile, El Salvador, 

Japan, and other areas in the Pacific region. More 

than 300 aftershocks were reported along the southern edge of the Aleutians, from Unimak Island to

Amchitka Pass. Magnitude 7.7 mb ABE, 8.3 Ukn 

PAS. (Ref. 30, 38, 479, 610.)

1957. Mar. 9, 20 39 UTC. Fox Islands, 

Andreanof Islands, Alaska. Felt on Adak Island. 

Magnitude 7.1 Ukn PAS, 7.0 mb ABE. (Ref. 30, 

432, 479.)

1957. Mar. 11, 09 58 UTC (Mar. 10). Fox 

Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 6.9 

Ukn PAS, 7.1 Ukn BRK, 6.9 mb ABE. (Ref. 432.)

1957. Mar. 11, 14 55 UTC. Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Felt on Adak and 

Umnak Islands. Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE, 6.7 Ukn 

PAS, 7.1 Ukn BRK. (Ref. 30, 479.)

1957. Mar. 12, 11 44 UTC. Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Felt on Adak and 

Umnak Islands. Magnitude 7.1 mb ABE, 7.3 Ukn 

PAS. (Ref. 30, 479.)

1957. Mar. 14, 14 47 UTC. Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Felt on Adak Island. 

Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE, 7.2 Ukn PAS, 7.4 Ukn BRK. 

(Ref. 30, 479.)

1957. Mar. 16, 02 34 UTC (Mar. 15). 

Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. 

Felt on Adak Island. Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE, 6.7 

Ukn PAS. (Ref. 30, 479.)

1957. Mar. 22, 14 21 UTC. Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 6.9 mb ABE, 7.0 

Ukn PAS, 7.0 Ukn BRK. (Ref. 432.)

1957. Apr. 10, 11 29 UTC. Kodiak Island 

region, Alaska. Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE, 7.1 Ukn 

PAS, 7.2 Ukn BRK. (Ref. 432.)

1957. Apr. 19, 22 19 UTC. Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 6.5 Ms ABE, 7.1 

mb ABE. (Ref. 265.)

1957. June 13. Andreanof Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 6.7 mb ABE. (Ref. 265.)

1958. Apr. 7. Central Alaska. A major earthquake on this date caused mud flows, widespread 

breakage of lake and river ice, and formation of 

many ground cracks within a 65- to 80-km radius of 

Huslia (west of Fairbanks). Observers also reported 

pressure ridges, thawing of ice on lakes, and craters 

6 m across and about 2 m deep in the ground. 

Ground cracks occurred at Tanana. Minor damage to 

roofs and foundations of buildings was reported at 

Huslia. Slight damage also was observed at several 

central Alaska towns. Magnitude 7.3 Ukn PAS, 7.1 

mb ABE. (Ref. 31, 447.)

1958. July 10, 06 15 UTC (July 9). Southeast 

Alaska. This was the largest earthquake in southeast Alaska since the Yakutat shocks of 1899. The 

only permanent settlement in the epicentral region 

was Yakutat; therefore, effects on man-made works 

were moderate for such a large earthquake. On 

Khantaak Island (in Yakutat Bay), three persons
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 55

were killed when the north end of the island slumped 

into the sea, and two people were missing and presumed dead in Lituya Bay from a wave generated by 

the collapse of 300 million m3 of rock into Gilbert 

Bay. At Yakutat, bridges, docks, and oil lines were 

damaged, a water tower fell, and a few cabins were 

destroyed. Many sand blows and ground fissures 

were observed on the low coastal plain southeast of 

Yakutat, and large landslides were reported in the 

mountains. A cabin collapsed and the ground was fissured at Dry Bay (East River); many sand blows and 

ground cracks occurred at Dry Bay (Akwe River); and 

submarine cables were severed in the Haines-Skagway area and at Lena Point (north of Juneau). Slight 

damage also occurred at Auke Bay, Baranof, Juneau, 

Pelican, and Sitka.

A massive rockslide at the head of Lituya Bay 

caused water to surge about 530 m, generating a 

"gravity wave" that swept out of the bay. A fishing 

boat anchored in Anchorage Cove was carried in 

front of the largest wave crest, and those onboard 

estimated they cleared La Chaussee Spit (at the 

mouth of Lituya Bay) by 30 m or more. Two people 

on another fishing boat disappeared after being 

caught in the huge wave. This major earthquake was 

felt over a large area of southeast Alaska, as far 

south as Seattle, Wash., and east to Whitehorse, Y.T., 

Canada (see fig. 9). Magnitude 7.1 mb ABE, 7.9 Ukn 

PAS, 8.0 Ukn BRK. (Ref. 31, 38, 448, 533, 610.)

1960. Nov. 13 (Nov. 12). Fox Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. Magnitude 7.1 mb ABE, 7.0 Ukn 

PAS, 7.2 Ukn BRK. (Ref. 432.)

1961. Sept. 5. Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Slight 

damage in the form of cracked plaster and broken 

dishes and mirrors occurred at Seward. The shock 

also was felt at several other towns in the region. 

Magnitude 5.75 Ukn BRK. (Ref. 34, 447.)

1962. Oct. 21 (Oct. 20). Anchorage area, 

Alaska. Slight damage to telephone lines, merchandise in stores and houses, and plaster was observed 

in the Anchorage-Girdwood-Wasilla area. Also felt at 

Kenai, Soldotna, and Susitna Station. (Ref. 35, 447.)

1963. June 24 (June 23). Cook Inlet, Alaska. 

At Seldovia, a brick chimney toppled; at Homer, a 

ceiling beam burst and posts were torn from the 

ground; and at Barbara Point (8 km north of Seldovia), a heavy fireplace slab was displaced about 15 

cm, and a concrete foundation was cracked. Rockslides were observed in the area. The shock also was 

felt at Anchorage, Cordova, and Homer area. Magnitude 6.5-6.75 Ukn BRK. (Ref. 36, 447.)

1964. Feb. 6, 13 07 UTC. Near Chirikof 

Island, Alaska. Magnitude 7.1 mb ABE, 6.9 Ukn 

PAS, 6.9 Ukn PAL, 6.6 Ukn BRK. (Ref. 37, 432.)

1964. Mar. 28 (Mar. 27). Prince William 

Sound, Alaska. This great earthquake and ensuing 

tsunami took 125 lives (tsunami 110, earthquake 15), 

and caused about $311 million in property loss. 

Earthquake effects were heavy in many towns, 

including Anchorage, Chitina, Glennallen, Homer, 

Hope, Kasilof, Kenai, Kodiak, Moose Pass, Portage, 

Seldovia, Seward, Sterling, Valdez, Wasilla, and 

Whittier.

Anchorage, about 120 km northwest of the epicenter, sustained the most severe damage to property. 

About 30 blocks of dwellings and commercial buildings were damaged or destroyed in the downtown 

area. The J.C. Penney Company building was damaged beyond repair; the Four Seasons apartment 

building, a new six-story structure, collapsed; and 

many other multistory buildings were damaged 

heavily. The schools in Anchorage were almost devastated. The Government Hill Grade School, sitting 

astride a huge landslide, was almost a total loss. 

Anchorage High School and Denali Grade School 

were damaged severely. Duration of the shock was 

estimated at 3 minutes.

Landslides in Anchorage caused heavy damage. 

Huge slides occurred in the downtown business section, at Government Hill, and at Turnagain Heights. 

The largest and most devastating landslide occurred 

at Turnagain Heights. An area of about 130 acres 

was devastated by displacements that broke the 

ground into many deranged blocks that were collapsed and tilted at all angles. This slide destroyed 

about 75 private houses. Water mains and gas, 

sewer, telephone, and electrical systems were disrupted throughout the area.

The earthquake was accompanied by vertical displacement over an area of about 520,000 km2 . The 

major area of uplift trended northeast from southern 

Kodiak Island to Prince William Sound and trended 

east-west to the east of the sound. Vertical displacements ranged from about 11.5 m of uplift to 2.3 m of 

subsidence relative to sea level. Off the southwest 

end of Montague Island, there was absolute vertical 

displacement of about 13-15 m. Uplift also occurred 

along the extreme southeast coast of Kodiak Island, 

Sitkalidak Island, and over part or all of Sitkinak 

Island. This zone of subsidence covered about 

285,000 km2, including the north and west parts of 

Prince William Sound, the west part of the Chugach 

Mountains and a part of the lowlands north of the 

mountains, most of Kenai Peninsula, and almost all 

the Kodiak Island group.

This shock generated a tsunami that devastated 

many towns along the Gulf of Alaska and left serious 

damage at Alberni and Port Alberni, Canada, along
56

156°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

132° 148? 140" 124°

62°

54°

FIGURE 9. Isoseismal map for the southeast Alaska earthquake of July 10, 1958. This map is a simplified version of figure 6 in reference

424 of table 1.

the West Coast of the United States (15 killed), and 

in Hawaii. The maximum wave height recorded was 

67 m at Valdez Inlet. Seiche action in rivers, lakes, 

bayous, and protected harbors and waterways along 

the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas caused minor 

damage. It was also recorded on tide gages in Cuba 

and Puerto Rico.

This great earthquake was felt over a large area of 

Alaska and in parts of western Yukon Territory and 

British Columbia, Canada (see fig. 10). Magnitude 

7.9 mb ABE, 8.4 Ukn PAS, 8.6 Ukn BRK, 8.6 Ukn 

PAL. (Ref. 37, 38, 451, 523, 533, 611.)

1964. Apr. 14. Kodiak Island region, Alaska. 

At Kodiak, light fixtures broke and several cracks

formed in one building. The City Hall, fire station, 

and library building were "further weakened." (Ref. 

37, 299.)

1964. Dec. 13 (Dec. 12). Nome area, Alaska. 

At Nome, a water pipe broke; concrete floor, walls, 

and plaster cracked; and crusted snow broke into 

chunks. Also felt strongly at Teller. Several aftershocks were felt in the Nome area. (Ref. 37, 299.)

1965. Feb. 4, 05 01 and 08 40 UTC (Feb. 3). 

Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. On Adak 

Island, cracks occurred in prefabricated wood buildings; on Shemya Island, cracks were observed in an 

asphalt runway. Hairline cracks also formed in the 

runways at the U.S. Coast Guard Loran Station on
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 57

Five-story J.C. Penney Building, 5th Avenue and Downing Street, Anchorage, Alaska, partly collapsed by the March 28, 1964 (Mar. 27

AST), earthquake. Note undamaged buildings nearby.

Attu Island. This earthquake generated a tsunami 

reported to be about 10.7 m high on Shemya Island. 

Loss caused by flooding on Amchitka Island was estimated at about $10,000. An aftershock at 07 40 UTC 

was assigned MMI VI. Magnitude 7.7 mb ABE, 7.7 

Ukn PAS, 7.7 Ukn BRK (first shock); 7.0 mb ABE, 

6.9 Ukn PAS (second shock). (Ref. 75, 299, 610.)

1965. Mar. 30, 02 27 UTC (Mar. 29). Rat 

Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Felt on Adak 

and Amchitka Islands. Magnitude 7.4 mb ABE, 7.2 

Ukn PAS, 6.9 Ukn BRK, 7.7 Ukn PAL. (Ref. 75, 299.)

1965. Apr. 16. Central Alaska. Slight damage 

to walls and dishes occurred at Elim. River ice was 

cracked at Kaltag and Unalakleet. Thunderous earth 

noises were reported. Felt over a small area of central Alaska. (Ref. 75, 299.)

1965. July 2. Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, 

Alaska. In one house on Umnak Island, dishes were 

broken and books were thrown over all the room. A 

minor tsunami having a 9-cm amplitude was registered on Unalaska Island. Also observed at Cold Bay. 

Magnitude 7.0 mb ABE, 6.9 Ukn PAS, 6.8 Ukn BRK, 

6.7 Ukn PAL. (Ref. 75, 299.)

1966. Aug. 7 (Aug. 6). Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Felt on Adak Island. 

Magnitude 6.4 Ms ABE, 6.7 Ukn PAS, 7.0 Ukn BRK 

(Ref. 81, 299.)

1967. June 21, 18 04, 18 13, and 18 24 UTC. 

Fairbanks area, Alaska. Three moderate earthquakes caused minor damage to property in the Fairbanks area. The most extensive loss occurred at the 

State Court and Office Building in Fairbanks. Both 

interior and exterior walls cracked, parts of hanging 

ceilings and light fixtures fell, plumbing broke, and 

cabinets and shelves overturned. Several chimneys 

fell in the area, a tall chimney stack buckled, windows broke, and considerable loss of merchandise 

was reported in stores.

Three ground cracks about 2 m apart were 

observed at Badger Pass and Peede Road, and blue 

mud seeped through the cracks. On Richardson 

Highway, water spouted from ground cracks, a sewer 

line broke, and chimneys were offset. Small landslides occurred. About 6,000 aftershocks were 

recorded through June 28. About 60 aftershocks were 

observed by residents, and some caused additional
58 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Landslide and slumping effects in the Turnagain Heights area, Anchorage, Alaska, caused by the March 28, 1964 (Mar. 27 AST),

earthquake.

damage. Magnitude 5.5 Ukn PAS (first shock). (Ref. 

40, 74, 452.)

1967. June 23. Fairbanks area, Alaska. The

State Court and Office Building in Fairbanks 

sustained additional damage. Merchandise fell in 

stores. (Ref. 40, 74.)

1968. Oct. 29. Central Alaska. The epicentral 

area, southeast of Rampart on the Yukon River, was 

shaken badly but sustained no serious damage 

because most of the buildings were constructed of 

logs. Stock tumbled from shelves, residents ran from 

buildings, and equipment not bolted down was displaced. In the Hunter Creek area, about 16 km from 

Rampart, many landslides were observed on the 

south-facing slopes. Lake ice was cracked extensively 

in places. At Nenana, about 80 km southeast of 

Rampart, cracks formed in the ground and plaster

was broken. More than 2,000 aftershocks were 

recorded through Nov. 12. Magnitude 6.4 MS BRK, 

6.9 Ukn PAS, 7.0 Ukn GOL. (Ref. 41, 299.)

1968. Dec. 17. Southern Alaska. Slight damage 

occurred at Kenai. Felt from Cantwell southeast to 

Kodiak. Magnitude 6.4 Ms BRK. (Ref. 38, 41, 299.)

1972. July 30. Southeast Alaska. At Sitka, a 

few chimneys fell and some minor landslides were 

reported. Slight damage also was sustained at 

Hoonah, Juneau, Pelican, and Yakutat. The Fairweather fault ruptured over a length of 75 km. 

Seiches were observed in swimming pools as far 

south as Seattle, Wash. At least 19 aftershocks were 

felt at Sitka through Aug. 29. A tsunami of 10 cm 

was recorded at Juneau and 8 cm at Sitka. The main 

shock was felt over a large area of southeast Alaska 

and British Columbia, Canada. Magnitude 7.4 m^ 

AB3, 7.2 Ukn PAS, 7.1 Ukn BRK (Ref. 45, 74, 610.)
EARTHQUAKES IN ALASKA 59

18QP 172° 164° 156° 148° 14QP 132° 124°

EXPLANATION

if Epicenter 

X Intensity 10

56°

Figure 10. Isoseismal map for Prince William Sound, Alaska, earthquake of March 28, 1964. This map is a simplified version of the

map in reference 528 of table 1.

1972. Aug. 3 (Aug. 2), 04 40 UTC. Andreanof 

Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Minor damage 

occurred on Adak Island. Magnitude 6.4 MS BRK. 

(Ref. 45, 479.)

1975. Feb. 2, 08 43 UTC (Feb. 1). Near 

Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. A major earthquake injured several residents and caused severe 

damage on Shemya Island. The Shemya Air Force 

Base runway sustained cracks. Crevasses having as 

much as 16.5 m of vertical displacement were 

observed on Shemya. Landslides occurred, water 

tanks twisted, and underground water pipes broke. 

Many aftershocks were felt during the weeks following the main shock. Also felt on Attu Island. 

Magnitude 7.0 mb AB3, 7.5 Ukn PAS, 7.4 Ukn BRK. 

(Ref. 48, 74.)

1977. Nov. 4 (Nov. 3). Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. This earthquake downed 

plaster and moved heavy furniture on Adak Island 

and cracked chimneys on Atka Island. Magnitude 7.0 

MS BRK. (Ref. 39, 479.)

1978. Aug. 18. Southern Alaska. At Clam 

Gulch, southwest of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula, hairline cracks formed in cinder-block walls, 

and plasterboard was cracked. Felt over a small area 

of south-central Alaska. (Ref. 74, 240.)

1979. Feb. 28. Southeast Alaska. This major 

earthquake was located about 50 km northwest of 

Mt. St. Elias, near the east end of the Chugach 

Mountains. It affected the area only slightly because 

it centered in an unpopulated area of ice fields. 

Seven major earthquakes have been located in the
60 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

region between Controller Bay and northern Chichagof Island in southeast Alaska from 1899 to 1979, 

three of which were of magnitude 8 or larger. This 

earthquake was strongest at the Icy Bay Lumber 

Camp, about 76 km south of the epicenter, where a 

parked logging truck was bounced sideways across 

the road, trees and bushes were shaken strongly, and 

people had difficulty in standing. Minor damage 

occurred in Alaska at Border City, Cape Yakataga, 

Juneau area, Valdez, and Yakutat; minor damage 

occurred in Yukon Territory, Canada, at Beaver 

Creek, Burwash Landing, Destruction Bay, and Kluane Lake Fishing Camp. A 15-cm tsunami was 

recorded at Yakutat. Magnitude 7.3 MS BRK, 7.1 mb 

AB3. (Ref. 424, 455, 610.)

1979. May 20 (May 19). Alaska Peninsula 

area. Minor damage at Larsen Bay included cracks 

in plaster and drywall and hairline cracks in exterior 

walls. Also felt at a few other towns in the area. 

Magnitude 6.5 mb PAS, 6.2 mb BRK. (Ref. 74, 262.)

1983. July 12, 15 10 UTC. Prince William 

Sound, Alaska. The epicenter of this earthquake is 

near that of the great 1964 earthquake (which had a 

magnitude of 8.3). At Valdez, an estimated $1 million 

in damage occurred at the airport terminal building. 

Its exterior concrete-block walls cracked from roof to 

ground, and its inside walls also sustained cracks. 

Ceiling tiles fell in the high school and elementary 

school buildings; cracks formed in streets and sidewalks. Minor damage also was observed at Girdwood. 

This shock was felt from Yakutat on the south to 

Fairbanks on the north and east to Whitehorse, Y.T., 

Canada. Magnitude 6.3 Ms BRK, 6.3 mb BRK, 6.4 mb 

PAS. (Ref. 360.)

1983. Sept. 7. Prince William Sound, Alaska. 

This moderate earthquake, whose epicenter is near 

that of the great 1964 earthquake, caused property 

damage at Gakona and Valdez. Damage was most 

severe at Valdez, where chimneys and foundations 

cracked and hairline cracks formed in interior 

walls. The flow of water in wells was disturbed at 

Gakona, and small landslides and slumping of 

roadfill occurred. Magnitude 6.3 mb BRK, 6.4 mb 

PAS. (Ref. 360.)

1984. Aug. 14 (Aug. 13). Southern Alaska. 

Slight damage in the form of shattered windows and 

broken dishes occurred at Palmer, Sutton, and Willow. Buildings were shaken strongly, and people had

difficulty standing. Small landslides were observed at 

Palmer and on Glenn Highway, near Sutton. The 

earthquake shook objects from walls and knocked 

merchandise from store shelves throughout the area. 

Residents observed several slight aftershocks during 

the week. (Ref. 74, 370.)

1985. Oct. 9 (Oct. 8). Shumagin Islands area, 

Alaska. Magnitude 6.6 Ms PAL, 6.0 Ms PAS. (Ref. 

74, 371.)

1986. May 7, 22 47 UTC. Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. This earthquake caused 

moderate damage to structures on Adak Island and 

slight damage on Atka Island. Damage to buildings 

on Adak Island consisted of cracked masonry and 

concrete walls, failure of partitions and suspended 

ceilings, spalling on concrete beams and piers, and 

differential settlement of house foundations. Soil liquefaction was observed in localized areas of backfilled soil, and sand boils were observed. Laterally 

spreading cracks and differential ground settlement 

occurred along a small wharf. This earthquake 

caused a small tsunami that was recorded throughout the Pacific Ocean. Magnitude 7.9 Ms BRK. (Ref. 

562, 610.)

1986. May 15 (May 14). Andreanof Islands, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska. On Atka Island, underground pipes were broken, bridges were slightly damaged, and hairline cracks formed in interior walls. 

Magnitude 6.4 Ms BRK (Ref. 562.)

1986. May 17. Andreanof Islands, Aleutian 

Islands, Alaska. An airstrip on Atka Island was 

damaged and officially closed. Underground pipes 

were broken, furniture was overturned, and landslides were reported. Magnitude 6.5 Mg BRK 

(Ref. 562.)

1987. Nov. 30, 19 23 UTC. Gulf of Alaska. 

Damage at Yakutat, northwest of Juneau, consisted 

mainly of broken glassware and cracks in plaster, 

drywall, windows, and a foundation. Light damage 

occurred at several other towns. Also, cracks in wet 

ground were reported at Yakutat. Strong building 

vibrations made it difficult to stand or walk. Two 

ships in the epicentral area were damaged, and three 

others in the area felt the shaking strongly. A small 

tsunami was recorded at Seward, Sitka, and Yakutat. 

This earthquake had the largest magnitude of any 

event in the region since that on Oct. 9, 1900. Magnitude 7.7 MS BRK (Ref. 74, 577, 610.)
ARIZONA

114° 112° 110°

36e

34°

32e

NEVADA

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.5-4.4/VI 

4.5-4.9

Q

O

5.0-5.4/VI 

5.5-5.9/VII

7.0-7.4

30°

Fredonia

Phoenix

O

UTAH CO

O

Jlagstaff

O

ARIZONA

O

Tucson

100 KILOMETERS

_J

2! 

PI

"XPI 

o

Earthquakes in Arizona with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

61
62 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ARIZONA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1878 12

1887 05

1888 08

1890 06

1892 02

1906 01

1910 09

1912 08

1916 03

1935 01

1935 01

1950 01

1951 04

1959 07

1959 10

1961 06

1962 02

1969 12

1976 02

1976 02

Da

17

03

19

11

02

25

24

18

30

02

10

17

12

21

13

18

15

25

04

23

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

2330

09

1100

0154

0830

21 32 30

0405

2112

0547

0730

0810

0051

062010

17 39 29

081500

081207.1

07 12 42.9

124910.1

000458.1

14 09 54.4

Hypocenter

Latitude

32.7 N

30.8 N

32.7 N

32.7 N

35.2 N

35.2 N

35.8 N

36.0 N

31.4 N

32.8 N

36.0 N

35.7 N

32.0 N

36.80 N

35.5 N

32.4 N

36.9 N

33.4 N

34.655N

34.679N

Longitude

114.6 W

109.25 W

114.6 W

114.6 W

111.6 W

111.7 W

111.5 W

111.5 W

110.9 W

114.2 W

112.1 W

109.5 W

113.0 W

112.37 W

111.5 W

112.5 W

112.4 W

110.6 W

112.500W

112.432W

Depth 

(km)

___

_

_

_

_

.. _ 

 ,__

_

000

__

026

015

012

010

Ref

343

343

343

343

343

38

343

56

272

38

8

23

294

265

266

266

266

74

74

74

Magnitude

USGS Other

__ _ _

_ _

 

 

 

____ _^ __

_ 

_ 

 

 

_^ -

___ ___

_ _ 4.50ML

 5.60ML

5.0 5.00ML

_ _ 4.70ML

_ _ 4.50ML

4.4 

4.9 _ 5.10ML

 3.50ML

__

_ __

__

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

GS

GS

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

 VI

7.36NS XH

 VI

 VI

 VI

 vn

 vn

 vn

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

 

 VI

 V

__ __

 V

 VI

4.62EBE VI

 VI

Ref

343

471

343

343

343

38

343

38

343

38

8

38

32

32

35

343

49

49

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

1590

233

116

142

__

21

2

25

2

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1878. Dec. 17. Yuma, Ariz. This shock cracked 

walls in several houses in Yuma. Almost all the 

buildings in town were shaken. Also felt in Calif. The 

epicenter of this event probably was in Baja California, Mexico. (Ref. 343.)

1887. May 3. Northern Sonora, Mexico. This 

earthquake occurred in a sparsely settled region of 

Northern Sonora, Mexico. It caused widespread damage to property, 51 deaths (ref. 494 reports 150 

deaths at Bavispe, Sonora), and many injuries. From 

Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico to Nogales, Ariz.; Benson 

and Tucson, Ariz.; El Paso, Tex.; and at towns as far 

away as Albuquerque, N. Mex., water in tanks 

slopped over, railroad cars were set in motion on 

tracks, chimneys were thrown down, and buildings 

were cracked. Other U.S. cities that sustained moderate to heavy damage include: Bisbee, Fairbank, 

Fort Huachuca, Saint David, San Simon, Solomonville, Tombstone, Tres Alamos, and Willcox, Ariz.; 

and Deming, Sabinal, and Silver City, N. Mex. Near 

the epicenter, liquefaction effects induced significant 

ground failure that led to the collapse of buildings 

and other structures.

At Tepic, Sonora, a town about 190 km south of 

Tombstone, Ariz.. the walls and roofs of every house 

were shattered many of the walls had fallen out, 

and the roofs had collapsed. The plaza and streets 

at Tepic were "ripped up" by fissures, some as wide 

as 15 cm, and irrigation ditches around the town 

were broken. At Moctezuma, about 32 km south of 

Tepic, the houses were wrecked, and all inhabitants 

were living outside. At Oputo, about 56 km northeast of Tepic, a church collapsed and killed 40 people who had run there for shelter from the 

earthquake. American prospectors in that area 

reported that a ground fissure about 0.8 m wide was 

created by the earthquake.

The 76-km-long fault scarp produced by this earthquake is clearly exposed on the east side of the San 

Bernardino Valley of Northern Sonora, southeast of 

Douglas, Ariz. The maximum displacement on the 

Pitaycachi fault is 4.5 to 5.1 m, and evidence exists 

for previous ruptures on the fault. A significant 

region of liquefaction was reported as far as 100 km 

from the fault, and landslides were observed at farther distances. In late 1972, the 1887 scarp was 

observed from the air along its total length. This 

study revealed many additional scarps, previously 

unmapped, paralleling the main fault trace. These
EARTHQUAKES IN ARIZONA 63

scarps appear to represent active faulting over the 

previous several thousand years.

Seismic motion was felt from Toluca, Mexico (near 

Mexico City) on the south to Albuquerque and Santa 

Fe, N. Mex., on the north; and from Baja California, 

Mexico, and Yuma, Ariz., on the west to a point 100 

km east of El Paso, Tex., on the east (see fig. 11). 

There also was a report that the earthquake was felt 

in California. Many aftershocks were observed. (Ref. 

38, 343, 471, 494, 497.)

1888. Aug. 19. Yuma, Ariz. This earthquake 

shook down a few old sheds at Yuma. Everyone 

awoke and ran outside. (Ref. 343.)

1890. June 11 (June 10). Yuma, Ariz. A 

sharp earthquake that broke several windows at 

Yuma probably centered in Baja California, Mexico. 

(Ref. 343.)

1892. Feb. 2. Flagstaff, Ariz. At Flagstaff, the 

earthquake awakened many people who ran into 

the street. At Two Guns, a land bridge collapsed; a 

huge rock toppled onto the entrance of a cave; and 

stones shook loose from the walls inside the 

caverns. (Ref. 343.)

1906. Jan. 25. Flagstaff, Ariz. Chimneys were 

thrown down and walls were cracked at Flagstaff. 

At the courthouse and the Coconino County Hospital, plaster fell from the ceilings. At the school, 

plaster cracked in every room. Stones and dead 

trees were shaken down the San Francisco Peaks. 

Also felt in southern Utah and northwestern N. 

Mex. (Ref. 38, 343.)

1910. Sept. 24 (Sept. 23). Coconino National 

Forest, near Flagstaff, Ariz. At Cedar Wash, a 

house was moved off its foundation, its chimney was 

shaken down, and one corner of the house was 

cracked severely. Huge lava stones weighing many 

tons were torn from the old lava beds and thrown 

down the mountainside. About 80 km north of Flagstaff, in the Coconino Forest, boulders rolled down a 

mountain into the camp of a construction crew. Fiftytwo shocks were felt by the construction crew 

between Sept. 10 and 23, 1910 (local time). The 

strongest shock was so violent that the construction 

crew temporarily abandoned the work site. Plaster 

cracked and fell at Flagstaff. (Ref. 343.)

1912. Aug. 18. Northern Arizona. Rockslides 

roared down the mountain in Lockett Tanks country, 

southeast of the Grand Canyon. Boulders were

shaken from cliffs, and rocks were reportedly lifted 

free from the ground. An unconfirmed report stated 

that an earth fracture extended from Lockett Tanks 

to Coconino Mountain, a distance of more than 48 

km. Also felt in N. Mex. and Utah. (Ref. 38, 56, 343.)

1916. Mar. 30 (Mar. 29). Nogales, Santa Cruz 

County, Ariz. The earthquake cracked walls at 

Nogales and knocked down plaster at the courthouse. 

People ran from the Nogales theater. (Ref. 272, 343.)

1935. Jan. 2 (Jan. 1). Wellton, Yuma County, 

Ariz. Walls and plaster cracked at Wellton, east of 

Yuma. Everyone felt the ground quiver and their 

houses shake. (Ref. 38, 343.)

1935. Jan. 10. Grand Canyon, Ariz. Walls or 

plaster cracked and windows broke at Grand Canyon. Minor rockslides were reported. (Ref. 8, 343.)

1950. Jan. 17 (Jan. 16). Apache County, Ariz. 

South of the Ganado Trading Post, several cracks 

formed in the ground. A 6.5-m-high offset fissure 

occurred in the creek bed beneath a timber bridge 

(near lat 35.55°N., long 109.10°W). (Ref. 23, 38, 343.)

1959. July 21. Arizona-Utah border. Minor 

damage to chimneys and walls was reported at Fredonia, Ariz., and Kanab, Utah, about 15 km north of 

Fredonia. In addition, windows broke in houses and 

stores and dishes fell from shelves at Fredonia. 

Almost all merchandise was shaken from shelves in 

stores. A rockslide at Mather Point in the Grand 

Canyon was attributed to the shock. (Ref. 32, 265.)

1969. Dec. 25. Southern Arizona. The tremor 

broke dishes and windows in the Globe-Miami area, 

east of Phoenix in Gila County. Hundreds of residents were awakened by the strong shaking. Walls 

were cracked on the San Carlos Reservation. (Ref. 

74, 343.)

1976. Feb. 4 (Feb. 3). Western Arizona. Slight 

damage occurred in Chino Valley, Cottonwood, and 

Miller Valley (a suburb of Prescott). At Chino Valley, 

one ceiling beam loosened slightly at the Buckaroo 

Shopping Center, and plaster separated from the ceiling. Waves on the ground were reported by one 

observer in the area. Water became muddy in a well. 

At Miller Valley, small cracks formed in the west 

wall at a supermarket. Magnitude 5.2 ML PAS. (Ref. 

49, 74.)

1976. Feb. 23. Western Arizona. Plaster was 

cracked at Chino Valley, about 25 km north of Prescott. (Ref. 49, 74.)
64

116°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

112° 108° 104° 100° 96°

EXPLANATION 

Epicenter 

XII Intensity 12

24'

20°

FIGURE 11. Isoseismal map for the Sonora, Mexico, earthquake of May 3, 1887, which caused damage in the United States. This map

is a simplified version of the map in reference 343 of table 1.
ARKANSAS

94° 92° 90°

36°

34°

M [SSOURI

'Fort Smith

Little Rock

ARKANSAS

Magnolia

TEXAS

LOUISIANA

Hardy

-O100 KILOMETERS 

_J

Blytheville*

o

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.5-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9

6.0-6.4 

7.0-7.4

Earthquakes in Arkansas with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

65
66 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ARKANSAS

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date time <UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ret USGS Other Moment MMI Ref Felt area

Yr MoDa h m s (km) M (1,000 km2)

1811 12 16

1811 12 16

1843 01 05

1843 02 17

1878 11 19

1883 12 05

1911 03 31

1923 10 28

1927 05 07

1938 09 17

1956 01 29

1969 01 01

1970 11 17

1976 03 25

1977 06 02

0815

1415

0245

05

0552

1520

1657

1710

0828

03 34 28.3

04 44 15.5

23 35 38.7

021354.1

004120.8

23 29 10.6

35.6 N

35.6 N

35.5 N

35.5 N

35.5 N

36.3 N

34.0 N

35.5 N

35.8 N

35.413N

35.756N

34.991N

35.856N

35.585N

34.560N

90.4 W

90.4 W

90.5 W

90.5 W

90.7 W

91.2 W

91.8 W

90.4 W

90.4 W

90.254W

89.803W

92.688W

89.947W

90.478W

94.172W

_

_

001

016

007

014

017

010

114

345

113

113

529

105

529

105

218

349

349

349

349

349

349

_

4.2

3.6

4.9

4.3

 7.20Mfa NU

 7.00Mfa SEE

 6.00Mfa NTI

 4.80Mfa NTI

 4.90Mfa NTI

 4.80Mfa BAR

 4.70Mfa SC

 4.80Mfa SC

 4.80Mfa BAR

 4.80Mfa DG

 4.00Mfa DG

 4.40Mn DG

 4.30Mn DG

 4.90Mn DG

 3.60Mn DG

7.68NLI

4.33STT

4.00STT

4.61HRN

XI

X

vn

V

VI

V

vn

vn

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

114

529

113

113

529

105

529

105

529

105

29

42

43

49

39

5000

1500

250

350

250

99

120

100

250

13

62

92

280

4

19820121 003354.8 35.18 N 92.21 W 003 350 4.5 4.70Mn TUL 3.86SKT VI 350 31

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of each 

description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude values are 

described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in table 2.]

1811. Dec. 16, 08 15 UTC. Northeast Arkansas. On the basis of the large area of damage 

(600,000 km2), the widespread area of perceptibility 

(5,000,000 km2), and the complex physiographic 

changes that occurred, the Mississippi River valley 

earthquakes of 1811-12 rank as some of the largest 

in the United States since its settlement by Europeans. The area of strong shaking associated with 

these shocks is two to three times larger than that of 

the 1964 Alaska earthquake and 10 times larger 

than that of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

The magnitudes of these series of earthquakes, 

usually named the New Madrid, Mo., earthquakes, 

vary considerably between the mt and MS values 

estimated by Nuttli (ref. 114, 569). The mt (or Mfa as 

listed above) was estimated from isoseismal maps, 

and the MS (or Msn as listed below) was estimated 

from a spectral scaling relation by Nuttli (ref. 569) 

for mid-plate earthquakes. The value of Mg (or Msn) 

magnitude has a functional relationship to the nib (°r 

Mfa). The authors have chosen to include the Mfa 

magnitude in the above list because it was estimated 

from isoseismal maps, as were most of the historical 

earthquakes.

The first and second earthquakes occurred in 

Arkansas (Dec. 16, 1811 two shocks Mfa 7.2, MSn 

8.5 and Mfa 7.0, MSn 8.0) and the third and fourth in 

Missouri (Jan. 23, 1812, Mfa 7.1, MSn 8.4; and Feb. 7, 

1812, Mfa 7.4, MSn 8.8). Otto Nuttli (ref. 330), however, has postulated another strong earthquake in 

Arkansas on Dec. 16 at 18 00 UTC (MSn 8.0). This 

would make a total of five earthquakes of magnitude 

Msn 8.0 or higher occurring in the period Dec. 16, 

1811 through Feb. 7, 1812. Ref. 330 was published 

shortly after the death of Otto Nuttli, but his sources 

of data were never published; therefore, source data 

on the fifth earthquake are not included in the 

Arkansas table.

The first earthquake caused only slight damage to 

man-made structures, mainly because of the sparse 

population in the epicentral area. The extent of the 

area that experienced damaging earth motion (MMI 

>VII) is estimated to be 600,000 km2. However, 

shaking strong enough to alarm the general population (MM intensity >V) occurred over an area of 2.5 

million km2 (see generalized isoseismal map, fig. 12). 

This map covers an area from Canada to New 

Orleans, La., and from the headwaters of the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean.

At the onset of the earthquake the ground rose and 

fell bending the trees until their branches intertwined and opening deep cracks in the ground.
EARTHQUAKES IN ARKANSAS

85° 80° 75°

67

EXPLANATION 

Epicenter 

Yl Intensity

ULF OF MEXICO

35'

30°

25'

FIGURE 12. Isoseismal map for the Arkansas earthquake of December 16, 1811, 08:15 UTC (first of the 1811-1812 New Madrid 

series). This map is a simplified version of figure 1 in reference 114 and figure 2 in reference 557 of table 1.
68 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Landslides swept down the steeper bluffs and hillsides; large areas of land were uplifted; and still 

larger areas sank and were covered with water that 

emerged through fissures or craterlets. Huge waves 

on the Mississippi River overwhelmed many boats 

and washed others high on the shore. High banks 

caved and collapsed into the river; sand bars and 

points of islands gave way; whole islands disappeared. Surface rupturing did not occur, however. 

The region most seriously affected was characterized 

by raised or sunken lands, fissures, sinks, sand 

blows, arid large landslides that covered an area of 

78,000-129,000 km2, extending from Cairo, 111., to 

Memphis, Tenn., and from Crowleys Ridge to Chickasaw Bluffs, Tenn.

Although the motion during the first shock was 

violent at New Madrid, Mo., it was not as heavy and 

destructive as that caused by two aftershocks about 6 

hours later. Only one life was lost in falling buildings 

at New Madrid, but chimneys were toppled and log 

cabins were thrown down or were heavily damaged. 

Chimneys also were downed as far distant as Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Louis, Mo.; and in many places in 

Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee.

The Lake County uplift, about 50 km long and 23 

km wide, upwarps the Mississippi River valley as 

much as 10 m in parts of southwest Kentucky, southeast Missouri, and northwest Tennessee. The uplift 

apparently resulted from vertical movement along 

several, ancient, subsurface structures; most of this 

uplift has occurred during earthquakes. The Lake 

County uplift can be subdivided into several topographic bulges, including Tiptonville dome, Ridgely 

Ridge, and the south end of Sikeston Ridge. A strong 

correlation exists between modern seismicity and the 

uplift, indicating that stresses that produced the 

uplift still exist today.

Tiptonville dome, which is 14 km in width and 

about 11 km in length, shows the largest upwarping 

and the highest topographic relief on the uplift. It is 

bounded on the east by Reelfoot scarp, which has a 

zone of normal faults (displacement about 3 m) at its 

base. Although most of Tiptonville dome formed 

between 200 and 2,000 years ago, additional uplifting 

deformed the northwest and southeast parts of the 

dome during the earthquakes of 1811-12.

A notable area of subsidence is Reelfoot Lake in 

Tennessee, just east of Tiptonville dome. Subsidence 

there ranged from 1.5 to 6 m, although larger 

amounts were reported. It may be that the lake was 

enlarged by compaction, upwarping, and subsidence 

occurring simultaneously during the New Madrid 

earthquakes.

Other areas subsided by as much as 5 m, although 

1.5 to 2.5 m was more common. Lake St. Francis, in 

eastern Arkansas, which was formed by subsidence, 

is 64 km long by 1 km wide. Coal and sand were 

ejected from fissures in the swamp land adjacent to 

the St. Francis River, and the water level is reported 

to have risen there by 8 to 9 m.

Large waves were generated on the Mississippi 

River by fissures opening and closing below the surface. Local uplifts of the ground and water waves 

moving upstream gave the illusion that the river was 

flowing upstream. Ponds of water also were agitated 

noticeably.

Otto Nuttli (ref 330) reported that more than 200 

moderate to large earthquakes occurred on the New 

Madrid fault between Dec. 16, 1811, and Mar. 15, 

1812 (5 of MS about 7.7; 10 of Ms about 6.7; 35 of Ms 

about 5.9; 65 of MS about 5.3; and 89 of MS about 

4.3). Nuttli also noted that about 1,800 earthquakes 

of mb about 3.0 to 4.5 occurred in that same period. 

Magnitude of main shock 8.5 Msn NLI. (Ref. 38, 114, 

301, 330, 529, 558.)

1811. Dec. 16, 14 15 UTC. Northeast Arkansas. On the basis of the effects reported at the same 

locations, the MM intensity of this earthquake has 

been inferred to be similar to that of the earlier 

shock at 08 15 UTC (see description above). Thus, 

the inference is that, if the documented intensities 

are the same or are similar at identical locations, 

then the maximum intensities at the epicenter must 

be about the same; therefore, the intensity at the epicenter of this earthquake must be at the MM intensity X-XI level. The maximum documented intensity 

for both earthquakes on Dec. 16, 1811, is MM intensity VIII at Richmond, Ky. Magnitude 8.0 MSn STT. 

(Ref. 345, 529.)

1843. Jan. 5 (Jan. 4). Northeast Arkansas. 

This earthquake is the strongest to occur in this 

region since the 1811-12 sequence. Damage was 

severe at Memphis, Tenn., where walls cracked, windows broke, and one building collapsed. The earth 

sank in places near New Madrid, Mo., and unconfirmed reports state that a lake was formed and several hunters were drowned. Chimneys were thrown 

down at Helena, Ark., and Hickman, Ky. The earthquake was felt on the seacoast of Georgia and the 

Carolinas and northeastward to Providence, R.I., a 

distance of 1,400 km. The southern limit of the felt 

area appears to have included Natchez, Miss.; the 

western limit passed beyond the frontier military 

posts; and the northern limit reached Iowa and Indiana. Magnitude 6.3 Ms NTL, 6.0 Mfa NTI. (Ref. 38, 

109, 113, 529.)
EARTHQUAKES IN ARKANSAS 69

Lower end of Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee, showing trunks of trees killed when the land was submerged by the December 16, 1811, 

northeast Arkansas earthquake. (Photograph by M.L. Fuller taken about 100 years after the earthquake.)

1878. Nov. 19 (Nov. 18). Arkansas. The earthquake was severe east of Kansas City along the Missouri River from Lexington to Glasgow, Mo., but the 

maximum disturbance occurred along the Mississippi 

River valley between Cairo, 111., and Memphis, Tenn. 

Northwest of Memphis, several stone buildings were 

damaged in Stone County at Batesville, Ark., and the 

tops of chimneys were toppled in Poinsett County at 

Harrisburg, Ark.; loose bricks fell from chimneys at 

Cairo, 111. Felt in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. Magnitude 

4.9 Mfa NTI. (Ref. 38, 105, 109, 529.)

1911. Mar. 31. Near Rison and Warren, Ark. 

The earthquake cracked walls, broke windows and 

dishes, and sent people rushing into the streets at 

Pine Bluff, Ark., south of Little Rock in Jefferson 

County. Walls cracked at the 14th Avenue school at 

Pine Bluff, and plaster fell on the pupils. Minor 

damage also occurred at Argenta, Dumas, Monticello, 

Rison, and Warren, Ark. The shock was felt 

throughout southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana,

and along the Mississippi River from Memphis, 

Tenn., to Vicksburg, Miss. The felt area generally 

was confined to the soft sediments of the Mississippi 

River valley. Magnitude 4.3 Mfa BAR, 4.2 Mfa SG. 

(Ref. 38, 105, 109, 529.)

1923. Oct. 28. Marked Tree, Ark. This shock 

downed several old chimneys, shattered windows, 

and cracked walls at Marked Tree (Poinsett County), 

about 70 km northwest of Memphis, Tenn. It reportedly disturbed the surface of the St. Francis River. 

Also felt in Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, 

and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 

105, 529.)

1927. May 7. Between Jonesboro and Marked 

Tree, Ark. At least one chimney was damaged at 

Jonesboro, and windowpanes and dishes were broken 

in the Memphis, Tenn., area. In the area of Reelfoot 

Lake, Tenn., the earthquake left "gravel pilings." Felt 

from Decatur, Ala., to Carbondale, 111., and from Pocahontas, Ark., to Jackson, Tenn. Also reported in
70 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Mississippi and Missouri. Magnitude 4.8 Mfa BAR. 

(Ref. 38, 105, 109, 218, 529.)

1956. Jan. 29 (Jan. 28). Arkansas-Tennessee 

border. A few chimneys and walls were cracked at 

Covington, Tenn., northeast of Memphis. Also felt in 

Arkansas. Magnitude 4.1 Mfa BAR, 4.0 Mfa DG. (Ref. 

29, 349.)

1969. Jan. 1. Central Arkansas. Walls and 

floors cracked and dishes broke at Little Rock, Ark. 

Felt in northern and central Arkansas, southern Missouri, and at Memphis, Tenn. Magnitude 4.5 Mn 

BAR, 3.3 Ms BAR. (Ref. 42, 349.)

1970. Nov. 17 (Nov. 16). Northeast Arkansas. 

Plaster cracked and fell at Manila (Mississippi 

County), about 28 km west of the epicenter. At 

Reiser, about 27 km south of Manila, the shock 

shifted furniture, cracked plaster, and caused three 

electrical wall outlets to burn their wires. Also felt in 

Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.4 Mn BAR, 2.9 Ms BAR, 4.4 mb 

NUT, 2.9 Ms NUT. (Ref. 43, 263, 349.)

1976. March 25 (Mar. 24). Northeast Arkansas. Slight damage characterized by cracks in plaster

and drywall, downed ceiling tiles, and broken windows occurred in several towns in Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Also felt in Alabama, 

Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Magnitude 5.0 Mn 

BAR. (Ref. 49, 349.)

1977. June 2. Western Arkansas. Chimneys 

and exterior walls were cracked at Board Camp; 

foundations and sidewalks were cracked at Hatfield. 

Both towns are in Polk County, near the Oklahoma 

border. Magnitude 4.0 Mn SLM, 4.63 M JOH. (Ref. 

39, 349.)

1982. Jan. 21 (Jan. 20). Area of Enola-Naylor, 

Faulkner County, Ark. This earthquake is the 

strongest of a swarm of more than 30,000 shocks 

that began in the area on Jan. 12, 1982. Several of 

the shocks were felt in the region. Leveling lines run 

by the Arkansas State Surveyor show an uplift of 

about 0.2 m in the area of the epicenters. On Highway 36, west of Naylor, hairline cracks formed in a 

concrete cellar, and tiles fell off a tile-lined well. In 

addition, a fireplace and sheetrock walls sustained 

cracks. Also felt in Mississippi and Missouri. Magnitude 4.5 Mn TEC. (Ref. 350, 511.)
CALIFORNIA

126° 124° 122 116° 114°

42°

34° k

32° U

Earthquakes in California with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

71
72 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA

[See tahle 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and tahle 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1769 07

1770

1790

1800 10

1800 11

1803 04

1803 05

1806 03

1808 06

1812

1812 05

1812 12

1812 12

1821 01

1827 09

1829 09

1830

1836 04

1836 06

1838 06

1840 01

1841 07

1849 09

1849 09

1851 05

1852 11

1852 11

1852 12

1853 02

1853 10

1855 01

1855 03

1855 07

1855 08

1856 01

1856 02

1856 09

1857 01

1858 11

1858 12

1858 12

1859 10

1860 11

1861 07

1862 05

1863 12

1864 02

1864 03

Origin Hypocenter

time (urc) Latitude

Da

28

11

22

25

25

21

08

21

01

24

25

10

16

03

17

22

15

23

29

17

01

23

25

20

11

27

02

15

21

09

26

16

16

05

13

04

27

19

26

05

h m s

2130

0800

1500

1900

0400

13

1530

2207

23

1610

07

2000

2100

1100

0600

0030

0415

1100

1815

1325

0730

1624

0835

0230

1000

2016

0000

0011

2000

2238

1347

1649

(°)

33.9

34.5

37.5

36.9

33.0

34.5

32.8

34.4

37.8

37.5

33.7

34.37

34.2

32.8

34.0

37.5

35.5

36.5

37.8

37.6

36.5

36.6

33.0

33.0

37.8

37.5

32.5

35.5

35.6

40.8

39.5

40.75

34.1

38.1

37.5

37.5

33.0

35.7

37.5

34.0

34.0

37.8

40.8

37.8

32.7

37.5

37.1

37.7

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude Depth Ref 

(°) (km)

117.8

118.0

118.8

121.6

117.3

118.0

117.1

119.7

122.5

122.5

117.9

117.65

119.9

117.1

119.0

122.5

120.6

122.0

122.2

122.4

122.1

122.0

116.5

116.5

122.4

122.4

115.0

121.0

121.1

124.2

120.3

124.20

118.1

122.5

122.5

122.3

117.0

120.3

121.9

117.5

117.5

122.4

124.2

122.0

117.2

122.2

121.7

122.0

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

 368

 493

 368

 368

 368

 493

 368

 368

 368

 493

 493

 521

 368

 493

 368

 56

 368

 56

 368

 368

 56

 368

 56

 56

 368

 56

 521

 56

 368

 368

 368

 56

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 521

 368

 368

 521

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb Ms M

 6.00MLaELL 

 

 

 

 6.50MLaDMG 

«_ »_ « 

 

 

 6.00MLaELL 

 

_ _ _ _ _ _ ,

 6.90MLa DMG 

 7.10MLa DMG 

 

 5.50MLa DMG 

.«_ .». _ -

 

 

 6.80MLa DMG 

 7.00MLa DMG 

__ _ 

 

 

_ _ 

 

__ _ _ 

 6.50MLa DMG 

 

_ 

 

 5.50MLa DMG 

 

 6.00MLaELL 

_ _ 4.90MLa DMG 

 5.30MLa DMG 

 5.50MLa DMG 

 

 7.60MLa DMG 7.92HK

 6.10MLa DMG 

 

 6.00MLa ELL 

 

 

 5.60MLa DMG 

 5.90MLa DMG 

_ _ 4.80MLa DMG 

 5.90MLa DMG 

 5.70MLa DMG 

Intensity

MMI

Vffl

Felt

Felt

vn

vn

Felt

VI

VI

Vffl

Felt

Felt

Vffl

Vffl

Felt

VI

vn

vn

Felt

Vffl

Vffl

VI

VI

Felt

Felt

VI

Felt

DC

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

vm

VI

VI

vn

VI

DC

vn

VI

vm

VI

vn

vm

vn

V

VI

VI

Ref

493

493

493

368

38

493

56

368

368

493

493

368

368

493

368

56

368

493

368

368

56

368

493

493

38

493

368

56

368

368

56

56

38

368

368

368

368

379

38

368

368

368

368

38

368

368

368

38

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

_

__

___

__

_

260

_

_

290#

45&

23
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 73

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader ( ) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1864 05 21

1864 07 22

1864 08 18

1865 03 08

1865 05 24

1865 10 01

1865 10 08

1866 03 26

1866 07 15

1868 09 04

1868 09 17

1868 10 21

1869 10 08

1869 12 21

1870 02 17

1870 04 02

1871 03 02

1871 07 05

1872 03 26

1872 03 26

1872 03 28

1872 04 03

1872 04 11

1872 04 18

1872 05 03

1872 05 17

1873 11 23

1875 01 24

1875 09 30

1876 05 29

1878 05 09

1878 06 12

1879 02 04

1880 01 09

1880 12 19

1881 01 07

1881 02 02

1881 04 10

1882 03 06

1882 06 27

1883 03 30

1883 09 05

1884 01 28

1884 03 26

1884 06 14

1885 01 31

1885 03 31

1885 04 02

1885 04 12

Origin Hypocenter

time<UTC) Latitude

h m s

0201

0640

1318

1430

1121

1715

2046

2012

0630

1600

1655

1553

0930

0400

2012

1948

2105

2106

1030

1406

1300

1215

1900

1200

0100

2100

0500

1200

1230

1855

0425

0720

0808

1345

2335

0225

0011

1000

2145

1332

1545

1230

0730

0040

1643

0545

0756

1525

0405

(°)

37.6

37.6

39.3

38.4

37.1

40.8

37.2

37.1

37.5

36.6

38.6

37.7

39.1

39.5

37.2

37.9

40.4

36.4

36.7

36.9

39.5

37.0

37.5

36.5

33.0

36.6

42.0

40.2

40.7

38.4

40.1

34.0

36.3

36.7

34.0

40.0

36.0

37.4

36.9

37.2

36.9

34.2

41.1

37.1

40.6

40.4

36.7

36.8

36.4

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude Depth Ref 

(°) (km)

122.1

122.0

121.0

122.6

121.8

124.1

121.9

121.6

121.3

118.4

119.7

122.1

123.1

120.6

122.1

122.3

124.2

118.0

118.1

118.2

120.4

118.2

118.5

117.8

115.0

118.1

124.0

120.5

124.0

122.9

124.0

118.0

119.3

121.3

117.5

122.0

120.5

121.4

121.2

122.0

121.6

119.9

123.6

122.2

125.8

120.6

121.3

121.4

121.0

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 38

 368

 368

 368

 368

 463

 463

 463

 463

 368

 368

 368

 368

 463

 368

 368

 368

 368

 463

 368

 368

 368

 368

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

 5.30MLa DMG

 4.70MLa DMG

_ -_ 4.50MLa DMG

_ _ 4.70MLa DMG

 5.50MLa DMG

 5.40MLa DMG

 6.30MLa DMG

 5.40MLa DMG

 5.80MLa DMG

 

 5.20MLa DMG

 6.80MLa DMG

 5.00MLa DMG

 4.80MLa DMG

 5.80MLa DMG

 5.30MLa DMG

 5.90MtaDMG

 5.20MLa DMG

 7.30MLa ELL

 6.50MLa DMG

_ _ 4.90MLa DMG

 6.10MLa DMG

 6.60MLa DMG

 

 5.50MLa DMG

 

 6.70MLa DMG

 5.80MLa DMG

 5.50MLa DMG

 4.20MLa DMG

 5.80MLa DMG

 

_ _ _

 

 

 5.00MUDMG

 5.60MLa DMG

 5.90MLa DMG

 5.70MLa DMG

 

 5.60MLa DMG

 6.00MLa DMG

 5.70MuiDMG

 5.90MLa DMG

 

 5.70MLa DMG

 5.50MLa DMG

 5.40MLa DMG

 6.20MLa DMG

Intensity

Moment 

M

_

7.75HHT

___

___

MMI

VI

V

V

vn

VI

vn

Vffl

vn

V

VI

V

K

vn

V

vn

VI

vn

VI

X

V

VI

V

K

VI

VI

VI

vm

VI

vn

VI

vn

VI

VI

Felt

VI

V

vn

VI

VI

vn

vn

VI

V

VI

Felt

vn

vn

V

vn

Ref

368

368

56

38

368

368

56

368

368

368

368

368

368

368

368

368

38

38

38

368

368

368

368

56

368

368

368

368

368

368

368

463

463

463

463

368

368

368

368

463

368

368

368

368

463

38

38

368

368

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

36

20

14

30&

100&

120

42

125&

28

35 &

29&

480&

300

32

160

350

181&

8

__

140

100

70

110

81

240
74 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1885 08

1886 04

1887 12

1888 02

1888 02

1888 04

1888 04

1888 09

1888 11

1889 02

1889 04

1889 05

1889 06

1889 07

1889 08

1889 09

1890 02

1890 04

1890 07

1891 01

1891 10

1892 02

1892 04

1892 04

1892 04

1892 05

1892 06

1892 11

1893 04

1893 05

1893 06

1893 08

1894 07

1894 09

1894 10

1896 08

1897 06

1898 03

1898 04

1899 04

1899 04

1899 06

1899 07

1899 07

1899 07

1899 10

1899 12

1900 04

Da

01

14

03

18

29

14

29

17

18

07

15

19

20

31

28

30

09

24

26

02

12

24

19

21

30

28

14

13

04

19

30

09

30

30

23

17

20

31

15

16

30

02

06

22

22

13

25

30

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0010

0320

1855

1050

2250

0330

0448

1151

2228

0520

0328

1110

0600

1247

0215

0520

1206

1136

0940

2000

0628

0720

1050

1743

0009

1115

1325

1245

1940

0035

1330

0915

0512

1736

2303

1130

2014

0743

0707

1340

2241

0719

2010

0046

2032

0500

1225

22 41 14

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

38.8

37.2

39.3

39.2

38.3

41.5

39.7

37.1

37.9

34.1

37.1

38.0

40.5

37.8

34.1

37.2

33.4

36.9

40.5

37.3

38.3

32.55

38.4

38.5

38.4

33.2

34.2

36.8

34.3

34.1

38.0

38.4

34.3

40.3

32.8

36.7

37.0

38.2

39.2

41.0

36.9

37.7

37.2

34.2

34.3

38.4

33.8

36.9

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude Depth Ref 

(°) (km)

123.0

117.7

123.6

123.6

122.7

120.5

120.7

121.8

122.3

116.7

121.9

121.9

120.7

122.2

117.9

118.7

116.3

121.6

124.2

121.8

122.4

115.63

122.0

121.9

121.8

116.2

117.5

121.5

118.6

119.4

122.4

122.6

117.6

123.7

116.8

118.3

121.5

122.4

123.8

126.0

121.7

122.5

121.5

117.4

117.5

122.7

117.0

121.6

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

 368

 54

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 521

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 38

 368

 368

 521

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

_ 3

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

_ _

 

 4.90MLa DMG 

 4.90MLaDMG 

 4.20MLa DMG 

 4.60MUDMG 

 5.90MLaDMG 

 4.50MLa DMG 

 4.30MLa DMG 

 5.30MLa DMG 

 4.801^ DMG 

 6.00MUDMG 

 5.90MLaDMG 

 5.20MLa DMG 

 5.20MLaDMG 

 S.eOMLgDMG 

 6.30MLa DMG 6.73HK

 6.00MLa DMG 

 6.00MLa DMG 

 5.50MLa DMG 

 5.50MUDMG 

 6.70MLa DMG 7.75HHT

_ _ 6.40MLa DMG 

 6.20MLa DMG 

 5.50MLa DMG 

 6.30MUDMG 

_ _ 4.90MLa DMG 

 5.60MLaDMG 

 5.40MLa DMG 

 S.SOMuiDMG 

_ _ 4.60MLa DMG 

 5.10MLa DMG 

 5.90MLa DMG 

 5.80MUDMG 

 5.70MLa DMG 

 5.90MLa DMG 

 6.20MUDMG 

 6.20MLa DMG 

 6.90MS AB2 

 7.00MS ELL 

 5.60MLa DMG 

 - 5.40MLa DMG 

 S.SOMtaDMG 

 5.50MUDMG 

 6.50MLa DMG 6.35HHT

 

 6.40MS ELL 6.73HK

 4.50MLSDMG 

Intensity

MMI

VI

VI

vn

V

VI

VI

vn

V

vn

V

VI

vn

vn

vn

VI

V

VI

vm

vn

VI

vm

vm

IX

IX

VI

V

V

VI

vm

V

V

vn

VI

vn

VI

VI

vm

vm

vm

VI

vn

vn

vn

VI

vm

vn

K

V

Ref

368

54

368

368

368

368

38

368

38

56

368

38

38

38

38

56

38

368

38

38

368

368

38

38

368

56

368

38

368

368

56

38

368

368

368

56

38

368

38

368

38

368

56

368

38

38

38

56

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

9

15

11

69

38

120

53

52

92

100&

50&

54

170&

71

39&

19

80&

130&

120&

52&

98

70

2

30
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 75

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader ( ) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1901 03

1902 05

1902 06

1902 07

1902 07

1902 08

1902 12

1903 06

1903 07

1903 08

1903 12

1904 04

1904 07

1905 01

1905 07

1905 09

1905 12

1906 03

1906 04

1906 04

1906 04

1906 05

1906 05

1906 05

1906 12

1907 09

1908 01

1908 04

1908 08

1908 11

1909 02

1909 03

1909 05

1909 06

1909 10

1909 11

1910 03

1910 03

1910 04

1910 05

1910 05

1910 05

1910 12

1911 03

1911 07

1911 08

1912 01

1912 08

1912 09

1912 12

Da

03

19

11

28

31

01

12

11

24

03

25

16

30

06

15

03

23

03

18

19

23

02

07

07

07

20

27

25

18

04

14

03

18

23

29

22

11

19

11

06

13

15

31

11

01

11

05

31

12

14

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0745

1831

0245

0657

0920

0330

1312

2026

0649

1745

0920

1026

1430

2041

0540

2223

2025

131221

0030

0910

0530

0410

0500

0640

0154

0200

1133

1059

0837

1555

1200

0119

0724

0645

1521

0652

0011

0757

1640

0620

1547

1211

2129

220003

2340

0352

0453

1727

Hypocenter

Latitude

36.0 N

38.3 N

33.7 N

34.8 N

34.7 N

34.6 N

34.8 N

37.4 N

39.5 N

37,3 N

34.0 N

40.5 N

38.5 N

35.5 N

34.1 N

34.0 N

35.3 N

33.0 N

37.67 N

32.9 N

41.0 N

38.5 N

39.2 N

39.2 N

35.3 N

34.2 N

40.3 N

36.6 N

40.8 N

36.0 N

38.1 N

39.4 N

41.0 N

39.4 N

40.5 N

36.7 N

36.9 N

40.0 N

33.7 N

37.33 N

33.7 N

33.7 N

36.83 N

36.83 N

37.25 N

33.8 N

37.33 N

38.92 N

37.33 N

34.0 N

Longitude Depth 

(°) (km)

120.5

121.9

117.1

120.4

120.3

120.4

120.4

121.9

122.0

121.8

118.0

122.4

122.0

118.7

117.3

118.3

118.8

117.0

122.48

115.5

124.0

123.0

122.9

122.9

120.7

117.1

120.3

121.8

124.0

117.0

121.7

120.9

124.0

120.8

124.2

121.4

121.8

125.0

117.4

118.42

117.4

117.4

121.42

121.42

121.75

116.7

118.42

120.33

122.17

119.0

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 020

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

 yf _

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

Ref

38

381

380

381

381

380

380

381

38

381

38

380

380

380

380

380

380

380

378

381

38

38

380

380

380

381

380

380

380

38

380

380

38

380

381

380

381

38

380

324

380

381

324

324

258

380

324

324

324

38

USGS

__ _

 

 

 

 

_ _ _ --

 

 

 

 

__ _

 

 

 

 

mimm _ _ _

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

_ _

 

__ __

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__ _ _

 

 

 

 

_ __

 

 

 

 

. _ . _..

 

 

 

 

Magnitude

Other

6.40MLaELL

5.40MLa DMG

4.50MLa DMG

5.40MLa DMG

5.40MLa DMG

 - 

5.80MLa DMG

4.50ML8DMG

5.80MLa DMG

_ _ . 4.50MLa DMG

4.50MLa DMG

5.00MLa DMG

 _

4.50MLa DMG

7.80MS AB2

6.20Ms ELL

6.40MS ELL

. _ .

5.30MLa DMG

4.50MLa DMG

5.00MLa DMG

6.50Ms CFR

4.50MLa DMG

5.00MLa DMG

5.70MLa DMG

6.40MUDMG

4.50MLa DMG

5.80MS ELL

6.00MS CFR

5.00MLa DMG

5.60MLa DMG

5.00MLa DMG

6.00Ms CFR

5.00MLa DMG

4.50MLa DMG

6.60MS GR

4.50MLa DMG

5.50MLa DMG

4.50MUDMG

4.50MLa DMG

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

 vm

 vn

 V

 vn

 vm

 vm

 vn

 vn

 vn

 vn

VI 38

 V

_ V

 V

 VI

 VI

 VI

_ V

7.68TW XI

6.27HHT Vm

 vn

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

5.28HHT VH

 vn

_ Y

 vn

 VI

_ V

 V

 vn

 vn

 vm

_ V

 VI

 V

 V

 VI

_ v

5.28HHT VH

 VI

 VI

 vm

 VI

 VI

_ Y

 V

 VI

Ref

38

381

380

381

381

380

38

38

38

38

_

56

56

380

56

56

56

380

38

38

38

38

56

56

56

38

38

56

38

382

380

56

38

38

38

56

38

56

56

56

56

38

56

56

56

56

56

56

56

56

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

104&

52

33

__

100&

25

130&

14

15

50

__

25

425 &

100#

_

130

25

16&

150

15

50

130

260

15

155

30

130

40

75

20

155

_

130

25

26&
76 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 knA Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1914 11

1914 12

1915 01

1915 02

1915 04

1915 05

1915 05

1915 06

1915 06

1915 10

1915 11

1915 12

1916 07

1916 07

1916 08

1916 08

1916 09

1916 10

1916 10

1916 11

1916 12

1917 03

1917 04

1917 05

1917 07

1917 07

1917 07

1917 10

1918 03

1918 04

1918 04

1918 05

1918 06

1918 07

1918 11

1919 01

1919 02

1919 02

1919 09

1919 11

1919 12

1920 01

1920 06

1920 07

1920 07

1920 07

1920 07

1920 10

1920 12

1922 01

Da

09

28

12

22

05

06

29

23

23

08

21

31

05

16

06

08

30

23

23

10

01

03

13

28

06

09

26

26

12

21

22

01

06

15

19

04

16

25

15

25

19

01

22

16

16

16

23

05

05

26

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

0231

1042

0431

2311

1209

0646

0359

0456

052542

001342

1220

0440

1150

1938

165241

0211

0244

0254

0911

2253

1600

0359

0606

1101

2222

0833

091851

1030

22 32 25

2115

0432

2232

002300

2018

2300

1557

2238

1407

1103

13 58 13

0235

0247

1808

2127

2130

0355

19 03 58

1158

093120

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

37.17 N

37.17 N

34.6 N

40.58 N

38.58 N

39.5 N

36.08 N

32.8 N

32.8 N

37.83 N

32.0 N

41.0 N

40.58 N

34.7 N

36.67 N

37.0 N

33.5 N

34.9 N

34.7 N

35.5 N

35.17 N

40.83 N

34.3 N

32.8 N

36.58 N

35.25 N

35.0 N

37.4 N

39.58 N

33.75 N

33.8 N

32.7 N

33.8 N

41.0 N

34.0 N

40.58 N

35.0 N

38.33 N

40.83 N

37.08 N

38.3 N

33.2 N

34.0 N

34.1 N

34.1 N

34.1 N

40.50 N

36.58 N

34.5 N

41.0 N

Longitude Depth Ref 

(°) (km)

122.00

122.17

120.2

121.83

119.50

126.5

118.83

115.5

115.5

122.25

115.0

126.0

124.25

117.0

121.25

122.0

116.5

118.9

119.0

116.0

120.75

124.17

119.5

115.3

118.08

120.50

120.5

121.8

120.83

117.00

117.6

115.5

117.0

125.0

118.5

121.82

119.0

122.5

124.17

121.83

119.5

116.7

118.5

118.3

118.3

118.3

121.83

121.67

119.5

126.0

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

 324

 324

 381

 324

 324

 324

 324

 381

 381

 324

 258

 258

 324

 380

 324

 324

 380

 258

 380

 521

 324

 324

 380

 380

 324

 324

 315

 315

 324

 258

 380

 56

 380

 258

 38

 324

 38

 324

 324

 324

 54

 380

 38

 380

 380

 380

 324

 324

 380

 258

USGS 

nib MS

___ ._

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

 

 

_ __

 

 

 

 

_ __

 

 

 

 

_ __

 

 

 

 __

_ 

 

 

 

 

__ _ 

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

 

 

_ «_ « >

 

 

 

 _

Magnitude

Other Moment 

M

4.70MLaDMG 

4.50MLaDMG 

5.20MLa DMG 

 

S.OOMuDMG 

6.75MS OR 

S.OOMLaDMG 

6.25MS CFR 5.48HHT

6.25Ms CFR 5.48HHT

4.50MLa DMG 

7.10Ms GR 6.93HHT

6.50MS CFR 

 

4.50MLaDMG 

S.SOMtaDMG 

S.OOUknJON 

S.OOMLaDMG 

6.00Ms CFR 5.95HHT

5.50MLa DMG 

6.10MS GR 

_ __

4.60UknJON 

4.50MLa DMG 

5.50MLa DMG 

 

_ __

4.80UknJON 

4.80UknJON 

 

6.80Ms GR 6.73HK

_ ^_

S.OOMtaDMG 

5.00MLa DMG 

6.50MS GR 

 

 

5.00MLaDMG 

4.60UknJON 

 

4.50MLaDMG 

5.20MX SJG 

5.00MLa DMG 

4.90ML PAS 

 

 

^^ , tltl^m

 

5.20UknJON 

4.50MLaDMG 

6.00Ms GR 

Intensity

MMI

vn

V

vm

vn

V

V

V

vm

vm

VI

DC

m

VI

V

vn

V

V

vn

V

V

vn

V

V

VI

VI

VI

V

Felt

vn

DC

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

V

vn

V

VI

vm

VI

VI

VI

vn

V

V

Ref

38

56

38

56

56

56

56

383

383

38

492

56

38

56

38

56

56

38

56

56

38

56

56

56

38

38

56

491

38

384

38

56

56

38

38

56

38

56

38

56

56

385

386

386

386

38

324

56

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

78

26

130

65

40

200

200

9

310

25

78

_

52

130

70

__

21

104

___

390

_

80

78

_

78

11&

28

1

2

6

20
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 77

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2 . Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr

1922

1922

1922

1922

1923

1923

1923

1923

1923

1923

1924

1924

1924

1924

1925

1925

1925

1925

1925

1925

1925

1926

1926

1926

1926

1926

1926

1926

1926

1926

1926

1927

1927

1927

1927

1927

1927

1927

1927

1927

1928

1928

1928

1928

1928

1928

1928

1929

1929

1929

Mo

01

03

03

08

01

02

04

07

11

11

01

03

04

12

01

04

06

06

07

07

08

02

04

06

06

07

10

10

10

12

12

01

01

02

05

08

08

09

11

11

01

04

04

06

08

09

10

03

07

09

Da

31

10

16

18

22

09

29

23

05

07

09

09

03

28

26

16

04

29

03

03

08

18

03

29

30

25

22

22

24

10

27

01

01

15

28

04

20

18

04

19

09

15

18

04

09

05

02

13

08

26

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

13 17 22

11 21 20

2311

0512

090418

1114

02 31 29

073026

2207

2357

1022

113329

2354

0421

05 45 45

0330

120252

144216

1637

1819

1013

182045

2009

2321

1331

17 57 54

1235

13 35 22

22 51 49.5

08 38 53

0919

081645

091330

235403.5

17 36 17

1224

200544

020707

1350

03 32 30

0245

21 57 12

2140

0530

0635

1442

1901

0228

164607

200022.7

Hypocenter

Latitude

41.0 N

35.75 N

35.75 N

35.75 N

40.5 N

40.83 N

41.0 N

34.00 N

32.5 N

32.5 N

40.83 N

36.58 N

37.33 N

36.67 N

40.83 N

32.5 N

41.5 N

34.3 N

34.3 N

34.3 N

33.5 N

34.0 N

34.0 N

34.5 N

35.6 N

36.5 N

36.617N

36.550N

37.017N

40.75 N

36.17 N

32.5 N

32.5 N

36.950N

37.33 N

34.0 N

41.0 N

37.5 N

34.7 N

35.0 N

37.00N

39.93 N

34.1 N

40.75 N

37.33 N

34.0 N

32.9 N

35.0 N

33.91 N

34.83 N

Longitude Depth 

(°) (km)

125.5 W

120.25 W

120.33 W

120.33 W

124.5 W

124.17 W

125.0 W

117.25 W

115.5 W

115.5 W

124.17 W

121.67 W

121.67 W

121.67 W

124.17 W

115.5 W

125.0 W

119.8 W

119.8 W

119.8 W

117.0 W

119.5 W

116.0 W

119.5 W

118.8 W

120.8 W

122.350W

122.183W

122.208W

126.00 W

120.32 W

115.5 W

115.5 W

122.267W

122.92 W

118.5 W

124.6 W

118.75 W

120.8 W

120.5 W

121.58 W

122.78 W

119.3 W

122.92 W

121.92 W

116.0 W

115.7 W

119.0 W

118.04 W

116.52 W

___

_ _

__

_ 

015

_

^ ^

__

015

013

Ref

258

258

324

324

258

324

258

258

38

38

324

324

324

324

324

38

258

258

380

380

380

38

38

38

380

390

521

521

391

258

324

258

258

391

324

38

324

258

521

38

324

393

315

324

324

38

380

380

394

395

Magnitude

USGS Other

Tib MS

 7.30MS ABE

 6.50MS GR

 S.OOUknJON

 5.00MLa DMG

 7.20MS GR

 S.OOUknJON

 5.60MS GR

 6.25MS GR

 5.00MLa DMG

 5.70UknJON

 4.80UknJON

 4.60UknJON

 4.50MLa DMG

_ _ 4.00MLa DMG

 4.80UknJON

_ _ _ _

 6.00MS GR

 6.25Ms GR

 . 

 

 4.50MLa DMG

 5.50UknJON

 5.50MLa DMG

 5.50MLa DMG

 5.00MLa DMG

 5.00MLa DMG

 6.10Ms GR

 6.10MS GR

 5.50MLa DMG

 6.00MS GR

 5.00MLa DMG

 5.75MS GR

 S.SOMg GR

 5.00MLa DMG

 4.90UknJON

 5.30UknJON

 5.30UknJON

 6.00MS GR

 7.00MS ABE

 S.OOUknJON

 4.60UknJON

_ _ 4.50La DMG

 5.20UknJON

 4.50UknJON

 4.80UknJON

 5.00MLa DMG

 5.00MLa DMG

 4.50MLa DMG

 4.70ML RIC

 5.10ML RIC

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

_ Y

6.0ELL DC

_ Y

_ V

 vm

 n

 

5.95HK Vn

 vn

 vn

 IV

 IV

 V

 VI

 n

 VI

 

6.82HK K

 VI

 VI

 V

 VI

 V

 vn

 V

 VI

 vn

 vn

 IV

 

 IV

 vm

 vm

 V

 V

 VI

 vm

5.48HHT VI

7.28HK Vm

 VI

 V

 VI

 m

 VI

 Felt

 V

 Felt

 IV

 vn

 Felt

Ref

56

38

324

56

56

324

388

38

38

56

272

56

56

56

56

389

380

380

380

56

380

38

380

218

218

218

218

218

38

38

56

56

218

38

56

392

218

315

393

315

1

1

38

1

2

394

2

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

180&

230

65

200&

.

180#

_

19

17

_

130&

25

155#

78

78

70

90&

90&

104

65

130

130

78 &

17 &

21&

40&

194

80

30

65#

15

7
78 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1929 10

1929 11

1929 12

1930 01

1930 01

1930 01

1930 01

1930 02

1930 03

1930 03

1930 07

1930 08

1930 08

1930 09

1930 10

1930 12

1930 12

1930 12

1930 12

1930 12

1930 12

1931 01

1931 02

1931 03

1931 07

1931 08

1931 09

1931 09

1931 12

1932 01

1932 02

1932 03

1932 04

1932 06

1932 06

1932 07

1932 07

1932 10

1932 10

1932 10

1932 11

1933 02

1933 02

1933 03

1933 03

1933 03

1933 03

1933 03

1933 03

1933 03

1933 03

1933 03

1933 03

Da

15

28

04

09

09

16

16

26

01

02

07

05

31

23

29

11

11

12

12

14

15

06

23

10

21

23

02

09

04

05

26

02

16

06

14

26

30

09

25

25

03

03

24

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

22 03 10

1949

1229

080613

0816

002434

0034

0230

2344

0150

120855

1125

004038

02 56 55

1237

08 58 55

1227

0932

2016

0138

0838

23 28 40

1001

032853

1208

18 01 46

15 34 28

13 40 30

005300

135904

1658

17 14 36

18 48 10

084422

094417

065158.3

07 13 59.7

2251

010723

0328

185440

0326

1933

015407.8

0204

0209

0210

0216

0217

0227

0230

0259

0323

Hypocenter

Latitude

36.17 N

36.9 N

40.5 N

36.8 N

36.8 N

34.2 N

34.2 N

33.0 N

33.0 N

33.0 N

35.5 N

34.5 N

34.030N

40.83 N

40.67 N

40.08 N

40.92 N

39.83 N

40.67 N

40.50 N

40.83 N

36.50 N

35.83 N

40.0 N

35.25 N

40.0 N

41.8 N

40.80 N

36.50 N

40.42 N

36.0 N

40.2 N

36.67 N

40.75 N

37.25 N

35.800N

34.850N

32.666N

37.75 N

37.333N

37.16 N

37.333N

32.833N

33.616N

33.750N

33.750N

33.750N

33.750N

33.600N

33.750N

33.750N

33.750N

33.750N

Longitude

120.67 W

118.2 W

124.0 W

121.5 W

121.5 W

116.9 W

116.9 W

115.5 W

115.5 W

115.5 W

118.0 W

119.5 W

118.643W

124.17 W

121.92 W

124.50 W

124.08 W

123.58 W

124.32 W

124.08 W

124.17 W

124.40 W

120.50 W

125.0 W

120.67 W

125.0 W

123.0 W

125.00 W

121.67 W

124.42 W

121.0 W

127.0 W

121.22 W

124.50 W

122.08 W

118.533W

116.583W

115.500W

122.50 W

118.666W

122.16 W

118.833W

115.750W

117.966W

118.083W

118.083W

118.083W

118.083W

118.000W

118.083W

118.083W

118.083W

118.083W

Depth 

(km)

__ _

. _

015

_

_

_ .

016

016

016

016

__

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

Ref

324

2

324

380

380

258

38

38

38

380

315

38

474

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

258

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

258

324

292

292

292

324

292

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

USGS 

mi) MS

«» ^ 

 

 

 

 

_ 

 

 

 

 

__ _ _

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

«» «H»

_______ _______

 

 

 

_______ _______

 

 

 

 

_______ 

 

 

 

 

_______ 

 

 

 

 

_______ 

 

 

 

 

_______ _______

 

 

 

 

_______ _______

 

 

Magnitude

Other Moment 

M

4.60UknJON 

5.50MLa DMG 

4.50MLa DMG 

4.50MLa DMG 

4.50MLa DMG 

5.25MS GR 

S.lOUknPAS 

5.00ML RIC 

4.50ML RIC 

4.50MLa DMG 

4.70UknJON 

5.00MLa DMG 

5.25Mg GR 

5.00MLa DMG 

4.50MLa DMG 

S.OOMuDMG 

S.OOUknJON 

4.50ML8DMG 

4.50MLa DMG 

4.80UknJON 

4.60UknJON 

S.OOUknJON 

4.70UknJON 

5.60MS GR 

4.80UknJON 

5.30M,, GR 

4.50ML BRK 

5.80MS GR 

S.lOUknJON 

4.50ML BRK 

5.00ML BRK 

5.60ML BRK 

4.50ML BRK 

6.40MS GR 

4.50ML BRK 

4.50ML PAS 

4.50ML PAS 

4.50ML PAS 

S.lOUknJON 

4.50ML PAS 

4.90UknJON 

5.00ML PAS 

4.50ML PAS 

6.30ML PAS 6.15HK

4.90ML PAS 

5.00ML PAS 

4.60ML PAS 

4.80ML PAS 

4.50ML PAS 

4.60ML PAS 

5.10ML PAS 

4.60ML PAS 

5.00ML PAS 

Intensity

MMI

m

vn

V

V

V

vn

vn

vn

vn

IV

IV

VI

vn

vn

VI

V

IV

V

V

IV

m

V

V

V

IV

VI

VI

IV

IV

IV

m

vm

V

VI

IV

IV

V

IV

vm

. 

Ref

2

38

324

380

380

38

38

3

3

3

315

3

38

38

3

3

315

3

3

315

315

4

4

4

4

4

4

315

5

5

324

5

5

5

5

5

5

6

397

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

90

15&

5&

5&

130&

130&

52 &

28

26

. 

24 &

31&

12&

7

40&

9&

10

__

12 &

13

10&

12&

39&

130&

15&

30

__

213#
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 79

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr

1933 

1933

1933 

1933 

1933 

1933 

1933

1933 

1933 

1933 

1933 

1933

1933 

1933 

1933 

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1933

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1934

1935

1935

Mo

03 

03

03 

03 

03 

03 

03

03 

03 

03 

03 

03

03 

03 

03 

03

03

03

03

03

03

03

05

06

06

08

09

10

10

12

01

01

01

03

04

06

06

06

06

06

06

06

07

11

12

12

12

12

12

12

01

05

Da

11 

11

11 

11 

11 

11 

11

11 

11 

11 

11 

11

11 

11 

12 

12

12

13

13

14

14

15

16

22

22

06

28

02

25

13

04

09

20

02

23

05

05

06

08

08

08

14

06

17

03

15

17

24

30

31

02

16

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0436 

0439

0440 

051022.0 

0513 

05 18 04.0 

06 58 03.0

0808 

08 54 57.0 

0910 

1104 

1425

1457 

1653 

0616 

1738

2354

0432

13 18 28.0

1219

190150.0

11 13 32.0

11 45 26.0

12 36 28.0

12 41 02.0

0332

1153

09 10 17.6

070046.0

15 34 37

2153

1410

2117

2130

2120

2148

2252

22 14

04 30

04 47

05 42

19 26

22 4855.1

17 42

01 54

17 0001.0

11 10

1626

13 52 14

18 45 15

224058

0325

Hypocenter

Latitude

33.750N 

33.750N

33.750N 

33.700N 

33.750N 

33.566N 

33.683N

33.750N 

33.700N 

33.750N 

33.750N 

33.850N

33.883N 

33.750N 

33.750N 

33.750N

33.750N

33.750N

33.750N

33.750N

33.616N

33.616N

37.60 N

37.583N

37.583N

33.333N

40.08 N

33.783N

33.950N

37.20 N

32.700N

34.100N

33.616N

33.083N

36.750N

35.80 N

35.80 N

40.0 N

35.80 N

35.80 N

35.80 N

35.80 N

41.22 N

40.50 N

35.95 N

40.60 N

34.583N

35.900N

32.25 N

32.0 N

40.25 N

37.380N

Longitude

118.083W 

118.08 3W

118.08 3W 

118.066W 

118.083W 

117.983W 

118.050W

118.083W 

118.066W 

118.083W 

118.133W 

118.266W

118.316W 

118.083W 

118.083W 

118.083W

118.083W

118.083W

118.083W

118.083W

118.016W

118.016W

122.00 W

118.800W

118.800W

116.300W

123.92 W

118.133W

118.133W

122.00 W

115.116W

117.683W

118.116W

115.983W

121.400W

120.33 W

120.33 W

121.0 W

120.33 W

120.33 W

120.33 W

120.33 W

125.27 W

124.08 W

121.50 W

124.20 W

120.333W

120.500W

115.50 W

114.75 W

125.25 W

118.920W

Depth 

(km)

016 

016

016 

016 

016 

016 

016

016 

016 

016 

016 

016

016 

016 

016 

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

_

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

__

016

016

016

016

005

016

016

016

Ref

292 

292

292 

292 

292 

292 

292

292 

292 

292 

292 

292

292 

292 

292 

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

292

292

292

324

292

292

324

292

292

292

292

324

292

292

7

292

292

292

292

260

324

324

324

292

292

258

258

258

292

Magnitude

USGS Other

(Tib MQ

__ _ 4.60ML PAS 

__ _ 4.90ML PAS

-_ _ 4.70ML PAS 

 5.10ML PAS 

__ _ 4.70ML PAS 

 5.20ML PAS 

 5.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS 

 5.10ML PAS 

 5.10ML PAS 

 4.60ML PAS 

 5.00ML PAS

_ _ 4.90ML PAS 

_ _ 4.80ML PAS 

__ _ 4.60ML PAS 

 4.50ML PAS

__ _ 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

__ __ 4.50ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

__ _ 4.90ML PAS

__ _ 4.50ML BRK

 4.90ML PAS

__ __ 4.90ML PAS

 _ 4.70ML PAS

 4.60UknJON

 5.40ML PAS

 4.30ML PAS

 S.OOUknJON

 4.50ML PAS

__ _ 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 3.50ML BRK

 5.00ML PAS

 4.00ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 5.00ML PAS

_ _ 6.00ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 6.50M8 GR

 S.OOUknJON

 4.50ML BRK

 4.80UknJON

 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 6.50MS CFR

 7.10MS ABE

 5.70MS GR

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

 

 

 m

 IV

 

 

 IV

 vn

 IV

 IV

 IV

 IV

 VI

 VI

 IV

 

 V

 IV

 m

 VI

 V

 VI

 IV

 vn

6.10ELL VDI

 ffl

 IV

 V

 V

 IV

 V

 VI

 IV

6.35HHT DC

7.02HHT X

 V

 IV

Ref

259

6

6

38

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

7

7

7

259

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

259

7

259

7

7

7

8

8

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

40&

20

20

16&

6&

13&

20&

_^

2

28 &

12

75&

88 &

20&

155#

200#
80 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 krn^. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1935 06

1935 06

1935 07

1935 09

1935 09

1935 09

1935 10

1935 10

1935 10

1935 10

1935 11

1935 12

1935 12

1936 02

1936 04

1936 05

1936 05

1936 05

1936 05

1936 06

1936 09

1936 10

1936 11

1937 02

1937 02

1937 03

1937 03

1937 03

1937 03

1937 03

1937 08

1937 09

1937 09

1937 10

1937 11

1938 01

1938 02

1938 02

1938 04

1938 04

1938 05

1938 05

1938 06

1938 07

1938 07

1938 08

1938 08

1938 09

1938 09

1938 09

1938 10

1938 11

1938 11

1938 12

1938 12

Da

03

19

13

03

08

08

11

24

24

24

04

20

25

23

07

07

09

10

27

03

18

10

18

07

17

05

08

25

26

27

06

01

01

27

22

04

12

15

13

28

10

31

06

01

05

18

31

12

17

27

18

15

22

01

03

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

1708

0955

105416.5

0647

1440

1703

1406

144807.6

1451

1452

0355

0745

1715

222042.7

2253

1147

202040

17 40 13.2

1955

0915

144032.1

01 25 32.0

18 02 18.5

044134

0333

1247

103112

164901.8

210906

0742

0324

134808.2

16 35 33.5

1553

04 12 53.8

0029

200014.0

07 45 39.8

1929

060728.0

1032

08 34 55.4

0242

1813

18 06 55.8

073945.4

03 18 14.3

0610

142304.1

122348

0505

1348

1530

1617

174252.6

Hypocenter

Latitude 

0

41.00 N

37.250N

34.200N

34.033N

32.900N

32.900N

32.900N

34.100N

34.100N

34.100N

33.500N

33.166N

33.600N

34.127N

32.900N

33.133N

40.50 N

37.6 ION

36.50 N

40.16 N

32.856N

40.3 N

34.460N

40.50 N

36.70 N

36.70 N

37.80 N

33.408N

40.25 N

33.466N

38.8 N

34.210N

34.183N

36.60 N

34.370N

33.466N

37.000N

34.173N

32.883N

32.7 17N

36.200N

33.699N

32.900N

41.00 N

33.682N

34.847N

33.759N

40.00 N

35.630N

36.45 N

40.00 N

39.25 N

35.93 N

37.50 N

37.453N

Longitude 

(°)

124.00 W

118.500W

117.900W

117.3 16W

115.216W

115.216W

115.216W

116.800W

116.883W

116.883W

116.916W

115.500W

118.016W

117.338W

115.216W

116.083W

121.65 W

118.368W

121.17 W

126.45 W

115.7 10W

126.0 W

120.522W

125.25 W

121.20 W

121.70 W

122.20 W

116.26 1W

126.75 W

116.583W

120.1 W

117.530W

117.548W

121.50 W

120.623W

116.583W

122.000W

116.257W

115.583W

118.172W

121.300W

117.5 10W

115.216W

124.00 W

117.553W

116.143W

118.253W

124.00 W

117.5 13W

121.25 W

124.00 W

123.00 W

120.48 W

121.80 W

118.603W

Depth 

(km)

__

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

010

016

016

010

010

010

__

010

016

_

010

010

010

016

010

016

010

_

010

016

010

010

010

. 

__

010

Ref

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

292

324

324

292

265

292

258

324

324

324

292

258

292

10

292

292

324

292

292

324

292

292

292

324

292

292

324

292

292

292

324

292

324

324

324

324

324

292

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

 5.00ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

__ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50UknJON

 5.00ML PAS

 4.50Mt BRK

 5.80ML BRK

__ _ 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

__ _ 4.50ML PAS

 5.75MS OR

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

_ _ 4.50ML BRK

 6.00ML PAS

 5.50MS GR

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

_ __ 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ __ 4.50ML BRK

 5.50ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.50M. GR

 5.00ML PAS

 S.OOMt PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 

-_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 5.70ML PAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

_

. 

___

__

_

5.60HHT

_ _

__

_ _

-

__

MMI

__

V

V

V

IV

IV

m

V

IV

IV

IV

IV

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

__

IV

V

IV

V

vn

VI

IV

V

V

V

IV

V

IV

VI

V

V

IV

IV

V

IV

V

IV

VI

VI

IV

V

m

VI

IV

VI

VI

Ref

^_

8

8

8

8

8

259

8

8

259

259

8

8

9

9

9

9

9

9

_

9

10

259

10

10

10

259

259

10

10

10

10

259

11

259

259

259

259

11

259

259

259

11

11

259

11

259

11

259

11

11

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

33

25 &

__

45 &

22&

28

45

18 &

26&

5&

20&

80#

8

17

5&

_ _

8&

50#

5&

35 &

23 &

_ _

7

62
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 81

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1938 12

1939 01

1939 02

1939 02

1939 03

1939 03

1939 04

1939 05

1939 05

1939 05

1939 06

1939 06

1939 07

1939 11

1939 12

1939 12

1940 02

1940 02

1940 02

1940 02

1940 02

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 05

1940 06

1940 06

1940 06

1940 06

1940 07

1940 07

1940 09

1940 09

1940 10

1940 10

1940 10

Da

03

07

23

23

12

17

19

01

08

12

24

25

17

07

27

28

08

13

19

24

28

18

18

18

18

18

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

22

23

23

23

01

01

02

04

08

22

07

27

11

21

22

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

18 41 16.4

20 21 50.2

084551.7

09 18 46.7

2204

1309

0741

21 53 18.0

02 48 05.3

19 25 02.3

130206

0149

092454

185208.4

19 28 49.0

12 15 38.0

08 05 59.0

2353

120655.7

0938

17 28 07.0

05 03 58.5

05 51 20.3

060430.6

07 21 32.7

13 47 19.0

02 26 02.0

02 27 30.0

043640.9

04 48 47.0

04 55 00.0

0504

05 44 37.0

05 51 34.0

05 57 17.0

06 17 42.0

06 33 20.0

06 35 40.0

0701

15 30 33.0

105831.0

1100

1730

1845

05 27 01.2

23 59 36.0

06 13 10.2

10 35 08.3

10 57 36.5

23 00 32.9

13 02 06.0

17 03 36

05 57 12.3

064933.0

1101

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

37.808N

36.007N

34.9 12N

34.885N

41.0 N

40.75 N

32.583N

40.20 N

34.903N

33.466N

36.80 N

32.700N

36.85 N

34.000N

33.783N

35.80 N

40.00 N

40.0 N

34.017N

37.500N

33.133N

34.083N

34.067N

34.067N

34.067N

34.050N

34.050N

34.050N

32.733N

32.767N

32.767N

32.767N

32.766N

32.767N

32.767N

32.767N

32.767N

32.767N

32.767N

32.767N

32.767N

32.767N

32.769N

32.767N

34.083N

32.767N

34.083N

33.000N

37.616N

37.633N

36.500N

40.5 N

33.767N

33.117N

40.5 N

Longitude 

(°)

118.323W

117.720W

118.973W

119.002W

125.9 W

126.00 W

117.800W

124.70 W

119.038W

116.433W

121.45 W

118.200W

121.68 W

117.283W

118.200W

120.33 W

121.60 W

124.0 W

117.050W

118.533W

116.083W

116.300W

116.333W

116.317W

116.333W

116.283W

116.283W

116.283W

115.500W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

115.483W

116.333W

115.483W

116.333W

116.433W

118.800W

118.767W

121.500W

125.0 W

118.450W

116.417W

124.1 W

Depth 

(km)

010

010

010

010

 _

016

010

016

016

016

_

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

 .

016

016

016

016

016

016

_

016

016

Ref

292

292

292

292

324

324

292

12

292

292

324

292

324

292

292

324

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

259

259

259

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

292

292

324

Magnitude

USQS Other 

(Tib MS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.90UknJON

 S.OOUknJON

 4.50ML PAS

_ __ 4.50ML BRK

 _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.50ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

 5.70ML BRK

 

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ 5.40ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 7.10M8 ABE

 4.50ML PAS

 5.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 5.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 

 

 

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.75ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50MX JON

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

_

__

_

_ _

6.93HHT

_

. _

_

MMI

^_

IV

IV

IV

n

m

IV

V

IV

IV

vn

m

V

IV

VI

VI

vn

VI

V

IV

IV

V

IV

X

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

IX

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

VI

VI

VI

IV

V

IV

IV

m

IV

VI

IV

VI

Ref

__

259

259

259

11

11

259

259

259

259

259

259

12

259

12

12

13

259

259

259

259

259

259

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

259

13

259

13

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

26&

15&

42 &

72

25 &

65

170#

 .

18 &

5&
82 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1940 11

1940 12

1941 01

1941 02

1941 02

1941 02

1941 05

1941 05

1941 05

1941 05

1941 07

1941 07

1941 07

1941 07

1941 09

1941 09

1941 09

1941 09

1941 09

1941 09

1941 09

1941 10

1941 10

1941 10

1941 10

1941 10

1941 10

1941 11

1941 12

1941 12

1941 12

1942 01

1942 02

1942 02

1942 02

1942 03

1942 05

1942 07

1942 08

1942 09

1942 09

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

1942 10

Da

19

20

23

09

11

23

01

13

16

28

01

01

12

22

08

14

14

14

14

14

21

03

06

22

22

23

25

14

24

31

31

01

01

01

04

03

23

06

07

03

04

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

22

22

26

26

29

29

30

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

1835

234042.0

1203

094404.0

0451

18 36 14.0

1329

160154.0

023642.0

06 23 18.0

075054.8

2354

1618

18 52 05.0

03 12 45.0

164331.8

16 54 58.0

18 21 18.7

18 39 11.9

211601.0

19 53 07.2

16 13 08.0

0659

065718.5

103221.8

204431.0

0709

084136.3

07 30 12.0

064844.0

18 05 44.0

03 41 01.0

15 18 28.0

160334.0

03 32 03.0

01 03 24.0

15 47 29.0

21 11 40.0

01 15 33.0

140601.0

06 34 33.0

16 22 13.0

16 25 19.0

16 26 54.0

16 34 39.0

16 38 06.0

191028.0

21 49 28.0

01 50 38.0

18 13 26.0

03 02 15.0

06 15 04.0

155600.0

16 21 57.0

05 35 45.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

40.75 N

40.00 N

40.5 N

40.50 N

40.00 N

33.500N

40.00 N

40.30 N

40.30 N

37.08 N

34.367N

34.333N

34.333N

32.733N

34.333N

37.567N

37.567N

37.567N

37.567N

37.570N

34.867N

40.40 N

40.40 N

33.8 17N

33.867N

37.567N

39.50 N

33.783N

32.60 N

37.567N

37.567N

37.567N

34.400N

34.400N

37.567N

34.000N

32.983N

37.567N

34.300N

34.483N

34.483N

32.966N

32.967N

32.967N

32.967N

32.967N

32.967N

32.967N

33.233N

32.967N

33.233N

33.233N

32.967N

32.967N

32.967N

Longitude 

(°)

124.90 W

124.00 W

125.0 W

125.25 W

125.00 W

1 16.48 3W

121.00 W

126.40 W

125.00 W

121.75 W

119.583W

119.583W

119.583W

115.450W

119.583W

118.733W

118.733W

118.733W

118.733W

118.730W

118.933W

124.80 W

125.00 W

118.217W

118.217W

118.733W

122.17 W

118.250W

116.10 W

118.733W

118.733W

118.733W

116.917W

116.917W

118.733W

115.750W

115.983W

118.733W

116.417W

118.983W

118.983W

116.000W

116.000W

116.000W

116.000W

116.000W

116.000W

116.000W

115.717W

116.000W

115.7 17W

115.717W

116.000W

116.000W

116.000W

Depth 

(km)

_

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

Ref

324

324

324

258

324

292

324

324

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

292

292

292

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

Magnitude

USQS Other 

mb MS

_ _ 4.70ML

 5.50MS

_ _ 4.70ML

 6.60MS

 4.50MS

 4.50ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 6.00MS

_ _ 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 5.90ML

 4.50ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 5.80ML

 4.50ML

 5.50ML

 6.00ML

 5.00ML

 5.20ML

 6.40MS

 5.00ML

_ _ 4.90ML

 3.80ML

 4.50ML

_ _ 4.60MX

_ _ 5.40MS

 4.50ML

 5.40ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 5.00ML

 5.00ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 6.50MS

 5.00ML

 5.00ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 5.50ML

 5.00ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 _ 4.50ML

 _ 4.50ML

 4.50ML

BRK

GR

BRK

GR

GR

PAS

BRK

GR

BRK

BRK

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

BRK

PAS

GR

BRK

PAS

PAS

PAS

JON

GR

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

GR

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

 VI

 VI

 V

 VI

 

 m

 IV

 V

 

 V

5.92HHT VIE

 IV

 IV

_ y

 V

 VI

 

 VI

5.48HHT VI

 m

_ Y

 VI

 

 vn

 VI

 IV

_ Y

 vm

 IV

 VI

 

 IV

 IV

 

 IV

 IV

_ Y

 IV

 

. _ Y

 V

6.59HHT VI

 

 

 

_ 

 

 

5.79TH V

 

 m 

 IV

 IV

 IV

Ref

13

13

14

14

259

14

14

14

14

259

259

259

14

259

259

259

259

14

259

14

14

259

14

259

259

14

259

259

259

259

15

259

15

15

15

i 

259

259

259

259

259

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

21 &

23 &

5&

50&

12&

52#

90

90

60&

30&

5&

9&

72&

16+

90#

 .
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 83

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1942 11

1942 11

1942 11

1942 12

1942 12

1942 12

1943 01

1943 03

1943 03

1943 05

1943 06

1943 08

1943 09

1943 10

1943 10

1943 10

1943 10

1943 10

1943 11

1943 11

1943 11

1943 11

1943 12

1944 01

1944 01

1944 06

1944 06

1944 06

1944 06

1944 06

1944 06

1944 07

1944 07

1944 11

1944 12

1945 01

1945 03

1945 04

1945 05

1945 05

1945 05

1945 06

1945 08

1945 08

1945 09

1946 01

1946 01

1946 03

1946 03

1946 03

1946 03

1946 03

1946 03

1946 03

1946 03

Da

02

03

09

05

17

20

02

17

30

31

18

29

16

02

14

15

26

31

02

02

16

17

22

12

16

10

12

12

13

19

19

03

29

08

23

07

20

01

02

17

19

14

15

27

28

08

13

15

15

15

15

15

16

17

18

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

125942.0

050629.0

20 34 25.0

185207.0

15 07 43.0

05 47 39.0

14 11 18.0

004044.0

21 07 28.0

20 16 53.0

16 15 46.0

03 45 13.0

07 52 22.0

065641.0

142844.0

165001.0

04 50 33.0

13 12 10.0

164759.0

175041.0

21 38 47.0

11 28 41.0

155028.0

150240.0

02 25 29.0

11 11 50.5

104534.7

11 16 36.0

08 27 32.0

000333.0

030607.0

05 38 23.5

11 37 15.0

11 08 44.0

08 16 22.0

22 25 33.0

215507.0

23 43 42.0

194754.0

150647.0

15 07 04.0

03 30 13.0

17 56 24.0

09 13 04.0

222405.0

18 54 18.0

16 31 15.0

13 21 00.9

13 49 35.9

140035.4

19 18 53.6

21 54 33.4

094617.9

08 16 36.0

100555.1

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°>

32.967N

32.967N

34.617N

37.567N

38.87 N

38.72 N

33.4 17N

32.733N

39.430N

37.383N

33.117N

34.267N

36.017N

40.50 N

34.333N

34.350N

37.43 N

33.783N

32.967N

32.967N

37.78 N

33.917N

34.333N

40.30 N

40.30 N

34.013N

33.977N

33.995N

34.667N

33.867N

33.867N

35.350N

40.30 N

41.50 N

36.400N

36.730N

34.250N

34.000N

41.200N

36.82 N

40.25 N

37.083N

33.2 17N

37.27 N

41.90 N

33.000N

37.3 17N

35.753N

35.725N

35.715N

35.7 15N

35.752N

35.745N

35.632N

35.723N

Longitude 

(°)

116.000W

116.000W

116.000W

118.733W

119.90 W

119.73 W

116.417W

115.433W

120.400W

118.600W

116.117W

116.967W

117.933W

124.60 W

116.883W

116.867W

121.68 W

116.200W

116.000W

116.000W

122.12 W

116.700W

115.800W

124.90 W

125.10 W

116.772W

116.720W

116.712W

120.500W

118.217W

118.217W

117.827W

125.80 W

125.00 W

117.917W

121.200W

116.167W

120.017W

123.500W

121.37 W

126.50 W

117.500W

116.133W

121.80 W

126.70 W

115.833W

118.650W

117.987W

118.055W

118.073W

117.977W

118.029W

118.038W

118.268W

118.035W

Depth 

(km)

016

016

016

016

_ _

016

016

. 

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

_

016

016

. 

010

010

010

016

016

016

016

. _

016

016

__

016

016

016

016

016

022

016

016

016

016

016

Ref

292

292

292

292

324

324

292

292

324

292

292

292

292

324

292

292

324

292

292

292

324

292

292

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

292

324

292

292

324

324

258

292

292

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.10ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.30ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.90ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 3.60Mt BRK

 _ 4.50ML PAS

 5.50ML PAS

 5.10ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.40ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

__ __ 4.70ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML BRK

 5.00ML PAS

 5.40ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

 4.60Mt BRK

 6.20MS GR

 5.00ML PAS

 5.70ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 6.12Ms CFR

 5.40ML PAS

_ __ 4.70ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 6.30ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

 5.40ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

_ _ 4.90ML PAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

^^

_

__

 .

_

_

3.38TH

_

 -

^_

5.14TH

__

___

6.06TH

__

4.54TH

4.10TH

4.35TH

MMI

^_

V

Felt

IV

V

V

V

IV

VI

IV

IV

m

IV

VI

IV

IV

IV

VI

IV

IV

V

IV

V

VI

VI

V

VI

VI

V

IV

VI

IV

IV

V

VI

V

VI

VI

V

VI

VI

vn

VI

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

IV

Ref

 _

15

15

259

16

259

16

16

259

259

259

259

259

16

259

259

259

16

16

16

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

17

18

259

18

18

18

18

18

18

19

259

259

19

259

259

259

19

19

259

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

. _

39

24

37 &

65 &

41&

41&

16&

13&

34&

2&

9

15

4&

39#

34&

31#

222&

__
84 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2 . Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1946 03

1946 03

1946 03

1946 05

1946 05

1946 06

1946 06

1946 07

1946 07

1946 08

1946 09

1946 12

1947 02

1947 02

1947 03

1947 04

1947 04

1947 04

1947 04

1947 04

1947 05

1947 05

1947 06

1947 07

1947 07

1947 07

1947 07

1947 07

1947 07

1947 07

1947 07

1947 08

1947 09

1947 09

1947 09

1947 11

1947 11

1947 11

1948 01

1948 02

1948 02

1948 02

1948 02

1948 03

1948 03

1948 03

1948 04

1948 06

1948 07

1948 08

1948 11

1948 12

1948 12

1948 12

1948 12

Da

18

18

24

02

29

04

15

07

18

30

28

18

05

06

30

10

10

10

11

19

11

27

22

24

24

25

25

25

25

26

26

10

08

08

23

02

10

18

10

11

19

20

24

01

28

28

16

18

26

18

12

04

05

05

11

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

15 49 25.7

155042.6

200003.0

01 26 12.0

17 51 03.0

120524.0

19 46 53.0

06 55 15.0

14 27 58.0

111645.0

071909.0

142028.0

061423

172040.1

0744

15 58 06.0

1603

17 18 22.0

0747

022909.0

050620.0

205942

23 29 33

221046.0

22 54 26.0

004631.0

01 56 47.0

06 19 49.0

16 14 53.0

024941.0

23 04 25.0

215824

0552

0713

13 52 55.0

0701

022255.0

215903.0

004550

03 29 28.0

082509.0

04 21 24.0

08 15 10.0

08 12 13.0

22 38 03.0

22 45 00.0

22 26 24.0

10 35 00.0

175001.4

19 11 57.0

23 10 25.0

23 43 17.0

000721.0

004235.0

16 12 20.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

35.780N

35.747N

35.728N

37.68 N

36.77 N

33.917N

32.600N

40.500N

34.533N

33.233N

33.950N

40.30 N

36.23 N

35.677N

40.38 N

34.983N

34.967N

34.950N

34.967N

34.967N

34.233N

40.40 N

37.00 N

34.017N

34.017N

34.017N

34.017N

34.017N

34.017N

34.017N

34.017N

36.88 N

39.30 N

39.30 N

40.40 N

40.10 N

34.400N

33.267N

42.0 N

36.10 N

41.00 N

33.917N

32.500N

34.167N

36.850N

36.850N

34.017N

39.07 N

35.582N

40.50 N

40.40 N

33.933N

33.933N

33.967N

33.967N

Longitude 

(°)

117.922W

117.908W

118.098W

121.60 W

121.42 W

115.700W

116.3 17W

121.500W

115.983W

115.700W

116.850W

124.60 W

120.65 W

118.067W

124.68 W

116.550W

116.550W

116.533W

116.550W

116.550W

116.333W

124.70 W

121.77 W

116.500W

116.500W

116.500W

116.500W

116.500W

116.500W

116.500W

116.500W

121.42 W

120.20 W

120.20 W

125.20 W

125.30 W

116.417W

119.450W

127.0 W

118.80 W

124.90 W

118.217W

118.550W

117.533W

121.570W

121.570W

118.967W

123.28 W

118.158W

124.70 W

124.32 W

116.383W

116.367W

116.433W

116.450W

Depth 

(km)

016

004

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

__

016

016

_

016

016

016

__

016

005

_

016

016

016

016

Ref

292

292

292

324

324

292

292

324

292

292

292

324

324

292

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

324

324

324

292

292

324

324

324

292

292

292

324

324

292

324

292

324

324

292

292

292

292

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

 4.80ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.80ML PAS

_ 4.80ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

 5.60ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

__ _ 4.70ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

_ 4.60ML BRK

 6.20ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

_ _ 4.90ML PAS

 5.20ML BRK

_ _ 4.70ML BRK

 5.50ML PAS

 4.90ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

__ _ 4.60ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ __ 4.40ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

_ _ 4.70ML BRK

 5.30ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 5.30ML BRK

_ 4.90ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 3.60ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

 3.80ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 6.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.90ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

4.30TH

4.99TH

^_

5.39TH

__

6.5 1HK

4.76TH

4.38TH

_

4.64TH

4.15TH

5.15TH

4.26TH

 .

__

4.78TH

_

5.12TH

_

_

5.95HK

4.44TH

4.48TH

MMI

V

V

V

V

IV

V

V

V

VI

V

VI

V

V

vn

Felt

Felt

Felt

VI

VI

V

IV

_

IV

IV

Felt

VI

V

VI

V

_ _

m

V

VI

IH

VI

IV

VI

V

V

VI

VI

V

V

Felt

vn

Felt

IV

Ref

259

259

19

259

259

19

19

259

19

259

20

259

259

20

259

20

20

20

20

20

259

_

259

259

259

20

20

20

259

_

259

20

21

259

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

259

259

324

21

259

259

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

8

__

18 &

70

23 &

9&

5&

151&

, _ ,

6&

35 &

60#

_

10&

19&

__

30

2

31&

10&

10&

4&

1

180*
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 85

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1948 12 20

1948 12 29

1948 12 31

1949 01 01

1949 01 03

1949 01 20

1949 02 11

1949 02 27

1949 03 09

1949 03 24

1949 04 13

1949 05 02

1949 05 02

1949 05 10

1949 05 25

1949 06 10

1949 06 27

1949 08 08

1949 08 21

1949 08 27

1949 09 19

1949 10 22

1949 10 28

1949 11 04

1949 11 05

1949 12 09

1950 01 14

1950 01 27

1950 02 26

1950 03 20

1950 03 23

1950 04 15

1950 06 09

1950 07 27

1950 07 27

1950 07 28

1950 07 28

1950 07 28

1950 07 28

1950 07 29

1950 07 29

1950 07 29

1950 07 29

1950 08 01

1950 08 14

1950 09 05

1950 10 08

1950 11 14

1950 11 14

1950 11 17

1950 12 14

1950 12 14

1951 01 13

Origin 

time (urc)

h m 3

044246.0

12 53 28.0

14 35 46.0

01 17 54.0

13 43 40.0

07 59 23.0

21 05 24.0

13 35 47.0

12 28 39.0

205656.0

07 58 26.0

11 24 58.0

112547.0

04 06 33.0

17 31 46.0

030640.0

10 35 31.0

110003.0

204816.0

14 51 46.0

050813.5

21 45 20.0

02 29 16.0

204238.0

04 35 24.0

123902.0

195230

104720

000622.0

15 22 17.0

04 16 50.0

11 56 32.0

130744

112926.0

2251

0325

1727

175048.0

17 58 12.0

0017

14 36 32.0

1509

18 43 00.0

08 37 20.0

191600.0

19 19 56.0

122419

023550

063432

034651.0

08 59 34.0

13 24 19

20 31 32

Hypocenter

Latitude

35.80 N

39.550N

35.67 N

36.90 N

34.967N

39.55 N

37.083N

41.20 N

37.02 N

41.30 N

37.667N

34.017N

34.017N

34.017N

34.017N

37.30 N

35.80 N

37.95 N

40.27 N

34.500N

33.960N

36.58 N

40.90 N

32.200N

32.200N

37.467N

40.2 17N

42.0 N

34.617N

40.450N

40.500N

35.750N

41.283N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.117N

33.650N

40.283N

40.483N

40.483N

33.9 17N

40.083N

40.083N

40.4 N

Longitude

121.50 W

120.080W

121.40 W

121.62 W

116.550W

120.08 W

117.750W

125.20 W

121.48 W

126.00 W

118.383W

115.767W

115.683W

115.683W

115.683W

121.67 W

121.10 W

122.32 W

121.23 W

120.500W

118.187W

121.17 W

124.20 W

116.550W

116.550W

118.367W

124.417W

125.1 W

119.083W

121.467W

121.500W

119.617W

125.733W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

115.567W

116.750W

124.800W

121.500W

121.500W

118.317W

120.067W

120.067W

125.0 W

Depth 

(km)

_^

016

016

016

016

016

016

_

016

000

016

016

016

016

__

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

__

Ref

324

324

324

324

292

324

292

324

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

324

324

292

292

324

324

292

292

292

324

324

292

324

266

292

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

324

292

324

324

324

USGS 

rrib MS

__ ___

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_ _

 _

 

 .

 

__ _

 

 

 

 

__ __

 

 . 

 

 

__ _

 

 

 

 

_ __

 

 

 

 

__ ^__

 

 

 

 

_ . __

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

Magnitude

Other

4.50ML BRK

6.00ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.50Mt BRK

4.80ML PAS

4.80ML BRK

5.60ML PAS

4.80ML BRK

5.20ML BRK

5.90ML BRK

4.50ML PAS

4.60ML PAS

5.90ML PAS

4.70ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

4.60ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

3.30ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.90ML PAS

3.10ML PAS

4.70ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

SJOMt PAS

S.lOMt PAS

4.60ML PAS

4.60ML BRK

4.70Mt BRK

4.70ML PAS

5.50ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.60ML PAS

4.80ML BRK

4.80ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

4.70ML PAS

4.70ML PAS

5.40ML PAS

4.80ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

5.50ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

4.70ML PAS

4.70ML PAS

4.70ML PAS

4.80ML PAS

4.60ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

3.80ML PAS

4.50ML BRK

5.60ML BRK

4.80ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

_

5.25TH

4.39TH

_

4.32TH

_

_

. _

4.77TH

5.22TH

4.63TH

_ 

_

 -

__

MMI

m

vn

V

vn

IV

IV

VI

vn

Felt

IV

Felt

V

VI

IV

VI

IV

VI

VI

V

V

VI

VI

IV

VI

VI

V

__

IV

VI

V

Felt

VI

Felt

vm

IV

IV

VI

VI

V

Felt

VI

Felt

vn

IV

Ref

259

21

21

21

259

259

22

22

324

259

259

22

22

259

22

259

22

22

259

259

22

22

22

23

23

23

_

259

23

259

23

23

23

23

259

259

259

23

23

23

23

23

23

24

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

104

9&

77

52&

82*

21&

1&

1&

2

33 #

15 #

. _ .

6&

10

_

_

32#

44*

26&

_

80
86 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1951 01

1951 01

1951 02

1951 02

1951 04

1951 06

1951 07

1951 08

1951 10

1951 10

1951 11

1951 11

1951 12

1951 12

1951 12

1952 02

1952 02

1952 02

1952 05

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

Da

24

25

15

15

01

25

29

06

08

31

13

14

05

26

28

09

13

17

06

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

21

22

22

22

22

22

23

23

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

07 17 02.6

210018

104759.0

104957.0

192108

194541.7

105345.0

090502

04 10 35.0

205819

112442

08 39 53

15 53 14.0

004654.0

02 49 27.0

08 43 30.9

15 13 37.0

12 36 58.3

17 21 10

11 52 14.0

1154

1155

1157

1158

1159

1202

120531.0

1206

1207

1210

1212

12 19 36.0

1222

1225

1240

1308

1313

132512.0

1359

15 13 58.0

1553

1638

174244.0

1800

18 23 38.0

194122.0

23 53 28.0

01 41 02.0

08 47 34.0

091025.0

13 31 43.0

22 31 33.0

00 38 32.0

004738.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

32.983N

37.750N

33.483N

33.483N

40.467N

35.772N

36.583N

36.617N

40.283N

36.900N

40.4 N

40.433N

33.100N

32.8 17N

37.567N

36.607N

32.867N

33.997N

41.9 N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

34.950N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.000N

35.183N

35.000N

35.000N

35.233N

35.000N

35.300N

35.133N

34.983N

35.133N

35.083N

35.233N

35.000N

35.033N

35.366N

35.367N

Longitude 

(°)

115.733W

122.183W

116.500W

116.500W

125.300W

117.948W

121.183W

121.217W

124.800W

121.417W

125.3 W

124.050W

115.400W

118.350W

118.583W

117.905W

118.250W

117.270W

124.6 W

119.017W

119.033W

119.033W

119.033W

119.033W

119.033W

119.033W

119.000W

119.000W

119.000W

119.000W

119.000W

118.867W

119.000W

119.000W

119.000W

119.000W

119.000W

119.000W

119.000W

118.650W

119.000W

119.000W

118.533W

119.000W

118.533W

118.767W

119.033W

118.517W

118.750W

118.600W

119.000W

118.933W

118.583W

118.583W

Depth 

(km)

016

016

016

012

__

016

016

016

008

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

__

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

Ref

292

324

292

292

324

292

324

324

324

324

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

Magnitude

USQS Other 

nib MS

 5.60ML PAS

 2.90ML BRK

 4.80ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 5.80ML BRK

_ _ 4.80ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

_ _ 4.70ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 5.90ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

_ _ 4.10ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ __ 4.70ML BRK

 7.20ML BLT

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.60ML PAS

 _ 6.40ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

_ _ 4.90ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 4.90ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

_ __ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

_ __ 4.50ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 6.10ML PAS

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

-

__

 .

_

 .

.

7.48HK

_ _

_ _

 -

6.27HK

^_

_

___

__

__

4.3 1TH

. 

4.20TH

4.70TH

4.56TH

4.62TH

4.69TH

5.70HHT

MMI

vn

VI

V

V

m

V

VI

VI

vn

V

V

VI

vn

VI

V

VI

IV

IV

IV

XI

Felt

Felt

Felt

V

__

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

^_

Felt

Felt

_ 

__

VI

V

_ _

V

__

IV

V

VI

Ref

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

24

25

25

25

259

25

25

25

25

25

_

25

25

25

25

_

25

25

_ 

. 

25

25

__

25

^_

25

25

25

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

56*

18 &

18 &

30&

6&

28 &

6&

8&

15+

35 &

33

_

353&

__

_

__

_

 .

__

^_

__

.^
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 87

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 07

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 08

1952 09

1952 09

1952 09

1952 09

1952 09

1952 11

1952 11

1953 02

1953 03

1953 04

1953 05

1953 05

1953 06

1953 06

1953 10

1953 11

1953 12

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

23

24

25

25

25

25

26

29

29

29

29

31

31

31

01

01

07

10

13

13

18

19

22

23

25

30

02

02

12

15

22

07

22

23

22

29

25

25

14

14

07

24

15

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

03 19 23.0

034928.0

040140.0

054603.0

07 37 00.0

07 53 19.0

13 17 05.0

16 18 38.0

16 48 53.0

17 22 24.0

18 13 51.0

050249.6

131308.3

190944.6

194323.7

200606.1

224103.0

07 03 47.0

08 01 46.0

15 49 50.0

19 51 32.0

120909.0

171908.0

19 53 14.0

03 16 11.6

130430.0

163151.0

12 23 18.0

042940.6

173925.0

044010.0

19 12 26.0

224124.0

100907.1

062026.0

045559.8

124132.0

204556.0

10 35 25.0

044013.2

11 41 25

08 55 35.0

07 46 36.0

074251

051900

124745.0

032401.0

040759

04 17 29.9

04 29 58.0

14 59 21.0

054606.0

124436.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

35.367N

35.283N

35.367N

35.383N

35.283N

35.000N

35.217N

35.333N

35.333N

35.335N

35.000N

35.340N

35.3 ION

35.317N

35.3 15N

35.298N

35.183N

35.383N

35.400N

35.183N

35.333N

35.333N

35.283N

35.333N

35.283N

34.900N

35.033N

35.288N

35.293N

35.150N

35.033N

35.050N

35.333N

34.520N

35.100N

35.315N

35.133N

34.967N

35.000N

35.3 17N

40.200N

35.000N

35.768N

41.500N

38.8 17N

35.000N

35.000N

39.3 N

32.950N

32.950N

35.033N

35.883N

35.217N

Longitude 

(°)

118.583W

118.550W

118.583W

118.567W

118.550W

118.833W

118.817W

118.600W

118.600W

118.475W

118.833W

118.473W

118.498W

118.495W

118.515W

118.435W

118.600W

118.850W

118.817W

118.600W

118.917W

118.600W

118.583W

118.917W

118.550W

118.950W

119.050W

118.412W

118.400W

118.683W

119.050W

119.233W

118.917W

118.198W

118.967W

118.482W

118.700W

119.000W

119.050W

118.487W

124.417W

119.083W

121.145W

125.133W

119.983W

118.733W

119.017W

123.3 W

115.717W

115.717W

118.850W

116.967W

118.817W

Depth 

(km)

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

007

016

002

003

006

Oil

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

004

014

016

016

016

016

013

016

005

016

016

016

004

016

010

__

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

Ref

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

292

476

324

324

292

292

324

292

292

292

292

292

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

_ __ 5.40ML PAS

 5.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 5.70ML PAS

 5.70ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

__ 4.60ML PAS

 6.10ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

_ __ 4.90ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.80ML PAS

__ __ 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

_ _ 4.90ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 5.80ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

__ _ 4.90ML PAS

 5.20ML BRK

_ 4.60ML PAS

 6.00ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 3.20ML BRK

 5.50ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 4.90ML PAS

 4.90ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

4.79TH

__

4.42TH

5.23TH

5.76TH

__

5.76TH

5.94TH

6.27HK

__

5.48TH

._

__

_

5.78TH

4.85TH

 _

 _

__

. 

__

^_

. 

__

 -

MMI

V

__

vn

vn

_

m

VI

Felt

VI

VI

IV

vn

V

Felt

VI

IV

V

V

Felt

VI

IV

V

vm

VI

V

V

V

V

V

vn

V

vn

__

V

IV

V

VI

vn

V

V

IV

V

Ref

25

_

25

25

__

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

^_

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

26

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

. _

_ _

_

 .

_

120&

60&

_

10&

82&

_

30#
88 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1954 01 12

1954 01 27

1954 02 10

1954 02 12

1954 02 24

1954 03 19

1954 03 19

1954 03 19

1954 03 19

1954 03 19

1954 03 19

1954 03 20

1954 03 23

1954 04 22

1954 04 25

1954 05 23

1954 08 26

1954 10 30

1954 11 10

1954 11 25

1954 12 07

1954 12 17

1954 12 21

1954 12 30

1955 02 11

1955 03 02

1955 04 29

1955 05 07

1955 05 28

1955 08 08

1955 08 27

1955 09 05

1955 10 24

1955 11 02

1955 12 17

1955 12 17

1956 01 03

1956 02 07

1956 02 09

1956 03 10

1956 03 16

1956 04 05

1956 05 11

1956 07 09

1956 07 23

1956 10 11

1956 10 11

1956 10 11

1956 11 16

1957 01 24

1957 01 29

1957 02 01

1957 03 18

1957 03 22

1957 03 23

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

23 33 49.0

14 19 48.0

23 58 38.0

09 44 28.0

223022.0

09 54 29.0

09 55 56.0

09 57 07.0

10 15 22.0

10 19 57.0

102117.0

04 19 19.0

04 14 50.0

18 50 13

20 33 28

235243.0

13 48 03.0

020243.0

180721

11 16 35

043236

070858

19 56 24.4

09 16 13.0

194431.5

155901

15 14 38

11 50 39

194420.0

03 21 50.5

070026

020118

041044

194006

060729.0

06 52 03.0

00 25 48.9

03 16 38.6

14 32 38.0

05 56 14

202933.6

042913

16 30 50.5

02 21 55

080348

164850

17 18 19

172230

03 23 09.0

205449.9

211953

07 52 15.4

18 56 28.0

194421

081348

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

35.000N

35.150N

34.933N

33.333N

35.067N

33.283N

33.283N

33.283N

33.283N

33.283N

33.283N

33.283N

33.283N

36.900N

36.933N

34.983N

33.917N

34.033N

39.067N

40.267N

40.5 N

37.717N

40.783N

40.783N

35.320N

36.000N

38.950N

38.933N

35.533N

35.395N

40.383N

37.367N

37.967N

36.000N

33.000N

33.000N

33.725N

34.587N

31.750N

40.300N

34.307N

38.533N

34.230N

42.0 N

36.3 N

40.667N

40.750N

40.7 N

35.950N

33.110N

35.867N

33.985N

34.118N

37.667N

37.700N

Longitude 

(°)

119.017W

118.633W

119.067W

116.433W

119.067W

116.183W

116.183W

116.183W

116.183W

116.183W

116.183W

116.183W

116.183W

121.683W

121.683W

118.983W

119.500W

115.550W

123.033W

125.633W

126.0 W

122.133W

124.167W

123.867W

118.493W

120.933W

122.767W

122.867W

118.263W

118.620W

124.500W

121.783W

122.050W

120.922W

115.500W

115.500W

117.498W

118.613W

115.917W

124.233W

116.758W

122.517W

116.795W

122.4 W

121.3 W

125.767W

125.800W

125.8 W

120.467W

116.523W

122.117W

116.340W

119.220W

122.483W

122.517W

Depth 

(km)

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

016

. 

016

016

016

___

000

015

__

012

004

_ ^^

016

016

014

003

016

001

013

__

004

»

Oil

014

Ref

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

292

292

292

324

324

324

324

480

324

292

324

324

324

292

292

324

324

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

324

292

324

292

324

324

324

324

324

324

292

324

292

324

324

324

Magnitude

USGS Other

(Tib MS

 5.90ML

 5.00ML

 4.50ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 6.20ML

 5.00Mt

 4.60ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 5.50ML

_ _ 4.90ML

 5.10ML

 4.30ML

 5.30ML

 5.10ML

 4.80ML

 _ 4.60ML

 __ 4.40ML

 6.10ML

__ _ 4.60ML

 4.50ML

 6.50ML

__ _ 4.70ML

 4.50ML

 4.80ML

 3.60ML

 4.60ML

 4.50ML

 _ 4.70ML

 4.50ML

 5.50ML

 5.40ML

 5.20ML

 5.40ML

_ _ 4.60ML

 4.70ML

 _ 4.60ML

 6.80ML

 4.50ML

_ _ 4.80ML

__ _ 4.40ML

_ _ 4.70ML

 _ 4.90Mt

 4.70ML

 6.00ML

 4.80ML

 4.80ML

 5.00ML

_ _ 4.60ML

_ _ 4.90ML

_ __ 4.60ML

 __ 4.70ML

 5.30ML

 4.20ML

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

BRK

BRK

PAS

PAS

PAS

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

PAS

BRK

BRK

BRK

PAS

PAS

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

PAS

BRK

PAS

BRK

PAS

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

PAS

BRK

PAS

PAS

BRK

BRK

Moment 

M

5.63TH

4.84TH

6.35HK

5.20TH

4.80TH

__

4.78TH

. _

_

_

_^

__

4.52TH

6.51HHT

4.54TH

_ _

4.69TH

__

Intensity

MMI

vn

V

V

IV

IV

VI

Felt

Felt

Felt

V

VI

vm

IV

VI

IV

VI

V

VI

vn

VI

IV

VI

VI

VI

V

V

m

vn

vn

VI

vn

Felt

VI

V

VI

V

V

VI

V

V

V

Felt

Felt

VI

V

V

V

VI

vn

VI

Ref

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

28

28

28

28

28

28

28

28

28

28

28

259

29

29

29

29

259

29

29

29

29

29

29

29

30

30

30

30

30

30

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

100&

31

104*

__

6&

35 &

32&

15&

6

23 &

12&

130&

25&

2

5

15

_

45&

31&

18 &

23+

_ _

23 &

8&

86*

6&

21&

12&

23 &

10&

9&

21&

15&

13&

8&

6&

31&

9&
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 89

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo

1957 04

1957 04

1957 05

1957 06

1957 09

1957 09

1957 10

1958 05

1958 07

1958 09

1958 10

1958 10

1958 12

1958 12

1959 01

1959 03

1959 04

1959 04

1959 05

1959 06

1959 06

1959 06

1959 07

1959 07

1959 08

1959 10

1959 10

1959 10

1959 12

1959 12

1959 12

1960 01

1960 06

1960 06

1960 07

1960 08

1960 12

1960 12

1961 01

1961 02

1961 02

1961 04

1961 04

1961 04

1961 04

1961 07

1961 08

1961 09

1961 10

1961 10

1961 11

1962 02

1962 03

1962 04

1962 04

Da

25

25

26

21

03

28

31

24

14

21

01

10

01

11

05

02

01

06

26

01

14

18

01

24

04

01

24

31

05

22

29

20

05

06

01

09

27

27

28

02

02

06

09

09

29

31

23

12

19

20

15

01

05

13

14

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

21 57 38.7

22 24 12.0

15 59 33.6

004125

16 38 41

210439

024746

230447

05 25 55.3

072455

21 42 11

130516

03 21 18.0

095227

123603.3

23 27 17

181830

060822

15 58 01

16 35 36.0

01 26 32

002940

23 49 23.4

012309

07 36 59.0

043535

15 35 15.3

194214

081342

02 38 57

02 32 53

03 25 53.0

07 47 07.0

01 17 45.5

22 13 44.6

073918

10 35 26

110844

08 12 46.2

000416.0

000742.0

040445

07 23 16

07 25 41.0

091930

000708

010047.8

19 18 45.5

05 09 43.9

194950.5

05 38 55.5

06 37 57.0

205746

153851.9

07 53 14.7

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

33.217N

33.183N

33.232N

37.700N

41.533N

36.600N

39.183N

40.300N

34.348N

36.350N

39.567N

35.933N

32.250N

37.700N

36.148N

36.983N

39.717N

39.3 N

36.7 17N

32.717N

39.667N

37.550N

35.185N

41.133N

37.350N

34.455N

35.745N

41.3 N

40.300N

40.267N

36.900N

36.783N

37.5 17N

40.84 N

35.147N

40.3 17N

41.517N

41.500N

35.778N

37.450N

37.4 17N

40.183N

36.683N

36.683N

40.417N

35.8 17N

33.050N

32.567N

35.832N

33.653N

34.942N

34.883N

40.3 N

38.222N

40.268N

Longitude 

(°)

115.808W

115.850W

116.005W

119.283W

125.583W

121.233W

123.683W

124.050W

119.492W

121.117W

120.300W

120.500W

115.750W

122.567W

118.025W

121.600W

120.200W

123.2 W

121.617W

116.033W

120.550W

118.567W

119.100W

125.300W

118.550W

120.522W

118.023W

125.5 W

125.417W

124.517W

121.483W

121.433W

118.733W

124.91 W

117.132W

127.067W

125.050W

125.000W

118.048W

118.633W

118.667W

124.750W

121.300W

121.300W

127.450W

120.367W

116.238W

115.452W

117.762W

117.993W

118.987W

120.683W

125.5 W

119.455W

125.310W

Depth 

(km)

000

016

015

mtfum .

016

__

016

003

_

016

_ ,

009

016

014

007

 _ _

016

000

008

_^

006

016

016

_ 

012

012

005

Oil

016

006

Ref

292

292

292

324

324

324

324

324

292

324

324

324

292

324

292

324

324

324

324

292

324

324

292

324

292

292

292

324

324

324

324

324

292

480

292

324

324

324

292

292

292

324

324

324

324

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

324

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

 5.20ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

_ _ 4.70ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 _ 4.70ML PAS

_ _ 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

_ _ 4.50ML BRK

 5.80ML PAS

 4.70ML BRK

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 5.30ML BRK

 5.60ML BRK

 3.60ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

_ _ 4.60ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

_ _ 4.70ML PAS

 5.80ML BRK

 5.20ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.20ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 _ 4.70ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

 5.20ML PAS

 5.70ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 6.20ML BRK

 5.40ML BRK

_ _ 4.70ML BRK

 5.30ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

 5.10ML BRK

 5.60ML BRK

 5.50ML BRK

 5.50ML BRK

_ _ 4.70ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 4.30ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

_ _ 4.50ML PAS

_ _ 4.60ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 5.40ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

^_

^_

_

4.52TH

 .

_

4.25TH

4.54TH

__

^_

4.90TH

__

__

__

4.58WYS

_

MMI

vn

Felt

IV

V

IV

V

V

V

VI

VI

V

VI

VI

V

VI

vn

VI

VI

V

V

V

IV

V

V

VI

V

V

VI

VI

V

VI

V

V

VI

V

V

V

vn

vn

V

V

IV

VI

VI

VI

V

IV

V

Ref

30

30

259

30

30

30

259

31

31

31

31

31

31

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

32

259

32

32

32

32

33

259

33

33

33

34

34

34

259

34

38

34

34

259

34

34

34

35

259

35

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

31&

18 #

_ _

6&

9&

13&

13

9&

39#

17 &

27&

85

3

12&

12

8

15

31

12&

5&

8&

13&

28 &

12

21&

17&

52

35

35

9&

35&

13&

9&

10#

31

3&

26&

8&

2&

19
90 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2 . Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1962 04 15

1962 04 27

1962 06 06

1962 07 14

1962 08 23

1962 09 04

1962 09 16

1962 10 14

1962 10 29

1963 03 01

1963 05 22

1963 05 23

1963 05 23

1963 06 07

1963 07 08

1963 07 30

1963 09 14

1963 09 14

1963 09 23

1963 12 06

1964 01 06

1964 02 26

1964 03 03

1964 06 11

1964 06 21

1964 11 16

1964 12 22

1965 01 01

1965 02 12

1965 04 15

1965 06 03

1965 06 16

1965 07 16

1965 08 26

1965 09 10

1965 09 16

1965 09 19

1965 09 22

1965 09 25

1965 09 25

1965 09 26

1965 10 17

1965 11 12

1966 04 10

1966 05 13

1966 05 24

1966 06 28

1966 06 28

1966 06 28

1966 06 29

1966 08 07

1966 09 12

1966 09 12

1966 09 14

1966 09 14

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

08 41 02.3

091232.1

175007.2

194346.2

19 29 14.8

17 17 26.0

05 36 16.0

101428.1

02 42 53.9

002557.9

22 41 04.8

090604.7

155301.8

12 04 42.2

04 19 08.4

06 34 57.3

19 46 17.0

202811.2

144152.6

08 34 21.5

23 47 12.8

203251.4

200233

22 18 12

15 32 51.8

024641.7

20 54 33.2

08 04 18.0

10 50 18.0

200833.3

16 26 29.0

024206.1

07 46 22.4

13 38 14.0

21 28 34.3

041023.4

15 42 07.8

214925.9

174344.1

17 48 02.4

070001.8

09 45 19.0

235509.8

22 27 00.9

17 25 55.9

034955.1

040856.2

042613.4

04 28 36.0

19 53 25.9

17 36 27.3

16 41 02.6

17 20 11

220028

224028

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

36.4 15N

33.738N

39.116N

40.427N

41.84 N

41.01 N

35.755N

38.680N

34.325N

34.932N

37.272N

32.982N

33.027N

37.975N

40.800N

34.153N

36.890N

36.925N

33.7 ION

37.648N

34.380N

40.308N

40.3 N

40.7 N

32.692N

37.055N

31.8 ION

34.140N

40.3 N

34.132N

38.3 N

33.055N

34.485N

33.233N

38.010N

40.39 N

35.987N

37.4 17N

34.713N

34.7 13N

34.713N

33.975N

33.980N

41.3 N

36.917N

39.783N

35.960N

35.955N

35.950N

35.943N

31.7 N

39.438N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

Longitude 

(°)

120.617W

117.187W

123.097W

125.512W

124.39 W

124.21 W

118.043W

124.028W

116.865W

118.975W

122.318W

115.565W

115.682W

122.048W

125.800W

116.210W

121.597W

121.618W

116.925W

118.397W

116.475W

124.892W

125.3 W

127.0 W

117.162W

121.692W

117.130W

117.515W

124.9 W

117.427W

119.2 W

115.620W

118.522W

116.087W

121.823W

125.60 W

120.038W

118.478W

116.503W

116.475W

116.027W

116.775W

118.392W

125.6 W

121.567W

121.770W

120.505W

120.498W

120.500W

120.525W

114.5 W

120.160W

120.15 W

120.15 W

120.15 W

Depth 

(km)

021

006

010

030

059

045

004

000

009

014

_

025

000

033

013

003

006

017

002

012

003

_

002

006

000

006

033

000

015

033

008

Oil

005

008

017

006

033

020

000

033

010

003

003

003

Ref

324

292

613

324

480

480

292

324

292

292

324

292

292

324

266

292

467

467

292

292

292

324

324

324

292

324

292

292

324

292

266

292

292

292

324

299

324

292

292

292

292

292

292

266

324

324

398

398

292

398

266

457

324

324

324

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MQ

__

__

__

4.7

4.7

5.4

4.3

5.3

4.4

_

4.8

5.4

5.2

5.2

5.3

5.1

4.8

4.4

4.5

4.5

4.9

5.6

4.9

5.0

__

4.8

3.7

5.0

4.6

4.5

4.9

5.3

5.0

__

5.7

4.8

4.3

4.5

 4.70ML BRK

 4.10ML PAS

 5.20ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 5.60ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 4.90ML PAS

 4.70ML BRK

 4.80ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 3.90ML BRK

 4.10ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

 5.40ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 5.00ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 5.50ML BRK

 3.70ML PAS

 5.00ML BRK

 5.60ML PAS

 4.40ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.40ML PAS

 4.00ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.90ML BRK

 5.00ML PAS

 4.80ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 4.90ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.90ML PAS

 3.00ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 5.60ML KJ

 4.50ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

 6.30ML PAS

 6.00ML BRK

 5.30ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

_

_

_ _

4.60WYS

.^

_

__

. 

__

__

3.92BAK

. _

5.52BAK

6.05BAK

5.48BAK

6.27HHT

5.90KA

MMI

IV

VI

vn

V

VI

VI

V

m

VI

V

VI

Felt

VI

VI

V

vn

Felt

VI

VI

V

V

VI

vn

VI

VI

Felt

VI

V

VI

VI

Felt

VI

IV

V

IV

vn

Felt

V

VI

VI

. 

V

VI

Felt

vn

IV

VI

vn

V

IV

IV

Ref

259

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

35

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

36

37

37

37

37

37

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

75

259

75

75

81

81

81

81

81

81

81

81

81

81

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

. _

12

19&

7&

39&

18 &

41

25&

21&

4&

10#

4&

_

13&

26#

26

12

3&

5#

31 &

23#

10&

10&

10

3

8

8&

9

12

77

40&

15

2&

2&

31

60&

115#

175 &
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 91

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1966 10 02

1966 11 26

1966 11 26

1966 12 17

1967 03 02

1967 05 21

1967 06 15

1967 06 26

1967 07 22

1967 09 07

1967 09 28

1967 11 24

1967 12 10

1967 12 10

1967 12 18

1967 12 30

1968 04 09

1968 04 09

1968 04 09

1968 04 09

1968 04 16

1968 04 25

1968 04 29

1968 05 09

1968 06 03

1968 06 26

1968 06 26

1968 06 29

1968 06 29

1968 07 05

1968 07 07

1968 12 17

1969 01 23

1969 02 07

1969 02 28

1969 04 28

1969 05 19

1969 06 07

1969 06 23

1969 06 28

1969 07 01

1969 10 02

1969 10 02

1969 10 03

1969 10 14

1969 10 22

1969 10 23

1969 10 24

1969 10 24

1969 10 27

1969 10 27

1969 10 31

1969 11 04

1969 11 05

1969 11 05

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

05 12 34.5

04 30 58.7

05 56 39.6

15 16 26.2

141248.8

144234.4

04 58 05.5

15 15 35

09 23 26.6

12 39 17.2

153836.1

135700.4

120650.3

12 33 54.2

17 24 32.0

08 04 39.4

022859.1

03 03 53.5

03 48 10.3

18 31 03.8

033029.9

19 49 45.2

002138.6

23 27 46.5

07 05 55.0

01 42 14.6

104745.0

19 12 20.2

19 13 57.0

0045 17.2

14 33 30.8

22 53 51.2

23 01 01.0

21 25 48.9

04 56 12.4

232042.9

144033.0

11 27 12

01 21 16.5

04 07 26.7

120045.6

045646.5

061957.1

13 10 10.3

13 18 42.8

225132.1

000334.4

082912.1

202642.5

105942.8

13 16 02.3

10 39 29.0

004044.8

17 54 10.7

184845.1

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

33.968N

40.3 N

40.3 N

40.38 N

36.503N

33.507N

33.997N

39.3 N

36.535N

37.035N

37.230N

40.4 N

40.5 N

40.5 N

37.010N

40.51 N

33.190N

33.113N

33.105N

33.315N

33.048N

38.477N

39.540N

41.2 N

40.4 N

40.29 N

40.2 N

34.3 N

34.267N

34.119N

34.177N

33.045N

33.887N

40.343N

34.565N

33.343N

33.348N

40.8 N

41.8 N

40.3 N

40.300N

38.467N

38.455N

37.625N

32.923N

34.77 N

34.90 N

33.292N

33.338N

36.790N

33.545N

33.430N

34.76 N

34.72 N

34.65 N

Longitude 

(°)

118.327W

125.4 W

125.3 W

125.70 W

117.632W

116.583W

117.975W

123.3 W

121.163W

121.777W

121.620W

125.1 W

124.6 W

125.0 W

121.788W

124.43 W

116.128W

116.038W

116.037W

116.305W

115.987W

122.725W

122.023W

125.7 W

124.8 W

124.67 W

124.3 W

119.7 W

119.567W

119.702W

119.755W

115.863W

116.040W

124.365W

118.113W

116.347W

116.188W

125.8 W

125.8 W

124.4 W

124.300W

122.692W

122.692W

118.925W

116.272W

121.35 W

121.30 W

119.193W

119.105W

121.393W

117.807W

119.097W

121.37 W

121.28 W

121.31 W

Depth 

(km)

002

033

033

000

010

019

010

002

008

008

017

005

015

013

003

on

005

005

013

008

008

023

033

033

000

010

002

010

006

013

008

018

013

005

020

009

003

033

039

026

010

010

010

007

010

010

013

007

007

010

Oil

010

Ref

292

266

266

299

292

292

292

324

324

324

324

74

74

74

324

299

292

292

292

292

292

324

324

74

74

480

324

74

292

292

292

292

292

324

292

292

292

324

74

74

74

399

399

292

292

299

74

292

292

324

292

292

299

299

299

Magnitude

USGS Other 

mb M8

3.9

4.6

4.4

4.7

4.7

4.7

4.3

4.2

4.0

__

4.6

5.8

4.6

5.0

4.6

6.1

5.1

4.7

4.7

4.4

4.6

5.0

4.7

4.5

5.5

5.1

5.0

5.7

4.6

4.6

4.9

5.2

4.6

5.7

4.5

4.7

4.5

4.6

5.2

5.1

4.6

4.5

5.9

5.0

5.1

4.9

4.6

4.5

4.9

4.9

5.8

5.1

 3.50ML PAS

 4.80ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.40ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.10ML PAS

 3.50ML BRK

 3.80ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 

 5.60ML BRK

 4.00ML BRK

 5.30ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 6.40ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.40ML BRK

 3.60ML BRK

 5.90ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.20ML PAS

 4.40ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 4.70ML BRK

 4.30ML PAS

 5.80ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.00ML BRK

 4.00UknBRK

 3.90ML BRK

 3.90ML BRK

4.8 5.60ML BRK

 5.70ML BRK

 4.90ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

5.2 5.40ML PAS

 4.10ML PAS

5.0 5.10ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

5.8 5.60ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

_ _

__

4.31BAK

...

4.64BAK

6.47HK

4.70TH

_ _

__

5.75THH

__

__

4.16JM

 _

_

_

MMI

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

Felt

VI

V

vn

m

VI

m

V

vn

VI

vn

IV

V

VI

VI

IV

IV

V

VI

VI

vn

V

VI

V

V

vra

vra

V

V

V

V

Felt

VI

V

IV

V

Felt

Ref

81

259

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

40

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

41

259

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

. 

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

23&

6&

4

17&

19&

15&

27&

158*

_

13&

27

13&

21 &

_

6#

13

10&

12&

78 #

17#

6&

_ _

27&

27&

__

 .

10&

12&
92 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2 . Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1969 11 09

1969 11 10

1970 01 03

1970 03 31

1970 06 07

1970 06 12

1970 06 12

1970 08 04

1970 09 12

1970 09 13

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 09

1971 02 10

1971 02 21

1971 02 21

1971 02 27

1971 03 07

1971 03 09

1971 03 31

1971 04 16

1971 09 12

1971 09 30

1971 11 20

1972 01 22

1972 02 24

1972 02 27

1972 03 01

1972 09 04

1972 09 23

1972 10 03

1972 11 14

1973 02 21

1973 03 12

1973 06 15

1973 07 14

1973 08 06

1973 08 09

1973 09 13

1973 10 03

1973 10 28

1973 11 12

1973 12 21

1974 01 06

1974 03 03

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

01 27 42.0

19 21 27.3

02 51 58.4

07 02 28.6

04 12 10.3

033004.0

160332.1

041421.4

14 30 53.0

21 1023.0

140041.8

14 01 08.0

14 01 50.0

140231.0

140244.0

140745.0

140838.0

140853.0

141021.5

141028.0

143436.1

144346.7

15 58 20.7

05 18 07.2

055052.6

07 15 11.8

00 31 39.9

01 33 40.5

15 35 16.2

145222.5

125831.7

19 32 38.0

224611.3

135904.3

02 57 19.9

155651.3

22 13 08.6

092856.7

18 04 40.9

024405.4

063002.2

02 10 13.8

144557.2

12 50 12.9

191851.7

080020.0

23 29 16.6

02 18 24.6

17 30 39.8

100727.3

220002.7

18 17 13.6

191244.0

13 55 23.0

11 37 36.8

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

34.54 N

34.6 N

37.298N

36.868N

40.3 N

37.802N

37.805N

36.647N

34.270N

40.2 N

34.412N

34.412N

34.412N

34.4 12N

34.412N

34.412N

34.4 12N

34.412N

34.362N

34.412N

34.343N

34.308N

34.335N

34.425N

34.397N

34.392N

40.4 N

34.353N

36.800N

34.285N

36.800N

41.298N

33.033N

40.300N

37.568N

36.588N

36.553N

40.5 N

36.642N

41.7 N

36.800N

40.30 N

34.099N

40.343N

41.2 N

34.436N

33.970N

40.228N

32.952N

37.190N

32.680N

37.203N

40.578N

41.050N

41.9 N

Longitude 

<°>

121.40 W

121.5 W

122.088W

121.418W

125.9 W

121.933W

122.938W

122.185W

117.540W

125.1 W

118.400W

118.400W

118.400W

118.400W

118.400W

118.400W

118.400W

118.400W

118.307W

118.400W

118.637W

118.453W

118.330W

118.413W

118.438W

118.427W

124.8 W

118.455W

122.145W

118.515W

122.183W

123.673W

115.820W

124.400W

118.367W

121.197W

121.093W

125.2 W

121.263W

125.5 W

121.533W

124.67 W

119.039W

124.102W

125.5 W

116.833W

119.478W

124.415W

116.279W

121.590W

118.077W

121.982W

124.662W

121.483W

125.4 W

Depth 

(km)

010

033

008

033

009

009

008

008

033

008

008

008

008

008

008

008

008

005

008

_

006

014

006

007

007

033

003

008

002

008

023

008

025

003

008

008

033

005

021

008

023

017

033

008

013

003

008

008

008

013

013

001

033

Ref

299

74

324

324

74

324

324

324

292

74

400

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

292

74

292

324

292

324

324

292

74

324

324

324

74

324

74

324

324

458

401

74

74

74

401

74

401

74

401

401

401

47

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

4.7

4.6

4.0

4.2

5.0

4.6

4.5

5.4

5.4

6.2

___

_

4.7

5.1

4.7

_

5.3

4.4

4.8

4.8

4.8

4.9

4.9

5.0

4.4

4.9

4.5

5.4

4.9

4.8

4.8

4.9

5.7

4.3

5.2

, T .

4.6

5.1

4.5

4.6

4.2

4.2

5.2

4.5

5.1

 4.10ML PAS

 4.00ML PAS

 3.70ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.30ML BRK

 4.20ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 5.40ML PAS

 5.40ML BRK

6.5 6.40ML KJ

 5.80ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 5.80ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

 4.90ML PAS

 5.20ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

5.1 5.20ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 5.10ML PAS

4.6 4.90ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

5.9 5.20ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

5.1 4.90ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

4.8 4.70ML BRK

5.2 5.90ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

 4.80ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

4.7 4.90ML BRK

 4.80ML PAS

 4.70ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

4.9 4.80ML BRK

 4.20ML BRK

 4.40ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

_

4.50JM

__

6.62HK

_

__

_^

4.92TH

4.60TH

4.23TH

__

_^

4.94SOM

5.21JM

4.82JM

4.87JM

5.28HK

__

4.16SOM

__

MMI

_

VI

V

IV

VI

VI

VI

vn

V

XI

_

V

__

Felt

IV

Felt

IV

IV

V

IV

V

vn

V

V

VI

V

V

VI

V

V

VI

VI

V

vn

V

V

V

VI

V

V

IV

V

V

VI

Ref

_

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

43

44

. 

 .

. _ _

44

_

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

45

45

45

45

45

45

45

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

46

47

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

3

12&

3&

14&

65&

212#

_

_

 .

__

11&

9&

16&

_^

8&

17#

18 &

. 

14&

9&

52&

10

8&

8&

8#

9&

^_

9&

3&

3
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 93

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1974 03 16

1974 03 21

1974 07 03

1974 09 21

1974 11 28

1974 12 06

1975 01 06

1975 01 12

1975 01 12

1975 01 13

1975 01 21

1975 01 23

1975 01 23

1975 01 28

1975 03 03

1975 05 13

1975 06 01

1975 06 07

1975 06 20

1975 08 01

1975 08 01

1975 08 01

1975 08 01

1975 08 01

1975 08 02

1975 08 02

1975 08 02

1975 08 03

1975 08 03

1975 08 03

1975 08 06

1975 08 08

1975 08 10

1975 08 11

1975 08 15

1975 09 09

1975 09 13

1975 09 27

1975 11 14

1975 11 15

1976 01 01

1976 01 14

1976 01 20

1976 04 08

1976 06 20

1976 08 11

1976 08 20

1976 10 17

1976 11 04

1976 11 22

1976 11 26

1976 12 23

1977 01 08

1977 02 22

1977 06 21

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

15 57 40.7

211605.3

050058.6

10 37 41.8

23 01 24.7

12 13 08.3

11 17 12.3

01 37 08.2

21 22 15.0

11 21 50.2

164734.7

170230.3

23 24 34.8

13 53 16.4

15 35 45.0

002135.7

01 38 48.8

08 46 23.2

05 48 24.0

16 27 17.8

202004.8

202012.9

2025

2029

001407.7

20 22 16.3

2059

01 03 05.8

06 35 16.5

0638

035029.9

070050.1

051640.5

06 11 36.3

22 27 51.8

024342.5

212059.8

223438.1

09 29 49.4

06 13 27.6

17 20 12.9

21 43 59.3

13 59 37.2

15 21 37.9

10 15 24.8

15 24 55.4

220553.0

05 38 11.3

104137.5

175511.5

11 19 25.2

09 38 58.4

09 38 07.5

062406.1

02 43 06.6

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

40.374N

38.612N

40.424N

33.853N

36.913N

32.708N

35.93 IN

40.328N

32.8 15N

33.8 15N

32.944N

32.949N

32.993N

40.415N

33.925N

35.000N

34.5 17N

40.538N

32.780N

39.438N

39.439N

39.439N

39.439N

39.439N

33.5 13N

39.445N

39.432N

39.488N

36.457N

36.457N

39.479N

39.502N

37.370N

39.446N

36.497N

40.916N

36.000N

39.5 UN

40.570N

34.305N

33.966N

36.108N

40.384N

34.357N

40.427N

33.482N

37.787N

34.462N

33.131N

33.933N

41.289N

41.783N

37.905N

38.480N

37.665N

Longitude Depth 

(°) (km)

124.714W

122.663W

125.136W

117.110W

121.478W

115.392W

120.534W

124.412W

117.974W

118.076W

115.492W

115.504W

115.506W

125.446W

118.302W

119.090W

116.490W

124.287W

115.433W

121.537W

121.528W

121.528W

121.528W

121.528W

116.559W

121.463W

121.466W

121.518W

120.340W

120.340W

121.524W

121.512W

119.985W

121.48 1W

120.398W

124.397W

120.558W

121.537W

124.436W

116.335W

117.897W

120.162W

125.336W

118.669W

120.568W

116.513W

121.980W

118.426W

115.623W

118.628W

125.709W

125.953W

122.183W

119.283W

121.670W

023

001

012

013

009

024

010

033

008

007

002

005

005

010

012

017

001

022

004

005

008

013

004

008

005

005

008

008

007

004

006

027

014

008

022

005

005

005

033

017

005

015

004

016

001

010

015

015

009

022

Oil

Ref

299

401

74

402

401

402

74

401

355

355

355

355

355

74

355

355

355

401

355

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

74

401

401

401

355

355

401

74

355

355

355

401

355

355

355

74

74

401

355

401

USGS 

ITIb MS

4.7

3.8

5.4

4.2

5.0

4.5

4.5

4.7

5.1

3.8

_

4.9

4.3

4.9

4.6

5.1

5.4

4.3

4.8

4.4

5.8

4.6

5.3

5.2

5.0

5.1

4.1

5.1

5.0

4.0

4.8

4.5

4.9

4.9

5.3

4.9

4.6

4.6

5.1

4.8

4.7

4.4

_

4.3

4.6

6.0

5.5

4.8

5.0

4.7

5.2

4.5

_

4.1

_

4.6

5.0

_

5.7

3.2

_

5.6

4.5

4.7

4.0

4.0

3.8

_

4.3

3.5

4.5

_

3.9

5.3

6.8

5.5

3.5

Magnitude

Other

4.50ML BRK

3.30ML BRK

5.10ML BRK

3.90ML PAS

5.20ML BRK

4.50ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

4.50ML BRK

4.80ML PAS

3.60ML PAS

3.30ML PAS

4.90ML PAS

4.10ML PAS

4.80ML BRK

3.40ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

5.00ML PAS

5.30ML BRK

4.20ML PAS

4.70ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

5.70ML BRK

4.70ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.80ML PAS

5.10ML BRK

5.20ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.90ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.70ML BRK

4.90ML BRK

4.20ML BRK

4.30ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.80ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.80ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.30ML PAS

4.90ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.50ML PAS

4.50ML BRK

4.30ML PAS

4.00ML BRK

3.90ML PAS

5.10ML PAS

4.20ML PAS

6.30ML BRK

5.10ML BRK

4.30ML BRK

4.80ML BRK

4.40ML BRK

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

 IV

 VI

_ y

 VI

 VI

 V

 V

 VI

 IV

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

_ Y

 VI

 V

 vn

 vn

 VI

 IV

_ _

6.14HBK VDI

 Felt

 Felt

4.49HB m

 Felt

 VI

 Felt

 VI

 

 IV

 IV

 VI

 V

_ Y

_ Y

 VI

 V

 VI

 IV

 VI

 VI

 IV

 VI

 V

 VI

 VI

 VI

4.93HH VI

 VI

 V

 

 VI

 V

4.14BAK VI

Ref

47

47

47

47

47

47

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

38

48

48

48

_ ,

38

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

49

39

39

39

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

18 &

_

18 &

7&

2&

14+

20

23 &

120

18

26

19

16&

6&

34

18

15

8

25+

4&

6&

7&

22

16&
94 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1977 07 12

1977 07 18

1977 08 12

1977 10 21

1977 11 14

1977 11 22

1978 03 26

1978 05 23

1978 08 01

1978 08 01

1978 08 13

1978 08 29

1978 09 04

1978 09 04

1978 09 25

1978 10 04

1978 10 04

1978 10 05

1978 10 06

1978 11 20

1979 01 01

1979 01 24

1979 02 03

1979 02 22

1979 03 15

1979 03 15

1979 03 15

1979 03 15

1979 04 07

1979 05 08

1979 06 14

1979 06 29

1979 06 30

1979 06 30

1979 08 06

1979 10 07

1979 10 08

1979 10 15

1979 10 15

1979 10 16

1979 10 16

1979 10 16

1979 10 16

1979 10 16

1979 10 16

1979 10 16

1979 10 16

1979 10 16

1979 10 17

1979 10 24

1979 11 08

1979 12 21

1980 01 24

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

01 43 28.5

21 49 28.6

021926.1

06 12 36.0

020548.3

21 15 53.9

002704.4

214202.9

090234.5

094644.6

22 54 52.8

001446.4

04 52 32.3

215453.2

021051.0

164248.6

173903.4

064130.2

21 26 34.4

065509.1

23 14 38.9

211427.2

09 58 16.0

15 57 28.8

20 17 49.3

21 07 16.5

21 34 25.5

23 07 58.0

06 18 33.0

05 11 07.7

07 39 28.3

05 53 20.3

003411.5

07 03 52.8

17 05 22.7

205441.4

03 34 24.0

231654.1

23 19 28.7

01 00 14.0

031047.8

03 39 35.0

054911.0

06 19 49.2

06 55 23.5

06 58 43.2

114656.1

23 16 32.2

22 45 33.8

15 23 50.6

043027.9

204023.4

190009.5

Hypocenter

Latitude 

C°)

40.277N

40.380N

34.380N

32.896N

32.830N

39.403N

39.233N

40.438N

41.453N

41.457N

34.397N

37.362N

38.8 18N

38.8 13N

41.062N

37.5 ION

37.535N

37.485N

40.375N

34.156N

33.948N

37.520N

40.923N

40.000N

34.305N

34.325N

34.347N

34.336N

41.987N

37.303N

35.729N

34.246N

34.245N

34.249N

37.102N

38.223N

38.205N

32.634N

32.748N

32.877N

32.95 IN

32.949N

32.941N

32.937N

32.988N

32.999N

32.913N

33.022N

33.040N

40.428N

40.323N

32.483N

37.855N

Longitude 

(°)

123.692W

125.361W

118.459W

115.505W

115.478W

123.273W

123.233W

124.850W

121.875W

121.870W

119.682W

121.737W

119.8 10W

119.815W

125.380W

118.693W

118.683W

118.664W

124.273W

116.978W

118.688W

118.593W

124.418W

120.088W

116.439W

116.444W

116.448W

116.440W

126.816W

121.683W

118.023W

116.898W

116.891W

116.896W

121.503W

119.355W

119.323W

115.324W

115.586W

115.556W

115.535W

115.550W

115.538W

115.532W

115.541W

115.569W

115.560W

115.506W

115.503W

124.703W

125.173W

115.194W

121.816W

Depth 

(km)

020

015

010

005

004

018

010

020

002

002

013

008

018

019

005

005

007

Oil

020

015

010

010

022

005

000

001

000

002

015

006

005

009

010

010

006

009

009

010

005

005

004

005

005

002

004

001

005

003

002

024

005

005

012

Ref

401

74

355

355

355

401

613

401

401

401

468

401

401

401

401

355

355

355

401

355

474

401

401

401

355

355

355

355

74

401

355

472

472

472

401

355

355

355

355

355

355

355

355

355

355

355

355

355

355

401

401

355

466

Magnitude

USGS Other 

mb MS

5.0

4.8

4.1

3.7

5.0

5.2

4.9

4.4

4.5

4.3

5.5

3.9

4.7

4.6

5.4

5.0

4.8

4.0

5.1

5.2

5.0

5.0

5.5

4.5

5.5

4.3

4.2

4.1

4.6

4.0

5.4

4.1

5.7

4.3

4.5

4.4

4.9

4.8

4.3

5.2

4.5

5.4

4.8

4.8

4.7

4.5

5.3

3.8 4.10ML BRK

3.9 4.70ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.10ML PAS

 4.10ML PAS

 4.80ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

5.1 4.50ML BRK

5.6 5.10ML PAS

 4.10ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 5.30ML BRK

4.3 4.60ML BRK

5.1 5.70Mt PAS

 5.30ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

4.2 4.60ML BRK

 4.30ML PAS

4.7 4.80ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

4.6 5.20ML BRK

4.6 5.30ML BRK

4.9 5.00ML PAS

5.6 5.30ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

4.4 4.90ML PAS

5.3 5.00ML BRK

4.0 4.80ML BRK

 4.60ML PAS

 4.60ML WK

 4.90ML WK

 4.50ML WK

5.7 5.90ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

6.9 6.40ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 5.10ML PAS

5.4 5.10ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

5.7 5.50ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

4.8 5.00ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

3.7 4.50ML BRK

 4.80ML PAS

5.9 5.80ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

_

5.79ED

5.45ED

_ _

5.52ED

5.62ED

__

5.78ED

__

6.49ED

5.03FRK

__

5.16ED

4.96ED

___

5.77BMU

MMI

V

VI

VI

VI

vn

VI

IV

V

Felt

vn

VI

V

VI

VI

Felt

V

VI

VI

IV

vn

VI

Felt

vn

Felt

Felt

VI

VI

VI

VI

Felt

vn

IV

Felt

DC

_

VI

Felt

IV

_

VI

vn

Ref

39

39

39

39

39

240

240

240

401

240

240

240

240

240

355

240

240

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

262

_

262

262

262

262

300

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

7&

15&

8&

25&

13&

16

45

105

12&

21&

28

11&

46

77

10&

4

13

20

63 &

15

128#

__

10+

75 &
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 95

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1980 01 24

1980 01 24

1980 01 25

1980 01 27

1980 02 25

1980 03 03

1980 04 13

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 25

1980 05 26

1980 05 26

1980 05 26

1980 05 26

1980 05 26

1980 05 26

1980 05 26

1980 05 26

1980 05 26

1980 05 27

1980 05 27

1980 05 28

1980 05 28

1980 05 29

1980 05 31

1980 05 31

1980 06 01

1980 06 11

1980 06 29

1980 08 01

1980 08 01

1980 09 24

1980 10 31

1980 11 08

1980 11 08

1980 11 08

1980 11 08

1980 11 08

1980 11 08

1980 11 08

1980 11 08

1980 11 09

1980 11 10

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

190102.2

190320.0

05 24 36.5

02 33 36.0

104738.5

14 17 01.0

06 15 56.3

16 33 44.2

164926.2

170624.4

17 08 28.3

17 48 30.0

18 34 14.4

190433.9

194451.0

202325.5

20 35 48.0

20 38 38.5

205922.6

005702.3

011902.2

05 56 26.3

102031.1

122425.1

14 37 30.8

162021.6

18 57 55.9

192409.4

14 50 56.6

190107.9

05 16 23.0

05 48 29.5

03 38 48.5

00 58 17.3

15 16 11.4

064736.0

044058.5

07 46 13.5

16 38 55.9

164854.6

08 08 38.6

12 55 36.6

102734.0

104732.9

105118.4

11 20 38.7

16 52 29.0

171440.0

224752.8

23 07 06.3

040908.8

235927.1

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

37.837N

37.837N

37.884N

37.737N

33.496N

40.450N

36.772N

37.590N

37.622N

37.533N

37.593N

37.593N

37.542N

37.542N

37.545N

37.617N

37.607N

37.632N

37.568N

37.572N

37.573N

37.568N

37.605N

37.567N

37.537N

37.547N

37.542N

37.513N

37.492N

37.592N

37.573N

37.618N

34.975N

37.492N

37.598N

37.468N

37.542N

38.005N

37.548N

37.547N

36.243N

32.660N

41.117N

40.357N

40.269N

40.247N

40.425N

40.450N

40.648N

40.448N

40.501N

40.562N

Longitude 

(°)

121.802W

121.849W

121.833W

121.740W

116.5 13W

125.267W

121.520W

118.847W

118.902W

118.930W

118.847W

118.893W

118.907W

118.900W

118.842W

118.887W

118.858W

118.858W

118.8 18W

118.943W

118.948W

118.897W

118.8 10W

118.883W

118.882W

118.912W

118.890W

118.878W

118.830W

118.787W

118.900W

118.873W

120.714W

118.860W

118.792W

118.853W

118.892W

118.688W

118.893W

118.883W

120.165W

115.579W

124.253W

125.205W

125.441W

124.742W

125.459W

125.602W

125.262W

125.682W

125.343W

125.669W

Depth 

(km)

Oil

018

008

015

015

005

007

008

001

005

016

004

004

005

013

005

005

005

008

001

007

007

008

007

008

005

008

007

016

006

004

006

006

009

008

008

008

005

008

013

008

003

019

015

015

015

015

008

021

008

015

013

Ref

466

466

466

466

355

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

355

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

355

74

74

74

74

74

401

401

401

74

74

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

. _

4.2

5.0

5.1

5.0

4.5

6.1

5.5

4.2

3.9

4.1

5.5

5.2

-

4.2

4.2

4.4

4.0

4.0

4.7

4.1

4.7

5.0

__

5.7

4.3

4.1

4.0

_ _

4.1

4.1

3.7

3.9

4.2

4.7

4.2

4.8

4.2

6.2

4.8

4.7

5.0

4.4

4.3

4.6

4.6

5.0

4.8

 5.10ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

5.0 5.40ML BRK

4.7 5.50ML PAS

5.2 5.10ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

6.1 6.10ML BRK

 6.00ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60Mt BRK

 4.50ML BRK

5.8 6.10ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

5.3 5.70ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.80Mt BRK

 5.70ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

6.0 6.20ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

5.0 5.40ML BRK

 4.60Mt BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60Mt PAS

7.2 6.90ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

4.3 4.90ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

4.2 5.00ML BRK

5.0 4.80ML BRK

4.3 5.40ML BRK

3.1 4.80ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

^_

4.12BAK

5.36BMU

4.88FRK

6.2 1ED

__

5.90ED

__

__

5.86ED

4.54ARC

4.61ARC

_

4.36ARC

4.71 ARC

3.99ARC

7.24ED

__

MMI

Felt

Felt

IV

vu

VI

IV

V

vn

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

vn

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

IV

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

VI

Felt

Felt

Felt

V

Felt

IV

Felt

V

VI

V

V

VI

vn

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Ref

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

25&

46#

20&

272

_

224

 .

_ .

240

27&

40

5+

97&

_
96 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1980 11 28

1980 12 24

1981 01 07

1981 01 15

1981 03 03

1981 03 15

1981 04 19

1981 04 26

1981 05 26

1981 07 02

1981 07 17

1981 09 04

1981 09 16

1981 09 30

1981 09 30

1981 10 23

1981 10 23

1981 11 10

1982 01 13

1982 02 06

1982 03 07

1982 03 22

1982 06 15

1982 08 10

1982 08 11

1982 08 18

1982 10 01

1982 10 25

1982 12 16

1983 01 07

1983 01 07

1983 01 25

1983 05 02

1983 05 02

1983 05 03

1983 05 03

1983 05 03

1983 05 03

1983 05 03

1983 05 04

1983 05 05

1983 05 09

1983 05 09

1983 05 12

1983 05 24

1983 05 29

1983 06 11

1983 06 29

1983 07 03

1983 07 05

1983 07 09

1983 07 13

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

18 21 12.9

15 48 33.6

114233.1

124751.6

1045 12.9

060745.9

090250.4

120928.4

11 41 10.2

081054.0

16 37 32.6

15 50 50.4

124114.2

11 53 26.9

130548.4

17 28 16.8

19 15 52.3

22 34 35.4

12 26 25.8

120203.6

205100.3

08 53 28.6

234921.3

02 11 29.8

074643.2

08 43 49.8

142902.5

222604.3

065301.3

01 38 10.9

03 24 19.4

101041.2

234238.1

234606.0

00 17 59.0

00 57 44.2

01 41 46.0

08 55 02.0

154141.6

07 28 40.4

102044.1

024911.5

03 26 37.4

134106.8

090217.7

065533.1

03 09 52.2

08 08 35.7

184008.2

14 27 26.7

074051.3

21 1648.5

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

39.262N

37.577N

36.857N

37.378N

37.557N

40.393N

35.851N

33.098N

40.380N

41.103N

40.20 N

33.661N

40.31 N

37.588N

37.648N

33.626N

33.619N

35.024N

40.419N

41.003N

35.740N

33.058N

33.558N

36.592N

36.630N

37.017N

35.731N

36.325N

40.498N

37.640N

37.635N

37.505N

36.233N

36.225N

36.210N

36.270N

36.142N

36.144N

36.235N

36.263N

36.285N

36.246N

36.240N

36.167N

36.254N

40.457N

36.255N

32.588N

37.550N

38.070N

36.25 IN

33.208N

Longitude 

(°)

120.467W

118.867W

121.623W

121.723W

121.937W

125.160W

117.842W

115.618W

124.353W

124.218W

124.25 W

119.091W

124.61 W

118.887W

118.865W

119.019W

119.015W

119.138W

125. 101 W

125.008W

117.763W

116.211W

116.660W

121.242W

121.305W

121.733W

1 17.75 1W

120.502W

124.257W

118.898W

118.988W

118.900W

120.309W

120.295W

120.326W

120.315W

120.219W

120.267W

120.302W

120.335W

120.368W

120.299W

120.299W

120.268W

120.333W

125.444W

120.450W

117.43 1W

118.862W

119.018W

120.400W

115.530W

Depth 

(km)

010

016

007

009

010

008

003

002

021

024

013

005

025

005

005

014

012

002

010

004

005

005

012

007

009

Oil

009

Oil

018

007

007

002

010

008

008

008

007

010

008

005

Oil

012

012

Oil

009

010

002

006

009

010

009

012

Ref

401

401

401

401

401

401

355

355

401

74

401

355

401

355

355

355

355

355

74

401

355

355

355

401

401

401

355

401

401

401

401

401

360

401

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

74

360

355

401

401

360

360

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

4.9

4.2

4.3

4.8

4.2

4.5

4.4

5.5

4.3

4.4

4.9

5.4

4.8

5.6

4.7

4.7

4.6

4.7

4.9

5.1

4.7

4.4

4.5

3.9

4.6

4.3

4.9

5.3

4.8

5.1

5.1

4.4

6.2

5.5

4.8

5.1

4.3

4.4

4.7

4.7

4.5

5.1

4.7

4.2

4.6

5.1

5.3

4.4

4.8

4.6

5.3

4.3

 5.10ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

4.0 4.80ML BRK

4.0 4.40ML BRK

4.5 4.70ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

6.0 5.60ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

3.5 4.50ML BRK

4.1 4.60ML BRK

5.9 5.30ML BRK

3.9 4.70ML BRK

5.8 6.00ML PAS

 5.30ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

 4.80ML PAS

5.1 4.80ML BRK

5.1 5.20ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.90ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.90Mt PAS

5.2 5.40ML PAS

4.5 4.40ML BRK

5.0 5.40ML BRK

5.0 5.30ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

6.5 6.70ML BRK

 5.60ML BRK

 4.40ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.54ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

4.6 4.70ML BRK

 4.61ML BRK

4.7 5.20ML BRK

 4.60ML GM

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

5.1 5.40ML BRK

5.4 5.10ML BRK

 4.60ML PAS

 5.30ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

4.9 5.30ML BRK

 4.10ML PAS

Intensity

Moment 

M

5.91ED

. _

5.85ED

5.64ED

__

4.64FRK

4.79ED

_

6.19GS

4.60BRK

4.87BRK

4.34BRK

4.40BRK

4.84BRK

4.69BRK

4.46BRK

4.49BRK

4.60BRK

_ .

5.28BRK

5.03BRK

5.15BRK

MMI

VI

V

V

V

VI

m

V

vn

IV

V

VI

VI

V

VI

V

V

IV

V

Felt

IV

V

IV

V

IV

V

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

Felt

vm

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

__

VI

Felt

Felt

V

m

VI

V

V

V

V

VI

Ref

300

300

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

325

350

350

350

350

350

350

350

350

350

350

350

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

^_

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

36

17&

19

5&

__

73#

8&

33&

8&

92

92

6&

6&

24&

_

26

9&

29

93 &

8&

76

59

. 

205 &

__

 

_

110&

23

__

19#

39

59
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 97

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1983 07 22

1983 07 22

1983 07 25

1983 08 24

1983 08 29

1983 09 09

1983 09 11

1983 09 30

1983 10 21

1983 11 11

1983 12 20

1984 01 23

1984 01 23

1984 02 27

1984 02 28

1984 04 24

1984 04 28

1984 08 04

1984 09 10

1984 09 20

1984 10 10

1984 10 25

1984 10 26

1984 11 23

1984 11 23

1984 11 25

1984 11 26

1984 11 26

1984 11 28

1984 11 28

1985 01 24

1985 02 08

1985 03 25

1985 05 04

1985 08 04

1985 08 04

1985 08 22

1985 08 27

1985 10 02

1985 11 28

1986 01 14

1986 01 26

1986 02 11

1986 03 31

1986 05 31

1986 07 08

1986 07 13

1986 07 13

1986 07 20

1986 07 20

1986 07 21

1986 07 21

1986 07 21

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

023954.1

03 43 01.4

22 31 39.6

13 36 30.5

10 10 30.9

09 16 13.5

11 48 06.6

161400.9

224413.3

120743.8

104105.0

054020.3

065951.3

01 36 20.6

15 16 06.7

21 15 19.0

22 48 21.0

21 45 53.2

031410.1

183042.5

21 22 58.9

10 36 02.4

172043.5

18 08 25.5

19 12 34.6

231009.4

16 21 47.2

163121.4

162326.1

16 57 37.9

112721.6

06 58 16.9

160513.6

03 22 46.2

11 29 16.2

120157.0

002144.1

03 04 06.8

23 44 12.4

15 13 57.2

03 09 36.3

192051.2

01 15 57.2

115540.1

084756.1

092044.5

13 47 08.2

140133.0

14 29 45.5

18 38 52.9

14 42 26.5

144521.0

145110.1

Latitude 

(°)

36.241N

36.222N

36.229N

40.377N

35.836N

36.232N

36.242N

37.553N

35.926N

40.388N

40.331N

36.392N

36.388N

37.375N

40.357N

37.320N

37.622N

40.255N

40.503N

40.382N

33.138N

34.737N

34.016N

37.458N

37.433N

37.447N

37.448N

37.422N

37.425N

37.463N

38.157N

35.452N

37.448N

37.469N

36.122N

36.130N

35.883N

37.412N

34.023N

36.562N

36.572N

36.8 ION

41.634N

37.488N

36.618N

33.999N

32.970N

32.989N

37.580N

37.538N

37.537N

37.583N

37.570N

Hypocentei

Longitude 

(°)

120.409W

120.406W

120.398W

124.832W

121.345W

120.265W

120.383W

118.840W

118.334W

124.902W

125.117W

121.878W

121.872W

118.598W

125.897W

121.698W

118.897W

124.578W

126.83 1W

125.617W

116.501W

120. 148 W

118. 988 W

118.605W

118.612W

118.612W

118.653W

118.635W

118.630W

118.582W

118.853W

118.898W

118.545W

118.598W

120.138W

120.127W

117.717W

118.633W

117.245W

121.060W

121.205W

121.275W

125.353W

121.693W

121.255W

116.606W

117.869W

117.849W

118.449W

118.440W

118.450W

118.417W

118.525W

r

Depth 

(km)

007

008

008

018

007

007

010

010

000

015

005

008

008

010

005

008

003

005

010

005

012

006

013

012

014

005

009

010

008

005

008

Oil

006

006

Oil

Oil

006

006

015

010

007

007

010

008

004

012

006

012

006

009

009

006

001

Ref

360

360

360

401

476

360

360

401

355

401

299

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

74

401

370

370

370

401

370

401

401

401

401

401

401

371

371

371

401

401

371

401

371

401

562

562

562

562

562

597

597

597

597

562

562

562

562

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rr>b MQ

6.0

5.3

5.6

5.5

5.3

5.3

5.0

4.4

4.9

5.6

5.1

4.3

4.9

5.7

4.3

4.7

6.1

4.7

4.3

4.5

4.3

5.6

4.8

4.3

5.1

4.3

4.2

4.6

4.8

3.7

4.7

5.4

4.3

4.1

4.4

5.0

5.3

5.0

5.5

4.6

5.8

5.6

4.8

5.6

3.9

6.0

5.1

5.7 6.00ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

5.1 5.30ML BRK

5.8 5.50ML BRK

4.3 5.20ML BRK

5.4 5.40ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

 4.80ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

3.8 4.30ML BRK

5.4 5.60ML BRK

4.6 5.10ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

4.4 5.20ML BRK

6.1 6.20ML BRK

 4.80ML PAS

4.6 4.70ML BRK

6.7 6.60ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.60ML PAS

5.7 6.10ML BRK

4.7 5.50ML BRK

3.1 4.70ML BRK

4.7 5.60ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 5.20ML BRK

 4.60ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.70ML BRK

5.9 5.60ML BRK

 4.50ML GP

 4.50ML BRK

 4.80ML PAS

4.4 4.60ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

5.3 5.50ML BRK

5.0 4.90ML BRK

5.5 5.70ML BRK

3.7 4.70ML BRK

6.0 5.60ML GP

5.8 5.30ML GP

 4.60ML GP

5.6 5.90ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

6.2 6.40ML BRK

 4.60ML PAS

 5.70ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

5.90BRK

4.88BRK

5.16BRK

5.61BRK

5.31BRK

5.28BRK

4.48BRK

4.49BRK

_ .

5.90ED

4.98BRK

4.28BRK

_

6.16GS

5.36GS

6.67GS

5.80GS

5.14GS

_

4.82BRK

4.49BRK

_

4.64BRK

6.09GS

4.14BRK

__

4.61BRK

4.59BRK

5.48BRK

5.31BRK

5.56BRK

4.55BRK

6.19GS

5.83HAV

5.38BRK

4.30BRK

6.25BRK

5.04BRK

MMI

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

V

IV

IV

in

Felt

V

V

Felt

m

IV

vm

IV

V

V

IV

IV

VI

V

V

IV

Felt

V

Felt

IV

V

V

IV

IV

VI

IV

m

VI

IV

IV

vn

VI

IV

vn

VI

V

IV

VI

V

Ref

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

360

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

370

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

371

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

108 &

60&

10&

21&

_

32&

120&

24&

10&

10&

114

88

25

15

15

_

97&

13

15 &

8&

36&

41 &

134#

49*

__

258
98 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1986 07 21 

1986 07 21 

1986 07 21 

1986 07 21 

1986 07 21

1986 07 21 

1986 07 21 

1986 07 21 

1986 07 21

1986 07 21

1986 07 21

1986 07 21

1986 07 22

1986 07 22

1986 07 22

1986 07 22

1986 07 23

1986 07 29

1986 07 30

1986 07 31

1986 07 31

1986 08 01

1986 08 01

1986 10 15

1986 10 31

1986 11 21

1986 11 21

1987 02 14

1987 07 31

1987 10 01

1987 10 01

1987 10 01

1987 10 01

1987 10 04

1987 11 24

1987 11 24

1987 11 24

1987 11 24

1987 11 24

1987 11 24

1987 11 26

1987 11 27

1988 01 06

1988 01 28

1988 02 11

1988 02 20

1988 06 10

1988 06 13

1988 06 26

1988 06 27

1988 07 05

1988 07 26

1988 07 28

1988 08 10

1988 10 11

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

145358.1 

14 54 39.2 

14 57 50.9 

15 11 30.8 

15 19 34.9

152649.2 

154623.0 

162644.7 

17 05 33.4

172000.4

22 07 17.0

220922.1

000953.8

13 33 59.8

13 49 00.3

182943.8

15 39 11.7

09 57 57.2

064152.9

072240.2

072804.7

14 27 16.4

14 28 19.6

02 28 47.8

03 57 28.9

23 33 01.7

23 34 18.0

07 26 51.7

23 56 58.3

14 42 20.0

144541.4

144905.9

151231.7

105938.2

01 54 14.5

02 14 35.4

02 15 23.2

02 53 00.7

13 15 56.5

13 34 39.9

173901.9

01 10 10.5

224948.3

025402.3

15 25 55.6

08 39 57.5

230643.0

01 45 36.8

15 04 58.5

18 43 22.3

18 18 47.5

03 26 56.0

112024.2

182451.3

133009.3

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

37.583N 

37.583N 

37.527N 

37.597N 

37.488N

37.533N 

37.551N 

37.487N 

37.532N

37.447N

37.483N

37.613N

37.610N

37.5 17N

37.498N

37.493N

37.538N

37.595N

37.582N

37.463N

37.445N

37.501N

37.468N

33.953N

38.420N

40.372N

40.367N

36.148N

40.418N

34.061N

34.049N

34.060N

34.052N

34.074N

33.082N

33.036N

33.048N

33.040N

33.013N

32.942N

33.030N

32.996N

36.777N

32.919N

34.077N

36.803N

34.943N

37.385N

34.136N

37.130N

36.392N

36.563N

36.407N

36.413N

40.427N

Longitude 

(°)

118.583W 

118.417W 

118.357W 

118.485W 

118.370W

118.425W 

118.420W 

118.393W 

118.462W

118.367W

118.367W

118.569W

118.430W

118.477W

118.520W

118.382W

118.463W

118.477W

118.468W

118.367W

118.377W

118.398W

118.448W

116.572W

119.323W

124.443W

124.450W

120.335W

124.373W

118.078W

118.100W

118.100W

118.090W

118.098W

115.775W

115.820W

1 15.798 W

115.8 12W

115.838W

115.763W

115.890W

115.816W

120.867W

115.678W

118.047W

121.302W

118.743W

121.772W

117.710W

121.878W

117.973W

121.182W

117.998W

1 17.988 W

125.515W

Depth 

(km)

006 

006 

007 

006 

016

018 

001 

008 

009

Oil

006

006

004

009

019

007

006

007

007

007

Oil

006

014

009

001

015

015

013

016

010

014

012

Oil

008

005

005

005

003

002

014

002

006

006

004

012

009

007

007

008

013

005

003

005

005

019

Ref

562 

562 

562 

597 

562

562 

562 

562 

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

562

74

74

598

598

598

598

598

598

598

598

598

598

598

598

598

74

602

602

74

602

74

602

74

74

74

74

74

74

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

4.7 

3.6

5.5

4.0

4.2

4.5

3.7

4.1

3.7

4.1

5.5

___

4.2

4.9

4.3

5.3

5.1

5.3

5.6

5.8

__

4.6

5.2

5.7

_ _

4.4

6.0

4.8

4.5

4.1

4.1

4.6

4.8

4.5

5.2

4.9

4.5

4.8

4.4

4.9

4.4

 4.90ML PAS 

 4.50ML PAS 

 4.80ML BRK 

 4.70ML PAS 

 4.70ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK 

 4.50ML BRK 

 4.60ML BRK 

 4.50ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

5.0 5.60ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 5.00ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

5.2 5.80ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 4.70ML GP

 4.60ML BRK

5.1 5.10ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

4.6 5.30ML BRK

6.0 5.60ML BRK

5.7 5.90ML PAS

 4.70ML GP

 4.70ML PAS

 4.70ML GP

4.8 5.30ML PAS

6.2 5.80ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.80ML GP

 4.70ML PAS

6.6 6.00ML GP

 4.80ML PAS

 4.30ML PAS

 4.70ML PAS

 4.50ML BRK

 4.70ML GP

 4.70ML GP

4.0 5.10ML BRK

4.9 5.40ML GP

5.0 5.30ML BRK

 4.70ML GP

4.1 5.30ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

4.0 4.70ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

4.46BRK

4.38BRK

4.18BRK 

4.12BRK 

4.18BRK 

4.18BRK

4.10BRK

5.03BRK

4.27BRK

4. 41 BRK

4.58BRK

4.15BRK

4.40BRK

4.34BRK

4.42BRK

5.42BRK

4.12BRK

4.83BRK

 -

4.40BRK

5.14BRK

5.06BRK

4.95BRK

5.55BRK

5.91HAV

__

5.22HAV

6.05HAV

__

6.52HAV

__

4.34BRK

_ 

4.98BRK

4.91 BRK

5.03BRK

___

4.77BRK

 -

4.19BRK

MMI

Felt

IV

_

IV

IV

VI

. _ _

Felt

Felt

V

IV

vn

Felt

V

VI

vm

Felt

Felt

Felt

vn

VI

_

vn

^_

m

V

VI

V

V

VI

V

VI

IV

m

m

n

Ref

562

562

_

562

562

562

_

562

562

562

562

562

562

577

577

581

74

74

74

577

577

_

577

^_

578

578

578

578

578

578

578

578

578

578

578

578

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

100

__

14&

18 &

110&

_ 

77#

.^

100#

_

4+

28 &

20&

37 &

37&

12&

11&

__
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 99

CALIFORNIA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an earthquake 

near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (-) indicates information is not 

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1988 11 10

1988 11 20

1988 12 03

1988 12 16

1989 01 15

1989 01 19

1989 04 03

1989 04 07

1989 06 04

1989 06 12

1989 08 08

1989 08 08

1989 09 21

1989 10 18

1989 10 18

1989 10 18

1989 10 18

1989 10 18

1989 10 18

1989 10 18

1989 10 19

1989 10 19

1989 10 21

1989 10 21

1989 10 25

1989 11 02

1989 11 03

1989 11 05

1989 12 28

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

05 08 03.0

053928.7

11 38 26.4

05 53 05.0

153955.1

06 53 28.8

17 46 34.4

200730.3

21 33 59.7

16 57 18.5

08 13 27.5

15 53 28.4

17 41 18.0

000415.2

002504.9

004124.7

02 15 49.9

045027.7

05 18 34.1

063910.1

09 53 50.4

101435.1

004943.7

22 14 57.0

01 27 26.6

05 50 11.0

1909 1.6

13 37 34.3

094108.2

Hypocenter

Latitude

37.373N

33.507N

34.149N

33.979N

32.948N

33.919N

37.422N

33.619N

34.597N

34.022N

37.130N

37.150N

40.327N

37.036N

37.043N

37.198N

36.995N

37.193N

36.980N

36.932N

36.932N

36.963N

37.047N

37.057N

37.078N

37.057N

38.567N

37.058N

34.192N

Longitude

121.757W

1 18.07 1W

118.135W

116.68 1W

117.736W

118.627W

121.795W

117.902W

116.838W

118.178W

121.952W

121.973W

124.705W

121.883W

121.807W

122.105W

121.763W

122.017W

121.847W

121.712W

121.690W

121.843W

121.877W

121.905W

121.832W

121.797W

119.652W

121.915W

117.386W

Depth 

(km)

007

006

013

008

006

012

009

013

002

016

015

015

016

019

005

019

004

014

Oil

012

012

013

014

013

014

012

Oil

015

015

Ref

74

74

602

602

603

603

74

603

603

603

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

603

USGS 

rrib MS

4.5

5.0

4.4

4.8

4.5

5.2

4.5

5.0

4.2

4.3

4.9

4.2

4.8

6.5

5.0

4.8

4.4

4.6

4.5

4.6

4.3

4.6

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.5

4.0

4.2

4.8

4.3

4.5

4.7

7.1

__

3.6

4.2

3.6

_

 

Magnitude

Other

4.80ML BRK

4.50ML GP

4.90Mi, GP

4.80MLGP

4.20ML GP

5.00ML GP

4.70ML BRK

4.50ML GP

4.50ML GP

4.40ML GP

5.40ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.80ML BRK

7.00ML BRK

4.80ML BRK

5.10ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.30ML BRK

4.20ML BRK

4.30ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.90ML BRK

5.00ML BRK

4.90ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.50ML GP

Intensity

Moment MM) 

M

4.61BRK V

_ . Y

 VI

 V

 IV

 VI

 VI

 VI

_ Y

 VI

 vn

_ Y

5.14BRK V

7.18BRK DC

 

 _

 

 

 

 

 Felt

 Felt

 Felt

 Felt

 IV

 V

 IV

 Felt

 V

Ref

578

578

578

468

579

579

579

579

579

579

579

579

579

579

__

74

74

74

74

579

579

579

74

579

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

14&

22&

42&

25&

40&

15 &

14&

7

14&

26&

8&

170&

__

_ _

11

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1769. July 28. Los Angeles, Calif., region. The

Portola expedition felt four violent earthquakes while 

camped on the Santa Ana River, near the present 

site of Olive. Many strong aftershocks were observed 

through Aug. 3 as the expedition moved northwestward to near San Gabriel and then westward across 

Los Angeles to the Pacific. This probably was a major 

earthquake. (Ref. 38, 368, 493, 521.)

1800. Oct. 11. Near San Juan Bautista, San 

Benito County, Calif. Although the houses at San 

Juan Bautista were built with double walls, all were 

damaged from roof to foundation and were uninhabitable. Some small cracks were observed in the

ground at the rancheria; another deep fissure formed 

in the area of the Pajaro River. A strong shock on 

Oct. 18 was accompanied by "such a loud noise as to 

deafen them." (Ref. 38, 368, 493.)

1800. Nov. 22. San Diego, Calif., region. Walls 

of adobe buildings were damaged in San Diego, and 

walls of a new church were cracked at San Juan 

Capistrano. (Ref. 38, 368.)

1803. May 25. San Diego, Calif. The mission 

church at San Diego sustained slight damage. (Ref. 

56, 368.)

1806. Mar. 25. Santa Barbara, Calif. An earthquake cracked the walls of a chapel at Santa Barbara. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1808. June 21. San Francisco, Calif. Adobe 

walls were damaged severely at the Presidio of San 

Francisco. One of the rooms collapsed at the
100 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

commandant's house, and the soldiers' quarters were 

ruined and nearly fell. Through July 17 and 18 

shocks were felt. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1812. Dec. 8. Southwest San Bernardino 

County, Calif. The most severe loss occurred at the 

Missions of San Juan Capistrano and San Gabriel. 

The masonry church at San Juan Capistrano Mission 

was destroyed, killing 40 people attending services. 

Other buildings at the mission were left "in bad condition." The church at San Gabriel also sustained 

much damage, and many cracks formed in the bell 

tower. The upper part of the tower later fell, as did 

the weathervane. The living quarters of the ministers 

and offices of the mission also were damaged extensively. Three tremors described as "horrible" probably 

caused damage at San Buenaventura Mission (Ventura). Walls of buildings were impaired at Mission 

San Fernando Rey, but no damage was reported at 

San Diego or San Luis Rey Missions.

This earthquake may have ruptured the San 

Andreas fault at Wrightwood. The rupture may have 

extended at least 25 km to the northwest, where it is 

preserved in the peat bog at Pallet Creek. The fault 

rupture at Pallet Creek is comparable to that formed 

by the 1857 earthquake in the southern Coast 

Ranges. The main earthquake was felt from San 

Buenaventura Mission west to San Bernardino Valley and south to San Diego. (Ref. 38, 56, 368, 521.)

1812. Dec. 21. West of Ventura, Calif., in 

Santa Barbara Channel. This major earthquake 

caused damage in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and 

northern Los Angeles Counties. One fatality was 

reported, but many lives probably were saved by a 

strong foreshock about 15 minutes earlier that sent 

alarmed residents fleeing from buildings. The earthquakes also may have generated a tsunami because 

there were several reports of sea waves following the 

earthquakes. The sea waves reportedly did not cause 

loss of life or substantial loss of property.

At Santa Barbara Mission, all buildings sustained 

many cracks, and one chapel was flattened. The 

ground "opened up" in this area to such an extent 

"that it caused horror." At the Santa Barbara Presidio, all the buildings were left uninhabitable. The 

church at La Purisima Concepcion Mission (Lompoc) 

was ruined; some of the other buildings were "flattened to the ground;" and others required extensive 

repair. Part of the adobe garden wall collapsed, and 

that part remaining nearly fell. Damage at the Santa 

Ynez Mission was considerable but not so severe as 

at Santa Barbara and Purisima Missions. A corner of 

the church fell; many new houses were demolished; 

and many support walls were cracked. Property loss 

was less severe at the San Buenaventura Mission

(Ventura) and the San Fernando Rey Mission. Aftershocks were reported at Santa Barbara through April 

1813. (Ref. 38, 56, 368, 521.)

1827. Sept. 24 (Sept. 23). Los Angeles, Calif. 

People in Los Angeles ran outdoors in panic. The 

1827 report of the San Buenaventura Mission (Ventura) notes that all the buildings were in "bad condition" because of the earthquakes. The same 

earthquake, therefore, may have affected both Los 

Angeles and Ventura. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1829. September. San Francisco, Calif. Several severe shocks at San Francisco were strong 

enough to force open locked doors and windows. No 

damage has been documented for this earthquake. 

The intensity was taken from ref. 56. (Ref. 56, 493.)

1830. Date unknown. San Luis Obispo, Calif. 

All the buildings at San Luis Obispo were damaged, 

including the hospital and part of the rancheria, 

which lay in ruins. The farm and building of S. 

Miguelito were destroyed, and the house of Santa 

Margarita sustained cracked and broken walls. (Ref. 

38, 368.)

1836. June 10. San Francisco Bay area, 

Calif. This strong earthquake affected an area along 

the foothills from San Pablo to Mission San Jose. 

Large fissures formed in the ground in the area of 

maximum disturbance. The earthquake caused havoc 

in Monterey and Santa Clara and frightened all residents. The first shock was the most violent, and 

smaller aftershocks continued for a month. This 

earthquake may have ruptured the Hayward fault. 

Its intensity is similar to that of an earthquake in 

the same area on October 21, 1868. (Ref. 38, 56, 

368, 493.)

1838. June. San Francisco area, Calif. This 

earthquake was associated with a probable rupture 

on the San Andreas fault, from near Santa Clara to 

San Francisco (about 60 km). It is suggested that the 

fault rupture may have extended throughout all or 

most of the line that was active in the 1906 earthquake. Walls were cracked at Mission Dolores (San 

Francisco), and some adobe walls were cracked and 

glassware and crockery were broken at Monterey. 

(Ref. 56, 368, 521.)

1840. Jan. 16. Santa Cruz, Calif. An earthquake threw down a church tower at Santa Cruz. A 

"tidal wave" (tsunami) was reported. Shocks continued to Jan. 18. (Ref. 56, 493.)

1841. July 3. Monterey, Calif. This earthquake 

left the bay and shore covered with dead and 

beached fish. The shaking was so severe at Monterey 

than an observer had to support himself against a 

tree to keep from falling. The main earthquake was 

reported felt onboard ships in the harbor and on
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 101

inland farms. About 120 shocks were felt in 

Monterey in the summer of 1841, but they were seldom severe. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1851. May 15. San Francisco, Calif. A severe 

earthquake lasting half a minute was felt onboard 

ships in the harbor. It threw merchandise to the floor 

in San Francisco stores and sent residents rushing 

outdoors. No damage has been documented for this 

earthquake. The intensity was taken from ref. 38 and 

56. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1852. Nov. 29. Baja California, Mexico. A violent earthquake threw down large fragments of 

Chimney Rock (now called Picacho Peak) and parts 

of the surrounding mountains near Fort Yuma, Calif, 

(located across the Colorado River from what is now 

Yuma, Ariz.). Sand and water issued from fissures 

that formed all along the riverbanks and in the low 

alluvial plain surrounding Fort Yuma. People at the 

fort had difficulty standing or walking because of the 

shaking. Felt as far away as San Diego.

Observers on the steamer Uncle Sam, which was 

about 48 km south of Fort Yuma near Ogdens Landing (on the Colorado River), described the effects of 

the earthquake as follows: "The waters of the river 

were thrown into a sort of boiling motion with a 

strong rippled surface. The riverbanks on one side 

caved in and, on the other side, separated into a 

thousand cracks from which dust, sand, mud, and 

water were ejected. The river formed new bends, 

leaving portions of its old bed so suddenly that thousands of fish were left lying on the muddy bottom."

The earthquake caused significant changes in the 

course of the Colorado River near Pilot Knob, about 

10 km downstream from Yuma. The schooner Capacity, which was anchored in about 3.5 m of water at 

the mouth of the Colorado River (about 32 km south 

of Fort Yuma), was left in about 0.5 m of water after 

the earthquake.

Residents at Fort Yuma observed large steam geysers at Laguna de los Volcanoes (in Baja California, 

about 73 km southwest of Fort Yuma). The steam column was estimated to be more than 300 m in height. 

Aftershocks, some of which also generated geysers, 

continued until September 1853. (Ref. 368, 461, 521.)

1852. Dec. 17. San Luis Obispo, Calif. Two 

sharp earthquakes cracked walls of two adobe houses 

at San Luis Obispo and threw down part of the wall 

of another dwelling. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1853. Feb. 1. San Luis Obispo, Calif., area. An 

adobe house was cracked at San Simeon, and its 

occupants ran outside. One report described this 

earthquake as a violent shock that damaged houses. 

(Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1853. Oct. 23. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif., in Humboldt Bay. At Eureka, 

houses rolled and undulated like ships at sea, and 

many residents were thrown from their beds. Three 

heavy shocks were reported. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1855. Jan. 25 (Jan. 24). Sierra County, Calif., 

area. Buildings in the area were shaken severely by 

this heavy shock. A large pinnacle of rocks on the 

Downieville (Sierra) Buttes was thrown down. At the 

Blue Banks Mine (probably in Sierra or Nevada 

County), miners at the 122-m level ran outside the 

mine. Felt from Gibsonville (Sierra County) on the 

north to Nashville (El Dorado County) on the south 

and to Keystone Ranch (Yuba County) on the west. 

The epicenter probably was near the Nevada border. 

(Ref. 56, 368.)

1855. July 11 (July 10). Near San Gabriel, 

Los Angeles County, Calif. Bells at the San Gabriel Mission church were thrown down. Twenty-six 

buildings were damaged in Los Angeles, including 

the Star Hotel, whose walls were cracked. An adobe 

building sitting directly on the Raymond fault also 

was wrecked. Two unusually "heavy" sea waves 

rolled in at Point San Juan soon after the last of four 

shocks. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1855. Aug. 27. North of San Francisco, Calif. 

This earthquake moved furniture at St. Ann's Valley 

(San Francisco) and cracked an adobe house on a 

ranch. It was described as violent at Petaluma and 

at San Francisco de Solano Mission. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1856. Jan. 2. South of San Francisco in San 

Mateo County, Calif. At San Francisco, masonry 

walls were cracked and iron shutters were warped. 

The shock was felt south to Monterey, where some 

frightened residents ran outside. (Ref. 56, 368, 610.)

1856. Feb. 15. South of San Francisco in San 

Mateo County, Calif. This strong earthquake threw 

down cornices, cracked brick walls, and knocked people from their feet in San Francisco. The water in 

San Francisco Bay was disturbed. Felt from Petaluma (Sonoma County) east to Stockton (San 

Joaquin County) and south to Monterey. (Ref. 38, 56, 

368, 610.)

1856. Sept. 21 (Sept. 20). Near Santa Ysabel, 

San Diego County, Calif. At Santa Ysabel, plaster 

was shaken down and ceilings fell. The shock also 

stampeded cattle and terrified residents. Plaster was 

cracked at San Diego. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1857. Jan. 9. Near Fort Tejon, San Luis 

Obispo County, Calif. This earthquake occurred on 

the San Andreas fault, which ruptured from near 

Parkfield (in the Cholame Valley) almost to Wrightwood (a distance of about 300 km); horizontal displacement of as much as 9 m was observed on the
102 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Carrizo Plain. It caused one fatality. A comparison of 

this shock to the San Francisco earthquake, which 

occurred on the San Andreas fault on Apr. 18, 1906, 

shows that the fault break in 1906 was longer but 

that the maximum and average displacements in 

1857 were larger.

Property loss was heavy at Fort Tejon, an Army 

post about 7 km from the San Andreas fault. Two 

buildings were declared unsafe, three others were 

damaged extensively but were habitable, and still 

others sustained moderate damage. About 20 km 

west of Fort Tejon, trees were uprooted, and buildings were destroyed between Fort Tejon and Elizabeth Lake. One person was killed in the collapse of 

an adobe house at Gorman. Strong shaking lasted 

from 1 to 3 minutes.

Instances of seiching, fissuring, sandblows, and 

hydrologic changes were reported from Sacramento 

to the Colorado River delta. Ground fissures were 

observed in the beds of the Los Angeles, Santa Ana, 

and Santa Clara Rivers and at Santa Barbara. Sandblows occurred at Santa Barbara and in the flood 

plain of the Santa Clara River. One report describes 

sunken trees, possibly associated with liquefaction, in 

the area between Stockton and Sacramento.

Changes in the flow of streams or springs were 

observed in the areas of San Diego, Santa Barbara, 

Isabella, and at the south end of San Joaquin Valley. 

The waters of the Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, and 

Mokulumne Rivers overflowed their banks. Changes 

in the flow of water in wells were reported from the 

Santa Clara Valley in northern California.

Felt from Marysville south to San Diego and east 

to Las Vegas, Nev. (see fig. 13). Several slight to moderate foreshocks preceded the main shock by 1 to 9 

hours. Many aftershocks occurred, and two (Jan. 9 

and 16) were large enough to have been widely felt. 

(Ref. 38, 121, 368, 379, 517, 521, 599.)

1858. Nov. 26. North of San Jose in Alameda 

County, Calif. The earthquake was severe at San 

Jose, where an adobe house and the corner of a new 

building were knocked down. A cornice was thrown 

off a building in San Francisco, and part of a chimney collapsed at Mountain View. Felt to Downieville 

(Sierra County) on the north, Mariposa on the east, 

and Monterey on the south. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1858. Dec. 16, 02 30 UTC (Dec. 15). Near 

San Bernardino, Calif. This minor earthquake 

broke dishes and cracked walls at San Bernardino. 

It also was felt in Los Angeles. (Ref. 368.)

1858. Dec. 16, 10 00 UTC. Near San Bernardino, Calif. At Agua Manza, near San Bernardino, 

one house collapsed. The gable end of a house was 

knocked down by the shock at San Bernardino. (Ref. 

368, 521.)

1859. Oct. 5. San Francisco, Calif. A severe 

local earthquake cracked walls in several brick buildings in San Francisco, downed plaster, and rang 

bells. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1860. Nov. 13 (Nov. 12). Near Eureka, Humboldt County, Calif. Plaster walls cracked and chimneys settled at Eureka; a house under construction 

shifted about 5 cm on its foundation. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1861. July 4 (July 3). Near Dublin, Contra 

Costa County, Calif. Near the present town of Dublin, at Dougherty's Ranch, the roof of the ranch 

kitchen was thrown off, chimneys were downed, and 

several men in the fields were thrown to the ground. 

A fissure about 20 km long, probably the result of 

surface rupture along the Calaveras fault, opened 

along the west side of San Ramon Valley. A new 

spring of water appeared. Although strong at San 

Francisco, the shock caused no loss to property. Felt 

north to Sacramento and south to Santa Cruz. (Ref. 

38, 56, 368, 493.)

1862. May 27. Near San Diego, Calif. This 

strong earthquake caused widespread minor damage 

in the Old Town and La Playa areas of San Diego. 

Many adobe and brick buildings sustained cracks, 

some of which extended completely through the 

walls. In some frame buildings, windows and doors 

were loosened in their frames and some door hinges 

were broken off.

Landslides occurred along the steep bluffs from 

La Playa to Point Loma. At La Playa, north of 

Point Loma, cracks formed on the beach, and water 

was emitted from the sand on the tidal flats. Water 

from the bay surged inland over the beach between 

3 and 4 ft. Cracks also formed in the wet, sandy 

ground near the San Diego River, which "washed 

over its banks." This earthquake was felt north to 

Anaheim and Los Angeles. About 100 aftershocks 

occurred at San Diego to June 14, 1862. (Ref. 38, 

56, 368, 532, 610.)

1864. Feb. 26. North of Watsonville in Santa 

Clara County, Calif. This earthquake cracked 

adobe walls at Monterey and tipped over or displaced 

light objects at Watsonville. Described as severe at 

San Francisco and Santa Cruz, the shock was felt 

north to Napa and south to San Luis Obispo. (Ref. 

56, 368.)

1864. Mar. 5. East of San Francisco in 

Alameda County, Calif. Walls cracked considerably, 

plaster cracked, and a few plate-glass windows shattered at San Francisco, where the earthquake apparently was strongest. A few buildings in San Jose also 

sustained cracks in plaster. Felt north to Santa Rosa 

(Sonoma County) and Sacramento and south to San 

Juan Mission (San Benito County) and Visalia 

(Tulare County). (Ref. 38, 368.)
124° 122°

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA

120° 118? 116°

103

114°

EXPLANATION 

Epicenter 

IX Intensity 9

FIGURE 13. Isoseismal map for the Fort Tejon, California, earthquake of January 9, 1857. This map is a simplified version of figure 2 in

reference 379 of table 1.

1864. May 21 (May 20), Southeast of San 

Francisco in Alameda County, Calif. At San

Francisco a few windows were broken. Felt from 

Monterey on the south to Sacramento and Santa 

Rosa (Sonoma County) on the north. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1865. Mar. 8. Bennett Valley, Sonoma County, 

Calif. Chimneys fell, plaster cracked, and clocks 

stopped running in Bennett Valley, east of Santa Rosa. 

The earthquake was described as severe at Santa Rosa. 

A foreshock was felt in the Santa Rosa-San Francisco
104 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

area 8 hours earlier. The main shock was felt south to 

San Francisco and San Leandro. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1865. May 24. South of San Jose, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. Crockery was broken at San 

Juan Bautista. The earthquake was "remarkably 

heavy" in the south San Francisco Bay counties. Felt 

from San Francisco on the north to Monterey on the 

south. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1865. Oct. 1. Near Eureka, Humboldt 

County, Calif. Chimneys and brickwork were damaged at Eureka. At Fort Humboldt, south of Eureka 

on Humboldt Bay, all fort buildings were impaired, 

redwood trees were uprooted, and a fissure formed 

along the edge of the parade ground. This shock was 

reported only in Humboldt and Trinity Counties. 

(Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1865. Oct. 8. Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. This strong earthquake caused 

severe damage in several towns, including New 

Almaden, Petaluma, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa 

Clara, and Santa Cruz. Property loss was estimated 

at $500,000.

The shock knocked several houses off foundations 

at New Almaden and almost destroyed a large brick 

storehouse. At San Francisco, several poorly constructed buildings on made land were destroyed, the 

City Hall was ruined, and water pipes and gas pipes 

were broken; a crack about 2.5 cm wide formed in 

Howard Street. On the marshy lands in the Howard 

Street area, the ground heaved in some places and 

sank in others.

Almost all buildings in Santa Clara and Petaluma 

were affected to some extent, and every brick building was wrecked at Santa Cruz. The walls of the jail 

and church fell at San Jose, and several chimneys 

were knocked down. At Watsonville, the earth 

cracked in several places, and water flowed through 

the cracks. Ground cracks also were reported near 

the San Andreas fault at Mountain Charlie's on the 

Santa Cruz Road. The tide at Santa Cruz was 

affected.

This earthquake caused damage from San Juan 

Bautista on the south to Napa on the north. Aftershocks were reported in several towns. (Ref. 38, 56, 

368, 517, 530, 533, 610.)

1866. Mar. 26. Near Gilroy, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. Several chimneys were downed in 

Gilroy. Felt from Santa Rosa (Sonoma County) south 

to Monterey. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1868. Sept. 4. West of Lone Pine in Tulare 

County, Calif. A series of earthquakes occurred at 

the headwaters of the Kern River and at Lone Pine 

from Sept. 4 to Sept. 17. The earth shook terribly, 

tall trees swayed, and huge masses of boulders and

earth detached from the surrounding cliffs and tumbled down along the river. At Lone Pine, 40 shocks 

were reported in 1 hour on Sept. 4. Foreshocks 

occurred on Sept. 3. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1868. Oct. 21. Near Hayward, Alameda 

County, Calif. Because of its location in a highly 

populated area, this earthquake was one of the most 

destructive in the history of California. Property loss 

was extensive at towns in the San Francisco Bay 

area, and 30 people were killed. The total property 

loss was about $350,000. This earthquake was known 

as the "great San Francisco earthquake" until the 

shock on Apr. 18, 1906. Compared to the 1906 shock, 

the fault trace of the 1868 earthquake about 32 

km was much shorter, and the amount of movement 

(0.9 m whether it was horizontal or vertical is not 

clear) was much less.

Damage was most severe in Hayward and nearby 

towns along the Hayward fault. Slip was observed on 

the Hayward fault from San Leandro to Warm 

Springs, a distance of about 32 km; in places, the 

fault trace opened 25-30 cm. At Hayward, almost 

every building was damaged extensively or wrecked. 

San Jose, which lay in the hills several meters west 

of the fault trace, had many wrecked buildings and 

demolished chimneys. At San Leandro, the second 

floor of the courthouse collapsed, and other buildings 

were wrecked. At San Francisco, the Custom house 

sustained severe damage, and many cornices, 

awnings, and walls fell, but, as occurred later in the 

shock of 1906, well-constructed buildings on firm 

ground sustained little damage.

Damage occurred from Gilroy and Santa Cruz on 

the south to Santa Rosa on the north. The area 

shaken at MM intensity VIII or higher includes 

about 2,300 km2. Strong aftershocks continued 

into November 1868. (Ref. 38, 56, 368, 517, 521, 

530, 533.)

1869. Oct. 8. Near Ukiah, Mendocino County, 

Calif. This earthquake downed chimneys at Ukiah 

and in "the Clear Lake country." Felt from Healdsburg (Sonoma County) north to Potter Valley (Ref. 

56, 368.)

1870. Feb. 17. Near Santa Cruz, Calif. At Los 

Gatos, several chimneys were knocked down, and at 

Santa Cruz, chimneys were dislocated. Felt south to 

Monterey and north to Sacramento. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1870. Apr. 2. Near Oakland, Contra Costa 

County, Calif. Minor damage occurred in Oakland 

and San Francisco. The shock also was felt in Santa 

Cruz, Santa Rosa, and Stockton. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1871. Mar. 2. Near Mattole, Humboldt 

County, Calif. Almost every chimney was knocked 

to the ground at Mattole, and ground fissures were
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 105

Courthouse at San Leandro, California, wrecked by the October 21, 1868, earthquake. (Photograph by University of California, Berkeley.)

observed near Mattole. Many chimneys also were 

ruined at Bucksport, Hydesville, Petrolia, and 

Rohnerville. The earthquake shook cornices from 

some buildings at Eureka and damaged the lightkeeper's house at Mendocino. A dozen aftershocks 

were reported at Mattole. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1871. July 5. Near Lone Pine, Inyo County, 

Calif. Near Lone Pine, some wells went dry and others became muddy. People ran out of buildings at 

Swansea. This possible foreshock to the 1872 Owens 

Valley earthquake was felt northwest to Bear Valley 

in Mariposa County. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1872. Mar. 26, 10 30 UTC. Owens Valley, near 

Lone Pine, Inyo County, Calif. The most devastating effects of this earthquake occurred at Lone Pine, 

where 52 of 59 houses (mostly constructed of adobe 

or stone) were destroyed and 27 people were killed. A 

few fatalities also were reported in other parts of 

Owens Valley. One report states that the main buildings were thrown down in almost every town in Inyo 

County. About 100 km south of Lone Pine, at Indian 

Wells, adobe houses sustained cracks. Property loss 

has been estimated at $250,000.

Faulting occurred on the Owens Valley fault along 

a line a few km east of the Sierra Nevada escarpment. The faulting near Lone Pine involved both dipslip and right-lateral components of movement. The 

largest amount of surface deformation was observed 

between the towns of Lone Pine and Independence, 

but fault scarps formed along a length of at least 160 

km from Haiwee Reservoir, south of Olancha, to Big 

Pine; cracks formed in the ground as far north as 

Bishop. The largest horizontal displacement of 7 m 

was measured on the fault scarps west of Lone Pine. 

The vertical offsets clearly were smaller, averaging 

about 1 m with the downthrown block on the east.

A comparison of this earthquake to the earthquakes of 1857 and 1906 on the San Andreas fault 

shows the felt area and maximum fault displacements to be comparable. However, the shocks on 

the San Andreas fault ruptured the fault for significantly larger distances; 300 km in 1857 and 430 

km in 1906.

This earthquake stopped clocks and awakened people at San Diego to the south, Red Bluff to the north, 

and Elko, Nev, to the east. MM intensity VIII or 

larger was observed over an area of about 25,000 

km2, and MM intensity IX or larger was observed 

over an area of about 5,500 km2 (see fig. 14). The 

shock was felt over most of California and much of 

Nevada. Thousands of aftershocks occurred, some 

severe. (Ref. 38, 368, 521, 531, 533.)
106 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

A 23-ft-high fault scarp caused by the March 26, 1872, Owens Valley, California, earthquake.

(Photograph by W.D. Johnson.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 107

122° 120° 118° 116°

38°

36°

34'

FIGURE 14. Isoseismal map for the Owens Valley, California, earthquake of March 26, 1872. This map is a simplified version

of the map in reference 368 of table 1.
108 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1872. Mar. 28. Near Sierraville, Sierra 

County, Calif. In Sierraville, bottles and chinaware 

in stores were broken. In Reno, Nev., the earthquake 

reportedly was stronger than the large Owens Valley 

earthquake, 2 days earlier. Also felt at Grass Valley. 

(Ref. 368.)

1872. Apr. 11. Near Round Valley, Inyo 

County, Calif. At Round Valley, stone buildings 

were knocked down and a frame structure was 

twisted on its foundation. Although this shock was 

felt at Susanville in Lassen County, the main shock 

of the Owens Valley earthquake on Mar. 26, 1872, 

was not reported felt there. (Ref. 368.)

1872. Apr. 18. Near Cerro Gordo, Inyo 

County, Calif. This rather small aftershock of the 

Owens Valley earthquake was reported only from 

Cerro Gordo. It was described as being of "unusual 

severity." (Ref. 56, 368.)

1872. May 3 (May 2). Imperial Valley area, 

Calif. A building was cracked and people ran into 

the streets in Arizona City (Yuma). It also was 

reported at San Bernardino, 300 km northwest of 

Arizona City. (Ref. 368.)

1872. May 17. Owens Valley, near Lone 

Pine, Calif. Furniture in a house was violently disturbed at Lone Pine, and one person was thrown 

from his chair. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1873. Nov. 23 (Nov. 22). Near Crescent City, 

Del Norte County, Calif. All chimneys were 

knocked down in the Smith River valley. Chimneys 

also fell at Crescent City, and hardly a brick building 

in the town escaped damage. Chimneys were damaged in many places as far north as Port Orford, 

Oreg., and east to Jacksonville, Oreg. Cracks in the 

ground were observed on the trail from Crescent City 

to Gasquet in Del Norte County. Felt south to San 

Francisco and north to Portland, Oreg. (Ref. 38, 56, 

368, 521.)

1875. Jan. 24. South of Janesville in Plumas 

County, Calif. One chimney was downed at Janesville, and stone walls sustained cracks at Susanville 

(Lassen County). This shock awakened residents as 

far south as Sacramento. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1875. Sept. 30. Near Eureka, Humboldt 

County, Calif. At Eureka, most chimneys were 

cracked and some were knocked down. Residents 

of Weaverville in Trinity County were awakened. 

(Ref. 368.)

1876. May 29. Freestone, Sonoma County, 

Calif. At Freestone, some plaster was cracked and 

bottles and crockery were overturned. (Ref. 368.)

1878. May 9 (May 8). Near Petrolia, Humboldt County, Calif. At Petrolia, all chimneys in 

the city were knocked down. The earthquake also

triggered large landslides along the coast in southern 

Humboldt County. (Ref. 368.)

1878. June 12 (June 11). Los Angeles, Calif. 

This earthquake shook down plaster and broke glassware at Los Angeles. Four distinct shocks occurred 

on June 12. (Ref. 463.)

1879. Feb. 4. Visalia, Tulare County, Calif. 

Two shocks occurred at Visalia, the second of which 

was the strongest. The second shock, which was felt 

over all the surrounding country, cracked walls and 

overturned furniture. (Ref. 56, 463.)

1880. Dec. 19. San Bernardino, Calif. Walls 

of the courthouse building were cracked from top to 

bottom. Three shocks were reported at Los Angeles. 

The main shock was felt south to San Diego. (Ref. 

56, 463.)

1881. Feb. 2 (Feb. 1). North of Imusdale, San 

Luis Obispo County, Calif. In Imusdale, at the 

north end of Cholame Valley, several chimneys were 

knocked down and an adobe storeroom and part of 

an adobe barn collapsed. Large cracks extending 

across the road were reported. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1881. Apr. 10. Southwest of Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif. Minor damage to property was 

reported from Hollister to Stockton. Chimneys were 

damaged in the Modesto region. Felt from Greenville 

(Plumas County) on the north to Visalia (Tulare 

County) on the south. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1882. Mar. 6. East of Hollister, San Benito 

County, Calif. Windowpanes were broken at Salinas, and crockery was broken at Hollister. The shock, 

which was rather strong at Charleston and Merced, 

was reported from San Francisco on the north to San 

Luis Obispo on the south. Many aftershocks 

occurred. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1882. June 27. Santa Cruz area, Calif. Chimneys were overturned and windows were broken in 

the Santa Cruz Mountains. The walls of several 

buildings were cracked severely at San Jose, and 

crockery and glassware were broken at San Francisco. Reports from towns along the coast between 

Hollister and Petaluma (and as far east as Stockton) 

state that this shock was the most severe since the 

October 1868 earthquake. (Ref. 56, 463.)

1883. Mar. 30. Near Gilroy, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. This earthquake knocked down chimneys at Old Gilroy and Sargents. Plaster fell in all 

brick buildings at Hollister, and several large windows were broken; slight damage was sustained at 

Santa Cruz and Watsonville. At Gilroy, 8 to 12 aftershocks were reported, two of which were felt widely. 

The main shock was felt from Sacramento south to 

San Luis Obispo. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 109

1883. Sept. 5. Off the coast near Santa Barbara, Calif. Plaster fell at Santa Barbara, and bottles were overturned at Los Alamos. Felt along the 

coast from Cayucos (near San Luis Obispo) south to 

Wilmington (Los Angeles County). (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1884. Mar. 26 (Mar. 25). Near Santa Cruz, 

Calif. Plaster fell, walls cracked, and windowpanes 

broke at Santa Cruz. Similar effects were reported 

at San Francisco. Felt along the coast from 

Monterey north to Santa Rosa (Sonoma County). 

(Ref. 56, 368.)

1885. Jan. 31 (Jan. 30). Near Susanville, Lassen County, Calif. Chimneys were damaged in the 

Honey Lake Valley towns of Buntingville and Susanville. Shocks were most severe near Janesville. Felt 

north to Alturas (Modoc County), south to Sacramento, and at a few towns in Nevada. More than 100 

aftershocks were felt in the area to Feb. 8, 1885. 

(Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1885. Mar. 31 (Mar. 30). South of Hollister, 

San Benito County, Calif. Chimneys were thrown 

down at Mulberry, and plaster fell at Hollister. 

Extensive fissures formed in the soft riverbanks at 

the junction of the Pajaro and San Benito Rivers. 

The shock was reported felt as far north as San 

Rafael. One foreshock and three aftershocks were 

felt at Hollister on Mar. 31. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1885. Apr. 12 (Apr. 11). Southern San Benito 

County, Calif. This earthquake threw down two 

chimneys at Las Tablas, 48 km northwest of San 

Luis Obispo. Slight damage was reported at 

Monterey (where cracks in adobe walls were widened), Salinas, and San Luis Obispo. Felt north to 

Marysville (Yuba County), south to Ventura, and east 

to Keeler (Inyo County). Toppozada and Wong (ref. 

612) have determined that this event was located 

about 50 km northwest of the May 2, 1983, Coalinga 

earthquake. Toppozada (1991, oral commun.) has also 

determined that the April 2, 1885 earthquake was 

located about 50 km southeast of its listed location 

and was near the location of this April 12 event. (Ref. 

38, 56, 368.)

1885. Aug. 1 (July 31). Near Cloverdale, 

Sonoma County, Calif. A strong local earthquake 

cracked walls in several buildings at Cloverdale. It 

was not reported in nearby towns. (Ref. 38, 368.)

1886. Apr. 14 (Apr. 13). Inyo County, Calif. 

This local earthquake broke considerable crockery 

and dishes in Lida Valley on the California-Nevada 

border. A dull, thunderlike noise preceded the shock. 

(Ref. 54.)

1887. Dec. 3. Near Halfway House, Mendocino County, Calif. At Halfway House, on the 

road from Mendocino to Ukiah, chimneys were

downed and a stove overturned. A chimney was 

cracked at Christine, and clocks stopped at Ukiah. 

(Ref. 56, 368.)

1888. Feb. 29. North of Petaluma, Sonoma 

County, Calif. A sharp earthquake cracked the 

walls of several buildings at Petaluma. Felt north to 

Geyserville (Sonoma County) and south to San Francisco. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1888. Apr. 14 (Apr. 13). Alturas, Modoc 

County, Calif. The earthquake rang a school bell 

and knocked down plaster at Alturas. It was reported 

felt only at a few towns in the area. (Ref. 368.)

1888. Apr. 29 (Apr. 28). Near Cromberg, Plumas County, Calif. Chimneys were downed at 

Cromberg, at the north end of Mohawk Valley. Rockslides were reported north of Downieville on the 

North Fork of the North Yuba River and in Rattlesnake Canyon. South of Cromberg, walls of the courthouse were cracked at Nevada City, and tops of 

chimneys were knocked off at Grass Valley. Felt from 

San Francisco northeastward into Nevada. Many 

aftershocks were felt during the night in the Downieville area. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1888. Nov. 18. San Francisco Bay area, 

Calif. Several chimneys were overthrown at East 

Oakland and Oakland, which lie at the southern 

limit of the felt area. Felt from Napa south to San 

Lorenzo. Two slight aftershocks were felt at Oakland. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1889. Apr. 15 (Apr. 14). Near Santa Cruz, 

Calif. This shock cracked plaster in several houses 

in Santa Cruz. Felt from Corral de Tierra (Monterey 

County) north to Martinez (Contra Costa County). 

(Ref. 56, 368.)

1889. May 19. West of Antioch, Contra Costa 

County, Calif. Many chimneys were demolished at 

Antioch, and two small fissures formed on Main 

Street. At Collinsville, one house was toppled and 

chimneys were knocked down. Slight loss to property 

also was reported at Lodi, Napa, Rio Vista, and San 

Francisco. Felt north to Nevada City, south to Santa 

Cruz, and east to Sonora (Tuolumne County). (Ref. 

38, 368.)

1889. June 20 (June 19). North of Susanville, 

Lassen County, Calif. The earthquake was most 

severe in the Susanville-Willow Creek area, where 

chimneys were thrown down, and the water in Eagle 

Lake was muddied. As many as 75 aftershocks 

occurred, 28 of which were felt within 2 hours of the 

main event. Felt north to Alturas (Modoc County), 

south to Sacramento, and east to Virginia City, Nev. 

(Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1889. July 31. San Francisco Bay area, Calif. 

Chimneys were knocked down at Oakland and San
110 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Leandro, and a brick pier was cracked at the Chabot 

Observatory in south Oakland. Felt from Salinas 

(Monterey County) north to Healdsburg (Sonoma 

County) and east to Modesto (Stanislaus County). 

Aftershocks were reported felt at San Francisco. (Ref. 

38, 56, 368.)

1889. Aug. 28 (Aug. 27). Near Pomona, Los 

Angeles County, Calif. Windows and crockery were 

cracked and broken at Pomona, where two distinct 

shocks threw several people to the floor. Several 

towns between Los Angeles and Ontario reported 

minor damage, including fallen plaster and bottles 

knocked from store shelves. Felt mainly over an eastwest area from San Jacinto in the east to Santa 

Monica in the west. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1890. Feb. 9. Northeast San Diego County, 

Calif. It is inferred from the lack of reports of damage that the epicenter was in the sparsely populated 

region between Los Angeles and Yuma, Ariz. Windows were broken at Pomona, and residents were 

awakened, but little loss was reported in the region. 

Telegraph dispatches from all towns along the Southern Pacific Line (from Pomona to Yuma) reported the 

shock was of equal intensity at each town. A possible 

foreshock on Feb. 6 was reported felt from San Bernardino to San Diego. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1890. Apr. 24. Near Corralitos, Santa Cruz 

County, Calif. This severe earthquake caused extensive loss of chimneys and some damage to brick and 

frame buildings from San Juan Bautista to Green Valley. Chimneys were knocked over at Watsonville and 

Corralitos, and buildings were twisted on their foundations at Corralitos. The San Andreas fault probably 

ruptured in the area where it crosses the Pajaro River. 

Fissures were reported on or near the fault, and a 

railroad bridge across the Pajaro River (near the 

fault) shifted about 5 m out of alignment. Aftershocks 

occurred for many days. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1890. July 26. Near Ferndale, Huxnboldt 

County, Calif. A severe earthquake knocked down 

chimneys at Grizzly Bluff (near Ferndale) and at the 

Walker residence (near Petrolia). Although strong at 

Eureka and Mendocino City, the shock caused little 

or no damage. A spring at the Walker "place" that 

had stopped flowing 3 days before the shock became 

murky and flowed at a faster rate than before. An 

aftershock at 16 00 UTC was reported at Ferndale, 

Hydesville, and Rohnerville. The main shock was 

reported from Crescent City and Sisson (Mt. Shasta 

City) in the north to Petaluma (Sonoma County) in 

the south. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1891. Jan. 2. Near San Jose, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. At Mount Hamilton, several large

pieces of plaster were dislodged and ceilings cracked. 

Plaster was knocked to the floor at Santa Cruz, and 

windows were broken at San Jose. Although this 

earthquake was strong at Gilroy, little or no damage 

was reported. Felt to Vallejo in the north, Monterey in 

the south, and Merced in the east. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1891. Oct. 12 (Oct. 11). Near Napa, Calif. In

Napa and Sonoma, many chimneys were overthrown 

and several brick buildings were cracked and thrown 

out of plumb. Not one house in Sonoma Valley 

escaped damage of some kind. A foreshock was felt at 

Napa and Sonoma at 05 15 UTC, and many aftershocks were observed. The main shock was felt north 

to Lakeport and Colusa and south to Salinas. (Ref. 

38, 56, 368.)

1892. Feb. 24 (Feb. 23). California-Mexico 

border area. At the old Carrizo station in San Diego 

County, all adobe buildings were destroyed. In Paradise Valley, a church and schoolhouse built on stilts 

were knocked down and demolished; chimneys and 

plaster were broken in San Diego. Ground fissures 

were reported at McCain Valley and Jewel Valley; 

rockslides were observed between Campo and Carrizo 

and at Dulzura and Jewel Valley.

About 155 tremors were felt at Campo during the 

12 hours following the main shock, and aftershocks 

continued there every few days into April 1892. 

Observers reported that 135 aftershocks were felt as 

far away as National City, on San Diego Bay. Felt 

north along the coast to Santa Barbara, east to 

Yuma, Ariz., and south to San Quintin, Baja California. One report stated that the tremor was felt at 

Visalia, Tulare County, about 700 km north of San 

Quintin. (Ref. 38, 56, 368, 521.)

1892. Apr. 19. Near Vacaville, Solano County, 

Calif. This earthquake caused severe damage at 

Allendale, Dixon, Vacaville, and Winters. Property 

loss was estimated at $225,000, and one fatality was 

reported.

At Allendale, between Vacaville and Winters, several buildings in the area collapsed, shifted off their 

foundations, or were wrenched apart. Ground fissures formed near Allendale, which suggests possible 

faulting. At Vacaville, almost all brick structures 

were destroyed, many frame buildings were 

impaired, and chimneys were twisted or knocked to 

the ground. Similar damage was reported from Winters (Yolo County). Although damage in general was 

less serious in Dixon, many school buildings were 

almost ruined. MM intensity VIII or higher was 

observed over an area of 1,100 km2. Felt north to 

Redding, east to Virginia City, Nev., and south to 

Salinas and Fresno. (Ref. 38, 56, 368, 533, 599.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 111

Brick walls of a hotel in Winters, California, collapsed by the April 19, 1892, earthquake. (Photograph from California Geology.)

1892. Apr. 21. Near Winters, in Solano 

County, Calif. Weakened structures in the communities hit by the Apr. 19 earthquake were further 

damaged. At Winters, where the damage was most 

severe, many buildings that withstood the Apr. 19 

shock were leveled. Not one building on Main Street 

was left habitable. At Esparto, every brick chimney 

fell and wood-frame buildings were wrenched out of 

shape. Many chimneys were wrecked at Sacramento 

and Woodland, but additional loss was slight at 

Dixon and Vacaville. The area shaken at MM intensity VIII or larger was about 890 km2, but the general felt area was about the same as that of the Apr. 

19 shock. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1892. Apr. 30 (Apr. 29). Near Davis, Solano 

County, Calif. This aftershock of the Apr. 19 earthquake knocked a few loose bricks from buildings at 

Davisville (Davis) and sent people at Sacramento running from their houses. Felt from San Jose north to 

Yuba City and east to Carson City, Nev. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1892. Nov. 13. West of Hollister, San Benito 

County, Calif. At Hollister, a chimney was displaced 

and plaster fell; at Monterey, chimneys were cracked;

and at Salinas, windows and dishes were broken. 

Three less severe aftershocks were felt at Hollister. 

Felt from Monterey north to Napa. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.) 

1893. Apr. 4. Near Newhall, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. Northwest of Newhall, an old but 

sturdy adobe house was shaken down at the Newhall 

Ranch. In the area of Newhall and Pico Canyon, 

chimneys were wrecked, the ground was fissured, 

and boulders were shaken down the hillsides. Aftershocks were reported almost daily at Tapo Ranch in 

the Simi Hills. Felt from Santa Barbara east to San 

Bernardino. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1893. Aug. 9. East of Santa Rosa, Sonoma 

County, Calif. Most of the loss to property occurred 

at Santa Rosa: chimneys were downed, plaster in the 

courthouse was cracked and broken, and windows 

were broken. At Petaluma, plaster was cracked and 

crockery was thrown from shelves. Felt north to Middletown (Lake County), south to Alameda, and east 

to Sacramento. (Ref. 38, 368.)

1894. July 30 (July 29). Northwest of San 

Bernardino, Calif. An earthquake caused minor 

damage from the Los Angeles basin to Mojave in
112 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Kern County. At Los Angeles, three distinct tremors 

broke a few windowpanes and knocked bottles of ink 

off shelves. Earlier in the evening, several foreshocks 

were reported at Riverside. Felt north to Mojave and 

south to San Diego. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1894. Sept. 30. Southern Humboldt County, 

Calif. This earthquake knocked down chimneys in 

southern Humboldt County. It was felt strongly on 

two schooners at sea, about 56 km southwest of Shelter Cove. An aftershock was felt at Eureka and Mendocino at 17 58 UTC. The main shock was reported 

north to Crescent City, south to Ukiah, and east to 

Redding and Sisson (Mt. Shasta City). (Ref. 38, 368).

1894. Oct. 23. Near San Diego, Calif. Plaster 

was broken and brick walls were cracked in San 

Diego; mission bells rang in San Juan Capistrano 

(Orange County). A dust cloud was seen along the 

summit of the mountains above Buckman's Springs, 

and boulders were heard rolling down the canyons. 

Several aftershocks were felt in the area through 

Oct. 28. Felt north to Los Angeles and San Bernardino. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1896. Aug. 17. Near Independence, Inyo 

County, Calif. This earthquake probably occurred 

along or near the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada. 

"Crumbled adobes slid to the ground" at Independence. Loose plaster was knocked down at Hanford, 

and clocks stopped as far distant as Bakersfield and 

Merced. The shock was felt from Big Pine (Inyo 

County), west to Merced, and south to Bakersfield. 

(Ref. 56, 368.)

1897. June 20. Near Gilroy, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. The earthquake caused much loss to 

brick buildings in the Gilroy-San Felipe area. Few 

brick structures escaped damage at Hollister; chimneys were thrown down and fire walls fell into the 

street at Salinas. Damage in Gilroy was similar to 

that in Hollister and Salinas. A fissure was observed 

near Soap Lake House on the Pacheco Pass Road, 

and a fissure 295 m long formed on a ranch near San 

Felipe. Because the Calaveras fault crosses the 

Pacheco Pass Road 5 km northwest of San Felipe, 

the fissures could have resulted from rupture on the 

Calaveras. Felt from Woodland on the north to San 

Luis Obispo on the south and Visalia (Tulare County) 

on the east. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1898. Mar. 31 (Mar. 30). Southern Sonoma 

County, Calif. At Mare Island Naval Yard and 

Tubbs Island, several buildings either partly or totally 

collapsed. Property loss was estimated at $350,000. 

The earthquake also caused severe damage at 

Schellville, Greenwood Estate, and along Petaluma 

Creek in Sonoma County, where houses were moved 

off their foundations. Extensive cracks developed in

the ground at Greenwood Estate, Mare Island Naval 

Yard, and Schellville. Moderate damage occurred in 

San Francisco. Felt north to Chico, east to Carson 

City, Nev, and south to Monterey. Magnitude 6.5 MS 

ELL. (Ref. 56, 368, 521, 615.)

1898. Apr. 15 (Apr. 14). Near Greenwood, 

Mendocino County, Calif. Two wood-frame houses 

were wrecked at Greenwood, and one was toppled at 

Noyo. Chimneys were knocked down in several 

towns in Mendocino County, including Fort Bragg, 

Little River, Mendocino, Pine Grove, and Ukiah. 

Property loss at Point Arena included cracking of the 

lighthouse tower. Cemetery monuments fell or were 

twisted on their bases at Mendocino. Landslides and 

fallen trees made the mountain roads east of Mendocino impassable. A foreshock was felt at Mendocino 

at 06 45 UTC, and many aftershocks were felt there. 

The main shock was felt north to Eureka, east to Red 

Bluff and Willows, and south to San Francisco. Magnitude 6.7 MS ELL. (Ref. 38, 56, 368, 521, 615.)

1899. Apr. 16. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, west of Eureka, Calif. This long-duration 

earthquake caused some minor impairment to a flue 

at a lumber mill in Eureka. It was described as one 

of the most severe shocks ever experienced. Felt 

along the coast from Crescent City on the north to 

Albion (Mendocino County) on the south. (Ref. 38, 56, 

368, 521.)

1899. Apr. 30. Near Watsonville, Santa Cruz 

County, Calif. Damage from this earthquake 

included downed chimneys and displaced cemetery 

monuments in Green Valley and Watsonville, fallen 

plaster in Hollister, and broken crockery and windowpanes in Salinas. Felt from southern Sonoma and 

Napa Counties on the north to northern Monterey 

County on the south. (Ref. 38, 56, 368.)

1899. June 2 (June 1). Near San Francisco in 

northern San Mateo County, Calif. In San Francisco, chimneys were knocked down, parts of several 

cornices fell, and windows and glassware were broken. Chimneys also were toppled in Oakland. This 

moderate earthquake was felt south to Santa Cruz, 

north to Calistoga and Sacramento, and east to 

Modesto (San Joaquin County). (Ref. 38, 368.)

1899. July 6. Northeast of Watsonville in 

Santa Clara County, Calif. Several chimneys were 

toppled at Watsonville; a few lamp chimneys and windows were broken in Salinas. At Pleasanton (Alameda 

County), about 85 km north of Watsonville, brick 

buildings were cracked, and some wooden structures 

were "more or less twisted." Because the intensities at 

sites between these two towns were not high (MM 

intensity V-VI), there may have been, two earthquakes at about the same time one near Watsonville
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 113

and the other near Pleasanton. Felt north to Napa, 

south to San Luis Obispo, and east to Merced and 

beyond. (Ref. 56, 368.)

1899. July 22, 00 46 UTC (July 21). West of 

Squirrel Inn, San Bernardino County, Calif. 

This foreshock to the earthquake at 20 32 UTC (see 

below) knocked off tops of chimneys at Squirrel Inn. 

Landslides were reported in the Cajon Pass area. 

Felt north to Barstow, west to Santa Monica (Los 

Angeles County), and south to San Diego. (Ref. 368.)

1899. July 22, 20 32 UTC. Lytle Creek Canyon, San Bernardino County, Calif. North of 

San Bernardino, in Lytle Creek Canyon, one old 

adobe house was knocked down. Streams greatly 

increased their flow of water in the mountains 

north of Cucamonga and San Bernardino, and 

extensive landslides were observed. This severe 

earthquake caused loss to property from Anaheim 

to Barstow. Felt north to Barstow, west to Ventura, 

and south to San Diego. Nine aftershocks were felt 

in the San Bernardino area. Magnitude 5.6 MS 

ELL (Ref. 38, 56, 368, 521.)

1899. Oct. 13 (Oct. 12). Near Santa Rosa, 

Sonoma County, Calif. This earthquake toppled 

some chimneys and knocked plaster from walls in 

Santa Rosa. It was felt only to Petaluma, about 23 

km south of Santa Rosa. Aftershocks were reported 

in the area. (Ref. 38, 368.)

1899. Dec. 25. Hemet-San Jacinto, Riverside 

County, Calif. Property damage from this earthquake was most severe at Hemet and San Jacinto, 

west of Palm Springs. Six people were killed by falling adobe walls at Saboba, a few kilometers east of 

San Jacinto. The estimated property loss of about 

$50,000 appears to be low.

Only two chimneys remained standing in Hemet, 

where brick buildings partly collapsed and woodframe buildings shifted off their foundations. A 

ground fissure about 46 m long extended under a 

house near Hemet; the house was wrenched and 

twisted severely. The fissure may have been surface 

rupture in the San Jacinto fault zone. Many brick 

buildings were partly wrecked at San Jacinto. At 

Riverside, chimneys were overthrown, and brick 

buildings were cracked. This severe shock was felt 

north to Bakersfield (Kern County), south to 

Jacumba (San Diego County), and northeast to Needles (San Bernardino County). It also was reported 

felt at Seligman, Ariz. Many aftershocks occurred on 

Dec. 25 and 26. Magnitude 6.6 MLa DMG. (Ref. 38, 

56, 368, 384.)

1901. Mar. 3 (Mar. 2). Near Parkfield, 

Monterey County, Calif. Chimneys were toppled 

at Bradley, Echo Valley, Parkfield, Slacks Canyon,

Stone Canyon, and Warthan Canyon. At Parkfield, 

three houses were twisted out of shape and one was 

almost wrecked. Slight loss to property also was 

incurred at Adelaida, El Monte, Estrella, Monterey, 

Paso Robles, and San Miguel. Ground cracks as 

much as several meters in length and 15-30 cm in 

width and vertical displacement of about 30 cm were 

observed in Stone Canyon. Felt from San Francisco 

on the north to San Luis Obispo on the south and 

Porterville (Tulare County) on the east. Magnitude 

5.8 MLa DMG. (Ref. 38, 56, 381.)

1902. May 19. South of Elmira, Solano 

County, Calif. Almost all chimneys fell at Elmira, 

and every flue was out of line; a few chimneys toppled at Vacaville, where many brick buildings were 

cracked badly. Only slight damage occurred at Fairfield, Nevada City, and Suisun City. Felt north to 

Colusa, south to San Francisco, and east to lone 

(Amador County) and beyond. (Ref. 38, 56, 381.)

1902. July 28 (July 27). Near Los Alamos, 

Santa Barbara County, Calif. At Los Alamos, 

store buildings were damaged, chimneys were broken, and walls were cracked. Two tanks, each containing about 3,000 barrels of oil, were destroyed on 

the property of the Western Union Oil Company. An 

adobe house at the Orena Ranch, a few kilometers 

south of Lompoc, was affected severely and later 

destroyed by the July 31 aftershock. At Lompoc, 

chimneys toppled, one brick building was ruined, 

and pipelines were broken; at Santa Maria, several 

chimneys fell from buildings. Felt along the coast 

from San Luis Obispo to Ventura. Many aftershocks 

occurred. (Ref. 38, 56, 381.)

1902. July 31; Aug. 1 (July 31). Near Los Alamos, Santa Barbara County, Calif. Two strong 

earthquakes affected Los Alamos and environs, and 

many slight shocks were felt during the day. The two 

events are described together because the effects for 

each cannot be separated. These earthquakes "completed the ruin" begun on July 28. All houses were 

damaged at Los Alamos, and not one chimney was 

left upright. The main effects were confined to an 

area about 24 km long and 6 km wide. Fissures 

formed in the ground, landslides occurred, and water 

began flowing in a formerly dry streambed. The 

shocks were felt along the coast from Cayucos (San 

Luis Obispo County) to Oxnard (Ventura County). 

(Ref. 38, 56, 380, 381.)

1902. Dec. 12. Near Los Alamos, Santa Barbara County, Calif. At Santa Maria, plaster fell in 

many houses and walls of a brick school were 

cracked. Dishes and glassware were thrown from 

shelves at Los Alamos. (Ref. 38, 56, 380.)
114 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1903. June 11. Near San Jose, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. One chimney fell, other chimneys 

lost their tops, and a brick wall was downed at San 

Jose. A few chimneys also toppled at Hayward, Livermore, Santa Cruz, and Watsonville. Felt north to 

Fort Ross (Sonoma County) and south to King City 

(Monterey County). Because an earthquake also was 

reported at San Luis Obispo, it is possible that there 

were two different events. Magnitude 5.4 MS ELL. 

(Ref. 38, 56, 381, 521.)

1903. July 24. Near Willows, Glenn County, 

Calif. At Willows, plaster fell from many buildings 

and several brick walls were cracked. Felt from Sacramento north to Greenville (Plumas County) and 

from Willows east to Nevada City (Yuba County). 

(Ref. 38, 56.)

1903. Aug. 3 (Aug. 2). Near San Jose, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. Few large buildings in San 

Jose were left undamaged, and many were damaged 

severely. Scores of chimneys were shaken down; 

brickwork on many of the larger buildings was 

ruined; and stone trimmings fell to the streets. At 

Evergreen, a few kilometers southwest of San Jose, 

one house was shifted on its foundation, and another 

house lost its chimney. Chimneys were broken to the 

roofline in Santa Clara. Only slight loss to property 

was reported at Edenvale, Mount Hamilton, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Stockton. Felt 

from Guerneville on the north to Jamesburg on the 

south to Stockton on the east. Magnitude 5.3 MS 

ELL. (Ref. 38, 381, 521.)

1903. Dec. 25. Los Angeles, Calif., region. Plaster and bricks were knocked down in Los Angeles, and 

bottles were thrown to the floor in a drug store. The 

shock also was reported at Pasadena, Riverside, San 

Bernardino, and Sierra Madre. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1905. July 15. Near San Bernardino, Calif. No 

damage could be documented for this earthquake. The 

intensity listed was taken from ref. 56. (Ref. 56, 380.)

1905. Sept. 3 (Sept. 2). Los Angeles, Calif., 

region. Plaster fell in the "Baker block" of Los 

Angeles, and a heavy bookcase was overturned in the 

City Hall. (Ref. 56, 380.)

1905. Dec. 23. Bakersfield, Kern County, 

Calif. Wide cracks formed in buildings in Bakersfield, and large quantities of plaster fell as a result of 

this strong local earthquake. Objects were thrown 

from shelves. Two small foreshocks occurred. (Ref. 

38, 56, 380.)

1906. Apr. 18. Near San Francisco, Calif. 

This earthquake is one of the most devastating in the 

history of California. The earthquake and resulting 

fires caused an estimated 3,000 deaths and $524 

million in property loss. Damage in San Francisco

resulting only from the earthquake was estimated at 

$20 million; outside the city, it was estimated at $4 

million. The sensible duration of the shaking in San 

Francisco was about 1 minute.

The earthquake damaged buildings and structures 

in all parts of the city and county of San Francisco, 

although over much of the area, the damage was 

moderate in amount and character. Most chimneys 

toppled or were badly broken. In the business district, which was built on ground made by filling in 

the cove of Yerba Buena, pavements were buckled, 

arched, and fissured; brick and frame houses of ordinary construction were damaged extensively or 

destroyed; sewers and water mains were broken; and 

streetcar tracks were bent into wavelike forms.

On or near the San Andreas fault, buildings were 

destroyed (one was torn apart), and trees were 

knocked to the ground. The surface of the ground 

was torn and heaved into furrow-like ridges. Roads 

crossing the faultline were impassable, and pipelines 

were broken. One pipeline that carried water from 

San Andreas Lake to San Francisco was broken, 

shutting off the water supply to the city. The fires 

that ignited soon after the onset of the earthquake 

quickly raged through the city because of the lack of 

water to control them. They destroyed a large part of 

San Francisco and intensified the loss at Fort Bragg 

and Santa Rosa.

This earthquake caused the most lengthy rupture 

of a fault that has been observed in the contiguous 

United States. The displacement of the San Andreas 

Fault was observed over a distance of 300 km from 

San Juan Bautista to Point Arena, where it passes 

out to sea. Additional displacement was observed farther north at Shelter Cove in Humbolt County, and, 

assuming the rupture was continuous, the total 

length of rupture would extend to 430 km. The largest horizontal displacement 6.4 m occurred near 

Point Reyes Station in Marin County.

In areas where dislocation of fences and roads indicated the amount of ground movement, motions of 3 

to 4.5 m were common. Near Point Arena, in Mendocino County, a fence and a row of trees were displaced almost 5 m. At Wright's Station, in Santa 

Clara County, a lateral displacement of 1.4 m was 

observed. Vertical displacement of as much as 0.9 m 

was observed near Fort Ross in Sonoma County. Vertical displacement was not detected toward the south 

end of the fault.

Although Santa Rosa lies about 30 km from the 

San Andreas fault, damage to property was severe, 

and 50 people were killed. The earthquake also was 

severe in the Los Banos area of the western San 

Joaquin Valley, where the MM intensity more than
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 115

ill! mK~ ^ , f, » I

The new stone-faced brick library at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, was destroyed by the San Francisco, California, earthquake on April 18, 1906. (Photograph by W.C. Mendenhall.)

48 km from the fault zone was IX. Santa Rosa lies 

directly inland from the region of greatest motion on 

the San Andreas fault.

Trees swayed violently, and some were broken off 

above the ground or thrown down. The water in 

springs and artesian wells either increased or 

decreased its flow. A few sand craterlets formed in 

areas where water was ejected through cracks or 

fissures.

The region of destructive intensity extended over a 

distance of 600 km. The total felt area included 

most of California and parts of western Nevada and 

southern Oregon (see fig. 15). The maximum intensity of XI was based on geologic effects, but the highest intensity based on damage was IX. Several 

foreshocks probably occurred, and many aftershocks 

were reported, some of which were severe. Magnitude 8.3 MS CFR, 8.25 Ms GR, 7.4 mb ABE, 7.8 MLa 

DMG (Ref. 38, 56, 378, 381, 517, 533, 567, 571, 

572, 573.)

1906. Apr. 19 (Apr. 18). Near Brawley, Imperial County, Calif. A strong earthquake almost 

destroyed the Van Ness and Marlour buildings in 

Brawley. Walls fell into the streets, and chimneys 

fell to the ground. Not one brick or adobe building in 

the Brawley area escaped damage. Observers 

reported that banks along the New River collapsed. 

Water tanks were destroyed at Cocopar, Baja California. Slight damage was reported at Calexico, El 

Centre, Holtville, and Imperial. Felt north to Los 

Angeles, south to Baja California, and east to Yuma, 

Ariz. Magnitude 6+ Ms CFR, 5.8 MLa DMG. (Ref. 

38, 56, 381.)

1906. Apr. 23. Near Ferndale, Humboldt 

County, Calif. Chimneys were toppled and loose 

objects were knocked down at Ferndale. The 

earthquake stopped clocks at Cape Mendocino, 

Eureka, and Trinidad Head. It was reported felt into 

Oregon. (Ref. 38, 56.)
116 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Ground slumping tilted a row of two-story buildings in San Francisco, California, during April 18, 1906, earthquake. This block of

structures was destroyed by the ensuing fire.

1906. May 2 (May 1). Near Guerneville, 

Sonoma County, Calif. At Guerneville, much plaster 

cracked and articles were thrown about. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1906. May 7, 04 10 and 05 00 UTC (May 6). 

Near Upper Lake, Lake County, Calif. These 

earthquakes were reported to be violent at Upper 

Lake, about 80 km north of Santa Rosa. Many clocks 

stopped during the second shock. No damage could 

be documented for this earthquake. The intensity 

listed was taken from ref. 56. (Ref. 56, 380.)

1906. Dec. 7 (Dec. 6). Near Piedras Blancas, 

San Luis Obispo County, Calif. This earthquake 

cracked the tower at the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. 

It also was reported at Cambria, San Luis Obispo, 

and Santa Maria. (Ref. 56, 380.)

1907. Sept. 20 (Sept. 19). Near San Bernardino, Calif. A few walls of buildings were cracked 

and dishes were broken at San Bernardino, and the

Shaver Building was damaged at San Jacinto. Many 

landslides occurred in the mountain district north of 

San Bernardino, and a pipeline in the Santa Anita 

Mountains was broken. At the Declez quarry, large 

rocks were thrown down the mountainside. Felt 

from Los Angeles south to San Diego and east to Salton. Magnitude 6 Ms CFR. (Ref. 38, 56, 381.)

1908. Jan. 27 (Jan. 26). Honey Lake region, 

Lassen County, Calif. Chimneys were toppled at 

Amedee and Milford in the Honey Lake region. Aftershocks were reported. (Ref. 38, 56, 380.)

1908. Aug. 18. Near Eureka, Humboldt 

County, Calif. A few chimneys toppled at Eureka; 

buildings walls and plate-glass windows cracked; and 

statues on the courthouse fell or were broken. At the 

Seazy Ranch, about 10 km north of Eureka near 

Freshwater, a fissure extending about 0.8 km in 

length formed in the ground. Several chimneys were 

thrown down in the area. (Ref. 38, 56, 380.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 117

Streetcar rails on Howard Street, San Francisco, California, compressed by April 18, 1906, earthquake.

(Photograph by G.K. Gilbert.)
118 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Fence offset 2.6 m on the main fault, 0.4 km northwest of Woodville, by the April 18, 1906, California, earthquake.

(Photograph by O.K. Gilbert.)

1908. Nov. 4. Inyo County, Calif. This earthquake was the strongest of a series of shocks that 

occurred in late October and early November. The epicentral area was uninhabited except for a few prospectors, and several of them left the area because of 

the continuing earthquakes. This shock was felt in 

Tehachapi and probably to San Bernardino. No damage could be documented for this earthquake. The 

intensity listed was taken from ref. 382. (Ref. 38, 56, 

380, 382.)

1909. May 18 (May 17). Upper Mattole, Humboldt County, Calif. This earthquake ruined all 

chimneys at Upper Mattole and displaced monuments 

in the cemetery. The shock was reported only in

Humboldt County at Blocksburg, Eureka, and 

Rohnerville. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1909. June 23 (June 22). South of Downieville 

in Sierra County, Calif. Minor damage to chimneys, 

plaster, lumber flumes, and dishes occurred in parts of 

Sierra and Plumas Counties. The region most strongly 

affected by the earthquake included the area south 

and southeast of Downieville, where chimneys were 

broken and plaster was knocked down. Plaster was 

shaken from ceilings at Sacramento, and walls were 

cracked slightly. The shock also was felt at Sparks, 

Nev. Many aftershocks were reported in the epicentral 

region. (Ref. 38, 56, 380.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 119

124° 122'

EXPLANATION 

 * Epicenter 

IX Intensity 9

34

FIGURE 15. Isoseismal map for the San Francisco, California, earthquake of April 18, 1906. Isoseismals are 

based on MM intensity estimates from data listed in references 381, 517, 571, 572, and 573 of table 1.
120 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1909. Oct. 29 (Oct. 28). Near Scotia, Humboldt County, Calif. The most serious loss of property, estimated at $100,000, occurred in the FortunaRohnerville area. All chimneys were toppled at 

Rohnerville, and concrete construction was wrecked. 

At Upper Mattole, about 40 km south of Rohnerville, 

most chimneys were wrecked. At Rio Dell, every 

chimney was downed, houses moved on foundations, 

and water pipes were broken. At Eureka, Fortuna, 

Ferndale, and Scotia, a few buildings were damaged, 

and many chimneys were leveled. Felt north to Gold 

Beach and Grants Pass, Oreg., south to Point Arena, 

and east to Chico and Nevada City. It also was 

observed onboard a ship at sea, 40 km southwest of 

Cape Mendocino. Aftershocks continued for weeks. 

Magnitude 6+ Ms CFR, 5.8 Ms ELL. (Ref. 38, 56, 

381, 521, 523.)

1910. Mar. 11 (Mar. 10). Near Watsonville, 

Santa Cruz County, Calif. Plaster fell at Santa 

Cruz; a marble slab was knocked out of the wall; and 

windows were broken. Windows and crockery broke 

at Watsonville. The intensity was about the same 

down the Pajaro Valley to Monterey Bay; aftershocks 

were felt over that area also. Felt north to Santa 

Rosa (Sonoma County), south to Priest Valley 

(Monterey County), and east to Modesto (Stanislaus 

County). Magnitude 5.5 MLa DMG. (Ref. 38, 56, 381.)

1910. May 6. Near Bishop, Inyo County, Calif. 

This earthquake generated rockslides in Owens River 

Valley and Rock Creek Canyon, northwest of Bishop, 

and overturned shelves at Bishop. New cracks opened 

in a building at Visalia, about 130 km southwest of 

the epicenter in Tulare County. The event was felt 

east into Nevada, northwest to Sacramento, and south 

to Bakersfield (Kern County). The felt area was similar to that of the shock on Sept. 30, 1889, southwest of 

Bishop. (Ref. 56, 324, 381.)

1910. May 15. Lake Elsinore region, Riverside County, Calif. Chimneys were shaken down at 

Corona, Riverside, and Temescal. At Wildomar, 

bricks fell from chimneys and rocks rolled down the 

hillside. At Beaumont, a concrete-block building was 

cracked and plate-glass windows were broken. Felt 

from Barstow on the north to San Diego on the south 

and from Redondo Beach on the west to Palm 

Springs on the east. Moderate foreshocks occurred 

on Apr. 11 (07 57 UTC) and May 13 (06 20 UTC); 

slight aftershocks occurred on May 15 (20 57 UTC) 

and May 22 (04 15 UTC). Magnitude 6.0 MLa DMG, 

5.5 MS ELL. (Ref. 38, 56, 381, 521.)

1910. Dec. 31. East of Salinas in San Benito 

County, Calif. The earthquake was reported to be 

the "heaviest since 1906" at Salinas, where a water 

main and dishes were broken. The shock was "hard"

at Hollister but caused little damage. It also was 

reported in Sonoma County, about 220 km to the 

north. (Ref. 38, 56, 324.)

1911. Mar. 11. Near Hollister, San Benito 

County, Calif. At Hollister, chimneys and windows 

were damaged, plaster cracked, and objects were 

thrown from walls. Effects of the earthquake were 

light at Salinas (Monterey County) and Campbell, 

Los Gatos, and San Jose (Santa Clara County). (Ref. 

38, 56, 324.)

1911. July 1. Near Coyote, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. This earthquake destroyed chimneys 

and cracked brick walls at Gilroy, Los Gatos, Morgan 

Hill, San Jose, Santa Clara, and other nearby towns. 

One three-story brick building at Mount Hamilton 

(Lick Observatory) was damaged so severely it had to 

be rebuilt, and chimneys on several houses were 

damaged. Near Coyote, three 7.5-m-high water 

tanks were knocked down. Slight damage to some 

buildings was reported at San Francisco. The shock 

was observed north to Woodland (Yolo County) and 

south to San Ardo (Monterey County). Isolated 

reports of this shock were received from as far east 

as Reno and Carson City, Nev. Several light aftershocks were felt through December 1911. Magnitude 

6.2 MLa DMG, 6.6 Ms CFR, 6.5 Ms ELL. (Ref. 38, 

56, 258, 381, 521.)

1911. Aug. 11. Near San Jacinto, Riverside 

Couniy, Calif. A few walls sustained cracks and 

crockery was broken at San Jacinto. The shock was 

sharp at Redlands and San Bernardino but was 

slight at Los Angeles. A light foreshock occurred on 

Aug. 11 at 18 20 UTC. (Ref. 56, 380.)

1912. Jan. 5 (Jan. 4). Near Bishop, Inyo 

County, Calif. Breakable goods and merchandise 

were damaged in some stores at Bishop, and loose 

articles were knocked to the floor. The shock also was 

reported at Bakersfield, Fresno, and Visalia, and one 

doubtful report was received from Blair, Nev. (Ref. 

56, 324.)

1912. Dec. 14. Southeast of Oxnard, Ventura 

County, Calif. Two sharp earthquakes overturned 

desks at the Ocean "View School and wrecked two 

nearby barns. The tremors were "very marked in the 

country districts." (Ref. 38, 56.)

1914. Nov. 9 (Nov. 8). Santa Clara County, 

Calif. Near Laurel (Santa Cruz County), two chimneys were knocked down and articles were thrown 

from shelves. North of Laurel, two water pipes were 

broken at the Montezuma School. Six chimneys and 

several windowpanes were cracked at Los Gatos, and 

small amounts of plaster fell to the floor. Felt from 

Santa Rosa on the north to San Joaquin Valley on
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 121

the east and to Soledad (Monterey County) on the 

south. (Ref. 38, 324, 381, 414.)

1915. Jan. 12 (Jan. 11). Near Los Alamos, 

Santa Barbara County, Calif. Some chimneys were 

shaken down at Los Alamos; almost every chimney 

was damaged to some extent; and water pipes were 

pulled apart at their unions. Chimneys also were 

downed at Careaga, Santa Ynez, and at several 

ranches in Santa Barbara County. Brick buildings 

were damaged at Lompoc, about 20 km southwest of 

Los Alamos. In the epicentral area, cracks formed in 

the alluvial soil and many small landslides occurred. 

Felt north to San Jose, east to Bakersfield, and 

southeast along the coast to Los Angeles. Many aftershocks occurred for about a month. (Ref. 38, 56, 381.)

1915. Feb. 22. Near Whitmore, Shasta 

County, Calif. A highly localized shock in the mountains near Whitmore, northwest of Lassen Peak, 

caused severe dislocation of the ground at a ranch 

about 30 km from the foot of Lassen Peak. The earth 

cracked near the ranch, and fissures formed at points 

along the road leading to the ranch. Water spurted 

from the ground in many places; bubbling springs 

formed; and a barn sagged where the earth sank 

beneath its foundation. Other unusual phenomena 

also were reported. This event may have been a landslide because it was not recorded on seismographs at 

Berkeley. (Ref. 38, 56, 324, 381.)

1915. June 23, 03 59 and 04 56 UTC (June 

22). North of Calexico, Imperial Valley, Calif. 

Two destructive earthquakes wrecked buildings, 

overturned chimneys, and knocked down walls in the 

Calexico-El Centre area. The second shock, which 

was as strong as the first, completed the destruction 

of the buildings that already were weakened. This 

shock killed six people in Mexicali, Mexico. A foreshock occurred at 03 40 UTC.

The area of heaviest property damage extended 

from Mexicali north to Calexico, El Centre, and 

Heber, where almost every brick and adobe building 

was damaged. Property loss, estimated at $900,000 

for both Mexico and the United States, was due as 

much to the poor quality of construction as to the 

intensity of the earthquake. Damage at El Centre, 

the largest city in the Imperial Valley at this time, 

was estimated at $600,000. Property damage in Calexico, Heber, and Mexicali was almost as severe, but 

the rebuilding cost was less because the towns were 

much smaller than El Centro.

A few cracks formed in the alluvium parallel to the 

levees in the Imperial Valley, but the irrigation 

ditches were damaged only slightly, if at all. Many 

unstable banks of the Alamo and New Rivers slid 

into the water; cracks formed in the marshy bed of

the New River northwest of El Centro. Residents 

about 25 km north of the mud volcanoes, which are 

west of Laguna de los Volcanes, Mexico (about 40 km 

south of Calexico), reported that columns of steam 

were seen rising from the vents for several days following the earthquakes and that occasional explosions were heard from that direction.

A foreshock occurred about 20 minutes before the 

first shock, and several aftershocks occurred through 

August 1915. The main earthquakes were felt north 

to Los Angeles and San Bernardino, east to Parker 

and Yuma, Ariz., and south at least to Ensenada, 

Mexico, and probably farther. Magnitude 5.6 ML& 

DMG (both earthquakes), 6.0 Ms ELL (03 59), 5.9 Ms 

ELL (04 56). (Ref. 38, 381, 383, 521.)

1915. Oct. 8 (Oct. 7). Near Piedmont, 

Alameda County, Calif. This sharp earthquake 

knocked down a few chimneys at Piedmont, and windows were broken. A small amount of plaster fell on 

the campus at Berkeley. Felt from Sebastopol, 

Sonoma County, to Santa Clara. Three aftershocks 

were reported. (Ref. 38, 56, 324, 442.)

1915. Nov. 21 (Nov. 20). Baja California, 

Mexico. A major earthquake left large cracks in a 

levee at Laguna de los Volcanes, Mexico, an uninhabited area about 40 km south of Calexico, Calif. Two 

hunters near Laguna de los Volcanes, Mexico, 

reported that a column of steam shot up about 

180-200 m high and was followed by a column of 

black mud that reached about the same height. This 

column alternated between steam and mud for about 

1 hour. The observers, although on level ground, had 

trouble standing during the earthquake. Cracks 

were observed on both sides of the New River for a 

distance of about 3 km. Felt only slightly at Los 

Angeles, but felt strongly at Calexico and San Diego 

and at Yuma, Ariz. Magnitude 7.1 Ms ABE, 6.8 mj, 

ABE. (Ref. 38, 258, 492.)

1915. Dec. 31. Off coast of Humboldt County, 

Calif. Felt inland only slightly at Eureka and 

Shivery. Magnitude 6.5 Ms ELL, 6.5 Ms GR (Ref. 56, 

258, 521.)

1916. July 5 (July 4). Near Ferndale, Humboldt County, Calif. About 3 km west of Ferndale, 

two chimneys were cracked, and a woodpile was 

overturned. One plate-glass window at Ferndale was 

broken, and vases were thrown from shelves. (Ref. 

38, 56, 324.)

1916. Aug. 6. Near Paicines, San Benito 

County, Calif. Chimneys on a hotel at Paicines were 

destroyed; damage was slight at Hollister. Huge boulders rolled onto the highway at Chittenden Pass in 

Santa Cruz County. Felt to San Francisco on the
122 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

north, Monterey on the west, and Paso Robles on the 

south. (Ref. 38, 56, 324, 381.)

1916. Oct. 23, 02 44 UTC (Oct. 22). Near 

Lebec, Kern County, Calif. The epicentral area of 

this earthquake was sparsely populated, and so 

intensity information was meager. In San Emigdio 

Canyon (Kern County), the top one-third of a large 

rock chimney was knocked off, and many rocks rolled 

off nearby mountains. Near Frazier Mountain (Ventura County), about 10 km southwest of Tejon Pass, a 

crack opened in the ground; on the Snedden Ranch 

in Lockwood Valley, an adobe house was cracked so 

severely that it could not be repaired. On the north 

side of Lockwood Valley, at the Frazier Borax mine, 

the shock detached the porch from a frame house. On 

Alamo Mountain, about 18 km southwest of Tejon 

Pass, limbs fell from pine trees and rocks fell from 

the canyon walls at several places. Near German, a 

crack several meters in length and a few centimeters 

in width formed in the cement surface of the highway. Cracks also were reported in the highway at 

Bailey's Patrol Station, northwest of Quail Lake.

A strong aftershock was observed in the area 10 

minutes later, and several lighter aftershocks were 

reported. The main earthquake was felt from 

Shafter (Kern County) on the north to Los Angeles 

on the south and from Roosevelt (Los Angeles 

County) on the east to Los Olivos (Santa Barbara 

County) on the west. Isolated felt reports, however, 

were received from such distant points as Fresno and 

San Diego. Magnitude 5.5 Ms GR, 5.2 MLa DMG. 

(Ref. 38, 56, 258, 534.)

1916. Dec. 1. Near Avila, San Luis Obispo 

County, Calif. Some smokestacks toppled at the 

Union Oil Company refinery buildings in Avila. Plaster fell in several houses; much glass was broken; 

and merchandise fell from shelves. In Dairy Canyon, 

about 3 km north of Avila, a landslide covered the 

railroad tracks. One brick fell from a building in San 

Luis Obispo. Water in the San Luis Obispo Bay was 

disturbed. The shock was "severe" at Port San Luis 

but was slight to the southeast, at Santa Maria 

(Santa Barbara County). (Ref. 38, 56, 324.)

1917. May 28 (May 27). Imperial Valley, near 

Holtville, Calif. Walls were cracked at Brawley, and 

residents were panic stricken. Felt in Imperial, Riverside, and San Diego Counties and probably into 

northern Mexico. (Ref. 56, 380.)

1917. July 6. Owens Valley, Inyo County, 

Calif. This earthquake caused a break about 30.5 m 

long in the flume of the Los Angeles aqueduct south 

of Owens Lake. Chimneys cracked in the area, and 

rocks rolled down the mountain. Nine shocks 

occurred from July 7 to 9. The shock was reported

from Little Lake in the south to a point 18 km northwest of Independence in the north. (Ref. 38, 56, 324.)

1917. July 9. Lopez Canyon, San Luis 

Obispo County, Calif. Chimneys cracked and rocks 

rolled down the hillsides in Lopez Canyon, near San 

Luis Obispo. Four foreshocks and three aftershocks 

were felt in the area from July 7 at 20 57 UTC to 

July 10 at 00 45 UTC. (Ref. 38, 56, 324.)

1918. Mar. 12. Downieville, Sierra County, 

Calif. Chimneys were knocked over at Downieville. 

This sharp shock was reported only in Sierra County. 

An aftershock was reported 2 hours later. (Ref. 38, 

56, 272, 324.)

1918. Apr. 21. Near San Jacinto, Riverside 

County, Calif. Major damage occurred in San 

Jacinto, about 120 km southeast of Los Angeles and 

at Hemet, about 3 km south of San Jacinto. Several 

residents were injured, and one was killed. An earthquake of similar intensity occurred in the same area 

on December 25, 1899.

In the business section of San Jacinto, a town of 

about 1,000 population, only one new concrete building and one frame building remained standing after 

the earthquake. Most of the ruined buildings were of 

poor construction, however. Property damage at 

Hemet was not as severe as in San Jacinto. No buildings were wrecked, and no buildings of good construction were damaged seriously. Total property loss 

in the two towns was estimated at $200,000.

Light damage to structures occurred in several 

towns within a 160-km radius of San Jacinto. Concrete irrigation canals were broken in several places 

in the Hemet-San Jacinto area.

Many lengthwise cracks were observed in the highway between San Jacinto and Hemet, but cracks 

were not observed at the sides of this highway. 

About 1.5 km from the center of San Jacinto, the 

concrete highway was buckled, and a section about 1 

m wide was torn up. Cracks in the ground were 

noted in four areas, but all were believed to be due to 

the shaking, not to the surface rupture along the San 

Jacinto fault. Many small sand craters were 

observed on a farm about 1.5 km northwest of San 

Jacinto. Felt from Taft (Kern County) in the north 

along the coast to San Diego (and probably into Mexico) and from Needles (San Bernardino County) in 

the east, south to Yuma, Ariz. Many aftershocks 

occurred, including a strong tremor on June 6, 1918. 

Two moderate shocks on Apr. 22 (16 07 and 16 14 

UTC) shook down loose bricks and tottering walls in 

Hemet and San Jacinto. Magnitude 6.9 MS ELL, 6.6 

MLa DMG (Ref. 38, 56, 258, 381, 384, 521, 533, 599.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 123

Collapsed building at San Jacinto, California, caused by the April 21, 1918, earthquake. (Photograph by University of California, Berkeley.)

1918. Apr. 22. Near Corona, Riverside 

County, Calif. Chimneys were cracked, and plaster 

was thrown down at Corona. (Ref. 38, 56, 380.)

1918. May 1 (Apr. 30). Calexico, Imperial 

County, Calif. Plate-glass windows were broken at 

Calexico, and stock was thrown from shelves at El 

Centre. Felt over an area that included San Diego 

County on the west, San Jacinto on the north, western Arizona on the east, and an unknown distance 

into Mexico on the south. (Ref. 56, 272.)

1918. June 6. Near Hemet, Riverside County, 

Calif. A strong aftershock of the event on Apr. 21, 

1918, cracked plaster 7 km southeast of Hemet, loosened rocks on the mountainside, and cracked the 

ground around large trees. It was felt in Imperial, 

Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San 

Diego Counties. (Ref. 56, 380.)

1918. July 15 (July 14). Off the coast of 

northern Humboldt County, Calif. Buildings 

swayed alarmingly at Eureka, and most residents 

ran outside. The shock also was felt in Mendocino 

and Trinity Counties. Magnitude 6.5 MS ELL, 5.9 

MLa ELL. (Ref. 38, 56, 258, 521.)

1918. Nov. 19. Near Venice, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. At Venice, plaster was downed and 

dishes were thrown to the floor; at Santa Monica,

chimneys were cracked. The earthquake was 

reported only in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. 

(Ref. 38, 56.)

1919. Jan. 4. East of Redding, Shasta County, 

Calif. In the Clover Creek area, between Fern and 

Whitmore, the earthquake damaged chimneys and 

broke dishes. A surface fracture cut across a road 

near Fern and caused vertical displacement of several feet. This local event was not felt at Millville, 

about 30 km distant, and was not recorded on 

seismographs. This event may have been a landslide 

similar to one that occurred at the same location on 

Feb. 22, 1915. (Ref. 56, 324.)

1919. Feb. 16. Near Maricopa, Kern County, 

Calif. The earthquake cracked buildings at Maricopa 

and the Grapevine pump station. At Belridge, an oil 

tank was split, and at Lebec, rocks rolled down the 

hillsides. This shock also was felt in Fresno, Los 

Angeles, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare Counties. Magnitude 5.7 Ukn JON. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1919. Sept. 15. Near Eureka, Humboldt 

County, Calif. Some chimneys were demolished 

at Eureka, and windows were broken. Three aftershocks occurred within about 5 hours. (Ref. 38, 

56, 324.)
124 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Collapsed exterior wall of Hotel Inglewood, Inglewood, California, caused by the June 22, 1920 (June 21 PST), earthquake.

(Photograph by University of California, Berkeley.)

1920. Jan. 1 (Dec. 31, 1919). Near Warner 

Springs, San Diego County, Calif. Adobe walls 

were cracked at Warner Springs. The shock also was 

observed in Imperial, Los Angeles, and Riverside 

Counties. (Ref. 56, 380.)

1920. June 22 (June 21). Near Inglewood, Los 

Angeles County, Calif. This earthquake mainly damaged poorly built structures in the area of Inglewood, 

about 16 km south of downtown Los Angeles. Property 

loss was estimated at more than $100,000. The 

destructive effects of the shock were most prominent 

along Commercial Street, where damage commonly 

was more severe to two-story buildings than to onestory buildings.

The Inglewood grammar school was wrecked, and 

walls of the Inglewood Hotel and a nearby electric 

substation fell into the street. Many chimneys on private houses in Inglewood were broken at the roofline. 

The water mains and plant of the Inglewood Water 

Company were damaged. At Hyde Park, 3 km northeast of Inglewood, about 30 percent of the chimneys 

were overthrown, and brick facings on the fronts of 

five school buildings were knocked down. In a cemetery east of Inglewood, tombstones were twisted and 

overturned. Many aftershocks occurred, but most 

were felt only in the Inglewood area. (Ref. 38, 56, 

385, 537.)

1920. July 16, 18 08, 21 27, and 21 30 UTC. 

Los Angeles, Calif. A series of more than 100

earthquakes occurred in the Los Angeles area from 

Feb. 1 to Sept. 30, 1920. The strongest shocks were 

observed on July 16. Damage from the July 16 

events included cracked walls, fallen plaster from 

ceilings and walls, and fallen bricks from cornices 

and chimneys. Most of the earthquakes were felt only 

in the Los Angeles area. The second shock on July 16 

was felt at Mount Wilson and Pasadena, and the 

third was felt at Pomona and Santa Ana. (Ref. 56, 

380, 386.)

1920. July 23 (July 22). Hot Springs, Shasta 

County, Calif. Chimneys and dishes were broken 

and dishes were shaken from shelves at Hot Springs. 

It was felt from Redding northeast to Fall River 

Mills and McArthur and along the McCloud River. 

Three sharp aftershocks were observed on July 23 at 

14 00, 16 00, and 20 00 UTC. (Ref. 38, 56, 324, 537.)

1922. Jan. 31. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. This potentially damaging earthquake was felt from Eugene, Oreg., to San Francisco. 

Magnitude 7.6 Ms CFR, 7.3 Ms GR, 7.3 mb ABE. 

(Ref. 56, 258, 272.)

1922. Mar. 10. Cholame Valley area, San 

Luis Obispo County, Calif. Houses were damaged 

severely along the San Andreas fault zone in 

Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties. Chimneys 

fell at Parkfield and in southern Cholame Valley. 

One house was jolted from its foundation onto the
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 125

ground, and its porch was displaced 30 cm away from 

the house. Another severely damaged house was 

twisted into two parts. A large water tank on a 

ranch at Cholame was knocked down and broken 

into pieces, and oil pipelines broke between Shandon 

and Antelope. A ground crack, 15-30 cm wide and 

about 800 m long, was reported in Cholame Valley. 

Small ground cracks also formed in the San Andreas 

fault zone. Felt from San Jose on the north to Los 

Angeles on the south and east to Springville (Tulare 

County). A moderate aftershock occurred on Mar. 16 

at 23 11 UTC. Magnitude 6.3 MLa DMG, 6.3 Ms 

ELL. (Ref. 38, 56, 258, 324, 381, 521.)

1923. Jan. 22. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. Houses were damaged severely at 

Ferndale, Petrolia, and Upper Mattole; many chimneys were downed; and water lines were broken. At 

Pepperwood, one house was shaken from its foundation and split apart, and another was twisted from 

its base. Chimneys also were knocked over at Alton, 

Dyerville, Fortuna, Loleta, Ocean House, and Scotia. 

Several landslides occurred in the canyon. Felt from 

Walker (Siskiyou County) south to San Francisco and 

beyond and east to Grass Valley (Nevada County). It 

also was observed on several ships at sea. Many 

aftershocks occurred in the Petrolia-Upper Mattole 

region. Magnitude 7.2 Ms ABE, 7.3 Ms CFR, 6.5 

ML& DMG. A small tsunami was recorded. (Ref. 38, 

56, 258, 381, 610.)

1923. July 23 (July 22). Near Redlands, Riverside County, Calif. Many chimneys were broken 

in Redlands, San Bernardino, and along Base line 

Road, west of Harlem Springs. The fronts of three 

buildings were cracked badly in Redlands, and a few 

fire walls were thrown down. At San Bernardino, 

two cornices were thrown down; parts of brick walls 

collapsed; and pavement buckled. Damage to walls 

and chimneys also occurred at Colton, Loma Linda, 

and Patton. Felt north to Mojave (Kern County) 

southeast to Calexico (Imperial County) and east to 

Big Bear Valley (San Bernardino County). Magnitude 6.25 Ms CFR, 6.0 MLa DMG, 6.3 Ms ELL. (Ref. 

258, 381, 388.)

1923. Nov. 5. Baja California, Mexico. At Calexico, Calif., a hotel shifted several centimeters on its 

foundation, and other structures sustained minor 

damage. The intensity of the earthquake was similar 

at El Centre, where five pronounced shocks were 

reported. The earthquake also was felt at Brawley 

and San Diego. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1923. Nov. 7. Baja California, Mexico. This 

earthquake was stronger than that on Nov. 5, 1923. 

Additional property damage occurred at Calexico,

Calif., and one fire resulted. Felt only in Imperial 

and San Diego Counties. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1924. Dec. 28 (Dec. 27). Salinas, Monterey 

County, Calif. Considerable minor damage to plaster occurred at Salinas, where residents rushed into 

the streets in panic. The dining room of one house 

was "practically a wreck" from fallen plaster. Felt 

from King City (Monterey County) north to Palo Alto 

(Santa Clara County) and west of the Mount Hamilton Range. (Ref. 56, 324, 539.)

1925. Apr. 16 (Apr. 15). Baja California, Mexico. At Calexico, Calif, plaster was shaken from 

walls at the public library and residents ran outside. 

(Ref. 38, 56, 218.)

1925. June 29. Near Santa Barbara, Calif., in 

the Santa Barbara Channel. This destructive 

earthquake caused property damage estimated at $8 

million and killed 13 people. Most of the damage 

occurred at Santa Barbara and nearby towns along 

the coast, but the earthquake caused moderate damage at many points north of the Santa Ynez Mountains, in the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria River 

valleys. North of Santa Barbara, the earth dam of 

the Sheffield Reservoir was destroyed, but the water 

released caused little damage.

In Santa Barbara, few buildings on State Street 

escaped damage. Because parts of the main business 

district and the area near the seashore were built on 

land fill, many of the structures there were demolished, and others were so shattered that they had to 

be razed. In general, however, buildings of reinforced 

concrete were damaged little, except where workmanship was poor; frame buildings covered with 

stucco, sheathing, or lath also withstood the shock 

well. Loss to the sewage system was heavy only in 

areas of land fill, but the disposal plant was 

destroyed above the surface of the ground.

Among the most conspicuous building failures in 

Santa Barbara were the Arlington Hotel (a composite 

building of irregular shape), the Californian Hotel (a 

new four-story brick building), the San Marcos office 

building (a four-story reinforced concrete structure), 

the El Camino Real Hotel (a two-story brick and 

wood structure), and the Potter Theater building (a 

three-and-one-third-story brick and wood structure). 

Other public buildings seriously damaged included 

the courthouse, jail, library, schools, and churches.

Structures built on solid ground or pavement of all 

types withstood the earthquake well. The only 

severely damaged pavement was that on the boulevard paralleling the beach, where the shoulders of 

the pavement were displaced 20-36 cm horizontally. 

The pavement sustained cracks as wide as 40 cm at
126 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Wall of the Hotel Californian at Santa Barbara, California, downed by the June 29, 1925, earthquake. 

(Photograph by University of California, Berkeley.)

several points along the beachfront. Concrete curbs 

buckled in almost every block in Santa Barbara.

The earthquake caused damage on the Southern 

Pacific Company Railroad from Gaviota (mile 331 as 

measured from San Francisco) on the north to Ventura (mile 598) on the south. Heavy subsidence of the 

larger fills and slope failure of the sides of deep cuts 

were noted on the railroad track from Naples to 

Santa Barbara. Many of the bluffs in the Naples 

area, adjacent to the ocean, fissured and caused 

extensive landslides. A section of ground (about 2 

acres), adjacent to the track between Naples and 

Santa Barbara, subsided about 30 cm.

Felt from Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County) on 

the north to Santa Ana (Orange County) on the 

south and to Mojave (Kern County) on the east. Several strong aftershocks occurred on July 3, and 

lighter shocks occurred throughout July 1925. 

Magnitude 6.3 Ms CFR, 6.1 MLa DMG. (Ref. 38, 258, 

381, 389, 533, 540, 541, 542.)

1925. July 3, 16 37 and 18 19 UTC. Near 

Santa Barbara, Calif. The first aftershock of the 

June 29 earthquake toppled a few damaged chimneys

at Santa Barbara and left cracks in walls. The 

second tremor was larger than the first because as 

surface waves were reported only for the second 

tremor (from Honolulu, Hawaii, and Cambridge, 

Mass.). The lack of information on damage from the 

second shock probably is due to its occurrence so 

soon after the first shock. (Ref. 56, 218, 380.)

1926. Feb. 18. Near Santa Barbara, Calif.

Windows were broken in a Santa Barbara school, and 

a water main was broken in the roundhouse. Telephone equipment was damaged at Simi (Ventura 

County). Felt along the coast from San Luis Obispo 

on the northwest to south of Santa Ana, a distance of 

about 320 km. Magnitude 5.0 MLa DMG. (Ref. 38, 

56, 218.)

1926. June 29. Near Santa Barbara, Calif. 

Some chimneys fell at Santa Barbara, and one child 

was killed by falling bricks. A streetcar was derailed; 

telephone wires became tangled; plate-glass windows 

were broken; and old cracks in walls enlarged. The 

shock was felt strongly at Buellton and Ventura and 

was reported as far southeast as the Los Angeles 

beaches. (Ref. 38, 56, 218, 533.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 127

El Camino Real Hotel and garage in Santa Barbara, California, severely damaged by the June 29, 1925, earthquake.

1926. July 25. Near Idria, San Benito County, 

Calif. Rocks rolled down the hillside in the area of 

Idria and Panoche. The earthquake cracked plaster 

in the San Joaquin Valley. It was felt southeastward 

across the San Joaquin Valley to Kernville and north 

and northwestward to Sacramento and San Jose. 

(Ref. 56, 218, 390.)

1926. Oct. 22, 12 35 and 13 35 UTC. Off the 

coast of Monterey County, Calif. Two largemagnitude earthquakes caused considerable damage 

in the Monterey Bay region. The first shock was 

severe at Santa Cruz, where many chimneys were 

knocked down, and old brick buildings sustained damage. A few chimneys also were knocked down at Carmel and Monterey. A lamp was thrown from its base, 

and a lens was broken at the lighthouse on Ano Nuevo 

Island, northwest of Santa Cruz. Lighter effects were 

reported as far away as San Francisco (120 km from 

the epicenter), where the tile surfaces of a few 

buildings were damaged, windows were broken, and 

plaster was cracked extensively.

The second shock, an hour later, was almost as 

widely felt as the first, and appears to have been 

stronger than the first earthquake at towns north of

Monterey Bay. The shaking again was heavy on Ano 

Nuevo Island. The shocks were felt over about the 

same area north to Middletown (Lake County), 

south along the coast to Lompoc (Santa Barbara 

County), and east to Turlock (Stanislaus County). 

Many small aftershocks occurred. Magnitude 6.1 Mg 

CFR (both earthquakes), 6.1 MLa DMG (12 35 UTC). 

(Ref. 56, 218, 381, 391, 521.)

1927. Jan. 1, 08 16 and 09 13 UTC. Imperial 

Valley, Calif. Two strong earthquakes began a long 

series of shocks, although none of the aftershocks 

exceeded MM intensity VI. Refer to June 23, 1915, 

above, for a description of a similar double earthquake occurrence at about the same location. Many 

buildings were damaged severely at Calexico (Imperial County), and several people were injured by collapsing roofs and walls. At Mexicali, Mexico, some 

buildings were destroyed and many were damaged. 

Water mains were broken in both towns. Slight 

damage to buildings also was reported at El Centre, 

Heber, and Imperial. Felt northwest to Orange 

County and east into Arizona. Hundreds of aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 38, 56, 258, 381.)
128 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1927. Aug. 4. Santa Monica Bay, Calif. Only 

minor damage occurred in the area. A water main 

was broken in downtown Los Angeles. The shock 

was reported north to Ventura, east to San Bernardino, and south to Anaheim (Orange County). Magnitude 5.0 MLa DMG. (Ref. 38, 56, 218.)

1927. Aug. 20. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. At Eureka and Arcata, chimneys 

were destroyed, windows and water pipes broke, and 

walls cracked. Plaster fell in buildings, and some 

doors jammed. People driving automobiles had steering problems. Cracks formed in mud and gravel in 

Redwood Park (Eureka), and moderate landslides 

occurred. Chimneys also were damaged at Fortuna, 

Ferndale, Freshwater, and Scotia. Felt north to the 

Smith River area near the Oregon-California border 

and south to Westport, in Mendocino County. Magnitude 5.0 MLa DMG. (Ref. 38, 218, 324, 543.)

1927. Sept. 18 (Sept. 17). Northwest of 

Bishop, Inyo County, Calif. The intensity of this 

earthquake probably was highest near Bishop, where 

several chimneys were downed, many windows were 

cracked or broken, and parked cars moved back and 

forth. The shock also appears to have been strong in 

the sierra regions of Fresno and Madera Counties. A 

landslide caused damage at the powerhouse in 

Owens River Canyon, north of Bishop. Felt from 

Mono County in the north to Los Angeles County in 

the south and from Kings County in the west to 

western Nevada in the east. A slight aftershock was 

felt on Sept. 19 at 05 23 UTC. Magnitude 5.5 MLa 

ELL. (Ref. 56, 218, 258, 521, 535.)

1927. Nov. 4. Off the coast of Santa Barbara 

County, west of Lompoc, Calif. The most severe 

damage to property occurred in the areas west and 

north of Lompoc. Chimneys were wrecked at several 

towns, including Arroyo Grande, Berros, Guadalupe, 

Halcyon, Lompoc, Los Alamos, and Nipomo. On the 

Roberd's ranch, an earthquake fountain created 

between 10 and 20 sand craters; lurches and cracks 

were observed in the water-soaked soil. The Roberd 

ranch house was shifted on its foundation about 5 

cm, and small outbuildings were pushed from their 

foundations. The walls of a poorly built block building collapsed at White Hills. At Santa Maria and 

other towns in the area, chimneys were damaged, old 

brick walls and interior walls formed cracks, and cornices fell.

Near Surf, west of Lompoc, the Southern Pacific 

Railroad bridge was thrown out of alignment near its 

center; a concrete highway was cracked; and small 

rockslides and earthslides occurred. Cracks formed 

in the ground about 6.5 km north of Arlight. Felt 

from Morgan Hill south to Redondo Beach and from

the coast east to Kernville. A tsunami was recorded 

on tide gages at San Francisco, La Jolla, San Diego, 

and Fort Point, and waves were observed at Pismo, 

Port San Luis (1.5 m), and Surf (1.8 m). Many aftershocks occurred. Magnitude 7.3 MS GR, 7.3 mb ABE, 

7.5 MS CFR, 6.2 MLa DMG. (Ref. 38, 56, 381, 392, 

521, 610.)

1927. Nov. 19 (Nov. 18). Near Santa Maria, 

Santa Barbara County, Calif. Chimneys, weakened by the shock on Nov. 4, 1927, fell at Santa 

Maria, and windows cracked. Plaster was cracked at 

Betteravia. Felt from San Miguel (San Luis Obispo 

County) and Parkfield (Monterey County) on the 

north to towns in the area of Santa Barbara Channel 

on the south. (Ref. 38, 56, 218.)

1928. Apr. 15. West of Paskenta, Tehama 

County, Calif. At Paskenta, one chimney was 

cracked and standing automobiles were moved back 

and forth. At a ranch near Newville, south of 

Paskenta, a chimney was knocked off one house. In 

Lyonsville, at the northeast edge of the macroseismic 

region, a laborer reported three tombstones fell and 

six graves collapsed. Felt from Rockport (Mendocino 

County) in the west to Stirling City (Butte County) 

in the east and from Jelly (Tehama County) in the 

north to Lakeport (Lake County) in the south. Magnitude 5.7 Ukn JON. (Ref. 393.)

1928. June 4 (June 3). Near Weaverville, 

Trinity County, Calif. This earthquake, which was 

as strong at Carrville and Trinity Center, threw 

chimneys down at Weaverville. It was felt west to 

Eureka and Scotia. Magnitude 4.5 MLH DMG. (Ref. 

1, 324.)

1929. July 8. Near Whittier, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. This earthquake was strongest in an 

area southeast of Whittier. Within that area, a 

schoolhouse and two private dwellings were damaged 

seriously, and several others were damaged by falling 

chimneys. At nearby Santa Fe Springs, the shock 

broke flanges on oil towers and left a few short, parallel cracks in loose ground; two oil wells were 

plugged by incaving.

Felt generally from Mount Wilson on the north to 

beyond Santa Ana on the south and from Hermosa 

Beach in the west to Riverside in the east. Many 

aftershocks occurred within a few hours of the main 

earthquake and continued to occur at increasingly 

long and irregular intervals through March 1931. 

Several small foreshocks were felt in the Whittier 

area from May 4-18, 1929. (Ref. 2, 394.)

1929. Nov. 28. Southeast of Aberdeen, Inyo 

County, Calif. About 8 km southeast of Aberdeen, 

concrete reservoirs were cracked and dishes were 

broken. A large landslide was reported about 25 km
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 129

northwest of Independence at the headwaters of 

Goodale Creek. Five heavy shocks were reported at 

Fresno. The earthquake generally was felt northwest 

to Stockton (San Joaquin County), south to Kernville, 

and east to Mina, Nev. Magnitude 4.9 Ukn JON. 

(Ref. 2, 38.)

1930. Jan. 16, 00 24 and 00 34 UTC (Jan. 15). 

Near Summit, San Bernardino County, Calif. 

Two strong earthquakes knocked down chimneys and 

broke dishes in Fawnskin and Summit. The first 

shock was heavier. The tremors were felt strongly as 

far as Los Angeles. Magnitude 5.9 Ukn JON (00 24 

UTC), 5.5 Ukn JON (00 34 UTC). (Ref. 3, 38, 258.)

1930. Feb. 26 (Feb. 25). Near Westmorland, 

Imperial County, Calif. At Westmorland, chimneys 

were knocked down, and walls were cracked. Modern 

buildings were undamaged. East of Westmorland, 

craterlets formed where mud and water were forced 

from the ground. Felt in Imperial, Riverside, and San 

Diego Counties and at a few towns in western 

Arizona. Several foreshocks and many aftershocks 

occurred. Magnitude 5.7 Ukn JON. (Ref. 3, 38.)

1930. Mar. 1. Near Brawley, Imperial County, 

Calif. At Brawley chimneys and overhanging cornices toppled, roofs displaced, and walls were cracked 

severely. Aftershocks were felt through Mar. 6, 1930. 

(Ref. 3, 38.)

1930. Aug. 5, 11 25 UTC. Near Santa Barbara, Calif. Two local earthquakes broke windows 

at Santa Barbara and cracked walls at Ventura. One 

aftershock was observed. Magnitude 4.7 Ukn JON. 

(Ref 3, 38.)

1930. Aug. 31 (Aug. 30). Santa Monica Bay, 

Calif., west of the Los Angeles Basin. A cornice 

fell from a building at Venice, and ground cracks 

formed long the edge of Palisades Park bluff at Santa 

Monica, north of Venice. Small earthslides and rockslides were reported. At Los Angeles, minor cracks 

formed in buildings, plaster fell, and dishes broke. 

Light damage also occurred at Chatsworth, Hollywood, Owensmouth, and Pasadena. Felt throughout 

the Los Angeles Basin from Kern County in the 

north to San Diego County in the south and east to 

the Palm Springs area. A tsunami of 0.6 m was 

observed at Santa Monica.

A comparison of the Jan. 1, 1979, Malibu earthquake and the 1930 Santa Monica earthquake suggests that they occurred on the Anacapa-Dume and 

Santa Monica faults, respectively. The epicenters of 

these earthquakes can be interpreted to define an 8- 

to 10-km north-south distance between the two 

faults, which suggests that the faults are unlikely to 

rupture simultaneously in one large event. (Ref. 3, 

38, 396, 474, 610.)

1930. Sept. 23 (Sept. 22). Near Eureka, Humboldt County, Calif. Chimneys were toppled at 

Arcata, Eureka, and Fields Landing. Slight damage 

occurred at Capetown, Crannell, and Korbel. Felt 

south to Briceland, north to the Oregon border, and 

about 90 km inland from the coast. Two light aftershocks occurred on Sept. 23. Magnitude 5.1 Ukn 

JON. (Ref. 3, 38, 324.)

1930. Oct. 29. Near Whitmore, Shasta 

County, Calif. This earthquake caused damage at 

La Moine (50 km north of Redding) and Whitmore 

(40 km east of Redding). A series of 13 shocks was 

felt from Mineral and Viola in the east to Redding 

and La Moine in the west. (Ref. 3, 324.)

1931. Aug. 23. Off the coast, southwest of 

Cape Mendocino, Calif. This earthquake was 

strongest south of Eureka, along the lower course of 

the Eel River. At the Punta Gorda Lighthouse, the 

mantle on the revolving lamp was broken. Damage, 

if any, was superficial at other towns. Felt north to 

southern Oregon and south into Mendocino County. 

Magnitude 5.9 Mx JON. (Ref. 4, 258.)

1931. Sept. 9. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, northwest of Cape Mendocino, Calif. 

This earthquake was strongest at towns along the 

lower course of the Eel River. Chimneys were damaged south of Eureka, at Weott, and bricks were dislodged a few kilometers east of Weott, at Blocksburg. 

Branches fell from trees in wooded areas of Humboldt County. Several aftershocks were reported. 

Magnitude 6.3 Mx JON. (Ref. 4, 324.)

1932. Feb. 26. Near Big Sur, Calif. The location 

given in the California list for this earthquake has 

been redetermined by Toppozada (1991, oral commun.) to have occurred about 70 km to the northnorthwest, in the coastal area south of Big Sur.

1932. June 6. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, west of Eureka, Calif. This earthquake, 

the strongest in the region since Jan. 22, 1923, killed 

one person at Eureka and injured several others. 

Property damage was severe at Eureka, where hundreds of chimneys were damaged and many fell, 

plate-glass windows were shattered, and water mains 

were broken. Several small houses were shaken 

down in Arcata, and most chimneys were damaged. 

Hardly a chimney remained standing at Fields Landing, and a 15-cm crack formed in the highway. Many 

chimneys also toppled at Loleta, where a brick wall 

was shaken into the street.

A 70-cm ground crack developed on Cock Robin 

Island, at the mouth of the Eel River, and many 

blowholes, some as much as 2.5 m in diameter, were 

observed. Felt north to Coos Bay, Oreg., south to
130 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Wood-frame building in Long Beach, California, damaged by the March 11, 1933 (Mar. 10 PST), earthquake.

San Jose, and east to Nevada City (Nevada County). 

Several aftershocks occurred. Magnitude 5.9 MLS 

DMG. (Ref. 5, 38, 258, 381, 533, 544.)

1932. July 26 (July 25). Near Springville, 

Tulare County, Calif. An earthquake loosened several tons of rock from a peak on the south edge of 

Sequoia National Park, near Mineral King, and 

cracked brick chimneys at Springville (about 45 km 

southeast of Tulare). Magnitude 4.9 Ukn JON. (Ref. 

5, 292.)

1933. Mar. 11, 01 54 UTC (Mar. 10). Southeast of Long Beach, near Newport Beach, Calif.

Although only moderate in terms of magnitude, this 

earthquake caused serious damage to weak masonry 

structures on land fill from Los Angeles south to 

Laguna Beach. Property damage was estimated at 

$40 million, and 115 people were killed.

Severe property damage occurred at Compton, 

Long Beach, and other towns in the area. Most of 

the spectacular structural damage was due to land 

fill, or deep water-soaked alluvium or sand, and to 

badly designed buildings. Minor disturbances of 

ground water, secondary cracks in the ground, and

slight earth slumps occurred, but surface faulting 

was not observed. Along the shore between Long 

Beach and Newport Beach, the settling or lateral 

movement of road fills across marshy land caused 

much damage to the concrete highway surfaces and 

to approaches to highway bridges.

At Compton, almost every building in a three-block 

radius on unconsolidated material and land fill was 

destroyed. At Long Beach, buildings collapsed, 

houses were pushed from foundations, walls were 

knocked down, and tanks and chimneys fell through 

roofs. Damage to school buildings, which were 

among the structures most commonly and severely 

damaged by this earthquake, led to the State Legislature passing the Field Act, which now regulates 

building-construction practices in California.

This destructive earthquake was associated with 

the Newport-Inglewood fault. Shocks similar in magnitude and intensity to this event have occurred in 

this area in the past notably July 28, 1769; Dec. 8, 

1812; and July 11, 1855.

The earthquake was felt almost everywhere in the 

10 southern counties of California and at some points 

farther to the northwest and north in the Coast
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 131

Front wall of the John Muir School, Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, California, downed by the March 11, 1933 (Mar. 10 PST), earthquake.

(Photograph by W.L. Huber.)

Range, the San Joaquin Valley, the Sierra Nevada, 

and the Owens Valley (see fig. 16). It also was 

reported in northern Baja California. A sharp foreshock occurred near Huntington Beach on Mar. 9, 

and many aftershocks occurred through Mar. 16. For 

several years, minor aftershocks continued to occur, 

most often centering near the two ends of the disturbed segment of the Newport-Inglewood fault. 

Magnitude 6.25 Ms GR, 6.3 Ms CFR, 6.2 MLa DMG, 

6.43 ML KJ. (Ref. 6, 292, 381, 397, 460, 533.)

1933. May 16. Near Niles, Alameda County, 

Calif. All chimneys were thrown down and some 

houses were damaged in the area of Overacker Station, between Niles and Irvington. North of Niles, 

cornices fell from buildings at Walnut Creek; chimneys fell, and the City Hall was damaged at Martinez. Rockfalls blocked the road in Niles Canyon. 

Felt north to Marysville (Yuba County), from the 

coast east to Merced, and south to Spreckels

(Monterey County). Magnitude 5.8 Ukn JON. (Ref. 

38, 324, 536.)

1933. Oct. 2. Near Los Angeles, Calif. Widespread minor damage occurred in the business section of Los Angeles, including broken windows and 

dishes, cracked plaster, and damaged street lamps. 

Minor damage also occurred at Bell, Compton, Long 

Beach, and other towns in the area. Felt north along 

the coast to Santa Barbara, south to San Diego, and 

east to Victorville and San Bernardino. Magnitude 

5.4 Ms GR. (Ref. 6, 38, 292.)

1933. Oct. 25 (Oct. 24). Near Los Angeles, 

Calif. At Huntington Park, some chimneys were 

downed, windows were broken, and brick was damaged slightly. The shock generally was felt in the 

suburbs of Los Angeles. (Ref. 6, 259, 292.)

1934. Apr. 23. Near Aromas, Monterey 

County, Calif. A local earthquake downed chimneys 

at Aromas and knocked merchandise from shelves.
132 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Jefferson Junior High School in Long Beach, California, destroyed by the March 11, 1933 (Mar. 10 PST), earthquake.

Felt at Hollister, Salinas, Spreckels, and Watsonville. 

An earlier shock was reported at 16 08 UTC. (Ref. 

259, 324, 559.)

1934. June 5, 22 52 UTC. Adelaida, San Luis 

Obispo County, Calif. A foreshock of the June 8 

earthquakes, this local event knocked down two 

walls and several trees at Adelaida. It was reported 

only at a few towns in the area. (Ref. 7, 292.)

1934. June 8, 04 30 and 04 47 UTC (June 7). 

Near Parkfield, Monterey County, Calif. A series 

of earthquakes occurred in the Parkfield area from 

June 5 to 14. The strongest foreshock on June 8 at 

04 30 UTC caused damage in and around Parkfield 

and Stone Canyon. The principal earthquake, which 

occurred 17 minutes later, caused severe damage at 

Parkfield a concrete-block house was wrecked, walls 

fell, and chimneys were downed. Highway bridges

near Parkfield shifted slightly on their footings. 

Chimneys were knocked down in the area along the 

San Andreas fault from Stone Canyon to the southern boundary of Monterey County.

On Middle Mountain, northwest of Parkfield, two 

zones of cracks about 7.5 m wide formed in the soil 

parallel to the surface traces of two faults in the San 

Andreas system. The largest single crack was about 

17 m long and 46 cm deep. Neither vertical nor horizontal displacement, however, was observed along 

the cracks. Felt to Alviso in the north, Santa Ana in 

the south, and Kernville in the east. Magnitude 6.0 

Ms GR, 6.0 MS CFR, 5.6 MLa DMG. (Ref. 7, 38, 292, 

381, 536.)

1934. Dec. 17. Near Los Alamos, Santa 

Barbara County, Calif. A few chimneys and plaster fell at Los Alamos, and plaster and chimneys
122°

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 

120° 118P

133

116° 114°

34'

32° -

FIGURE 16. Isoseismal map for the Long Beach, California, earthquake of March 11, 1933. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in references 6, 259, 381, and 397 of table 1.

sustained cracks. Felt along the coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Several aftershocks were reported at Los Alamos. Magnitude 4.8 

Mx JON. (Ref. 259, 292.)

1934. Dec. 30. Baja California, Mexico.

Bridges were damaged, railroad tracks were twisted, 

and adobe houses were wrecked in the epicentral

region in the Laguna Salada district south of Calexico. The strong shock cracked chimneys, walls, and 

windows in several California towns in the Imperial 

Valley. Many aftershocks occurred. Magnitude 6.7 

Mx JON. (Ref. 7, 38, 258.)

1934. Dec. 31. Baja California, Mexico. This 

earthquake was stronger than that of Dec. 30, 1934,
134 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

and its epicenter was in the same general area. In 

the epicentral region, irrigation ditches were damaged, roads were buckled, and crevices opened in the 

ground. The shock was felt strongly throughout the 

Imperial Valley in southern California. At Calipatria, chimneys and walls were thrown down and windows were broken, and at Gadsden, Ariz., 

considerable damage to brick and masonry was 

reported. Slight damage occurred at several towns in 

California and western Arizona. The earthquake 

also was felt slightly at Las Vegas, Nev. Magnitude 

7.1 MS CFR, 7.0 MS GR. (Ref. 7, 38, 258.)

1937. Mar. 8. San Francisco Bay region, 

Calif. An earthquake caused minor damage at 

Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Elmhurst, and Oakland. 

Damage was heaviest in north Berkeley, where one 

poorly built house was condemned; several chimneys 

fell and many were twisted and cracked; walls were 

cracked; and plaster fell from walls. Felt north to 

Santa Rosa (Sonoma County) and south to Aptos 

(Santa Cruz County). (Ref. 10, 259, 324.)

1937. Mar. 25. Terwilliger Valley, San Diego 

County, Calif. This earthquake caused less damage 

than might have been expected because its origin 

was in a mountainous district having few residents 

within about 50 km. Slight to moderate damage to 

chimneys, windows, plaster, or walls was reported 

from Anza, Garnet, Hemet, Keen Camp, Palm 

Springs, Ramona, and Warner Springs. Felt over 

most of southern California. Magnitude 6.0 MS CFR, 

6.0 Ms GR, 5.9 MLa ELL. (Ref. 11, 259, 292, 545.)

1938. Feb. 12. Near Santa Cruz, Calif. One 

chimney toppled, and chimneys and windows 

cracked at Santa Cruz; plaster fell at Coyote and 

Morgan Hill. Felt north to San Rafael (Marin 

County) and south to Big Sur (Monterey County). 

(Ref. 11, 259, 324.)

1938. Aug. 31 (Aug. 30). Near Long Beach, 

Los Angeles County, Calif. A heavy china cabinet 

was overturned at Keystone (6 km north of Wilmington); beds were displaced about 20 cm; and cracks 

formed in plaster. Cracks also formed in walls from 

top to bottom. Merchandise was knocked from 

shelves in stores and dishes were knocked to the 

floor at Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Felt 

along the coast between Santa Monica and Laguna 

Beach and inland to Mount Wilson. Several aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 11, 259, 292.)

1938. Sept. 12 (Sept. 11). South of Pepperwood, Humboldt County, Calif. One chimney fell 

at Pepperwood, and chimneys were cracked or 

twisted at Eel Rock and Ferndale. In the Redwoods, 

the ground was covered with branches fallen from

trees. Felt along the coast north to Brookings, Oreg., 

east to Forbestown, Calif. (Butte County), and south 

to Elk, Calif. (Mendocino County). (Ref. 11, 259, 324.)

1938. Nov. 15. Near Talmage, Mendocino 

County, Calif. The heaviest reported damage 

occurred at Talmage, where one chimney fell and others were cracked. Some walls of buildings were 

cracked at Potter Valley. Felt generally in Lake, Mendocino, and Sonoma Counties. (Ref. 11, 259, 324.)

1938. Dec. 1. Alameda County, north of San 

Jose, Calif. Some chimneys were cracked at San 

Jose, and plaster cracked at Saratoga. Felt slightly at 

a few other towns in the area. (Ref. 11, 324.)

1938. Dec. 3, 17 42 UTC. Inyo County, northwest of Bishop, Calif. West of Bishop, a large boulder crashed into a house and caused much damage. 

Other slides in the mountains reportedly occurred 

nearby. In the Owens River Gorge, buildings and 

pipelines were damaged by loosened rocks that cascaded down the mountains. Felt from Stockton (San 

Joaquin County), south to Bakersfield, and east into 

western Nevada. (Ref. 11, 292.)

1939. June 24. Southwest of Hollister, San 

Benito County, Calif. About 14 km southwest of 

Hollister, structural damage was sustained at the 

Mano ranch and the Orhwall ranch. Several chimneys fell or were twisted at the rooflines; many adobe 

walls were severely cracked; and several cracks in 

the ground were observed. The highway also was 

cracked in several places. At the San Benito Winery, 

chimneys were toppled and damage was considerable. Felt along the coast as far north as Half Moon 

Bay (San Mateo County), south to Nipomo (San Luis 

Obispo County), and inland to Tranquillity (Fresno 

County). (Ref. 12, 259, 324, 381.)

1939. Dec. 27. Near Long Beach, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. Moderate damage to property 

occurred at Huntington Beach and Long Beach. At 

Long Beach, several street lights were broken, a fireplace was shaken down, and chandeliers in stores 

were knocked from ceilings to the floor. At Huntington Beach, floors buckled in one house, and plaster 

fell from walls. Felt along the coast from Newport 

Beach north to Venice, inland to Altadena and San 

Bernardino, and southeast to Palm Springs. (Ref. 12, 

292, 324.)

1939. Dec. 28. Near Cholame, San Luis 

Obispo County, Calif. Slight damage occurred at 

San Lucas, where dishes were broken and plaster 

was cracked. The general limits of the felt area 

extended from Santa Cruz south along the coast to 

Point Arguello and inland to Hollister, Lost Hills, 

and Fresno. (Ref. 12, 324.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 135

Furniture store in Brawley, California, destroyed by the Imperial Valley earthquake of May 19,1940 (May 18 PST). (Photograph by F. Ulrich.)

1940. Feb. 8. North of Paradise, Butte 

County, Calif. Damage was confined to a few 

twisted and cracked chimneys and several broken 

windows and dishes in the Chico-Paradise area. The 

press reported that several chimneys were downed at 

Chico. Several landslides and dislodged rocks were 

reported along roads. Felt north to Dunsmuir 

(Siskiyou County), south to Stockton (San Joaquin 

County), west to the Platina area (Tehama County), 

and east to Reno, Nev. Magnitude 6.0 Ms CFR, 6.0 

MS GR. (Ref. 13, 259, 324.)

1940. Feb. 13. Near Branscomb, Mendocino 

County, Calif. Chimneys were cracked at 

Branscomb, and furnishings were displaced. The 

shock also was fairly strong in Humboldt County, at 

Ferndale and Scotia, and in Mendocino County, at 

Elk, Ukiah, and Westport. (Ref. 259, 324.)

1940. May 19, 04 36 and 05 51 UTC (May 18). 

Imperial Valley, near El Centre, Calif. The main 

earthquake took nine lives and caused property damage estimated at $6 million. Damage from a strong 

aftershock near Brawley at 05 51 UTC is included in 

this estimate.

The first shock damaged about 80 percent of the 

buildings in Imperial. Many buildings in the business 

district were condemned, and older residences sustained severe damage. Four people were killed in the 

collapse of a grocery store. Damage to a lesser extent 

occurred at El Centro and Holtville. Elevated water

tanks at Holtville and Imperial collapsed, and a 

water tank at Brawley was damaged.

The downtown business area at Brawley was damaged severely by the second shock, and about 25 percent of the houses in the residential area were 

damaged. About half of the business structures had 

to be condemned. Many breaks in water mains 

occurred and water pipes were broken.

Damage to the structures and canals of the Imperial Irrigation District in the United States and Mexico was widespread. Breaks occurred over almost the 

entire length of the Ash Canal, from Holtville to the 

Mexico border. The Alamo Canal, the main feeder for 

the entire system, had eight major breaks; a section 

of the Solfatara Canal in Baja California was 

destroyed south of Cocopar. The earthquake demolished the New River flume, a 427-m-long timber 

structure on the West Side Main Canal south of 

Mexicali.

Right-lateral offset occurred along the Imperial 

fault. The pattern of offset indicates that the main 

part of the offsets occurred along a surface fracture 

about 20 to 25 km long, extending from the epicenter 

of the main shock southeast, about 5 km past Cocopar. Rupture of the northwest section of the fault 

may have occurred during a damaging aftershock at 

05 51 UTC. Where the surface fracture crosses the 

All American Canal east of Calexico, the largest
136 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

displacement of 4.5 m occurred. At one point on the 

Solfatara Canal, the slip was as much as 3.7 m.

In Baja California, the Inter-California Railroad 

track was displaced at Grape, and about 300 m of 

railroad track settled north of Grape. At Cocopar, the 

track shifted 2 m, and at Meloland, it shifted about 

46 cm.

Many sand boils were observed near Gadsden on 

the Yuma Project in Baja California. Geysers spouting water several meters high also were reported. 

Canals, drainage channels, flumes, and bridges were 

damaged near Gadsden. The main earthquake was 

felt over much of southern California, southwest Arizona, and northern Baja California. About 48 aftershocks occurred through the end of 1940. Those on 

May 23 caused more damage at Brawley. Magnitude 

of first shock 6.9 mb ABE, 6.7 Ms GR, 7.1 Ms CFR, 

6.4 MLH DMG, 7.2 Ms ELL, 7.2 ML KS. (Ref. 13, 

292, 381, 521, 533, 546, 547.)

1940. May 23, 11 00, 17 30, and 18 45 UTC. 

Near Brawley, Imperial County, Calif. Three 

strong aftershocks of the Imperial Valley earthquakes (see May 19, 1940, above) cracked chimneys, 

walls, and plaster and broke windows and dishes at 

Brawley. (Ref. 259.)

1940. Oct. 11 (Oct. 10). Santa Monica Bay, 

Calif. This earthquake was strongest at Keystone (6 

km north of Wilmington), where chimneys and walls 

were cracked, and dishes were broken. Slight damage also was reported at Long Beach, Los Angeles, 

Manhattan Beach, Maywood, and Redondo Beach. 

Felt along the coast north to Santa Barbara, south to 

San Diego, and east to the Big Bear Lake area (San 

Bernardino County). Magnitude 4.6 Mx JON. (Ref. 

13, 259, 292.)

1940. Oct. 22. Near Scotia, Humboldt County, 

Calif. At Scotia, three underground pipes, windows, 

and plaster walls were broken. Felt over a small area 

of Humboldt County, extending along the coast from 

about Arcata to Shelter Cove and inland to the Bridgeville area. Several aftershocks were reported at 

Scotia. (Ref. 13, 259, 324.)

1940. Nov. 19. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, west of Eureka, Calif. Loose bricks were 

thrown from a chimney at Upper Mattole, and furnishings were shifted. Slight damage also occurred at 

Garberville and Westport. Felt along the coast north 

to the Arcata area, south to Elk (Mendocino County), 

and east to the Forest Glen area (Trinity County). 

(Ref. 13, 259, 324.)

1940. Dec. 20. Southwest of Benbow, Humboldt County, Calif. This slight earthquake broke 

dishes and knocked books down at Fort Bragg and

cracked plaster and overturned small objects at Benbow. Felt along the coast from Arcata south to Ukiah 

and east to Weaverville (Trinity County). (Ref. 13, 

259, 324.)

1941. Feb. 9. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, west of Ferndale, Calif. At Punta Gorda 

Light Station, slight cracks in plaster were observed. 

At Shelter Cove, the bluff slid in several places. Felt 

along the coast from San Francisco on the south to 

Port Orford, Oreg., on the north. Magnitude 6.4 ML 

ELL. (Ref. 14, 258, 259, 381.)

1941. July 1, 07 50 UTC (June 30). Near 

Santa Barbara, Calif. Moderate damage to property occurred in the Carpinteria-Santa Barbara area. 

Property damage was estimated at $100,000. About 

25 chimneys and several walls fell at Carpinteria, 

and the cornice of a building was shaken to the 

ground. At Santa Barbara, one chimney toppled, 

bricks were dislodged from buildings, several buildings were cracked, and plate-glass windows were 

shattered. In addition, sidewalks buckled in places, 

and many water mains were broken. Several aftershocks occurred. The main earthquake was felt from 

near Stockton (San Joaquin County) in the north to 

Havilah (Kern County) in the south and from Coalinga (Fresno County) in the west to Mina, Nev., in 

the east. Magnitude 5.9 Ms GR, 5.9 Ms CFR, 5.5 

MLa DMG. (Ref. 14, 292, 381, 533.)

1941. Sept. 14, 16 43, 18 21, and 18 39 UTC. 

Near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, Calif. Five 

earthquakes occurred on this date, the three largest 

at the times given. Rockslides in the mountains 

blocked roads and trails, and one cabin was 

destroyed. Cracks formed in walls and chimneys at 

the Pineridge Shaver Ranger Station, and several 

chimneys were damaged at Yosemite Valley. Slight 

damage also was reported at Benton, Doyles, Miami 

Ranger Station, and Pinedale. Magnitude 5.8 MS GR 

(first shock); 6.0 Ms CFR, 6.0 Ms GR (third shock), 

5.6 MLa DMG (first and third shocks). (Ref. 259, 

292, 381.)

1941. Oct. 3. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. This earthquake was strongest at 

Eureka, where chimneys twisted and cracked, and 

plaster cracked and fell. Slight damage also occurred 

at Ferndale, Fields Landing, Korbel, Pepperwood, 

Punta Gorda, Rio Dell, Rockport, and Upper Mattole, 

where chimneys and walls cracked and plaster fell. 

Felt north to southwest Oregon and south, along the 

coast, to the San Francisco Bay area. Magnitude 6.4 

MS CFR. (Ref. 259, 324.)

1941. Oct. 6 (Oct. 5). Off the coast of Humbolt County, Calif. Magnitude 5.25 Ms GR, 5.4 Mx 

JON.
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 137

1941. Oct. 22, 06 57 UTC (Oct. 21). Near 

Gardena, Los Angeles County, Calif. Property 

damage generally was confined to an area that 

included Compton, Hynes, Moneta, Gardena, Los 

Angeles, and the West Dominguez Oil Field, east of 

Gardena. Widespread minor damage mainly 

cracked walls, fallen plaster, and broken windows 

and dishes occurred at Gardena and Compton. At 

Keystone (6 km north of Wilmington), chimneys 

were twisted, plaster and dishes were broken, and 

walls were cracked; at Moneta, the east and west 

fire walls on one brick building were knocked down. 

Felt along the coast from Montalvo (Ventura 

County) on the north to Newport Beach on the 

south and inland to Riverside and San Bernardino 

Counties. (Ref. 14, 259, 292.)

1941. Oct. 22, 10 32 UTC. Near Gardena, Los 

Angeles County, Calif. This slight aftershock of 

the earthquake described above (06 57 UTC) cracked 

chimneys, walls, and plaster at Hondo. At Gardena 

and Pacific Palisades, the shock cracked plaster and 

overturned small objects. It also was observed by 

residents in a few other towns in the area. (Ref. 14, 

259, 292.)

1941. Nov. 14. Near Gardena, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. This strong earthquake caused property damage estimated at $1.1 million in the Gardena-Torrance area. No deaths or injuries were 

reported, perhaps because the earthquake occurred a 

little after midnight (local time) when most residents 

were at home sleeping. In nearby oil fields, two tanks 

were demolished, two were buckled, and a pipeline 

was broken.

Damage was most severe in Torrance, where 

hardly a building escaped damage. Two schools sustained heavy structural damage, and one was 

condemned; the fire station was abandoned because 

of heavy damage. The shock also moved several 

houses off their foundations. About 50 percent of all 

brick chimneys and fireplaces either were twisted, 

broken loose, or thrown down.

Severe damage also occurred in the city of Gardena. The walls of a two-story structure fell on and 

destroyed the roof of an adjoining building. The Gardena Elementary School building was condemned; 

the Bank of America Building was damaged severely; 

and the roof of a newspaper building almost collapsed. Several fire walls and many chimneys were 

knocked down or otherwise damaged. Felt from 

Carpinteria (Santa Barbara County) on the north to 

San Diego on the south and inland to Cabazon and 

San Jacinto in Riverside County. Magnitude 5.5 Mx 

JON. (Ref. 14, 259, 292, 533, 599.)

1941. Dec. 31, 06 48 UTC (Dec. 30). Near 

Bishop, Inyo County, Calif. A moderate earthquake twisted chimneys and cracked plaster at the 

Adams Main Powerhouse in Owens River Gorge, near 

Bishop. Reports of damage were not received from 

other towns in the area. Felt from Georgetown (Eldorado County) on the north to Kernville on the south 

and from Coalinga on the west to Mina, Nev, on the 

east. Magnitude 5.4 Ms GR. (Ref. 14, 259, 292.)

1942. Oct. 21, 16 22 UTC. Near Borrego Valley, Imperial County, Calif. At Carrizo Gorge, 

about 19 km north of Jacumba, landslides broke timbers and wiring on a railroad bridge. Slight damage 

was observed at several towns in the area. Several 

aftershocks occurred, the strongest at 01 50 UTC on 

Oct. 22. Felt from the coast east to Mobile, Ariz., 

and from Crucero (San Bernardino County) on the 

north to Baja California on the south. Magnitude 6.5 

MS CFR, 6.0 MLa DMG. (Ref. 15, 292, 381.)

1943. Aug. 29 (Aug. 28). Near Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino County, Calif. The earthquake was most severe in the Big Bear Lake-Lake 

Arrowhead-Seven Oaks area. At Redlands, plaster 

fell, dishes broke, and bricks fell into a chimney. 

Slight damage also occurred at Lake Arrowhead. One 

foreshock and two aftershocks were recorded. The 

main shock was felt north to Mojave (Kern County), 

south to San Diego, and from the coast east to Ludlow. (Ref. 16, 259, 292.)

1943. Oct. 26 (Oct. 25). Near San Jose, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. In San Jose, a gas main was 

broken, plate-glass windows were shattered, and 

plaster was knocked off walls. A water line was 

broken at Sunnyvale. Slight damage to plaster 

occurred at several towns in the area. Felt along the 

coast from Santa Rosa (Sonoma County) south to San 

Ardo (Monterey County) and east as far as 

Bridgeport (Mono County), near the Nevada border. 

(Ref. 16, 259, 324.)

1943. Nov. 16. Near San Leandro, Alameda 

County, Calif. At San Leandro, chimneys were 

cracked, windows were broken, and plaster and 

knickknacks fell to the floor. One chimney pulled 

away from the wall of a house, leaving a 6.5-cm 

crack at the eaves. Felt slightly over a small area in 

and around San Leandro. (Ref. 16, 259, 324.)

1944. June 12, 10 45 and 11 16 UTC. East of 

Banning, Riverside County, Calif. Plaster cracked 

and fell, dishes broke, and vases overturned at Banning; plaster cracked at Corona. Several light aftershocks were reported. The felt area extended from 

Oxnard (Ventura County), along the coast, south to 

San Diego and northeast to Ludlow (San Bernardino 

County). (Ref. 17, 259, 292.)
138 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1944. June 19, 00 03 and 03 06 UTC (June 

18). Near Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County, 

Calif. Two sharp earthquakes caused minor damage 

to property in the Los Angeles area at Compton, 

Gardena, Huntington Park, Lynwood, and Maywood. 

The damage commonly included cracked chimneys 

and plaster and broken windows. Other damage 

included the dislodging of a large marble slab from 

the front of a store in Redondo Beach. Both shocks 

were felt along the coast south to San Diego and 

east to the Palm Springs area (Riverside County). 

Several light aftershocks were observed in the area. 

(Ref. 17, 259, 292.)

1945. Jan. 7. Near Hollister, San Benito 

County, Calif. This minor earthquake cracked 

chimneys and plaster at Hollister and broke windows and displaced stock on store shelves. It also 

knocked books and pictures from shelves at Paicines 

and San Benito. Two chimneys were damaged at the 

old Santa Anita ranch. Felt from San Francisco, 

south along the coast, to Big Sur (Monterey County) 

and east as far as Yosemite National Park. (Ref. 18, 

259, 324.)

1945. May 17. Near Hollister, San Benito 

County, Calif. Buildings were damaged slightly at 

Hollister, where brick fell from chimneys; chimneys 

were cracked; several windows were broken; and 

plaster fell from walls. Considerable damage also 

was done to stock in stores. Felt north to San Francisco, east to Merced, and south to San Ardo 

(Monterey County). (Ref. 18, 259, 324.)

1945. May 19. Off the coast of southern Humboldt County, Calif. This earthquake was felt 

through most of the coastal towns, from Crescent 

City south to Fort Bragg and Willits. Magnitude 6.2 

Ms CFR, 6.0 ML BRK (Ref. 18, 258.)

1945. Aug. 15. Near Borrego Valley, San Diego 

County, Calif. Some damage to cables and powerlines was reported at Fullerton, and plaster was 

cracked at Fall Brook and San Jacinto. Felt from Los 

Angeles south along the coast to San Diego and east 

to the Twentynine Palms area (San Bernardino 

County). (Ref. 18, 259, 292.)

1945. Aug. 27. Near San Jose, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. One chimney was shaken loose and 

plaster was cracked at San Jose. Felt to Saint 

Helena (Napa County) on the north, Big Sur on the 

south, and Pinecrest (Tuolumne County) on the east. 

(Ref. 18, 259, 324.)

1946. Jan. 13. West of Bishop, Inyo County, 

Calif. Near Bishop, at the Owens River Gorge, this 

earthquake cracked chimneys, walls, and plaster and 

displaced heavy furniture. Many rocks rolled down

the sides of the canyon. Felt over a small area, which 

included Hawthorne, Nev. (Ref. 259, 292.)

1946. Mar. 15, 13 21, 13 49, and 14 00 UTC. 

North of Walker Pass, Kern County, Calif. The

main shock at 13 49 UTC caused moderate damage 

at Onyx, about 19 km southwest of the epicenter. 

Damage to wood, brick, masonry, and concrete was 

reported to be conside rable. Chimneys, walls, plaster, and windows cracked; dishes broke; and plaster, 

books, and pictures fell. Cracks formed in the ground 

and concrete along the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Rockslides occurred in the canyons. Elsewhere in the 

region of Walker Pass and the South Fork of the 

Kern River, adobe houses were damaged, brick chimneys cracked, and plaster fell.

The earthquakes were felt from Commache (Calaveras County) on the north to San Diego (an isolated 

report) on the south and from Cambria (San Luis 

Obispo County) on the coast to Death Valley (see fig. 

17). Several aftershocks occurred. Magnitude of second shock 6.25 Ms CFR, 6.25 Ms GR, 6.1 MLa DMG. 

(Ref. 19, 259, 292, 381.)

1946. Sept. 28 (Sept. 27). Near Banning, Riverside County, Calif. Slight damage was reported at 

Banning, Cabazon, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, 

and Twentynine Palms. Felt in parts of Los Angeles, 

Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. 

(Ref. 19, 259, 292.)

1947. Feb. 5 (Feb. 4). East of King City, 

Monterey County, Calif. Buildings swayed visibly 

at Lonoak (Priest Valley), where plaster cracked and 

fell and small objects fell. Felt over a small area of 

Fresno, Monterey, and San Benito Counties. (Ref. 20, 

259, 324.)

1947. Apr. 10, 15 58 UTC. Near Manix, San 

Bernardino County, Calif. This moderate shock 

was strongest in the Newberry Springs area, about 

40 km east of Barstow One schoolhouse was condemned at Newberry Springs, and three adobe and 

brick houses were damaged severely. Minor damage, 

including one toppled chimney, fallen walls, cracks in 

chimneys and concrete, and cracked and slumped 

highways, were reported in the area. Also, cracks 

formed in the banks of the Mojave River. Felt over 

most of the southern half of California, a small part 

of southwest Nevada, and at several towns in western Arizona (see fig. 18). Several light aftershocks 

occurred. Magnitude 6.4 Ms CFR, 6.4 Ms GR, 6.3 

M^ DMG. (Ref. 20, 259, 292, 381.)

1947. May 27. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. This moderate earthquake cracked 

plaster at Upper Mattole and shook trees and bushes 

strongly. Felt over a small area in Humboldt County 

(Ref. 20, 259, 324.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 139

122° 12CF 118° 116° 114°

34°

FIGURE 17. Isoseismal map for the Kern County, California, earthquake of March 15, 1946. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 19, 259, and 381 of table 1.

1947. June 22. Near Santa Cruz, Calif. Chimneys were damaged at Corralitos and Watsonville; 

windows were broken at Santa Cruz; and plaster fell 

at Gilroy, Hollister, and Watsonville. It was reported 

that boulders blocked a highway near Chittenden 

Pass and that landslides closed Hecker Pass in Santa 

Clara County. Felt over most of the San Francisco 

Bay area. (Ref. 20, 259, 324.)

1947. Aug. 10. Near Hollister, San Benito 

County, Calif. The shock was strongest at Hollister,

where stones were dislodged from a masonry pillar, 

plate-glass windows were cracked, a water main was 

broken, and stock was knocked from store shelves. 

The felt area extended from Glenwood (Santa Cruz 

County) southeast to Los Banos Creek (Merced 

County) south to San Ardo (Monterey County) and 

northwest to Big Sur on the coast. (Ref. 20, 259, 324.)

1947. Sept. 8, 07 13 UTC (Sept. 7). Placer 

County, Calif., southwest of Reno, Nev. A series 

of small earthquakes was observed in the Reno, Nev,
140 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

120° 118° 116° 114° 112°

34

32

FIGURE 18. Isoseismal map for the San Bernardino County, California, earthquake of April 10, 1947. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 20 and 259 of table 1.

area. The main shock knocked plaster from the ceiling in one house southeast of Reno and loosened 

mortar in the stone walls. Unusual activity in the 

hot springs was observed after the tremors. The 

earthquakes were felt over a small area of western 

Nevada and probably in a few towns in California. 

(Ref. 20, 259, 324.)

1948. Feb. 11 (Feb. 10). East of Tipton, Tulare 

County, Calif. A moderate earthquake cracked plaster at Ducor, Kingsburg, Lindsay, Springville, and 

Tipton. School buildings near Fresno, Dinuba, and 

Clovis were closed because of cracked walls. Felt 

extensively in the southern Sierra Nevadas and 

along the east side of the southern Joaquin Valley. 

(Ref. 21, 259, 324.)

1948. Feb. 20 (Feb. 19). Near Los Angeles, 

Calif. This shock sent many people running into the

streets in the Los Angeles area. Slight damage to 

plaster was reported at North Hollywood. Felt over a 

small area of Los Angeles County. (Ref. 21, 259, 292.)

1948. Mar. 1. Northwest of San Bernardino, 

Calif. Slight damage to plaster and walls was reported 

at Burbank and Pasadena. Near Devore, cracks formed 

in the concrete floor of a cabin and dishes were broken. 

Felt over an area that included parts of Kern, Los 

Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San 

Diego Counties. (Ref. 21, 259, 292.)

1948. Apr. 16. Southeast of Oxnard, Ventura 

County, Calif. This earthquake was strongest at 

Oxnard, where plaster cracked and fell, dishes were 

broken, and lamps were knocked over. Felt at towns 

near the coast, southeast to Long Beach, and inland 

about 40 km. (Ref. 21, 259, 292.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 141

1948. June 18. Near Ukiah, Mendocino 

County, Calif. Chimneys were cracked and vases 

overturned at Ukiah, and plaster was damaged at 

Lakeport and Talmage. Felt over a small area of 

Lake, Mendocino, and Sonoma Counties. (Ref. 21, 

259, 324.)

1948. Dec. 4. Near Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County, Calif. The earthquake probably was 

caused by displacement on the Mission Creek fault, 

one of the major branches of the San Andreas fault 

system in southern California. The highest intensities in the area were reported from the upper Coachella Valley from Thousand Palms to White Water, 

which also was the most densely populated area near 

the epicenter.

Considerable structural damage and slight cracks 

in the ground were observed in Desert Hot Springs. 

Some minor structural damage also occurred at Palm 

Springs. At Willis Palms, cracks formed in the 

ground and cliffs, riverbanks slumped, and springs 

increased in flow. Landslides and cracks in the 

ground were reported in the Indio Hills. Felt 

throughout southern California and at a few towns in 

western Arizona, southwest Nevada, and northern 

Baja California (see fig. 19). About 72 aftershocks 

were accurately located in a zone 18 km long, parallel to (but 5 km north of) the trace of the Mission 

Creek fault. Magnitude 6.5 Ms CFR, 6.5 Ms GR, 6.2 

MLa DMG. (Ref. 21, 259, 292, 381, 548.)

1948. Dec. 29. West of Reno, Nev., in Sierra 

County, Calif. The town of Verdi, Nev., which lies 

at the sharp bend of the Truckee River, sustained the 

most damage to property. The west wall of the old 

general store at Verdi collapsed, and the building 

was wrecked. Chimneys on houses were toppled or 

twisted out of line, sections of parapet walls on a 

schoolhouse fell, and many windows were broken. 

Minor damage also occurred at Reno and at Chilcoot, 

Calif. Felt over a large area of central California and 

western Nevada. Magnitude 6.0 MS CFR, 6.0 MS 

GR, 5.7 MLa DMG. (Ref. 21, 259, 324, 381.)

1949. Jan. 1 (1948. Dec. 31). Near Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif. Near Chittenden, 

six houses standing on stilts or blocks were displaced a few centimeters on their foundations, chimneys were broken off two of the houses, and a small 

landslide nearby partly blocked the Old Chittenden 

Road. Slight damage also occurred at Hollister and 

Santa Cruz. Felt over a small area of the coastal 

region of central California from Oakland (Alameda 

County) south to Big Sur (Monterey County). (Ref. 

21, 259, 324.)

1949. Feb. 11. Southeast of Bishop, Inyo 

County, Calif. Slight damage, in the form of cracks

in brick, walls, and plaster, was reported at Ash 

Mountain (Sequoia National Park), Bakersfield, Big 

Pine, and Olancha. Felt over a large area of southcentral California and into Nevada as far as Beatty 

and Goldfield. (Ref. 22, 259, 292.)

1949. Mar. 9. Northwest of Hollister, San 

Benito County, Calif. Although felt strongly in the 

area, this shock was most severe at Hollister. Three 

chimneys were toppled, and a brick wall separating 

two stores split lengthwise. One market sustained 

severe cracks in plaster and walls. Considerable loss 

also was sustained from damaged merchandise in 

stores. Slight damage was reported from several 

other towns in the area. Felt over the western half 

of north-central California from Santa Rosa (Sonoma 

County) south to Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo 

County). A few aftershocks were reported, the largest on Mar. 14 at 06 10 UTC. Magnitude 5.8 ML KJ. 

(Ref. 22, 259, 324, 460.)

1949. Mar. 24. Off the coast of southern 

Humboldt County, Calif. Reported felt along the 

California and Oregon coasts. Magnitude 6.2 MS 

CFR, 6.2 MS GR. (Ref. 324.)

1949. June 10 (June 9). Near San Jose, 

Santa Clara County, Calif. A series of three earthquakes occurred, the strongest at 03 06 UTC. At 

San Jose, a water main was split open, windows 

were shattered in houses, and stock tumbled from 

store shelves. The main shock was felt north to Petaluma (Sonoma County) and south to Big Sur 

(Monterey County). (Ref. 22, 259, 324.)

1949. Aug. 8. Near Richmond, Contra Costa 

County, Calif. Slight damage was reported at Richmond (windows broke and dishes fell from shelves) 

and Vallejo (plaster cracked). Felt over a small area 

of the San Francisco Bay region. (Ref. 22, 259, 324.)

1949. Aug. 27. Near Point Concepcion, Santa 

Barbara County, Calif. Slight damage occurred at 

Arlight and Sudden, where a chimney fell and dishes 

broke, and at Lompoc, where dishes broke and knickknacks fell. Felt over a small area along the coast in 

Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. (Ref. 

22, 259, 292.)

1949. Sept. 19 (Sept. 18). Near Huntington 

Park, Los Angeles County, Calif. Broken windows and dishes and cracks in cement driveways 

were reported in Los Angeles. The shock also was 

felt strongly at Long Beach and San Gabriel. It was 

reported over a small area of central Los Angeles 

County. (Ref. 22, 259, 292.)

1949. Nov. 4. Baja California, Mexico. A moderate earthquake caused minor property damage at 

Guadalupe, Mexico. In California, slight damage also 

occurred at Borrego Valley, Campo, Coronado, Del
142

38C

122° 120'

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

118° 116° 114°

36°

34°

112°

32C

FIGURE 19. Isoseismal map for the Riverside County, California, earthquake of December 4, 1948. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 21 and 259 of table 1.

Mar, San Diego, Santee, San Ysidro, and Spring Valley. Felt from Baja California north to Palmdale 

(northern Los Angeles County). (Ref. 22, 259, 292.)

1949. Nov. 5 (Nov. 4). Baja California, Mexico.

An aftershock of the Nov. 4 earthquake (see above) 

caused slight damage to plaster and walls at Grossmont, La Jolla, and San Diego. (Ref. 22, 259, 292.)

1950. Jan. 14. Near Punta Gorda, Humboldt 

County, Calif. The earthquake was strongest at the 

Punta Gorda Light Station, where cracks formed in 

plaster, in the light tower, and in the concrete floor. 

Felt over a small area along the coast of Humboldt 

County in northern California. (Ref. 23, 259, 324.)

1950. Feb. 26 (Feb. 25). North of Santa Paula, 

Ventura County, Calif. A few bricks fell from an 

old chimney at Ventura, and a window was broken. 

Damage to plaster and fallen merchandise was 

reported from Oxnard and Santa Paula. The felt area 

extended along the coast from Lompoc (Santa Barbara County) to Van Nuys and in the east from 

Wheeler Ridge (Kern County) to Palmdale. (Ref. 23, 

259, 292.)

1950. July 27, 11 29 UTC; July 28, 17 50 UTC; 

and July 29, 14 36 UTC. Near Calipatria, Imperial County, Calif. A series of damaging earthquakes occurred in the Imperial Valley from July 27 

to July 29. The first two earthquakes caused only
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 143

slight damage in the Brawley-Calipatria area. Damage from this series of earthquakes was estimated at 

$300,000.

Near Calipatria, several concrete stand-pipes were 

broken and a small railroad bridge was shifted 15 to 

20 cm. Many sand boils were formed; irrigation 

ditch banks sloughed; and the ground settled and 

cracked. An old sheet piling broke when the levee 

settled at the North End Dam, about 3 km west of 

Calipatria. The main shock on July 29 was felt from 

the Mexican border to Banning, Calif, and Parker, 

Ariz., and from San Diego, Calif., to Yuma, Ariz. 

Aftershocks occurred through Aug. 14, 1950, and 

probably beyond. Magnitude 5.4 MS GR (second 

shock); 5.4 Ms GR (third and main shocks). (Ref. 23, 

259, 292, 560.)

1950. Aug. 1. Near Calipatria, Imperial 

County, Calif. An aftershock of the July 29 earthquake collapsed a small part of a wall at Calipatria 

and knocked a few bricks from houses. In addition, 

ground cracks in the area of the North End Dam 

opened wider, and new sand boils were observed at 

the dam site and along the levees of the Vail Canal. 

Felt over a small area of southern California and at 

Somerton, Ariz. (Ref. 23, 259, 292.)

1950. Sept. 5. Near Idyllwild, Riverside 

County, Calif. Dishes were broken at Idyllwild and 

San Jacinto, plaster was cracked at San Jacinto, and 

a clock was thrown from its shelf at Idyllwild. Felt from 

Barstow (San Bernardino County) in the north to San 

Diego in the south and from the coast to Twentynine 

Palms in the east. (Ref. 23, 259, 292, 561.)

1950. Nov. 17 (Nov. 16). Near Hawthorne, 

Los Angeles County, Calif. Scattered reports of 

cracked plaster and broken dishes were received 

from southwest Los Angeles. This was the strongest 

of three small earthquakes that were felt in the area 

between 01 59 and 19 46 UTC on Nov. 17. The 

shocks were felt only in Los Angeles County. (Ref. 

23, 259, 292.)

1950. Dec. 14, 13 24 UTC. Near Herlong, Lassen County, Calif. This main shock of a series 

caused considerable structural damage at Herlong. 

Many structures sustained cracks from about 0.3 to 

0.6 cm in width to as much as 24 m in length. Many 

chimneys were broken, trusses and roof rafters were 

split, and several buildings were displaced on their 

foundations. Damage to water mains, steam pipes, 

and sewers also was reported. Felt from Alturas 

(Modoc County) south to Sacramento and east to 

Lovelock, Nev. Several foreshocks and aftershocks 

were felt in the area. Magnitude 5.6 MS GR. (Ref. 

23, 259, 324, 561.)

1951. Jan. 24 (Jan. 23). Near Westmorland, 

Imperial County, Calif. About 5.5 km southwest of 

Westmorland, in the Imperial Valley Irrigation District, 30 m of ground running northwest-south east 

settled 2.5 cm; a water main in the Trifolium area was 

cracked; and canal banks were cracked. Slight damage 

also was reported in the nearby towns of Brawley, 

Calexico, Coachella, El Centre, Holtville, and Imperial. 

Felt over a large area of southern California and into 

southwest Arizona. (Ref. 24, 259, 292.)

1951. Jan. 25. Near San Leandro, Alameda 

County, Calif. Windows were broken or cracked and 

dishes fell from shelves at Oakland. Large chunks of 

plaster fell in the San Leandro Post Office, and dishes 

broke in houses. Felt over a small area of Alameda 

and Contra Costa Counties. (Ref. 24, 259, 324.)

1951. July 29. Pinnacles National Monument 

area, San Benito County, Calif. Chimneys twisted, 

plaster fell, and concrete pipes were damaged 

slightly at Pinnacles. Plaster fell in some houses in 

San Benito, and the highway from San Benito to 

Hernandez Valley was covered with boulders. Outside stucco and plaster walls were damaged slightly 

at Bitterwater (Lonoak). Felt from Pescadero (San 

Mateo County) in the north to San Luis Obispo in 

the south and Caruthers (Fresno County) in the east. 

(Ref. 24, 259, 324.)

1951. Aug. 6. Pinnacles National Monument 

area, San Benito County, Calif. Plaster was 

downed and vases were overturned south of Hollister, 

at the Harris Ranch. This earthquake was felt over 

the coastal area of west-central California. Two 

aftershocks were felt at 09 54 and 17 21 UTC. (Ref. 

24, 259, 324.)

1951. Oct. 8 (Oct. 7). Off Cape Mendocino, 

Humboldt County, Calif. Damage was considerable to a partly completed bridge over the Van Duzen 

River near Alton: columns were out of plumb, spans 

were out of position, diagonals were bent, and anchor 

bolts and grout pads were damaged. Cracks about 

36 m in length formed in the pavement of both 

approaches to the bridge and in fill beside the 

approaches. Chimneys were broken or toppled at 

Bridgeville, Fortuna, Grizzly Bluff (a fireplace also 

was damaged considerably), Metropolitan, Rio Dell, 

Scotia, and Weott. This strong shock was felt along 

the coast from Orick (Humboldt County) in the north 

to Manchester (Mendocino County) in the south and 

east to Red Bluff (Tehama County) and Richvale 

(Butte County). Magnitude 6.0 Ms CFR. (Ref. 24, 

259, 324, 563.)

1951. Nov. 14. South of Eureka, Humboldt 

County, Calif. A large window was broken in the 

Humboldt Times building in Eureka; windows and
144 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

dishes were broken at Fields Landing; and plaster 

was cracked in a store at Fortuna. Felt over a small 

area in the Eel River Valley in northwest California. 

(Ref. 24, 259, 324, 563.)

1951. Dec. 5. Near Brawley, Imperial 

County, Calif. About 16 km north of Brawley, a 

crack about 30 m long and 4 cm wide formed in a 

gravel road; canal banks were damaged; plumbing 

broke in several houses; windows broke and stucco 

was damaged; and ceiling lights crashed to the floor. 

A bridge across the Highland canal also was damaged. One artesian well ejected water 3 m during 

the shock, and another well ran muddy water. Felt 

over a small area of the Imperial Valley in southeast 

California. (Ref. 24, 259, 292, 563.)

1951. Dec. 26 (Dec. 25). Near the southeast 

point of San Clemente Island, Calif. This Christmas Day earthquake caused slight damage to plaster, 

windows, or chimneys at Avalon, Long Beach (a large 

piece of tile also fell), San Diego, San Clemente 

Island, and San Pedro. The sharp shock was felt 

over a large area of southwest California and probably into northern Baja California. Magnitude 5.9 MS 

CFR, 5.9 MS GR. (Ref. 24, 259, 292.)

1952. Feb. 9. Northeast of Lone Pine, Inyo 

County, Calif. A series of three earthquakes 

occurred in the Lone Pine area. A building was 

cracked by the main shock at 08 43 UTC, and plaster 

fell in several houses. A cafe sustained a large crack 

that extended halfway around the building and completely through the wall. Felt only at a few towns in 

Inyo County (Ref. 25, 259, 292.)

1952. July 21, 11 52 UTC. South of Bakersfield, Kern County, Calif. This earthquake was the 

largest in the conterminous United States since the 

San Francisco shock of 1906. It claimed 12 lives and 

caused property damage estimated at $60 million. 

MM intensity XI was assigned to a small area on the 

Southern Pacific Railroad southeast of Bealville. 

There, the earthquake cracked reinforced-concrete 

tunnels having walls 46 cm thick; it shortened the 

distance between portals of two tunnels about 2.5 m 

and bent the rails into S-shaped curves. At Owens 

Lake (about 160 km from the epicenter), salt beds 

shifted, and brine lines were bent into S-shapes.

Many surface ruptures were observed along the 

lower slopes of Bear Mountain, in the White Wolf 

fault zone. The somewhat flat, poorly consolidated 

alluvium in the valley was erratically cracked and 

recontoured. The cracking along Bear Mountain indicated that the mountain itself moved upward and to 

the north. Southwest of Arvin, on the San Joaquin 

Valley floor, ground cracks traversed and split the 

concrete foundation of one house, causing partial

collapse. The ground slumped; cotton rows were offset more than 30 cm; and pavement on one highway 

was crumpled for more than 300 m. East of Caliente, 

one large crack, about 1.5 m at its widest point and 

more than 60 cm deep, was observed. Fill areas in 

the mountainous region along U.S. Highway 466 

(now State Highway 58) settled from a few centimeters to more than 30 cm in places, and a large part of 

the highway was cracked and wrinkled. Northeast of 

that highway, the ground was displaced vertically 

about 60 cm and horizontally about 45 cm.

Maximum MM intensities in nearby cities did not 

exceed VIII. At Tehachapi, Bakersfield, and Arvin, 

old and poorly built masonry and adobe buildings 

were cracked, and some collapsed.

Property damage was heavy in Tehachapi, where 

both brick and adobe buildings were hit hard, and 9 

people were killed. Three people were killed in other 

towns. Although damage was severe, the total extent 

of damage to property did not exceed that in Long 

Beach in 1933. Only a few wood-frame structures 

were damaged seriously in this earthquake, compared to the 1933 shock in which many such structures were thrown off foundations.

The generally moderate damage in Bakersfield was 

confined mainly to isolated parapet failure. Cracks 

formed in many brick buildings, and older school 

buildings were damaged somewhat. In contrast, however, the Kern General Hospital was damaged 

heavily. Multistory steel and concrete structures sustained minor damage, which commonly was confined 

to the first story. Similar kinds of damage also 

occurred at Arvin, which lies southeast of Bakersfield 

and west of Tehachapi.

Reports of long-period wave effects from the earthquake were widespread. Water splashed from swimming pools as far distant as the Los Angeles area, 

where damage to tall buildings was nonstructural 

but extensive. Water also splashed in pressure tanks 

on tops of buildings in San Francisco. At least one 

building was damaged in San Diego, and in Las 

Vegas, Nev., a building under construction required 

realignment of the structural steel.

The main shock was felt over most of California 

and in parts of western Arizona and western Nevada 

(see fig. 20). It was observed at such distant points 

as Stirling City, Calif., Phoenix, Ariz., and Gerlach, 

Nev. The California Institute of Technology at Pasadena recorded 188 aftershocks of magnitude 4.0 and 

higher through September 26, 1952; six aftershocks 

on July 21 were of magnitude 5.0 and higher. Magnitude 7.8 MS ABE, 7.3 mb ABE, 7.7 Ms CFR, 7.7 Ms 

GR, 7.0 MLa ELL, 7.21 ML KJ. (Ref. 25, 38, 292, 

460, 521, 533, 549.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 145

Building in Bakersfield, California, damaged by the Kern County earthquake of July 21, 1952. (Source of photograph unknown.)

1952. July 21, 12 05 UTC. Kern County, 

Calif., aftershock. This earthquake was felt at 

Huasna. Magnitude 6.4 Ms CFR. (Ref. 25, 292.)

1952. July 21, 15 13 UTC. Kern County, 

Calif., aftershock. A strong aftershock (time 

reported as 07 20 PST) caused additional damage to 

buildings in the Arvin area. (Ref. 25, 259, 292.)

1952. July 23, 00 38 UTC (July 22). Kern 

County, Calif., aftershock. A large aftershock of 

the July 21 earthquake caused damage to an old 

brick building in Arvin that was damaged in the 

main shock. Slight damage also occurred south of 

Bakersfield and at Fresno. This shock was reported 

mainly in Kern County. Magnitude 6.1 Mg CFR. 

(Ref. 25, 259, 292.)

1952. July 23, 07 53 (July 22), 13 17, and 18 

13 UTC. Kern County, Calif., aftershocks. One

house at Arvin that sustained only minor damage in 

the main event on July 21 was almost destroyed by 

the aftershock at 07 53 UTC. Walls and fronts of 

buildings of weakened structures collapsed; gas and 

water mains were broken; and transformers were 

torn off. The second aftershock also caused serious 

damage to already weakened buildings at Arvin and 

Tehachapi, and the third caused only minor damage 

at Arvin. These aftershocks were reported only at a 

few towns in Kern County. (Ref. 25, 259, 292.)

1952. July 25, 19 09 and 19 43 UTC. Kern 

County, Calif., aftershocks. Some pipeline damage 

and changes in ground level occurred 8 km south of 

Bakersfield (at Fairfax) as a result of these strong 

aftershocks. Light damage to buildings was reported 

from several towns in the area. Ground cracks were 

enlarged in Tejon Canyon, 16 km southeast of Arvin.
146 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Railroad tracks near Bealville, California, bent and twisted by the July 21, 1952, earthquake. 

(Photograph from the National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA.)

Landslides occurred in the Caliente Creek Canyon, 

Oiler Canyon Grade, State Highway 178 (between 

Bakersfield and Kernville), and White Wolf Ranch. 

Both shocks were felt over a wide area of south-central California. (Ref. 25, 259, 292.)

1952. July 29, 07 03 UTC (July 28). Kern 

County, Calif., aftershock. Another strong aftershock of the July 21 earthquake caused severe damage to buildings that were damaged in the main 

earthquake. One store at Bakersfield sustained 

additional damage, including a collapsed parapet and 

a crumbled wall. Cracks formed in several large 

buildings, and bricks tumbled from the tops of previously damaged structures. At least 10 fires were 

ignited in the area. Moderate damage to chimneys 

and walls occurred at Edison. This aftershock was 

felt widely in south-central California. Magnitude 

6.1 MS CFR. (Ref. 25, 259, 292.)

1952. July 31, 12 09 UTC. Kern County, 

Calif., aftershock. Another aftershock at Arvin

jarred bricks loose and broke windows. Slight damage also occurred at Bakersfield and in the area of 

Taft. Felt over a small area of south-central California. (Ref. 25, 259, 292.)

1952. Aug. 13, 17 39 UTC. Kern County, 

Calif., aftershock. The earthquake caused slight 

damage to brick at Arvin. The shock also was 

reported felt in Los Angeles. (Ref. 25, 259, 292.)

1952. Aug. 22. East of Bakersfield, Kern 

County, Calif. Heavy damage, estimated at $10 

million, occurred in the downtown area of Bakersfield. Two people were killed and several were 

injured.

Damage was confined mainly to brick buildings in 

a 64-block area of downtown Bakersfield. Larger, 

multistory, concrete and steel frame buildings sustained rather light damage. There were few complete 

collapses of buildings, but out of 396 structures that 

were damaged, 90 or more had to be razed. Many of 

these buildings had suffered considerable damage
124° 122°

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA

120° 118U

147

116° 114°

Figure 20. Isoseismal map for the Kern County, California, earthquake of July 21, 1952. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in references 25, 259, and 549 of table 1.

from the earthquake on July 21, 1952, and the aftershocks. Outside the downtown area, chimneys 

twisted and fell, and plaster and walls cracked. Felt 

over a large part of south-central California from 

Hollister south to Los Angeles and from the coast 

east to the Nevada border. (Ref. 25, 292, 549.)

1952. Aug. 23. Near Acton, Los Angeles, 

County, Calif. Southwest of the epicenter, slight 

damage was reported in Ventura County at

Camarillo, Moorpark, and Oxnard. Chimneys were 

cracked at Moorpark, and a water tower was damaged at Amboy (San Bernardino County). The 

higher intensities reported north into Kern County 

and at Amboy (northeast of San Bernardino) may be 

due to confusion with other shocks on Aug. 22. (Ref. 

25, 259, 292.)

1952. Sept. 22. Southwest of Petrolia, Humboldt County, Calif. At Petrolia, some houses were
148 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

displaced as much as 5 cm on their foundations. 

Several chimneys fell and many were others were 

damaged. An oil well casing cracked at the Petrolia 

Oil Well Company, and a bunkhouse was displaced 

from its foundation. This shock generally was felt 

from the Eureka area on the north, south along the 

coast to Elk (Mendocino County), and east from the 

coast to the Ruth area (Trinity County). (Ref. 25, 

259, 324.)

1952. Nov. 22 (Nov. 21). Near Bryson, 

Monterey County, Calif. Chimneys twisted and 

fell in the Bradley area and at San Luis Obispo; five 

or more old chimneys were knocked down at Bryson. 

Cracks formed in walls of buildings and in the 

ground in the Bryson area. Felt along the coast from 

San Francisco on the north to the Los Angeles area 

on the south and as far east as Olancha (Tulare 

County). Magnitude 6.0 Ms CFR, 6.0 Ms GR. (Ref. 

25, 259, 476.)

1953. May 25, 04 07 UTC (May 24). Near Calpella, Mendocino County, Calif. This earthquake 

reportedly cracked walls and twisted doors out of line 

at Calpella. Felt only at a few other towns in the 

area. (Ref. 26, 259, 324.)

1953. June 14, 04 17 UTC (June 13). Brawley 

area, Imperial County, Calif. Damage was considerable near Brawley, where chimneys cracked and 

fell. At the Thistle Lateral Canal (5 km south of 

Westmorland), the shock damaged one of the canal 

structures and cracked several meters of bank along 

the canal. The ground settled extensively at the 

Tokay Canal. Felt north to the Palm Springs area 

(Riverside County), west to San Diego, and southeast 

to Yuma, Ariz. Several aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 26, 

259, 292.)

1954. Jan. 12. West of Wheeler Ridge, Kern 

County, Calif. The epicenter of this earthquake was 

close to that of the major shock of July 21, 1952. 

This shock caused minor damage at the Maricopa 

Seed Farm, about 25 km east of Maricopa. The damage included broken bracing rods in three steel-frame 

corrugated-iron buildings and a shattered base of one 

elevated water tank. Near the farm, unanchored 

platform pole transformers were toppled. Slight 

damage was reported from many towns in the area. 

The earthquake also was observed slightly in tall 

buildings in Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco. (Ref. 27, 259, 292.)

1954. Mar. 19, 09 54 UTC. Santa Rosa Mountains, Riverside County, Calif. Minor damage 

reported at several towns in the area included fallen 

plaster from walls, broken windows and dishes, broken water pipes, cracked swimming pools, and damaged stock in stores. The main shock was felt over a

large area of southern California and parts of western Arizona and southwest Nevada. Of the many 

aftershocks that were located, the largest occurred on 

Mar. 19 at 10 21 UTC. Magnitude 6.2 Ms CFR, 6.2 

MLS ELL (main shock). (Ref. 27, 259, 292, 521.)

1954. Apr. 22. East of Watsonville, Santa 

Cruz County, Calif. Plaster fell and walls cracked 

at Gilroy, and dishes broke and knickknacks fell at 

Aptos. Felt over a small area of the coastal region of 

west-central California. (Ref. 27, 259, 324.)

1954. Apr. 25. East of Watsonville, Santa 

Cruz County, Calif. Several poorly built houses, 

east of Watsonville along the Chittenden Road, were 

damaged severely when they were shifted on their 

foundations; ground cracks formed along the Pajaro 

River. Several chimneys toppled at Aromas and in 

the Interlaken District. The shock was strong enough 

to shatter a few windows and knock plaster from 

walls in the San Francisco Bay area. It was felt 

along the coast from Santa Rosa (Sonoma County) on 

the north to San Ardo (Monterey County) on the 

south and east as far as Fresno. (Ref. 27, 259, 324.)

1954. Aug. 26. Off the coast of Ventura 

County, near Anacapa Island, Calif. This slight 

earthquake shook plaster from the ceiling of the Ventura County Courthouse. Felt slightly at several 

towns in the area. (Ref. 27, 259, 292.)

1954. Nov. 10. Near Lakeport, Lake County, 

Calif. Slight damage in the form of cracks in windows, concrete, and plaster occurred at Nice, Potier 

Valley, Talmage, Willits, and Witter Springs. The 

earthquake was observed over a small area of Lal^e 

and Mendocino Counties. (Ref. 27, 259, 324.)

1954. Nov. 25. Off Cape Mendocino, Calif. 

The shock caused no damage but was felt over a 

large area of Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. 

Magnitude 6.5 Ms CFR. (Ref. 27, 259, 324.)

1954. Dec. 17 (Dec. 16). East of San Leandro, 

Alameda County, Calif. Chimneys and a water 

main were broken at Oakland, and plaster fell. 

Cracks in plaster and walls were reported at Hayward and San Leandro. Felt over a moderate area of 

west-central California. (Ref. 27, 259, 324.)

1954. Dec. 21. Near Eureka-Arcata, Humboldt County, Calif. This earthquake and a strong 

aftershock on Dec. 30 caused property damage estimated at $2.1 million. One person was killed when 

he fell into Humboldt Bay, and several people were 

injured by falling objects.

The shock caused only slight structural damage to 

reinforced concrete and concrete block and woodframe buildings in the Eureka-Arcata areas. The 

Eureka City Hall and the Humboldt County Courthouse in Eureka were cracked extensively. The main
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 149

damage in both Arcata and Eureka was to chimneys, 

plaster, plate-glass windows, and merchandise in 

stores, but several old and poorly constructed brick 

walls bulged, and some parapet damage was sustained. Damage to structures and underground pipelines occurred in areas of unstable ground. Previous 

ground settling, as well as subsidence at the time of 

the shock, were observed in some of the damaged 

areas. Between Eureka and Arcata, U.S. Highway 

101 was cracked and bulged in places.

Felt from southern Oregon on the north to San 

Francisco on the south and to Lake City (Modoc 

County) on the east. A strong aftershock occurred on 

Dec. 30. Magnitude 6.6 Ms CFR (main shock). (Ref. 

27, 259, 480, 533, 550.)

1954. Dec. 30. Near Eureka-Arcata, Humboldt County, Calif. An aftershock of the Dec. 21 

earthquake broke plate-glass windows, cracked chimneys, and further damaged the Eureka water-supply 

pipeline. (Ref. 27, 259, 324, 550.)

1955. Mar. 2. Near San Ardo, Monterey 

County, Calif. About 1.5 km west of San Lucas, a 

brick chimney collapsed on a house. Plaster was 

cracked at Adelaida, Indian Valley (northeast of San 

Miguel), and Templeton. Felt north along the coast to 

Pescadero (San Mateo County), south to Lompoc 

(Santa Barbara County), and east to Avenal (Kings 

County). (Ref. 28, 259, 324.)

1955. Apr. 29. Near Lower Lake, Lake 

County, Calif. Chimneys, windows, and dishes were 

broken, and plaster and walls were cracked at Lower 

Lake. Felt mainly in Lake County over a small area. 

(Ref. 28, 324.)

1955. May 7. Near Lower Lake, Lake County, 

Calif. A few weak chimneys on older houses fell at 

Lower Lake, and plaster cracked and fell. Minor 

damage also was sustained at Clearlake Highlands 

walls, ceilings, and floors cracked; a chimney was 

damaged; and much plaster fell. Felt mainly in Lake 

County over a small area. Several slight aftershocks 

were reported. (Ref. 28, 259, 324.)

1955. Sept. 5 (Sept. 4). East of San Jose, 

Santa Clara County, Calif. This earthquake 

caused extensive minor damage, estimated at 

$100,000 in the San Jose area. The damage consisted mainly of toppled chimneys and broken plateglass windows. Damage was most severe in the Willow Glen District of San Jose, about 13 km west of 

the epicenter, where about 100 chimneys were damaged and many collapsed. One house was displaced 

on its foundation. Walls were cracked at the County 

Hospital and County Jail, and a brick garden wall 

toppled. Felt north to Santa Rosa (Sonoma County), 

south to San Ardo (Monterey County), and east to

the La Grange area (Stanislaus County). (Ref. 28, 

259, 324.)

1955. Oct. 24 (Oct. 23). Concord-Walnut 

Creek area, Contra Costa County, Calif. This 

earthquake killed one person and caused property 

damage estimated at $1 million. The damage generally was minor, however, consisting mainly of cracked 

walls and plaster, broken windows, and loss from 

damaged merchandise. Damage was most severe at 

Walnut Creek where walls cracked, 80 plate-glass 

windows were broken, and much damage occurred to 

store merchandise. Minor damage to brick chimneys 

(some toppled) and walls occurred at several other 

towns in the region. Felt over a moderate area of 

west-central California. Several aftershocks 

occurred. Magnitude 5.4 Ms CFR. (Ref. 28, 259, 

324, 533.)

1955. Nov. 2. Near San Ardo, Monterey 

County, Calif. This earthquake cracked plaster at 

Bryson, King City, and San Miguel and broke dishes 

at San Ardo. Felt over a small area along the coastal 

region of west-central California. (Ref. 28, 259, 324.)

1955. Dec. 17, 06 07 UTC (Dec. 16). Near 

Brawley, Imperial County, Calif. This main shock 

of a series caused minor damage at Brawley. The 

ceiling in a hardware store buckled; cracks formed in 

walls of buildings and existing cracks were enlarged; 

12 water mains broke; street lights and about 20 

plate-glass windows broke; and merchandise in 

stores was damaged. Slight damage also was 

reported at Calexico, El Centre, Holtville, and Imperial. Felt over a moderate area of southern California and western Arizona. About 81 earthquakes 

were felt in Brawley through 11 51 UTC, Dec. 19. 

(Ref. 28, 259, 292, 564.)

1956. Jan. 3 (Jan. 2). Near Glen Ivy, Riverside County, Calif. Broken windows, dishes, and 

plaster were reported from several nearby towns. 

Rockslides were reported in the area of Glen Ivy, in 

Temescal Canyon. Felt along the coast of southern 

California. (Ref. 29, 259, 292.)

1956. Feb. 9. Baja California, Mexico. Near 

El Alamo, Mexico, a new fault line, 29 km long, was 

reported, and new springs formed along the fault 

line. Minor damage, consisting mainly of broken 

windows, cracked plaster, and damaged stock in 

stores, was reported from Yuma, Ariz., and from several towns in southern California. Felt over a large 

area of southern California and western Arizona. 

Many aftershocks occurred through Apr. 26, 1956. 

(Ref. 29, 38, 259, 292.)

1956. Apr. 5 (Apr. 4). Near Saint Helena, 

Napa County, Calif. In the Angwin-Saint Helena 

Sanitarium area, residents reported many instances
150 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

of cracks in plaster walls and concrete foundations. 

Tile flooring was cracked at the sanitarium. At Saint 

Helena, plaster fell from a ceiling and pine walls 

were cracked. Felt over a small part of the coastal 

area of north-central California. (Ref. 29, 259, 324.)

1956. Oct. 11, 16 48 UTC. Off the coast of 

Humboldt County, Calif. With the exception of a 

few broken dishes at Eureka, no damage was 

reported. Felt over a small area of Humboldt 

County. Magnitude 6.0 Ms CFR. (Ref. 29, 259, 324.)

1956. Nov. 16 (Nov. 15). Northwest of Parkfield, Monterey County, Calif. Plaster cracked at 

the Mee Ranch (Lonoak). The shock was reported felt 

in Fresno, Kings, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis 

Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Counties. 

(Ref. 29, 259, 324.)

1957. Mar. 18. South of Oxnard, Ventura 

County, Calif. Minor damage at Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and Ventura consisted mainly of cracked walls, 

fallen plaster, and loss from breakage of stock in 

stores. Felt over a small area of southern California, 

mainly in Ventura County. (Ref. 30, 259, 324.)

1957. Mar. 22 and 23. West of Daly City, San 

Mateo County, Calif. These earthquakes caused 

property damage estimated at $1 million and injured 

about 40 people. The first and strongest shock caused 

one death. Minor damage at several houses was 

reported along the ocean in the Westlake-Palisades 

tract, west of Daly City. Many chimneys were damaged at Daly City. In San Francisco, damage to chimneys, plaster, windows, and merchandise was 

widespread. The pavement along the edge of Lake 

Merced sloughed off into the lake, and both ends of a 

pedestrian bridge collapsed. Landslides blocked State 

Highway 1 near Mussel Rock, and the shoulder of 

the highway was cracked extensively.

The main shock was felt over a moderate area of 

west-central California, and many aftershocks were 

observed. The shock on Mar. 23 caused slight damage at Menlo Park and San Francisco. Magnitude 

5.3 MS CFR, 5.27 ML KJ (both Mar. 22). (Ref. 30, 

259, 324, 460, 533, 599.)

1957. Apr. 25, 21 57 UTC. Southwest end of 

Salton Sea, Imperial County, Calif. The most 

severe effects of this earthquake occurred in the Calipatria area, about 2.5 km north of Vail Canal, where 

a strip of land about 0.6 km wide and 1.5 km long 

was broken and cracked; water seeped from hundreds of blowholes that formed. Only slight damage 

was reported at other towns in the area. The main 

shock was felt over much of southern California and 

western Arizona. Many aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 

30, 259, 292.)

1958. Sept. 21 (Sept. 20). Southeast of 

Soledad, in San Benito County, Calif. This local 

earthquake cracked a fireplace and broke dishes in 

the San Benito area. A landslide and damage to two 

other houses were reported in the area also. (Ref.

31. 324.)

1958. Oct. 1. Southeast of Sierraville, Sierra 

County, Calif. This earthquake cracked chimneys 

at Hallelujah Junction (about 30 km northwest of 

Reno, Nev.) and broke dishes at Reno. Felt over a 

small area of northeast California and western 

Nevada. (Ref. 31, 259, 324.)

1958. Dec. 1 (Nov. 30). Baja California, Mexico. A series of moderate earthquakes in Mexico 

caused minor damage in California at Calexico, 

Nestor, Potrero, and Seeley. The damage included 

fallen plaster from walls and slight cracks in chimneys, walls, and windows. The main shock at 03 21 

UTC was felt over much of southern California and 

in parts of western Arizona. (Ref. 31, 259, 292.)

1958. Dec. 11. Southwest of San Francisco, 

Calif. Cracked plaster and windows, broken dishes, 

and damaged stock in stores were reported from several Bay area towns. Near Daly City, a minor landslide occurred on State Highway 1. Felt over a small 

area of west-central California. (Ref. 31, 259, 324.)

1959. Mar. 2. Near Gilroy, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. Residents of several towns near Gilroy reported slight damage, including broken windows, cracked plaster, and loss from fallen stock. One 

minor earthslide occurred east of Watsonville, and 

boulders rolled onto a highway between Gilroy and 

Watsonville. In San Francisco, 70 windowpanes were 

broken in one store. Felt along the coastal area from 

Jenner on the north to Big Sur on the south and 

inland to Gustine. (Ref. 32, 259, 324.)

1959. Apr. 1. Northeast of Loyalton, Sierra 

County, Calif. Most of the serious property damage 

occurred at Loyalton, where several chimneys fell, 

windows were broken, and plaster and walls were 

cracked. Felt over a large area of northeast California and western Nevada. (Ref. 32, 259, 324.)

1959. Apr. 6 (Apr. 5). North of Ukiah, Mendocino County, Calif. Chimneys cracked and windows broke at Redwood Valley. Felt in Lake and 

Mendocino Counties in northwest California. (Ref.

32. 259, 324.)

1959. May 26. Near Salinas, Monterey 

County, Calif. Windows and dishes were broken at 

Salinas, and a wall was cracked. Slight damage also 

occurred at Camp McCallum and Hollister. Felt 

most strongly in the area around Monterey Bay. 

(Ref. 32, 259, 324.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 151

1959. Oct. 24. Near Owens Peak, Kern 

County, Calif. A series of four earthquakes 

occurred in the Owens Peak area, the first of which 

was the strongest. Two hunters in the area reported 

that boulders tumbled down the mountainside and 

that a landslide occurred. Tops of dead trees were 

snapped off. Several shocks also were reported by 

residents of nearby Onyx. (Ref. 32, 259, 292.)

1959. Dec. 29 (Dec. 28). Northwest of Hollister, San Benito County, Calif. A few chimneys 

toppled at Hollister, and a large piece of timber fell 

from the roof of the City Hall building. Felt over the 

coastal area of west-central California from San 

Francisco south to San Miguel (San Luis Obispo 

County). (Ref. 32, 259, 324.)

1960. Jan. 20 (Jan. 19). South of Hollister, 

San Benito County, Calif. Minor damage occurred 

south of Hollister at a winery and a nearby ranch. 

At the winery, small bits of a ceiling fell, a chimney 

cracked at its roofline, cracks formed in pavement, 

and an underground pipeline broke. At the ranch, 

walls were cracked and an existing crack in a reservoir was enlarged. Felt along the coastal areas north 

of San Luis Obispo to San Francisco and inland to 

Merced. (Ref. 33, 259, 324.)

1960. June 6 (June 5). Off the coast of Humboldt County, Calif. Slight damage occurred at 

Eureka, where plaster fell in the old City Hall. At 

Crannell, north of Eureka, a brick chimney on one 

house was twisted slightly. Felt mainly in Humboldt 

and Trinity Counties. (Ref. 33, 259, 480.)

1961. Jan. 28. Near Walker Pass, Kern 

County, Calif. Slight damage was reported at 

Johannesburg, where the floor of a carport was 

cracked, and at Bodfish, where dishes were broken. 

At Kernville, rocks rolled down the mountainside. 

Felt over a large area, mainly in Kern and Tulare 

Counties. Many aftershocks were recorded. (Ref. 34, 

259, 292.)

1961. Apr. 9, 07 23 and 07 25 UTC (Apr. 8). 

South of Hollister, San Benito County, Calif. 

Two strong earthquakes damaged many buildings at 

Hollister, but major damage was confined to the 

County Courthouse, the Dabo Hotel, and the Elks 

building. Property damage was estimated at 

$250,000. South of Hollister, on Cienega Road, a 15- 

m-long fissure occurred near a winery, which also 

sustained severe damage. Some chimneys in the area 

were damaged or fell, and water lines were ruptured. 

Felt along the coast of west-central California from 

the San Francisco Bay area south to Creston (San 

Luis Obispo County). (Ref. 34, 38, 259, 324.)

1961. Oct. 19 (Oct. 18). East of Brown, Kern 

County, Calif. This shock shifted heavy machinery

and changed the water level in one well near Brown. 

The only damage was reported from Mojave, where 

slight cracks formed in a bathroom. The earthquake 

was reported in a few scattered areas of northern Los 

Angeles and San Bernardino Counties in south-central California. (Ref. 34, 259, 292.)

1961. Oct. 20. Near Huntington Beach, 

Orange County, Calif. This earthquake was one of 

a series of nine sharp tremors, that were felt mainly 

in Orange County. The main shock caused slight 

damage, including broken windows, cracked plaster 

and walls, and damaged stock in stores, in several 

towns in the County. (Ref. 34, 259, 292.)

1961. Nov. 15 (Nov. 14). Near Wheeler Ridge, 

Kern County, Calif. At Wilsona, in Antelope Valley, 

cracks formed in the walls of a building, the bottom 

of swimming pool, and in the ground. Damage was 

not reported from other towns in the area. This 

shock was felt mainly in Kern County, but also was 

observed in scattered areas of Kings, Los Angeles, 

Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura Counties. (Ref. 

34, 259, 292.)

1962. Apr. 27. Near Perris, Riverside County, 

Calif. Damage was slight at Romoland where windows and dishes were broken and at Winchester 

where cracks formed in walls, plaster, and windows. 

Felt over a small area of southern California, mainly 

in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. (Ref. 35, 

259, 292.)

1962. June 6. Near Lakeport, Lake County, 

Calif. In the area near Lakeport, water in Scott 

Creek (which was almost dry before the shock) rose 

about 0.5 m and flowed steadily for 11 days. The 

water in several wells in Scott Valley rose 2-3 m and 

turned milky white for 3-5 days. About 16 km southwest of Lakeport, a geyserlike spout of water was 

observed in Clear Lake. Slight damage, which 

occurred mainly in the Lakeport-Ukiah area, 

included fallen bricks from fireplaces and cracks in 

chimneys and walls. One chimney fell at Finley. Felt 

mainly in Lake and Mendocino Counties. (Ref. 35, 

259, 324.)

1962. Aug. 23. Off the coast of Del Norte 

County, Calif. Slight damage occurred, mainly in 

the Crescent City-Smith River areas of Del Norte 

County. Damage consisted of broken windows, cracks 

in chimneys and walls, and loss from fallen stock in 

stores. The tops of some redwood trees were snapped 

off. Felt over a moderate area of northern California 

and southwest Oregon. (Ref. 35, 259, 480.)

1962. Sept. 4. Northwest of Arcata, Humboldt County, Calif. Plaster fell at the Eureka 

County Courthouse; new cracks formed in the walls 

of the old high school building; and windows broke at
152 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

a drugstore. At Orick, plaster and walls were cracked 

and stock fell in stores. Felt over a small area of 

northern California, mainly in Humboldt County. 

(Ref. 35, 259, 480.)

1962. Oct. 29 (Oct. 28). Near Big Bear, San 

Bernardino County, Calif. A window was broken 

and stock fell from shelves at Big Bear City, and a 

water main was broken at Redlands. Rocks rolled 

onto the highway between Bear Valley and Lucerne 

Valley. Felt mainly in Riverside and San Bernardino 

Counties. Many aftershocks were recorded. (Ref. 35, 

259, 292.)

1963. May 22. West of Sunnyvale, in Santa 

Cruz County, Calif. One roof reportedly caved in 

at Sunnyvale. Felt over a small part of the coastal 

area of west-central California. (Ref. 36, 259, 324.)

1963. May 23, 15 53 UTC. Imperial Valley, 

Calif. The main shock of a series on May 22-23 

caused minor damage at Brawley (plate-glass window broke; plaster cracked) and Westmorland (plaster fell; windows and dishes broke). Felt mainly in 

the Imperial Valley of southern California. (Ref. 36, 

259, 292.)

1963. June 7. West of Antioch, Contra Costa 

County, Calif. Slight damage occurred at Antioch, 

where cracks formed in the walls and foundation of a 

school, old cracks were enlarged, and beams and 

doors "twisted." Plaster was cracked at Clayton, Concord, and Cowell. Felt in the San Francisco Bay area, 

mainly in Contra Costa County. (Ref. 36, 259, 324.)

1963. Sept. 14, 19 46 UTC. Near Watsonville, 

Monterey County, Calif. The earthquake caused 

minor damage east of Watsonville in the Chittenden-Soda Lake area. In this small area along the 

San Andreas fault, the second floor of a wood-frame 

house was displaced; a water tank shifted on its 

foundation; one stone chimney was shaken loose, and 

one was cracked; and footings of a bridge across the 

Pajaro River were damaged slightly. Landslides were 

reported in the Soda Lake and Pajaro Gap areas. 

Felt along the coastal area of west-central California 

from Bolinas to Big Sur. (Ref. 36, 259, 467.)

1963. Sept. 23. Near San Jacinto, Riverside 

County, Calif. Chimneys were cracked and twisted 

at Hemet. Plaster cracked and fell at Hemet and San 

Jacinto, and windows and dishes were broken. Felt 

over a large part of southern California from Los 

Angeles east to Twentynine Palms (San Bernardino 

County) and south to San Diego. (Ref. 36, 259, 292.)

1963. Dec. 6. Near Toms Place, Mono County, 

Calif. Plaster was cracked at Bishop and in the Paradise area northwest of Bishop. Also, a 230-kV-transformer bushing was cracked at Bishop. Felt over a

moderate area of east-central California and western 

Nevada. (Ref. 36, 259, 292.)

1964. June 21. California-Mexico border 

region. Plaster fell from a 2-m-long crack in the ceiling of a building at San Diego, and new cracks 

formed in the beams at the post office. Slight damage 

also was reported at Coronado. Felt over a small area 

of southwest California. (Ref. 37, 259, 292.)

1964. Nov. 16 (Nov. 15). Near Corralitos, 

Santa Clara County, Calif. The most serious damage to property occurred in Corralitos. Several chimneys were toppled there, other chimneys were 

twisted, and water service was disrupted. Minor 

damage occurred at several towns in the Corralitos 

area. Felt along the coast of west-central California 

from Napa on the north to San Simeon (San Luis 

Obispo County) on the south. Magnitude 4.5 mb 

NUT, 4.3 Ms NUT. (Ref. 37, 259, 263, 324.)

1964. Dec. 22. West of Ensenada, Mexico. 

The San Diego area sustained the most severe damage, which included fallen stones from a chimney, 

exterior crack in a fire station wall, broken windows, 

and fallen light fixtures. Slight damage also 

occurred at Boulevard, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, and 

Potrero. Felt along the coast from Los Angeles to 

Tijuana (Mexico) and inland to Calipatria (Imperial 

County). Magnitude 5.0 mb NUT, 5.5 Ms NUT. (Ref. 

37, 259, 263, 292.)

1965. Jan. 1. Southwest of Fontana, San Bernardino County, Calif. Glassware and dishes were 

broken at Fontana, and the ceiling of one house was 

shattered. A cement sidewalk was cracked at Lytle 

Creek, northwest of San Bernardino. Felt over a 

small area, mainly in Riverside and San Bernardino 

Counties. (Ref. 75, 259, 292.)

1965. Apr. 15. San Bernardino Valley, Calif. 

The press reported broken windows and merchandise shaken from shelves throughout the San Bernardino Valley, including Chino, Colton, Fontana, 

Rialto, and San Bernardino. Felt in Los Angeles, 

Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. 

(Ref. 75, 259, 292.)

1965. June 16 (June 15). Imperial Valley, 

Calif. This was the main shock of a series that 

occurred in the Imperial Valley June 15-17. Slight 

damage was sustained at Westmorland, where plateglass windows and dishes were broken, and at Imperial, where walls were cracked. Felt over a small 

area of Imperial County. (Ref. 75, 259, 292.)

1965. July 16 (July 15). Near Saugus, Los 

Angeles County, Calif. Stucco was cracked in several places in a house at Saugus, and one existing 

crack in cement was enlarged. Felt mainly in Kern 

and Los Angeles Counties. (Ref. 75, 259, 292.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 153

1965. Sept. 10. Near Pittsburg, Contra Costa 

County, Calif. Windows were broken in two houses 

at Concord, and in two stores at Pittsburg. At Cowell, chimneys were cracked and dishes were broken. 

Small rockslides were observed in Mount Diablo 

State Park. Felt over a small part of the San Francisco Bay region, mainly in Contra Costa County. 

(Ref. 75, 259, 324.)

1965. Sept. 25, 17 43 UTC. Southeast of 

Newberry, San Bernardino County, Calif. The 

main shock of a series of three events on Sept. 25 

and 26 first increased and then decreased the flow of 

a spring at the Camp Cady Ranch, south of Manix 

Station. Gas pipes were damaged at Newberry, causing an explosion; an underground water tank was 

cracked at Hodge; and plaster cracked and fell at 

Kelso. The main shock was felt over a large area of 

southern California and at a few towns in southern 

Nevada and southwest Arizona. Two strong aftershocks were felt in the area at 17 48 UTC on Sept. 

25 and 07 00 UTC on Sept. 26. Magnitude 4.7 mb 

NUT, 4.4 MS NUT. (Ref. 75, 259, 263, 292.)

1965. Oct. 17. Near Palm Springs, Riverside 

County, Calif. At Palm Springs, windows cracked 

and dishes broke, and at Cathedral City, a garden 

wall cracked. Felt mainly in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. (Ref. 75, 259, 292.)

1965. Nov. 12. South of Glendale, Los Angeles County, Calif. Minor cracks formed in concrete 

on the 30th floor of the Occidental Center in Los 

Angeles, and plaster was cracked slightly in the Federal Building in Glendale. Felt only in a small area 

of southwest Los Angeles County. (Ref. 75, 259, 292.)

1966. May 24 (May 23). Near Chico, Butte 

County, Calif. This light shock generated a rockslide at Las Plumas, near Oroville, and cracked plaster northeast of Chico, at Forest Ranch. Felt over a 

moderate area in east-central California. Magnitude 

3.8 mb NUT, 4.0 Ms NUT. (Ref. 81, 259, 263, 324.)

1966. June 28, 04 26 UTC (June 27). Near 

Parkfield, Monterey County, Calif. This earthquake occurred in a sparsely populated region near 

Parkfield, so little building damage was sustained. 

The main damage included broken windows, cracked 

walls and swimming pools, and overturned tombstones in the Parkfield cemeteries.

Minor surface faulting, about 35 km long, occurred 

in a narrow zone along the San Andreas fault from 

a few kilometers northwest of Parkfield almost to 

Cholame. About 1.5 km northeast of Cholame, the 

white dividing line on Highway 466 was offset about 

10 cm. At that same site, a small concrete bridge 

sustained minor cracks and the pavement buckled. 

Bridges on the Parkfield-Cholame Highway, which

parallels and crosses the fault trace several times, 

sustained minor damage. It was felt generally from 

Santa Cruz to Oxnard and northeastward into the 

Sierra Nevada foothills. It was preceded by a strong 

shock at 04 08 UTC on June 28 and followed by 

shocks of lower magnitude on June 28 and 29. More 

than 200 aftershocks occurred through December 

1966. Magnitude 6.0 Ms ELL, 5.7 MLa ELL, 5.91 ML 

KJ. (Ref. 81, 259, 398, 521, 551.)

1966. Aug. 7. Gulf of California, Sonora, Mexico. This earthquake cracked the ground 48 km 

south of San Luis and Rio Colorado in the El Golfo 

de Santa Clara area of Mexico. Damage in the 

United States was most severe at Yuma, Ariz., where 

a sidewalk sagged about 10 cm and the facades of 

several buildings sustained cracks. Slight damage 

also occurred at Blythe, Holtville, and Winterhaven, 

Calif., and at Picacho and Somerton, Ariz. The earthquake was felt widely in southern California and 

southwest Arizona and also was reported felt at 

Boulder City, Nev. (Ref. 38, 81, 259, 266.)

1966. Sept. 12, 16 41 UTC. Near Boca, 

Nevada County, Calif. Minor but extensive fractures in the ground were observed in the area northeast of Truckee, extending 16 km on a trend N. 30° 

E. from Prosser Reservoir to Hoke Valley. Chimneys 

toppled and masonry walls were cracked at Boca, 

Hirschdale (near Boca Dam), Hobart Mills (near 

Prosser Dam), Loyalton, and Sierraville. Pipelines 

were ruptured at Loyalton and Boca Dam. Several 

bridges on Highway 80 sustained minor damage, and 

Boca and Prosser earthfill dams were cracked. Landslides, rockslides, and slumping occurred on area 

highways and on the Southern Pacific Railway roadbed. This was the main shock of a series occurring 

near Boca. It was felt over a large area of east-central California and northwest Nevada. Magnitude 

5.2 mb NUT, 5.6 Ms NUT. (Ref. 81, 259, 263, 324, 

457, 555.)

1966. Oct. 2 (Oct. 1). Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles County, Calif. On Palos Verdes 

Peninsula, two windows were broken, the curb and 

street were split, and the ground pulled away from 

the courtyard wall. Felt mainly in southwest Los 

Angeles County and western Orange County. (Ref. 

81, 259, 292.)

1967. May 21. Near Anza, Riverside County, 

Calif. The shock rolled rocks onto Highway 74 from 

Nightingale to Palm Desert. A water reservoir at 

Norco sustained about $40,000 damage. Near Anza, 

well water appeared murky later in the day. 

Although this earthquake was felt mainly in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties, it
154 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

was reported in scattered towns in Los Angeles and 

Orange Counties. (Ref. 40, 72, 292.)

1967. June 15 (June 14). Near Whittier, Los 

Angeles County, Calif. At Whittier, a plate-glass 

window broke at a market, a water pipe broke in an 

office building, and a wall cracked in a garage. 

Hairline cracks formed in a house foundation at San 

Gabriel, and plaster fell from a house in north Los 

Angeles. Felt mainly in the Whittier and San Gabriel Valley areas of Los Angeles County. (Ref. 40, 

72, 292.)

1967. June 26. Near Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, Calif. Brick chimneys and dishes were 

damaged at Ukiah, and chimneys and walls were 

cracked in Redwood Valley, about 11 km north of 

Ukiah. At Coyote Dam, northeast of Ukiah, concrete 

spalled slightly on the curb of the intake tower 

access bridge. Felt over a small area of Lake and 

Mendocino Counties. (Ref. 40, 72, 324.)

1967. July 22. Near Paicines, San Benito 

County, Calif. At the Bear Valley Fire Control Station at Paicines, bricks and plaster were cracked and 

furniture was displaced. Felt only at a few towns in 

San Benito County and at Coalinga in Fresno 

County. (Ref. 40, 72, 324.)

1967. Sept. 7. Near Corralitos, Santa Cruz 

County, Calif. The only damage reported was at 

San Jose, about 40 km north of the epicenter, where 

cracks in a cement fence and in plaster were 

enlarged. Felt from Point Reyes Station (Marin 

County) south to King City (Monterey County). 

Magnitude 4.0 Mb NUT, 4.1 Ms NUT (Ref. 40, 72, 

263, 324.)

1967. Sept. 28. Northeast of Morgan HiU, 

Santa Clara County, Calif. Rockslides were 

observed within 5 km of the epicenter. At San Jose, 

exterior walls of a house were cracked. Felt from 

Marin County south to Monterey County and east to 

Merced County. Magnitude 4.3 mb NUT, 4.1 Ms 

NUT. (Ref. 40, 72, 263, 324.)

1967. Dec. 10, 12 06 UTC. Off the coast of 

Humboldt County, Calif. Minor damage occurred 

at several towns, including Crannell (chimney 

twisted), Denny (brick chimney cracked), Ferndale 

(windows cracked), and Scotia (plate-glass window 

cracked). The first shock was felt mainly in Humboldt County. Two aftershocks were observed, the 

strongest at 12 33 UTC. Magnitude 5.6 mb NUT, 5.5 

MS NUT. (Ref. 40, 72, 74, 263.)

1967. Dec. 18. Near Corralitos, Santa Cruz 

County, Calif. Minor damage occurred mainly in 

the area of Corralitos, Gilroy, and Watsonville. It 

included cracks in chimneys and plaster, broken windows, and damage to fallen stock in stores. Felt from

Marin County south to Monterey County and east to 

Merced County. Magnitude 4.8 mb NUT, 4.7 MS 

NUT. (Ref. 40, 72, 263, 324.)

1968. Apr. 9, 02 28 and 03 48 UTC (Apr. 8). 

Borrego Mountain earthquake, near Ocotillo 

Wells, San Diego County, Calif. Along the Coyote 

Creek fault, surface rupture 31 km in length was 

observed. Highway 78 sustained cracks adjacent to 

Ocotillo Wells. Rockslides occurred in Palm Canyon, 

Split Mountain, and Font's Head in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and huge boulders blocked 

the Montezuma-Borrego Highway. The walls of one 

house at Ocotillo Wells were split over doorways and 

at corners of rooms, and the bedroom was separated 

from the rest of the house. The main shock at 02 28 

UTC was felt over a large area, including southern 

California, southwest Arizona, and southern Nevada 

(see fig. 21). Several aftershocks were reported. The 

largest one at 03 48 UTC knocked plaster to the floor 

in a theater at Calexico. Magnitude 7.0 MS ABE, 6.6 

mb ABE, 6.8 Ms ELL, 6.3 MLa ELL, 6.0 mb NUT, 6.7 

MS NUT, 6.93 ML KJ (main shock). (Ref. 41, 263, 

292, 521, 552, 554.)

1968. Apr. 25. Near Santa Rosa, Sonoma 

County, Calif. Damage in the Santa Rosa area was 

limited to broken chimneys, windows, plaster, and 

stock in stores. One chimney toppled in the Larkfield housing tract north of Santa Rosa, about 20 percent of the chimneys were damaged visibly, and 

many windows were broken. Considerable damage 

to plaster was reported in light wood-frame buildings. Several tombstones were rotated in the cemetery north of Santa Rosa. Felt over a small area of 

west-central California from Mendocino County on 

the north to San Mateo County on the south. Magnitude 4.6 MS NUT. (Ref. 41, 263,324.)

1968. Apr. 29 (Apr. 28). South of Willows, 

Glenn County, Calif. Most of the damage from this 

shock was to merchandise in stores in the Chico 

area. One water well near Tehama went dry after 

the earthquake. At Chico, a sliding glass door and a 

glass trophy shelf were broken at a high school. Felt 

mainly in Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties in 

northern California. (Ref. 41, 324.)

1968. June 26, 01 42 UTC (June 25). Near 

Petrolia, Humboldt County, Calif. Several chimneys were toppled in the Honeydew-Petrolia area, 

and much damage to plaster and windows was 

reported. In Mattole Valley, a porch on a building 

collapsed and several fireplaces were damaged. 

Landslides and cracks in the ground were observed 

near the mouth of the Mattole River. Felt mainly in 

Humboldt and Mendocino Counties in northern California. Several aftershocks were felt in the area.
120°

EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA

118° 116°

155

114° 112°

FIGURE 21. Isoseismal map for the Borrego Mountain, California, earthquake of April 9, 1968. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 41 and 72 of table 1.

Magnitude 5.4 Ms ELL, 4.9 mb NUT, 5.6 Ms NUT. 

(Ref. 41, 263, 480, 521.)

1968. June 29. Off the coast of southern California in Santa Barbara Channel. At Goleta, a 

bridge at one overcrossing had spalled concrete chips 

and cracked tar and mortar. Much stock was damaged in the stores at Goleta. The only other town 

reporting the shock was Santa Barbara. Several light 

tremors were felt in the area from June 23 to July 

31, the strongest on July 5 at 00 45 UTC (see next 

paragraph). (Ref. 41, 292.)

1968. July 5 (July 4). Off the coast of southern California in Santa Barbara Channel. Only 

minor damage was sustained at Carpinteria (light 

fixtures and plaster fell; one chimney cracked), 

Goleta (plate-glass windows broke; tile panels and 

lights fell), and Santa Barbara (tile panels fell). Felt 

over a moderate area of southwest California from

Santa Barbara and Kern Counties south to Orange 

County. Magnitude 5.2 mb NUT, 4.8 Ms NUT. (Ref. 

41, 72, 263, 292.)

1969. Feb. 7. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. Chimneys were twisted at Petrolia 

and landslides occurred. One tombstone toppled at 

Ferndale, and several small cracks formed in the 

walls of a school building. Slight damage to merchandise occurred in several stores in Rio Dell and 

Scotia. Felt over a small area of Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity Counties. More than 40 aftershocks 

were recorded. (Ref. 42, 72, 324.)

1969. Feb. 28 (Feb. 27). Near Palmdale, Los 

Angeles County, Calif. Slight damage occurred at 

Palmdale, where fluorescent lights fell and windows 

were broken. Felt mainly in the Palmdale area of 

northern Los Angeles County. (Ref. 42, 72, 292.)
156 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1969. Apr. 28. Near Borrego Springs, San 

Diego County, Calif. At Borrego Springs, large 

pieces of the ceiling fell at a bank, light fixtures were 

damaged, and brick walls were cracked. Several 

plate-glass windows were shattered in the town, and 

loss of merchandise in stores was common. Several 

rockslides occurred in the Santa Rosa Mountains, 

northeast of Borrego Springs. Felt over much of 

southern California and northern Baja California and 

at a few towns in southwest Arizona and southern 

Nevada. Magnitude 5.5 mb NUT, 5.1 Ms NUT. (Ref. 

42,72, 263,292.)

1969. June 7. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. Near Capetown (between Ferndale 

and Petrolia), the top of a chimney fell, one chimney 

was cracked, and dishes were broken. The shock was 

felt only slightly at three other towns in Humboldt 

County. (Ref. 42, 72, 324.)

1969. Oct. 2, 04 56 and 06 19 UTC (Oct. 1). 

Near Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Calif. These 

earthquakes caused one fatality and left severe property damage in Santa Rosa: several old brick and 

wood-frame buildings were damaged beyond repair; 

chimneys were destroyed; sidewalks buckled; and 

underground pipes ruptured. Other buildings in 

Santa Rosa that sustained substantial damage 

included Fremont Elementary School, Sonoma 

County Social Service Building, J.C. Penney Company store, and Veterans Memorial Building. Total 

damage was estimated at $8.35 million.

Significant cracking or offset of roads was not 

observed, except for some settlement of fill at one 

freeway overpass. On the north side of Santa Rosa, 

about 36 transverse fractures were observed in the 

asphalt of Poppy Drive; and fresh, irregular cracks 

formed in the dry dirt roads in the Rural Cemetery 

near Poppy Drive. Many tombstones in cemeteries 

were thrown down or twisted. Both earthquakes 

were felt over a moderate area of west-central California from Sonoma County east to Sacramento 

County and south to Santa Cruz County. Several 

aftershocks were felt in the Santa Rosa area. Magnitude 4.8 mb NUT, 4.5 Ms NUT (first shock.) (Ref. 42, 

72, 263, 399, 599.)

1969. Oct. 27, 10 59 UTC. Near HoUister, 

San Benito County, Calif. Slight damage 

occurred at Hollister, where a wall joint opened 

slightly, plaster was cracked, and stock was damaged in stores. Felt over a small area of central 

California. (Ref. 42, 72, 324.)

1970. Jan. 3 (Jan. 2). Near Cupertino, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. At Cupertino, plaster broke 

and fell and bottles toppled from shelves in a store. 

This light shock was felt over a small area, mainly

in the Cupertino region west of San Jose. (Ref. 43, 

72, 324.)

1970. June 12, 03 30 UTC (June 11). Near 

Danville, Contra Costa County, Calif. This earthquake was the strongest of a series of shocks that 

occurred in the Danville area in May and June. One 

chimney fell in Danville, and a brick pillar partly 

crumbled at the Greenbrook Clubhouse. Also damaged in Danville were several outside brick facades, a 

fence, and several windows. Felt over a small area of 

the San Francisco Bay region, mainly in the Danville 

area. (Ref. 43, 72, 324.)

1970. June 12, 16 03 UTC. Near Danville, 

Contra Costa County, Calif. At the Danville Post 

Office, a wooden upright support beam was damaged 

slightly and existing plaster cracks were enlarged. 

Much stock was damaged in local stores. Felt mainly 

in the area of Danville. (Ref. 43, 72, 324.)

1970. Aug. 4 (Aug. 3). Off the coast of central California in Monterey Bay. Plaster cracked 

and fell at Monterey; a window broke; and a few telephone lines were knocked down. Damage was slight 

at Carmel Valley, where beams in one building 

twisted and cracked. Felt from the San Francisco 

Bay area south to Monterey County. Magnitude 4.4 

mb NUT, 3.6 Ms NUT. (Ref. 43, 72, 263, 324.)

1970. Sept. 12. Lytle Creek area, San Bernardino County, Calif. This was the main shock of 

a series that centered northwest of San Bernardino 

near Lytle Creek. Chimneys and tombstones were 

twisted and overturned and cracks formed in the 

ground at Lytle Creek. Several roads in the area 

were blocked by rockslides. Felt over a large area of 

southern California. Magnitude 5.7 ML KJ. (Ref. 43, 

72, 292.)

1971. Feb. 9, 14 00 UTC. North of San 

Fernando, Los Angeles County, Calif. This 

destructive earthquake occurred in a sparsely populated area of the San Gabriel Mountains, near San 

Fernando. It lasted about 60 seconds, and, in that 

brief span of time, took 65 lives, injured more than 

2,000, and caused property damage estimated at 

$505 million.

The earthquake created a zone of discontinuous 

surface faulting, named the San Fernando fault 

zone, which partly follows the boundary between the 

San Gabriel Mountains and the San FernandoTujunga Valleys and partly transects the northern 

salient of the San Fernando Valley. This latter zone 

of tectonic ruptures was associated with some of the 

heaviest property damage sustained in the region. 

Within the entire length of the surface faulting, 

which extended roughly east-west for about 15 km, 

the maximum vertical offset measured on a single
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 157

Collapsed stair tower at the west end of wing B, Olive View Hospital, Sylmar area, California, caused by the February 9, 1971, 

San Fernando earthquake. (Photograph from the National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA.)

scarp was about 1 m, the maximum lateral offset 

about 1 m, and the maximum shortening (thrust 

component) about 0.9 m.

The most spectacular damage included the destruction of major structures at the Olive View and the 

Veterans Administration Hospitals and the collapse 

of freeway overpasses. The newly built, earthquakeresistant buildings at the Olive View Hospital in Sylmar were destroyed four five-story wings pulled 

away from the main building and three stair towers 

toppled. Older, unreinforced masonry buildings collapsed at the Veterans Administration Hospital at 

San Fernando, killing 49 people. Many older buildings in the Alhambra, Beverly Hills, Burbank, and 

Glendale areas were damaged beyond repair, and 

thousands of chimneys were damaged in the region. 

Public utilities and facilities of all kinds were damaged, both above and below ground.

Severe ground fracturing and landslides were 

responsible for extensive damage in areas where

faulting was not observed. The most damaging landslide occurred in the Upper Lake area of Van Norman Lakes, where highway overpasses, railroads, 

pipelines, and almost all structures in the path of the 

slide were damaged severely. Several overpasses collapsed. Two dams were damaged severely (Lower Van 

Norman Dam and Pacoima Dam), and three others 

sustained minor damage. Widespread landslides and 

rockfalls blocked many highways in the area.

Felt throughout southern California and into western Arizona and southern Nevada (see fig. 22). No 

foreshocks were recorded, but aftershocks were 

reported in the area for several months. Magnitude 

6.5 ML BRK, 6.5 MLa ELL, 6.2 mb NUT, 6.6 Ms NUT, 

6.35 ML KJ. (Ref. 44, 72, 263, 400, 521, 553, 599.)

1971. Mar. 31. Near San Fernando, Los Angeles County, Calif. This was the most damaging aftershock of the Feb. 9 earthquake. The main damage was 

reported in the Granada Hills-Northridge-Porter 

Ranch area of San Fernando Valley. More than 300
158 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Partial collapse of first floor of Olive View Hospital Medical treatment and care unit, Sylmar area, California, caused by February 9, 

1971, San Fernando earthquake. (Photograph from the National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA.)

buildings sustained some kind of damage, including 

cracked foundations, shifted walls, damaged or 

destroyed chimneys, and broken windows. Many outdoor concrete garden walls fell, and some water lines 

were damaged. Felt over a large area of southern 

California, including Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura 

Counties. Magnitude 4.2 mb NUT, 4.3 Ms NUT. (Ref. 

44, 72, 263, 292.)

1971. Sept. 30. West of Brawley, Imperial 

County, Calif. Near Westmorland, dishes and food 

were knocked to the floor. An observer northwest of 

Brawley reported she was knocked to the floor and 

that dishes fell from shelves. Felt over a small area 

of southern California and at Ehrenberg, Ariz. A few 

small aftershocks were felt in the epicentral area. 

(Ref. 44, 72, 292.)

1972. Feb. 24. Southeast of Hollister, San 

Benito County, Calif. This was the main shock of a

series that occurred on this date. Many rockfalls along 

the San Benito River and the renewed movement of 

an old landslide east of Paicines were the main 

ground disturbances. Much cracking of the ground 

was observed on or near the old landslide. Mouldings 

separated slightly from walls at the Bear Valley Fire 

Control Station. At the nearby Melendy Ranch, a 

brick chimney on the ranch house was damaged 

severely The main shock was felt over a moderate 

area of west-central California. Fourteen aftershocks 

of magnitude 2.5 to 3.6 were recorded on Feb. 24, and 

many were recorded for several days thereafter. (Ref. 

45, 72, 324.)

1972. Sept. 4. Southeast of Hollister, San 

Benito County, Calif. Slight damage was reported 

at the Bear Valley Fire Control Station, including 

small cracks in brick and mortar and plaster, and 

displacement of a vertical pipe in the ceiling, which 

damaged the sheetrock. Many rockfalls occurred
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 159

Collapsed overpass at the Route 14-Route 5 interchange, northwest of San Fernando, California, caused by the February 9, 1971,

earthquake. (Photograph by the Newhall Signal.)

along the banks of the San Benito River; landslides 

and cracks in the ground were observed at Paicines. 

Felt over a small area of west-central California. 

Several light aftershocks were reported. Magnitude 

4.6 mb NUT, 4.3 Ms NUT. (Ref. 45, 72, 263, 324.)

1972. Oct. 3 (Oct. 2). South of San Juan Bautista in Monterey County, Calif. In the San Juan 

Bautista area, old asphalt road cracks were widened, 

and fresh cracks formed in areas previously repaired. 

At the San Juan Bautista Mission, the top section of 

an old adobe wall was thrown down. Plaster cracked 

and fell at ranch houses southeast of San Juan Bautista. Much merchandise was thrown from shelves in 

San Juan Bautista and the surrounding area. Felt over 

a small area of west-central California. Several foreshocks and aftershocks were recorded. Magnitude 4.1 

mb NUT, 4.1 Ms NUT. (Ref. 45, 72, 263, 324.)

1973. Feb. 21. Off the coast of Ventura 

County, near Point Mugu, Calif. Property damage 

in the Oxnard, Point Mugu, and Port Hueneme areas 

was estimated at about $1 million. The heaviest 

damage occurred in downtown Oxnard, where walls 

failed in a few unreinforced brick buildings. Many 

chimneys were damaged, mainly in the older part of 

Oxnard; false ceilings and acoustical tiles fell to the 

floor and many plate-glass windows were broken. 

Chimneys were twisted and overturned northeast of 

Point Mugu at the Camarillo State Hospital. Some 

large boulders fell onto the Pacific Coast Highway in 

the Point Mugu area, and a long narrow crack was 

observed in the highway in the Solromar area. Several hundred sand craters (as much as 2 m in diameter) formed in Mugu Lagoon, and water spouted from 

a few of them. Lurch cracks associated with clusters
160 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

FIGURE 22. Isoseismal map for the San Fernando, California, earthquake of February 9, 1971. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 44 and 72 of table 1.

of craters occurred as far as 8 km inland from the 

lagoon.

The main shock of this series of earthquakes was felt 

over a large area of southern California from Lompoc 

(Santa Barbara County) northeast through the Bakersfield area to northeast Kern County, southeast to the 

Palm Springs area, and then southwest to the San 

Diego area. Many aftershocks were recorded. Magnitude 5.6 ML BRK (Ref. 46, 72, 458.)

1973. Aug. 9 (Aug. 8). Off the coast of Humboldt County, Calif. Damage sustained in the 

Ferndale-Scotia area consisted mainly of broken windows, cracked and broken plaster, and loss from

damaged merchandise in stores. Felt over a small 

area of Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. (Ref. 46, 

72, 401.)

1974. Jan. 6. Southwest of Nubieber in 

Shasta County, Calif. The earthquake knocked 

plaster to the floor at Bieber and ruptured a gas pipe 

at Nubieber. It was felt over a small area, including 

parts of Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, and Siskiyou Counties. (Ref. 47, 401.)

1974. Mar. 21. Near Healdsburg, Sonoma 

County, Calif. The floor at the Union Oil workshop 

at Cloverdale was cracked; boulders rolled down hillsides; and several cracks formed in the earth. Felt
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 161

over a small area of Napa and Sonoma Counties. 

(Ref. 47, 107, 401.)

1974. Sept. 21. Near Sunnymead, Riverside 

County, Calif. Three walls were cracked at a ranch 

in Sunnymead, and damage was reported at San 

Bernardino. Felt over a small area of Riverside and 

San Bernardino Counties. (Ref. 47, 402.)

1974. Nov. 28. Near Hollister, San Benito 

County, Calif. Widespread minor damage occurred 

at Hollister, including fallen bricks from one chimney, 

broken windows, cracked water pipe, and cracks in 

wall and ceiling. Felt over a moderate area of westcentral California. (Ref. 47, 401.)

1975. Jan. 12, 01 37 UTC (Jan. 11). Near 

Petrolia, Humboldt County, Calif. A small 

amount of chimney damage was reported at Petrolia, 

and one television antenna fell. Felt along the coast 

of Humboldt County from Trinidad on the north to 

Piercy (northern Mendocino County) on the south. 

(Ref. 48, 87, 401.)

1975. Jan. 13. Near Long Beach, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. Plaster cracked and fell at Long 

Beach. The press reported minor damage at Lakewood. The tremor was felt along the coast of Los 

Angeles County south to the Vista area and from the 

coast east to Bloomington (San Bernardino County). 

(Ref. 48, 87, 355.)

1975. Jan. 21. Near Calipatria, Imperial 

County, Calif. At Calipatria, bricks were separated 

and plaster fell. This earthquake was part of a 

series that centered in the Brawley area through 

early February. It was felt over a small area of 

Imperial County near the U.S.-Mexico border. (Ref. 

48, 87, 355.)

1975. Jan. 23, 17 02 UTC. South of Calipatria, Imperial County, Calif. This was the main 

shock of a swarm that struck Imperial Valley in late 

January and early February. It generated surface 

ruptures along a 10.4-km segment of a newly recognized fault southeast of Brawley, now designated the 

Brawley fault. Displacement, which apparently was 

vertical at the surface, reached a maximum of more 

than 0.2 m at Keystone Road. The shock knocked 

down several light fixtures and bits of plaster from a 

store ceiling in Brawley; it also broke windows in 

houses and cracked plaster. Plaster also fell at Calipatria and a large crack formed in one wall. Residents throughout the Imperial Valley reported feeling 

this shock. (Ref. 48, 355, 565.)

1975. Jan. 23, 23 24 UTC. Near Brawley, 

Imperial County, Calif. Ceiling tiles fell to the 

floor at two stores in Brawley, and a small crack 

formed in a store wall. This earthquake was 

reported only at Brawley. (Ref. 48, 355.)

1975. Mar. 3. Near Compton, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. Joints in a concrete walk were 

separated and plaster was cracked at Compton. Windows were broken at Gardena. (Ref. 48, 355.)

1975. June 1 (May 31). Galway Lake area, 

San Bernardino County, Calif. Property damage 

was not reported from the epicentral area, which is 

in the Mojave Desert and virtually uninhabited. 

Ground ruptures observed followed a preexisting, 

unmapped fault in the Galway Lake area. The ruptures began about 1 km north of Galway Lake and 

extended south toward Emerson Lake, a distance of 

6.8 km. Boulders were overturned in the area, and 

cracks formed in the ground. Felt mainly in San Bernardino County. (Ref. 38, 355.)

1975. June 7. Near Fortuna, Humboldt 

County, Calif. At Fortuna, 10 weak chimneys toppled and 20 others were damaged; sidewalks cracked 

and some sank. Minor damage to chimneys also 

occurred at Carlotta, Fernbridge, Ferndale, Hydesville, Loleta, Petrolia, Rio Dell (water main also 

broke), Rohnerville, Scotia, and Waddington. Landslides were observed in the Fortuna-Rio Dell areas. 

Felt along the coast from Crescent City south to 

Albion (Mendocino County) and from the coast east 

to Lewiston (Trinity County). (Ref. 48, 401.)

1975. June 20 (June 19). Near Calexico, 

Imperial County, Calif. Slight damage was 

reported, but not described, at Calexico. The shock 

was felt at a few other towns in Imperial County and 

in southwest Arizona. (Ref. 48, 355.)

1975. Aug. 1, 20 20 UTC. Near Oroville, Butte 

County, Calif. Structural damage, consisting mainly 

of cracks in chimneys and walls, broken windows and 

plaster, and loosened light fixtures, occurred at several schools, hospitals, and houses in the OrovilleThermalito area. Many chimneys toppled or had to 

be taken down in Oroville and Palermo. Property 

damage was estimated at $2.5 million.

This earthquake was associated with the first 

recorded surface faulting in the western foothills of 

the Sierra Nevada. New fractures in the ground 

were observed in a 3.8-km-long north- to north-northwest-trending zone. The block east of the fault 

moved upward relative to that on the west, as shown 

by about 55 mm of slip across the surface ruptures 

and 180 mm of vertical movement of benchmarks 

near the rupture zone. Felt over a large area of 

northern California and western Nevada. (Ref. 38, 

401, 566, 599.)

1975. Aug. 2. Oroville area, Butte County, 

Calif. The University of California at Berkeley 

assigned MM intensity VI to this earthquake but did
162 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

not describe the damage. Felt throughout Butte and 

surrounding counties. (Ref. 48, 401.)

1975. Aug. 3, 06 35 UTC (Aug. 2). Near 

Firebaugh, Fresno County, Calif. A water line 

broke and plaster cracked at Firebaugh; a church 

was damaged at Three Rocks. Felt mainly in 

Fresno and surrounding counties. Magnitude 4.9 

ML PAS. (Ref. 48, 401.)

1975. Aug. 10 (Aug. 9). South of Mariposa, 

Calif. Rockslides and broken windows were reported 

at Mariposa; slight damage was reported at San 

Joaquin in Fresno County. Felt over a small area of 

central California. (Ref. 48, 401.)

1975. Sept. 13. West of Avenal in Monterey 

County, Calif. Cracks formed in plaster and ground 

at Avenal. Felt along the coast of Monterey and San 

Luis Obispo Counties and east to Fresno County. 

Magnitude 5.0 ML PAS. (Ref. 48, 401.)

1975. Nov. 14. Near Eureka, Humboldt 

County, Calif. Damage was slight at Eureka, where 

windows were broken. Dishes and dolls were broken 

at a store in Ferndale. The press reported that the 

shock was felt north to Oregon and south to San 

Francisco. (Ref. 48, 401.)

1976. Jan. 1. Near Brea, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. This New Year's Day earthquake 

disturbed millions of residents in the Los Angeles 

region but caused no injuries and only slight damage. Damage occurred at Brea (windowpane broke 

and fireplace cracked), La Habra (water pipe broke), 

and Yorba Linda (walls and ceilings cracked). A 

strong-motion record obtained at Whittier, about 

13.8 km west of the epicenter, recorded a maximum 

acceleration of 0.28 g (gravity). The shock also was 

felt in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. (Ref. 49, 355.)

1976. Jan. 14. North of Avenal in Fresno 

County, Calif. At Avenal, plaster was cracked and 

a light fixture was knocked from the ceiling at a 

school. The shock also was felt in Rings, Monterey, 

and San Luis Obispo Counties. Magnitude 4.6 ML 

PAS. (Ref. 49, 401.)

1976. Apr. 8. Near Granada Hills, Los Angeles County, Calif. Plaster was cracked at Granada 

Hills, and slight damage was reported, but not 

described, at Inglewood. Felt from Bakersfield (Kern 

County) to San Diego. Magnitude 4.8 ML BRK. 

(Ref. 49, 355.)

1976. Aug. 11. Near Borrego Springs in Riverside County, Calif. In Borrego Springs, mudslides and cracks in the ground were reported in 

Anza-Borrego State Park. A cement curb buckled at 

Palm Desert. Felt in Imperial, Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. (Ref. 49, 355.)

1976. Aug. 20. Near Danville, Contra Costa 

County, Calif. This earthquake was the largest of a 

series in the San Francisco Bay area Aug. 15 16 

and 20-22. The only reported damage occurred in 

Danville, where plaster was cracked in some houses. 

Felt throughout the San Francisco Bay area. (Ref. 

49, 401.)

1976. Oct. 17 (Oct. 16). Near Newhall, Los 

Angeles County, Calif. Slight damage was 

observed at Newhall, where a water main was broken, and at Tarzana, where plaster and masonry 

sustained cracks. The shock also was felt in Kern 

and Ventura Counties. Magnitude 4.1 ML BRK. 

(Ref. 49, 355.)

1976. Nov. 4. Northwest of Brawley, Imperial 

County, Calif. A series of earthquakes was 

recorded on this date, but only slight damage 

occurred. Plaster and drywall were cracked at Brawley; fences were displaced slightly, and cracks formed 

in plaster and tiles at El Centre; and cracks formed 

in plaster and ground at Westmorland. Felt over a 

large area of southern California (including Imperial, 

Riverside, and San Diego Counties) and southwest 

Arizona (including the towns of San Luis and Yuma). 

Magnitude 5.5 ML BRK. (Ref. 49, 355.)

1976. Nov. 22. West of Los Angeles, Calif. 

Windows were broken and plaster was cracked at 

North Hollywood; slight damage was reported at 

Long Beach and Los Angeles (cracks in plaster). Felt 

over a small area along the west coast of Los Angeles 

County. (Ref. 49, 355.)

1977. Jan. 8. Near Oakland, Contra Costa 

County, Calif. This main shock of a series of 58 

tremors caused minor damage at several towns, 

including Berkeley (broken windows, enlarged cracks 

in walls); El Cerrito (dislodged chimney brick, cracks 

in walls); Napa (cracks in plaster and drywall); Oakland (cracks in plaster in several houses); San Francisco (chandelier knocked down, cracks in ceilings); 

and Walnut Creek (cracks in drywall). Felt along the 

coast of California from Sonoma County south to 

Santa Cruz County. (Ref. 39, 401.)

1977. June 21 (June 20). Southwest of 

French Camp in Alameda County, Calif. This 

earthquake cracked sidewalks slightly at French 

Camp and left cracks in plaster and drywall at El 

Granada. It was felt along the coast from Point 

Reyes Station (Marin County) south to Santa Cruz 

and from the coast east to the Sonora area (Tuolumne County). (Ref. 39, 401.)

1977. Aug. 12 (Aug. 11). Near San Fernando, 

Los Angeles County, Calif. One person was injured 

at San Fernando when a shelf of dishes fell on her. 

Windows were broken in Los Angeles, Northridge,
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 163

and Van Nuys; exterior walls were cracked at 

Reseda; and plaster was cracked at Studio City. 

Water sloshed onto sides of pools at Glendale and 

Van Nuys. Felt along the coast of southern California 

from Santa Barbara south to San Pedro (Los Angeles 

County) and from the coast east to Palmdale and 

Riverside. (Ref. 39, 355.)

1977. Oct. 21 (Oct. 20). Imperial Valley, Calif. 

At Brawley, plaster was cracked and small objects 

were shifted. Felt in many towns in the Imperial 

Valley. (Ref. 39, 355.)

1977. Nov. 14 (Nov. 13). Near El Centre, 

Imperial County, Calif. At El Centre, plaster fell in 

the Post Office and some windows were broken; at 

Imperial, cracks formed in plaster walls. Slight damage (cracks in windows) also was reported at Somerton, Ariz. Felt over a small area of southern 

California and southwest Arizona. (Ref. 39, 355.)

1977. Nov. 22. Near Willits, Mendocino 

County, Calif. Moderate structural damage 

occurred at Willits, where 65 chimneys were damaged, and windows and walls were cracked and broken. Cracks and offsets of as much as 12 mm were 

formed in the walls of a store on Main Street; concrete columns were cracked and the ceiling dropped 

as much as 50 mm. A few interior walls collapsed in 

older houses. An interior wall collapsed in one 

house, and its chimney fell apart both inside and 

outside the house. East of Willits, in Little Lake 

Valley, a chimney was cracked above the roofline, 

heavy furniture was displaced, toilet-tank lids flew 

off their bases, and a water pipe broke. Felt along 

the coast from Scotia (Humboldt County) in the 

north to Stewarts Point (Sonoma County) in the 

south and from the coast east to the Willows area 

(Glenn County). (Ref. 39, 401.)

1978. Mar. 26 (Mar. 25). Near Ukiah, Mendocino County, Calif. Near Ukiah, huge storage tanks 

in a new warehouse at the Parducci Winery were 

damaged by sloshing liquids. Loss to merchandise at 

stores in the Ukiah area totaled about $10,000. Windows were broken at Comptche. Felt northwest to 

Westport (Mendocino County), south along the coast 

to Stewarts Point (Sonoma County), and from the 

coast east to Clearlake Highlands (Lake County). 

(Ref. 240, 401.)

1978. Aug. 13. Near Goleta, Santa Barbara 

County, Calif. This moderate earthquake injured 65 

people and caused property damaged estimated at 

$12 million. The most severe damage occurred at 

Santa Barbara and at the University of California 

Santa Barbara campus at Goleta. There, nine buildings sustained extensive cracks in shear walls. 

Plaster, ceilings, and light fixtures were damaged

throughout the campus. A few old adobe or woodframe buildings were damaged severely. In the commercial district of Goleta and in the Santa Barbara 

area, similar but less severe property damage was 

sustained. In Santa Barbara, multistory, reinforcedconcrete structures sustained diagonal cracks in the 

shear walls of their lower stories. The roof on a restaurant being remodeled collapsed. The most common damage to residential and small commercial 

buildings consisted of differential settlement of foundations, failure of reinforced chimneys, cracked and 

fallen plaster, and breakage of glass.

Three overpasses on U.S. Highway 101 in the 

Goleta area sustained severe damage. The most 

extensive damage occurred at the Ward Memorial 

bridges, where the superstructures shifted relative to 

the abutments, causing the concrete to crack and 

spall in several places. West of Goleta, a freight train 

derailed when passing over a "kink" in the tracks, 

apparently caused by failure of the roadbed fill. Several rockslides occurred on U.S. Highway 101 

between Goleta and Santa Barbara.

Felt over a moderate area of southern California 

from Morro Bay (San Luis Obispo County) on the 

north to Santa Ana (Orange County) on the south 

and from the coast east to Bakersfield (Kern County) 

and Lake Hughes (Los Angeles County). (Ref. 38, 

240, 468, 599.)

1978. Aug. 29 (Aug. 28). Near San Jose, 

Santa Clara County, Calif. At San Jose, acoustical 

ceiling tiles fell to the floor in a market. In addition, 

walls and ceilings sustained cracks in a house and its 

walls were elevated 1.7 cm from the floor. Felt over 

a small area of northern California, mainly in 

Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and Santa 

Cruz Counties. (Ref. 240, 401.)

1978. Sept. 4, 21 54 UTC. Lake Tahoe region, 

El Dorado County, Calif. This is the largest of a 

series of earthquakes that occurred in the area south 

of Lake Tahoe on Sept. 3 and 4. Cracks in drywall 

and hairline cracks in exterior walls were sustained 

at Mt. Aukum, Calif., and Genoa, Nev. Water 

splashed onto sides of lakes and pools at Mt. Aukum. 

Felt from Dobbins (Yuba County) and Stockton (San 

Joaquin County) on the west to Vernon, Nev, in the 

east and from Surcliffe, Nev, on the north to Mariposa, Calif., on the south. (Ref. 240, 401.)

1978. Oct. 4, 16 42 UTC. Lake Crowley area, 

Mono County, Calif. The strongest effects from 

this earthquake occurred in the Bishop area. Large 

amounts of merchandise fell from store shelves 

throughout the area, and pictures were knocked from 

walls. Minor landslides occurred in the canyon areas 

near Bishop, and boulders rolled onto roads. Slight
164 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Books shaken off shelves in library of the University of California, Santa Barbara, at Goleta, California, by the

August 13, 1978, earthquake.
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 165

damage to walls, plaster, and windows occurred at 

Benton, Bishop, Easton, Friant, Mammoth Lakes, 

and Paradise Camp. Felt over a large area of northern California and into western Nevada from Sacramento on the north to Santa Barbara on the south 

and east to Mina and Beatty, Nev. Magnitude 5.8 

ML BRK. (Ref. 240, 355.)

1978. Nov. 20 (Nov. 19). Near Redlands, San 

Bernardino County, Calif. This earthquake 

caused slight damage at Redlands, where interior 

plaster walls cracked and split and hairline cracks 

formed in exterior walls. Felt in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San 

Diego Counties. (Ref. 240, 355.)

1979. Jan. 1. Near Malibu, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. Windows were reported broken in 

Culver City, Malibu, Santa Monica, Tustin, and Venice. Slight damage to walls (mainly cracks) occurred 

at Studio City and Woodland Hills. Boulders fell onto 

the Pacific Coast Highway in the Malibu area, and 

mud and boulders tumbled onto other roads in Malibu. The main earthquake was felt along the coast 

from Santa Barbara south to Bonita (San Diego 

County) and from the coast east to the area of Barstow (San Bernardino County) and Palm Springs 

(Riverside County). The California Institute of Technology recorded about 50 aftershocks in the next 2 

hours. (Ref. 262, 474.)

1979. Feb. 3. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. Many store windows were broken 

and stock tumbled from shelves in stores in the 

downtown areas of both Arcata and Eureka. At 

Eureka, chimneys were cracked and broken (one fell 

through a roof); drywall, plaster and exterior walls 

were cracked; three water mains were broken; and 

ceiling tiles and light fixtures fell in some stores. 

Felt in parts of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, 

Siskiyou, and Trinity Counties and in southwest Oregon. (Ref. 262, 401.)

1979. Feb. 22. Honey Lake Valley, Lassen 

County, Calif. This earthquake interrupted telephone service in the epicentral area but caused only 

minor property damage. Drywall was cracked at 

Doyle, near the Nevada border, and desks were displaced. The earthquake was felt over a large area of 

northeast California and western Nevada. It was 

preceded by a small foreshock and was followed by 

aftershocks through Feb. 23. (Ref. 262, 401.)

1979. Mar. 15, 21 07 UTC. Near Landers, San 

Bernardino County, Calif. This earthquake was 

the strongest of a series of shocks in the area on Mar. 

15. A surface rupture formed in the Homestead Valley area along the east bank of Pipes Wash and at 

three sites west of the Pipes Wash fault. The highest

intensity was observed at Landers, where moderate 

damage to buildings and their contents occurred 

(downed chimney, cracked walls, broken windows and 

dishes), and electric and telephone services were disrupted for several hours. Slight damage to plaster 

and walls was reported from several other towns in 

the area. The main shock was felt in Los Angeles, 

Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego 

Counties and at a few towns in southwest Arizona 

and western Nevada. (Ref. 262, 355.)

1979. May 8 (May 7). Near San Jose, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. This earthquake was strongest in East San Jose, where windows were broken, 

plaster was cracked, pictures fell from walls, and a 

refrigerator fell over. Felt mainly in the coastal area 

around San Francisco Bay. (Ref. 262, 401.)

1979. June 14 (June 13). Near Onyx, Kern 

County, Calif. Minor damage consisting of large 

cracks in plaster walls and cracks in brick fences and 

sidewalks occurred at Onyx. The earthquake was 

felt only at a few towns in the epicentral area. (Ref. 

262, 355.)

1979. June 29 (June 28). Big Bear Lake, San 

Bernardino County, Calif. This earthquake was 

felt strongly in the Big Bear Lake recreation area, 

where large cracks formed in plaster, a foundation 

cracked, a plate-glass window shattered, and several 

burglar alarms were triggered. Felt in the Los Angeles Basin and as south as San Diego. (Ref. 262, 472.)

1979. June 30, 00 34 UTC (June 29). Near Big 

Bear Lake, San Bernardino County, Calif. This 

earthquake is the largest of a series in the area that 

began on June 29. At Big Bear City, several windows 

were broken, walls were cracked, and a large section 

of acoustical-tile ceiling fell. At Sugarloaf, chimney 

bricks loosened and ceiling tile and a foundation 

cracked. Felt west to Long Beach, south to San 

Diego, and north to Yermo (San Bernardino County), 

but the felt area east of Big Bear City is unknown. 

(Ref. 262, 472.)

1979. Aug. 6. Near Gilroy, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. No fatalities occurred, but 16 people 

were injured in Hollister and Gilroy. Property damage in the two towns, estimated at $500,000, consisted mainly of damaged chimneys, broken 

glassware in stores, and structural damage to five 

buildings in Gilroy.

Many chimneys were damaged in older houses 

near Gilroy's downtown area. A crack split a wall in 

the City Hall, and the ceiling in a court room of the 

Municipal Courthouse caved in. Beams and uprights 

were damaged at Fords Department Store and the 

store was closed. At Hollister, a parapet toppled and 

caved in the roof of a real estate office; a ceiling
166 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

partly collapsed at a new building on San Felipe 

Road. The J.C. Penney Store sustained a 3-m hole in 

its ceiling, and extensive cracks formed in the ceiling 

throughout the store. A service station at nearby 

Casa de Fruta sustained extensive damage, including 

fallen bricks from the chimney, bulging of exterior 

walls, and separation of interior walls from ceiling or 

floor. The fire station at Pacheco Pass, about 16 km 

northeast of Hollister, sustained extensive damage, 

and the nearby lookout station was vacated because 

of structural damage.

Ground displacement was observed along the Calaveras fault zone from Hollister north to the Anderson 

Lake area, about 39 km. The maximum horizontal 

displacement, 5-6 mm, occurred about 10 km east of 

Gilroy, where the Calaveras fault zone intersects 

Highway 152. Ground lurching, settlement, and 

slumping were observed in many places between 

Anderson Lake and Hollister. Felt from about 60 km 

north of Bakersfield, north to Sacramento, east to the 

area of Reno-Lake Tahoe, Nev., and west to the 

Pacific Ocean. During August, most of the 31 located 

aftershocks were clustered in the area south of the 

epicenter of the main shock. Magnitude 5.6 ML& 

ELL. (Ref. 262, 401, 521.)

1979. Oct. 15, 23 16 UTC. Imperial Valley 

area, on the Baja Calif., Mexico-California border. This major earthquake injured 91 people and 

caused an estimated $30 million in property damage 

in the Imperial Valley area. It destroyed two houses 

and 11 commercial buildings and damaged 1,565 

houses and 440 commercial buildings. The most 

severe damage (MM intensity IX) was to the Imperial County Services building in El Centre, which 

had to be razed. The support pillars failed on this 

six-story reinforced concrete-frame structure, causing 

partial collapse of the east part of the building. It 

was designed under the 1967 provisions of the California Uniform Building Code. Other property damage caused by this earthquake at El Centre, Brawley, 

and Calexico and at Mexicali, Mexico, is typical of 

MM intensity VII, which is the highest intensity 

assigned to any location except the Imperial County 

Services building.

Movement along the Imperial fault also caused 

damage to the irrigation system in the Imperial Valley. The All American Canal, which brings water 

from the Colorado River to the Imperial Valley, was 

damaged most severely. East of Calexico, the earthquake shook down levees on both sides of the canal. 

The banks settled more than 1 m in places.

Ground displacement on the Imperial fault 

extended from about 4 km north of the International 

Border to about 4 km south of Brawley. The

maximum lateral displacement about 55 cm was 

observed in Heber Dunes; the maximum vertical displacement 19 cm occurred southeast of Brawley. 

Ground rupture followed the same trace as that in 

the shock on May 18, 1940, and showed many of the 

same features and characteristics. Aftershock activity 

shifted to the north in both earthquakes, and both 

sustained damaging aftershocks near Brawley. There 

also is evidence that the Brawley fault experienced 

sympathetic movement in both earthquakes.

Felt over a large area, including southern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, and an 

unknown area in Mexico. Many aftershocks 

occurred, the most damaging of which were on Oct. 

16 and Dec. 21 (see descriptions below). Magnitude 

7.0 ML BRK, 6.0 MLa ELL. (Ref. 38, 262, 355, 521.)

1979. Oct. 16, 06 58 UTC (Oct. 15). Imperial 

Valley area aftershock. Aftershocks of the major 

earthquake on Oct. 15 caused additional damage at 

Brawley and Imperial. According to the press, near 

midnight on Oct. 15, an aftershock at Imperial buckled the floor in one house, displaced walls, and crumbled the porch steps. (Ref. 262, 355.)

1979. Dec. 21. Imperial Valley area aftershock. Another aftershock of the major earthquake 

on Oct. 15 left large cracks in exterior walls at Imperial and cracked windows and stone fences. Felt over 

a small area of southern California and western Arizona. (Ref. 262, 355.)

1980. Jan. 24, 19 00 UTC. North of Livermore 

Valley in Contra Costa County, Calif. This earthquake injured 44 people and caused an estimated 

$11.5 million in property damage (of which $10 million damage occurred at the Lawrence Livermore 

Laboratory at Livermore). The shock was associated 

with surface rupture along the Greenville fault. The 

rupture propagated more than 15 km to the southeast along the Marsh Creek-Greenville faults, ceasing in the area of Interstate Highway 580.

Most of the damage to property, including that at 

the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, was nonstructural. It consisted mainly of fallen ceiling tiles, fallen 

bricks from chimneys, broken gas lines and water 

lines, broken windows, and displacement of mobile 

houses from supporting foundations. However, at the 

Ordway Ranch (on Vasco Road north of Livermore), a 

brick-and-stone fireplace was cracked and displaced 

from the wall, as was a smaller fireplace in another 

room. At Interstate 580 and Greenville Road (about 4 

km north of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory), 

pavement on the overpass settled about 30 cm and 

concrete on one abutment cracked and spalled.

Faulting was observed for a distance of about 6 km 

along the Greenville fault, beginning near the overpass
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 167

Support pillar failure on the ground level of the Imperial County Services building, El Centro, California, caused by the October 15,

1979, Imperial Valley earthquake.

at Interstate Highway 580 and Greenville Road. 

Where the fault crosses Vasco Road, right-lateral offset 

was as much as 2 cm; on Laughlin Road and to the 

northwest for about 300 m, right-lateral offset of 5 to 

10 mm was observed. Felt over a large area of central 

California and at a few towns in western Nevada. A 

small foreshock occurred at 18 58 UTC on Jan. 24, and 

a sequence of 59 aftershocks followed in the next 6 

days. A second principal earthquake occurred on Jan. 

27 (see description below). (Ref. 300, 466.)

1980. Jan. 27 (Jan. 26). Near Livermore, 

Alameda County, Calif. A second damaging earthquake, near the south end of the Greenville fault 

(about 14 km south of the Jan. 24 epicenter), 

occurred on Jan. 27. Six persons were injured at 

Livermore by flying glass and falling ceiling tiles 

and supports. It caused 1-2 mm of additional rightlateral movement on the Greenville fault across 

Laughlin Road as well as additional movement and

displacements along the surface rupture of Jan. 24, 

north of Vasco Road.

The most severe property damage reported was in 

the Tassajaro Valley area and at Danville, about 17 

and 28 km, respectively, northwest of the epicenter. 

In Tassajaro Valley (east of Danville), about 50 

houses sustained minor damage, including one fireplace damaged, walls and concrete cracked, walls 

separated from ceiling, windows broken, and a chimney toppled. Damage at Danville included one brick 

chimney broken at the roofline; a fireplace damaged; 

a stone wall demolished; and walls, ceilings, sidewalks, and patio cracked. Light damage was sustained at several other towns in the area. Felt over a 

moderate area of central California. (Ref. 300, 466.)

1980. Feb. 25. Southeast of Anza, Riverside 

County, Calif. Slight damage consisting of broken 

windows, large cracks in drywall and plaster, loosened bricks on chimneys, and a broken gas line 

occurred in the Anza Idyllwild Palm Desert area.
168 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Several small landslides forced the closing of State 

Highway 74 between Spring Crest and Palm Desert; 

cracks as wide as 3.8 cm were reported in State 

Highway 74. Felt over a large area of southern California and an unknown area in Mexico. It was 

reported from Eagle Mountain (Riverside County) 

and Palo Verde (Imperial County) on the east to Los 

Angeles and San Diego on the west. (Ref. 300, 355.)

1980. May 25, 16 33 and 19 44 UTC. Mammoth Lakes area, Mono County, Calif. In the 

Mammoth Lakes region, property damage caused by 

these earthquakes (plus a third strong shock on May 

27, 14 50 UTC) to schools, other public buildings, 

highways, and merchandise in stores has been estimated at $1.5 million. Nine people were injured by 

the two largest earthquakes, mainly from falling 

rocks. Landslides and rockfalls were common in this 

area and in Yosemite National Park.

The most severe property damage occurred at 

Mammoth Lakes: chimneys toppled, water mains 

broke, windows shattered, and plaster cracked. The 

20-year-old Mammoth Elementary School was damaged severely by faulting beneath the school building. Ground cracks were abundant in fill along both 

paved and dirt roads. A 17-km-long zone of discontinuous surface fractures associated with the Hilton 

Creek fault was observed. It had a net vertical displacement of less than 50 mm and more than 200 

mm of slip on single fractures.

The first earthquake was felt over a large area of 

California and western Nevada from Reno and Las 

Vegas, Nev, to the coast at Los Angeles and San 

Francisco. The second shock was felt over a similar 

area. Hundreds of aftershocks, many of which were 

felt in the Mammoth Lakes area, occurred through 

1980. Magnitude 6.4 ML PAS (first shock), 6.6 ML 

PAS (second shock). (Ref. 300, 401, 599.)

1980. May 27, 14 50 UTC. Owens Valley 

area, Mono County, Calif. It was difficult to differentiate the effects of this earthquake from those 

caused by the two shocks on May 25. It was felt over 

a similar area, however, and four people were 

injured. Minor damage was reported in several 

towns in the area. Landslides and falling rocks were 

common in Yosemite National Park. Old U.S. Highway 395, east of Mammoth Lakes, was closed 

because of severe cracks. Felt from Eureka and Las 

Vegas, Nev., in the east to La Honda (San Mateo 

County) and Los Angeles on the coast. Many aftershocks were felt in the Mammoth Lakes area. Magnitude 6.4 ML PAS. (Ref. 300, 401.)

1980. June 29 (June 28). Owens Valley area, 

Mono County, Calif. Slight damage at Mono Hot 

Springs included cracks in plaster walls, foundation,

and exterior stone walls. Felt over a small area of 

California and western Nevada. Magnitude 4.7 ML 

PAS. (Ref. 300, 401.)

1980. Oct. 31. Near Calexico, Imperial 

County, Calif. Hairline cracks formed in plaster 

and drywall at Calexico. Furniture was overturned 

and windows were cracked. The shock was reported 

felt only at a few towns in the area. (Ref. 300, 355.)

1980. Nov. 8, 10 27 UTC. Off the coast of 

Humboldt County, Calif. A major earthquake, the 

largest in this area in 24 years, injured six people 

and caused property damage estimated at $2 million. 

Most of the damage occurred east of Fields Landing, 

where two sections of an overpass on U.S. Highway 

101 collapsed onto the railroad tracks below. At 

Fields Landing, two houses were displaced from their 

foundations, one unreinforced chimney fell, and gas, 

water, and sewer lines were broken. This shock and 

most of its aftershocks occurred on a large, left-lateral, strike-slip fault that strikes about N. 50° E. 

from the Mendocino Fracture Zone. Felt over a large 

area, including parts of Oregon, western Nevada, and 

northern California from Eugene, Oreg., south to 

the San Francisco Bay area and from the coast east 

to Fallon, Nev. Many aftershocks occurred. Magnitude 7.2 MS ABE. (Ref. 74, 300, 599.)

1980. Nov. 28. East of Truckee, Nevada 

County, Calif. Centered in a sparsely populated 

mountainous area, this earthquake caused only 

minor damage at Georgetown and Soda Springs. At 

Georgetown, large cracks formed in exterior walls 

and drywall, bricks fell from walls, and hairline 

cracks occurred in plaster walls; at Soda Springs, 

windows were broken and merchandise was thrown 

from shelves. Felt from the San Francisco Bay area 

to Reno, Nev. (Ref. 300, 401.)

1981. Mar. 3. Near Fremont, Alameda 

County, Calif. A rockslide blocked the Niles Canyon 

Road between Fremont and Sunol. Windows were 

broken and burglar alarms were activated in one 

store. Felt from Sonoma County south along the 

coast to Monterey and east to Waterford (Stanislaus 

County). (Ref. 325, 401.)

1981. Apr. 26. Near Westmorland, Imperial 

County, Calif. Property damage in the CalipatriaWestmorland area was estimated at $1-3 million. At 

Westmorland, 12 buildings sustained severe damage, 

30 minor damage, and 70 percent of the 900 dwellings sustained damage of some kind. City officials 

ordered the razing of 10 downtown buildings and 

condemned five dwellings.

The main effects in Calipatria and Westmorland 

were downed chimneys, cracked and destroyed foundations, partial collapse of exterior adobe and wood
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 169

Tompkins Hill Road overpass collapsed on U.S. Highway 101, about 2 mi south of Fields Landing, California, during November 8, 1980, 

earthquake. (Photograph by R.T. Kilbourne, California Division of Mines and Geology.)

walls, collapse of interior walls, and broken 

underground pipes. In the rural areas, the main 

damage consisted of broken concrete-lined irrigation 

canals, which were not reinforced. Concrete cracked 

on two stretches of the Vail Canal between Calipatria 

and Westmorland, and the earthen embankment 

beneath the cracked concrete washed away. Also, the 

concrete on several bridges was cracked and chipped; 

cracks in road pavement and ground were ubiquitous. This earthquake was the largest in a swarm of 

at least 40 shocks in the area from Apr. 24-28. It 

was felt over a large part of southern California, 

southwest Arizona, and an unknown area in Mexico. 

(Ref. 325, 355.)

1981. July 17. Near Honeydew, Humboldt 

County, Calif. Light furniture was overturned and 

much glassware and dishes were broken at

Honeydew. This shock also was felt in Mendocino 

and Sonoma Counties. (Ref. 325, 401.)

1981. Sept. 4. Off the coast of Los Angeles 

County, Calif. This was the largest magnitude 

earthquake in the area since the San Fernando Valley shock of February 1971. Some windows were 

broken at Marina del Rey and exterior walls were 

cracked. Telephone service was interrupted briefly in 

some areas, burglar alarms were activated, and elevators became inoperative. Felt in southern California from San Luis Obispo to the U.S. Mexico border. 

(Ref. 325, 355.)

1981. Sept. 30, 11 53 UTC. Near Mammoth 

Lakes, Mono County, Calif. This earthquake was 

the first, and the largest, of a swarm of shocks in the 

area. It knocked out electric service at the Mono 

County sheriffs substation in Crowley Lake and at
170 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Vail Irrigation Canal, between Calipatria and Westmorland, California, damaged by the April 26, 1981, Imperial Valley earthquake.

(Photograph by the Imperial Valley Press.)

the Mammoth Lakes Airport. Chimneys cracked at 

Mammoth Lakes, and hairline cracks formed in plaster and drywall. A shopping center under construction sustained damaged walls and broken windows. 

Flowing spring water was muddied at the Hot Creek 

Fish Hatchery, near Mammoth Lakes, and gas lines 

were broken. Felt over a large area of California and 

at a few towns in western Nevada. Magnitude 5.9 

ML BRK. (Ref. 325, 355.)

1982. Oct. 1. Near Inyokern, Kern County, 

Calif. Many large cracks formed in interior drywalls 

at Barstow and Inyokern; bricks shifted in a fireplace at Ridgecrest, and hairline cracks formed in 

interior stucco walls. Items were thrown from store 

shelves in several towns. Felt in Inyo, Kern, Los 

Angeles, San Bernardino, and Tulare Counties. (Ref. 

350, 355.)

1982. Oct. 25. Near Coalinga, Fresno County, 

Calif. Tiles fell from interior walls at Coalinga, and 

many items were thrown from store shelves. At Avenal, small amounts of plaster fell from a ceiling, and 

some cracks formed in interior plaster walls. A 

hunter reported that, about 40 km northwest of Coalinga, cracks formed in the wet ground. Felt from

Kern County on the south to Santa Clara County on 

the north and from the coast in San Luis Obispo 

County to Mono County on the eastern slope of the 

Sierra Nevada. (Ref. 350, 401.)

1982. Dec. 16 (Dec. 15). Near Fortuna, Humboldt County, Calif. Chimneys were cracked and 

windows were broken at Ferndale and Fortuna. 

Windows were broken, and items were thrown from 

store shelves at Rio Dell. Felt mainly in Humboldt 

County. (Ref. 350, 401.)

1983. Jan. 7, 01 38 and 03 24 UTC (Jan. 6). 

Mammoth Lakes area, Mono County, Calif. The

first earthquake damaged a few buildings at Mammoth Lakes and knocked out electric service at 

Crowley Lake and Mammoth Lakes. The second 

one collapsed a metal hangar at the Mammoth 

Lakes Airport and toppled display cases. The first 

shock was felt from western Nevada to Merced 

County in the west and from El Dorado County in 

the north to Kern County in the south; the second 

one was reported from a similar but slightly smaller 

area. Magnitude 5.6 ML PAS (both shocks). (Ref. 

360, 401.)
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 171

 "«ifc 

Building on 5th Street, Coalinga, California, destroyed by the May 2, 1983, earthquake. (Photograph by the Fresno Bee.)

1983. May 2, 23 42 UTC. Near Coalinga, 

Fresno County, Calif. This earthquake caused an 

estimated $10 million in property damage (according 

to the American Red Cross) and injured 94 people. 

Damage was most severe in Coalinga, where the 

8-block downtown commercial district was almost 

completely destroyed. Here, buildings having unreinforced brick walls sustained the heaviest damage. 

Newer buildings, however, such as the Bank of 

America and the Guarantee Savings and Loan buildings, sustained only superficial damage. The most 

significant damage outside the Coalinga area 

occurred at Avenal, 31 km southeast of the epicenter.

A disaster assessment by the American Red Cross 

listed the following statistics on damage in the area: 

almost destroyed 309 single-family houses and 33 

apartment buildings; major damage 558 single-family houses, 94 mobile homes, and 39 apartment buildings; and minor damage 811 single-family houses, 

22 mobile homes, and 70 apartment buildings. Most

public buildings, including the City Hall, hospital, 

schools, fire house, post office, and police station, sustained only minor damage.

Only six bridges of 60 surveyed in the area sustained measurable structural damage. This damage 

consisted of hairline cracks and spalling at the top of 

the support columns, fracturing and displacement of 

wingwalls and parapets, and settlement of fill.

All public utilities were damaged to some degree. 

The water system continued to function despite many 

leaks in its transmission piping. Gas was shut off for 

several days because of broken piping and leaks, but 

only temporary interruptions of electric and telephone services were reported. One large section of 

old concrete sewer pipe west of the downtown area 

partly collapsed, but this system also continued to 

function.

In the oil fields near Coalinga, surface facilities 

such as pumping units, storage tanks, pipelines, and 

support buildings were all damaged to some degree.
172 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Building at 187 South 6th Street, Coalinga, California, severely damaged by the May 2,1983, earthquake. (Photograph by the Fresno Bee.)

One oil company administration building, about 7 km 

north of Coalinga, sustained major structural damage and its two brick chimneys were toppled. Subsurface damage, including collapsed or parted well 

casing, was observed only on 14 of 1,725 active wells.

This earthquake triggered thousands of rockfalls 

and rockslides as far as 34 km northwest, 15 km 

south, and 26 km southwest of the epicenter. Only 

a few slope failures occurred east of the epicenter 

because of the absence of steep slopes in that 

direction.

This damaging earthquake was caused by an 0.5-m 

uplift of Anticline Ridge northeast of Coalinga, but 

surface faulting was not observed. Ground and 

aerial searches immediately after the earthquake 

revealed ground cracks and fissures within about 10 

km of the instrumental epicenter, none of which 

appeared to represent movement on deeply rooted 

fault structures. About 5 weeks later, on June 11, 

however, an aftershock caused surface faulting about 

12 km northwest of Coalinga (see description below.)

Felt from the Los Angeles area north to Susanville (Lassen County) and from the coast east to 

western Nevada (see fig. 23). Through July 31, 

more than 5,000 aftershocks were recorded, of 

which 894 had a magnitude of 2.5 or larger. Most 

of the larger magnitude shocks were felt in

Coalinga. Magnitude 6.1 ML PAS, 6.7 ML GM. 

(Ref. 360, 593.)

1983. May 9, 02 49 (May 8). Coalinga, Fresno 

County, Calif., aftershock. This is one of the 

strongest aftershocks of the May 2 earthquake. It 

injured two residents at Coalinga, but additional 

structural damage was not observed. Felt over a 

moderate area in central California and at Schurtz in 

western Nevada. Magnitude 5.2 ML PAS, 5.3 ML 

GM. (Ref. 360.)

1983. June 11 (June 10). Coalinga, Fresno 

County, Calif., aftershock. This strong aftershock 

of the May 2, 1983, earthquake caused surface 

faulting about 12 km northwest of Coalinga along a 

3.3-km-long stretch of the previously unnamed 

Numez fault. Maximum reverse and right-lateral 

components of slip in the north segment of the fault 

were 64 and 20 cm, respectively. Slip along the 

northern quarter of the southern segment of the 

fault was similar to that along the north segment. 

Maximum reverse and right-lateral components of 

slip in the southern three-fourths of the south segment were 8 and 11 cm, respectively. Maximum net 

slip for the north and south segments of the fault 

were 65 and 13 cm, respectively.

In the area northwest of Coalinga, along Los Gatos 

Creek Road, one house that was damaged heavily in
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 173

f ^

State Theater on Elm Avenue, Coalinga, California, damaged the May 2, 1983, earthquake.

(Photograph by the Fresno Bee.)
174 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

122° 120° 118° 116°

FIGURE 23. Isoseismal map for the Coalinga, California, earthquake of May 2, 1983. This map is a simplified version of figure 13 in

reference 360 of table 1.
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 175

the main shock on May 2 was reported destroyed. 

Several houses sustained minor damage, and a few 

mobile homes were shifted off their supports. Felt 

over a small area in central California. Magnitude 

5.1 ML PAS, 5.2 ML GM. (Ref. 360, 593.)

1983. July 13. Imperial Valley area, Calif. 

Slight damage occurred at Niland, a few kilometers 

north of Calipatria, where windows were broken, 

large cracks formed in walls, and plaster fell to the 

floor. Felt only at a few towns in the area. (Ref. 360.)

1983. July 22, 02 39 UTC (July 21). Coalinga, 

Fresno County, Calif., aftershock. A large aftershock of the Coalinga earthquake of May 2, 1983, 

caused minor damage to property at Coalinga (fluorescent lights fell in store; chimneys, walls, and foundation cracked; minor landslides occurred) and 

injured two people. Slight damage also was observed 

at Lemoore Naval Air Station and Stratford. Felt 

over a large area in central California from Sacramento on the north to Bakersfield and beyond on the 

south and from the coast east to the Nevada border. 

Magnitude 5.6 ML PAS, 6.0 ML GM. (Ref. 360.)

1983. July 25. Coalinga, Fresno County, 

Calif., aftershock. Another aftershock of the Coalinga earthquake of May 2, 1983, caused minor damage and two injuries at Coalinga. Some chimneys 

were damaged, mobile homes were displaced from 

their supports, cracks formed in interior and exterior 

walls, and windows were broken. Damage to utilities 

included one ruptured gas line, two cracked water 

mains, and temporary interruption of telephone service. Felt over a small section of central California. 

Magnitude 5.4 ML PAS, 5.3 ML GM. (Ref. 360.)

1983. Aug. 24. Off the coast of Humboldt 

County, Calif. This earthquake broke windows 

and overturned small objects at Scotia. Felt mainly 

in Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity Counties of 

northern California. Several moderate aftershocks 

occurred on Aug. 26, Nov. 11, and Dec. 20. (Ref. 

360, 401.)

1983. Aug. 29. Northwest of San Simeon in 

Monterey County, Calif. About 20 km northwest 

of San Simeon, near Ragged Point, a few buildings 

were reported damaged, and cracks formed in chimneys. Felt mainly in Monterey, San Benito, and San 

Luis Obispo Counties. (Ref. 360, 476.)

1984. Apr. 24. Near Morgan Hill, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. The Morgan Hill earthquake 

injured 27 people and caused property damage estimated at $8 million. Most of the loss occurred in 

Santa Clara County, where 522 private dwellings and 

43 commercial buildings were damaged severely. 

MM intensity VIII effects were confined to a small 

area east of Morgan Hill on two streets: Oak Ridge

Lane and Oak Ridge Court, both in the Jackson Oaks 

subdivision, near Anderson Lake.

Five houses were condemned in the Jackson Oaks 

area of Morgan Hill, two of which fell off their concrete foundations and partly collapsed. A ranch 

house at Jackson Ranch (east of Anderson Lake) 

reportedly shifted off its foundation and collapsed. 

Other damage included cracks in exterior walls 

around garage doors and windows and a house 

thrown out of plumb but still on its foundation. Seventeen mobile homes were shaken off their support 

systems in Morgan Hill, and many partly fell. Three 

schools in Morgan Hill sustained damage to walls, 

ceiling panels, and light fixtures. Several underground water lines were broken.

Near Coyote, at the United Technologies Chemical 

Systems Plant, damage was estimated at $1.5 million. Column base connections were damaged on several steel-frame buildings, and diagonal steel braces 

buckled. Concrete buildings at the plant had cracked 

walls and broken weld connections, and one wall 

panel was separated from its roof. At the IBM Santa 

Teresa Laboratories, south of Coyote, suspended ceiling panels and a light fixture fell, and an underground sprinkler pipe ruptured. This structure was 

designed for seismic loading and therefore did not 

sustain significant structural damage.

Other effects in the Morgan Hill area included 

slight damage to Leroy Anderson Dam, Coyote Lake 

Dam, Coyote Creek Bridge, and Anderson Reservoir 

Bridge, fallen chimneys, small landslides, and 

changes in flow of water in springs or wells. At Coyote Lake Dam, about 25 km southeast of the main 

shock, a large acceleration of gravity (1.29 g) was 

recorded on strong-motion instruments. This damaging earthquake was felt over a large area of California and western Nevada. (Ref. 370, 401.)

1984. Oct. 25. Near Santa Ynez, Santa 

Barbara County, Calif. Minor damage occurred at 

Santa Ynez and north of Los Olivos at the Firestone Winery. Effects at the winery included damage to several steel storage tanks and to the 

foundations of several large oak vats. The warehouse sustained one stress crack, and the water 

line to the sprinkler system ruptured. At Santa 

Ynez, brick fences were cracked; large cracks 

formed at the joints between a concrete-block wall 

and a wood-frame wall; and interior plaster walls 

were cracked. Felt over a small area of Santa 

Barbara and Ventura Counties. (Ref. 370.)

1985. Aug. 4, 12 01 UTC. Near Avenal, Kings 

County, Calif. A few stores and houses were damaged at Avenal, and six residents were injured.
176 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

^£ *&t^ itj^s&'^fA'

Damaged home in the Jackson Oaks subdivision of Morgan Hill, California, caused by the April 24, 1984, earthquake.

(Photograph by the Morgan Hill Times.)

Damage included the partial collapse of porches at 

two houses, cracked and broken chimneys, cracks in 

sidewalks and walls, broken water mains, and broken windows and glassware. About 8 km northeast 

of Avenal, four adobe houses sustained cracks in the 

walls and ceilings, parts of the ceilings fell, and 

concrete porches were cracked. Several water lines 

and one gas main were broken at Kettleman City, 

and a cast-iron elbow on a water tank was broken. 

Felt over a large area of central California. More 

than 130 aftershocks were recorded in the next 27 

hours. Magnitude 5.8 ML PAS. (Ref. 371, 401.)

1985. Oct. 2. Near Grand Terrace, San Bernardino County, Calif. Plaster fell at the Grand 

Terrace fire station, and minor cracks formed in its 

ceiling. In a log house at Lake Gregory Village, one 

beam was split and others were cracked. Felt in 

parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. (Ref. 371.)

1986. Jan. 26. Near Paicines, San Benito 

County, Calif. At a winery in Paicines, a huge vat 

full of wine was displaced 6 m from its foundation 

and shattered. Damage to wine vats at the winery 

was estimated at $800,000. Damage to property in 

the form of broken gas pipes and ruptured water 

lines occurred at Hollister. At Tres Pinos, two 

chimneys fell at the 19th Hole Bar, and the kitchen 

stove was displaced. At a ranch in the Santa Ana 

Valley, masonry walls at the entrance to the driveway were partly collapsed. Felt generally north to 

San Joaquin County, south to San Luis Obispo 

County, and from the coast east to Fresno County. 

(Ref. 562.)

1986. Mar. 31. Near San Jose, Santa Clara 

County, Calif. This earthquake injured six residents and caused slight damage to property in Fremont, Mount Hamilton, Newark, and San Jose. The 

main damage was characterized by broken water 

lines, fallen ceiling tiles, cracks in chimneys and
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 177

walls, and damaged stock. Known as the Mt. Lewis 

earthquake, it was preceded by two minor foreshocks 

on Mar. 24 and Mar. 31 and was followed by 22 aftershocks. The main earthquake was felt along the 

coast north to Sonoma County and south to San Luis 

Obispo County. (Ref. 562.)

1986. July 8. Near North Palm Springs, Riverside County, Calif. This strong earthquake 

injured 40 people in the North Palm Springs area 

and caused property damage estimated at $6 million. 

Sixteen business structures and four houses were 

destroyed; 102 houses (mostly mobile homes) and 117 

business structures were damaged to some degree. 

The earthquake disrupted electrical and telephone 

service, broke water lines and gas lines, and caused 

failure of two pumping stations in the Metropolitan 

Water District. North of Palm Springs, en echelon 

fractures formed along the Banning fault for a distance of about 9 km on both sides of State Highway 

62. Several highways were closed temporarily by 

minor landslides.

Major damage to a highway bridge was observed 

on Interstate 10 in Coachella Valley northwest of 

Palm Springs. The bridge was displaced laterally, 

leaving a small gap between the deck and abutment. Three houses were destroyed and chimneys 

fell in the Whitewater Canyon area. Also sustaining 

damage was the Southern California Edison Devers 

substation, 3 km northwest of North Palm Springs. 

Many of the ceramic columns were broken at the 

substation, and one transformer was displaced about 

4 cm, shearing retaining bolts. Several light aftershocks were reported felt. The main shock was felt 

over a large area, including parts of western Arizona, southern California, and southern Nevada. 

(Ref. 562, 597.)

1986. July 13. Off the coast of San Diego 

County, Calif. This earthquake caused damage in 

San Diego County estimated at $700,000 and injured 

one person. Damage in San Diego and nearby towns 

consisted mainly of broken plate-glass windows, 

cracked walls and plaster, and broken chimneys. 

Through Apr. 30, 1987, 99 aftershocks of magnitude 

greater than 3.0 occurred. Felt over most of southern California and reported as far away as Las 

Vegas, Nev., and Yuma, Ariz. (Ref. 562, 597.)

1986. July 17. North Palm Springs, Riverside 

County, Calif., aftershock. At Whitewater, chimneys were broken at the roofline, tombstones were 

toppled, foundation and interior walls were cracked, 

and underground pipes were broken. Rockslides were 

reported on Whitewater Road. Felt mainly in southern California, but also was reported at Las Vegas, 

Nev. (Ref. 562.)

1986. July 21, 14 42 UTC. Near Chalfant, 

Mono County, Calif. Known as the Chalfant Valley 

earthquake, this shock injured two people and caused 

an estimated $2.7 million damage to property in the 

Bishop-Chalfant area. At Bishop, a few chimneys 

cracked, windows broke, ceiling tile and plaster fell, 

and exterior walls cracked in several buildings. The 

brick facade on a bank on Main Street also sustained 

cracks. Most of the damage at Chalfant was due to 

mobile homes being shaken off their supports, which 

damaged water and gas lines. Fractures in the 

ground were observed in the White Mountain frontal 

fault zone. Many small landslides and spectacular 

rockfalls occurred in the epicentral area.

The shock was felt mainly in California and western Nevada but was reported in multistory buildings 

as far distant as Salt Lake City, Utah. A foreshock 

occurred on July 20 at 14 29 UTC, and an aftershock 

occurred on July 31 at 07 22 UTC (see next paragraph). Thousands of smaller aftershocks occurred 

through Sept. 30, 1986. Magnitude 5.9 ML PAS, 6.6 

ML REN. (Ref. 562.)

1986. July 31 (July 30), 07 22 UTC. Near 

Bishop, Inyo County, Calif. A strong aftershock of 

the Chalfant Valley earthquake (July 21, 14 42 UTC) 

broke plate-glass windows in Bishop and toppled 

stock from shelves. light fixtures were knocked 

down at the National Weather Service office. Felt 

over a small area of California and western Nevada. 

Magnitude 5.9 ML PAS, 5.5 ML REN. (Ref. 562.)

1986. Nov. 21, 23 33 UTC. Near Petrolia, 

Humboldt County, Calif. The most severe damage 

occurred at Petrolia, where chimneys were cracked 

and twisted and small appliances were overturned. 

An old building at the Mattole Union Elementary 

School was knocked off its cinder-block foundation. 

Slight damage also occurred in several other towns 

in the area.

A strong aftershock occurred at 23 34 UTC, but its 

effects could not be differentiated from those of the 

earthquake about 1 minute earlier. The first earthquake was felt over a moderate area of northern California, mainly in Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity 

Counties. (Ref. 562.)

1987. July 31. Near Petrolia, Humboldt 

County, Calif. Minor damage was reported at Petrolia, where underground pipes and windows were broken, cracks formed in chimneys and in wood 

foundations, and water in springs or wells was muddied. One report from Ferndale indicated that chimneys were toppled, windows were broken, and 

sidewalks were cracked. Felt only in Humboldt,
178 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Adobe walls of a recently remodeled house in Whitewater Canyon, northwest of Palm Springs, California, cracked by the July 8, 1986, 

earthquake. (Photograph by G. Borchardt, California Division of Mines and Geology.)

Mendocino, Siskiyou, and Trinity Counties in northern California. (Ref. 74, 577.)

1987. Oct. 1. Near Whittier Narrows, Los 

Angeles County, Calif. The Whittier Narrows 

earthquake caused eight fatalities, injured several 

hundred, and left property damage estimated at $358 

million in the east Los Angeles area, mainly at Whittier. MM intensity VII to VIII covered an area of

about 500 km2 from Monrovia and Pasadena in the 

north to beyond Whittier in the southeast. MM 

intensity VI was assigned to an additional area of 

1,500 km2.

Business structures in the old Whittier commercial 

district were the most severely damaged by the main 

earthquake. In the 24-square-block shopping area 

known as Whittier Village, 12 commercial buildings
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 179

had to be razed, and another 20 buildings were 

declared unsafe. An inspection of residential houses 

in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties indicated that 123 single-family houses and 1,347 apartment units were destroyed, and about 513 singlefamily houses and 2,040 apartment units sustained 

major damage. Property damage on the Los Angeles 

campus of California State University (about 10 km 

west of the epicenter) was estimated at more than 

$20 million.

The most severe damage to transportation systems 

was to the Interstate 605-Interstate 5, a major ninespan bridge that was built in 1964. The five supporting columns sustained severe shear fractures and the 

overpass was closed temporarily. Minor damage also 

occurred on 23 other bridges in the area.

Damage and dysfunction of lifelines included the 

often observed failure of ceramic elements on highvoltage substation equipment, damage to large 

liquid-storage tanks, and saturation of the telephone 

system with inappropriate calls. The natural-gas 

transmission system was not damaged, and only one 

cast-iron pipe failed in the distribution system. However, about 1,400 gas leaks occurred on customer 

property, and many fires were ignited.

This earthquake sequence ruptured a small and 

previously unidentified, gently north-dipping, weststriking thrust fault beneath the uplifted Puente 

Hills and Elysian Park-Montebello Hills. However, 

tectonic slippage was not observed during a field 

study of the faults in the epicentral area. Geologic 

surface expression appeared to be limited to secondary nontectonic breaks caused by acceleration at the 

surface. Although many ground cracks formed along 

the base of the Puente Hills between Turnbull Canyon and Norwalk Boulevard, ground breakage in that 

area was limited to slope failures, including extensional cracks, minor landslides, and rockfalls. 

Ground-surface cracks also were observed at Worsham Creek oil field and Whittier Narrows golf 

course.

The main shock was followed by about 500 locatable aftershocks, an unusually small number for an 

earthquake of this magnitude. The largest aftershock, which occurred on Oct. 4 about 3 km northwest of the epicenter of the main shock (see 

description below), caused further damage to weakened buildings. (Ref. 74, 577, 580, 581, 582, 598.)

1987. Oct. 4, aftershock. Near Whittier Narrows, Los A\ngeles County, Calif. A strong aftershock of the Oct. 1 Whittier earthquake killed one 

person, injured several, and caused additional property damage in Alhambra, Los Angeles, Pico Rivera, 

and Whittier. Several chimneys twisted, fell, or broke

at the roofline; stone fences cracked and toppled; 

windows broke; and large cracks formed in sidewalks 

and highways. The press reported that one of the two 

bell towers collapsed on the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium. Also felt in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. (Ref. 74, 577, 598.)

1987. Nov. 24, 01 54 (Nov. 23) and 13 15 UTC. 

West of Westmorland, Imperial County, Calif.

The Superstition Hills earthquakes caused an estimated $3 million property damage in Imperial 

County. Epicenters of the shocks were in the western 

Imperial Valley on a fault system comprising the 

northwest-striking Superstition Hills fault and a previously unknown northeast-striking structure. The 

earthquake sequence consisted of foreshocks, .the first 

main shock, and aftershocks on the northeast trend, 

followed by the second main shock about 11 hours 

later and aftershocks on the northwest trend. Significant surface ruptures occurred along the Superstition 

Hills fault.

Damage reported in the epicentral region at El 

Centro, Imperial, and Westmorland included fallen 

chimneys, broken underground pipes, broken windows, and large displacements in highways or 

streets. The Worthington Road Bridge across the 

New River needed to be replaced, owing to liquefaction damage to the approach fill on both sides of the 

bridge. Damage at the Desert Test Range Control 

Center near Westmorland, which included equipment 

falling through a window and small water tanks tipping against the building, was sufficient to stop operations for several days.

Damage to canal facilities in the Southern California Irrigation District was estimated to be between 

$600,000 and $750,000. The first main shock caused 

minor buckling of the concrete lining in canals on the 

west side of the valley; the second main shock collapsed thousands of feet of concrete canal lining, 

mainly in the northwest corner of the valley nearest 

the earthquake epicenters.

The shock at 01 54 UTC was associated with leftlateral surface rupture on many faults in and near 

the Superstition Hills. A maximum surface slip of 

12.5 cm was observed on the Elmore Desert Ranch 

fault. The shock at 13 15 UTC ruptured the surface 

of the right-lateral Superstition Hills fault for a 

distance of 27 km southeastward from its epicenter. 

This right-lateral movement continued to increase 

over the following 339 days. The maximum vertical 

slip observed on the southernmost ruptured part of 

the Superstition Hills fault zone (named the Wienert 

fault) was 25 cm, but that rupture also continued to 

increase. Both shocks were felt over most of southern
180 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

California and in parts of .western Arizona and 

southern Nevada. (Ref. 74, 577, 587, 588, 598, 601.)

1988. Feb. 11. Near Whittier, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. A small aftershock of the Whittier 

earthquake of Oct. 1, 1987, cracked chimneys, drywall, plaster, and windows at Los Angeles, Pasadena, 

Pico Rivera, and Whittier. Further, foundations of 

houses were cracked and exterior walls were damaged at Pico Rivera and Whittier. Also felt in Kern, 

Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego 

Counties. (Ref. 578, 602.)

1988. June 13 (June 12). Near San Jose, 

Santa Clara County, Calif. Slight damage occurred 

at San Jose, where open cracks formed in stone or 

brick fences and interior walls were cracked. Hairline 

cracks formed in drywall and plaster at nearby Santa 

Clara. Felt north along the coast to Humboldt 

County, east to Amador and Tulare Counties, and 

south to Monterey and Kern Counties. (Ref. 74, 578.)

1988. June 27. Near Santa Cruz, Calif. Slight 

damage occurred at Holy City (near Los Gatos, Santa 

Cruz County), where cracks formed in plaster, drywall, and a house foundation. Press reports described 

minor damage in Santa Clara County, at the Sunnyvale Town Center, where chunks of concrete fell from 

the parking garage, and at Los Gatos, where storefront windows were shattered. After the earthquake, 

the flow of water increased in a well at Holy City. 

Felt north along the coast to Marin County, south to 

Monterey County, and east to Fresno County. (Ref. 

74, 578.)

1988. Dec. 3. Near Whittier, Los Angeles 

County, Calif. Windows were broken at Whittier, 

and hairline cracks formed in plaster, drywall, and a 

house foundation. Several bricks were knocked to 

the ground at the San Gabriel Mission. Press 

reports noted that several people were injured in the 

San Fernando Valley and that electricity was 

knocked out briefly. Also felt in Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties. Several small aftershocks were reported. (Ref. 

578, 602.)

1989. Jan. 19 (Jan. 18). Off the coast near 

Malibu, Los Angeles County, Calif. An earthquake off the coast of California, south of Malibu, 

caused minor damage in Los Angeles County at Hollywood, Lancaster, Malibu, Monterey Park, and 

Whittier. Typical damage included broken windows; 

cracks in chimneys, foundations, fences, and walls; 

and damaged stock in stores. An observer at 

Monterey Park also reported that large amounts of 

plaster fell from walls and that some walls fell. 

Rocks rolled onto the highway in Santa Monica and 

on Malibu Canyon Road. According to press accounts,

this shock was felt from Santa Barbara south to San 

Diego and east to San Bernardino. Several aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 579, 603.)

1989. Apr. 3. Northeast of San Jose, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. At San Jose and Santa Clara, 

many cracks formed in drywall, plaster, and foundations of houses. One large window was knocked out 

of an airport control tower in San Jose. Felt north to 

Marin and Solano Counties, south to San Luis 

Obispo County, and east to Stanislaus County. (Ref. 

74, 579.)

1989. Apr. 7. Near Newport Beach, Orange 

County, Calif. Slight damage was reported in 

Orange County at Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, and 

Newport Beach. Typical damage consisted of broken 

windows; fallen bricks from chimneys; cracked chimneys, walls, and plaster; and damaged merchandise 

in stores. In addition, ceiling tiles fell in several 

stores in Newport Beach, and part of a wall of a 

brick building toppled. Felt north to Los Angeles 

County, south to San Diego County, and east to Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. (Ref. 579, 603.)

1989. June 12. Near Bell Gardens, Los Angeles County, Calif. Minor damage reported west of 

Whittier, at Bell Gardens, included large cracks in 

exterior walls of a reinforced-concrete building and 

hairline cracks in plaster and drywall. Slight damage (fallen plaster and cracked ceiling) also was 

reported in the downtown Los Angeles area. Also 

felt in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties. An aftershock was felt about one-half 

hour after the main shock. (Ref. 579, 603.)

1989. Aug. 8. Near Redwood Estates, Santa 

Clara County, Calif. This earthquake caused one 

death and moderate damage to property in Santa 

Clara County near San Jose. Toppled and broken 

chimneys were reported at Cupertino (west of San 

Jose), Los Gatos (about 15 km northeast of the epicenter), and Redwood Estates (about 7.5 km northeast of the epicenter). Other damage observed 

included broken underground pipes, cracks in foundations and walls, walls separated from ceilings, and 

toppled water heaters and propane tanks. Light damage occurred at several other towns in Santa Clara 

and Santa Cruz Counties, including Ben Lomond, 

Brookdale, Holy City, Santa Cruz, and Saratoga. Felt 

to Sonoma County in the north, San Luis Obispo 

County in the south, and Stanislaus County in the 

east. (Ref. 74, 579.)

1989. Oct. 18, 00 04 UTC (Oct. 17). In the 

Santa Cruz Mountains in the forest of Nisene 

Marks State Park, about 16 km northeast of 

Santa Cruz and about 7 km south of Loma Prieta Mountains, Calif. This major earthquake
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 181

Collapsed apartment building in the Marina District, San Francisco, California, caused by the October 18, 1989 (Oct. 17 PST), Santa 

Cruz Mountains (Loma Prieta) earthquake. (Photograph by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.)

caused 63 deaths, 3,757 injuries, and an estimated 

$6 billion in property damage. It was the largest 

earthquake to occur on the San Andreas fault since 

the great San Francisco earthquake in April 1906.

The most severe property damage occurred in Oakland and San Francisco, about 100 km north of the 

fault segment that slipped on the San Andreas. MM 

intensity IX was assigned to San Francisco's Marina 

District, where several houses collapsed, and to four 

areas in Oakland and San Francisco, where reinforced-concrete viaducts collapsed: Nimitz Freeway 

(Interstate 880) in Oakland, and Embarcadero 

Freeway, Highway 101, and Interstate 280 in San 

Francisco. Communities sustaining heavy damage in 

the epicentral area included Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, 

and Watsonville.

Liquefaction, as evidenced by sand boils, lateral 

spreading, settling, and slumping, occurred as far as 

110 km from the epicenter. It caused severe damage 

to buildings in San Francisco's Marina district as

well as along the coastal areas of Oakland and 

Alameda in the east San Francisco Bay shore area. 

Liquefaction also contributed significantly to the 

property damage in the Santa Cruz and Monterey 

Bay areas, which lie near the epicentral zone. Structures damaged by liquefaction include buildings, 

bridges, highways, pipelines, port facilities, airport 

runways, and levees. Subsurface soil conditions, 

which amplified accelerations in the San Francisco 

Bay area, strongly influenced structural damage patterns and probably contributed to liquefaction 

problems in loose, sandy fills underlain by deep, 

cohesive soil deposits.

Engineered buildings, including those near the epicenter, performed well during the earthquake. Hospital buildings in the region sustained only minor 

system and cosmetic damage, and operational interruptions did not occur. Only five schools sustained 

severe damage, estimated at $81 million.
182 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridge, collapsed by the October 18, 1989 (Oct. 17 PST), Santa Cruz Mountains (Loma Prieta),

California, earthquake. (Photograph by E.V. Leyendecker.)

Most of the spectacular damage to buildings was 

sustained by unreinforced masonry buildings constructed of wood-frame roof and floor systems supported by unreinforced brick walls. These structures 

failed in areas near the epicenter as well as in areas 

far from the epicenter, at San Francisco and 

Monterey. The severe shaking near Santa Cruz 

caused heavy damage to the unreinforced masonry 

buildings in that area, particularly in the Santa Cruz 

Pacific Garden Mall, which consisted of several 

blocks of unreinforced masonry store buildings.

More than 80 of the 1,500 bridges in the area 

sustained minor damage, 10 required temporary 

supports, and 10 were closed owing to major structural damage. One or more spans collapsed on

three bridges. The most severe damage occurred to 

older structures on poor ground, such as the 

Cypress Street Viaduct (41 deaths) and the San 

Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (one death). Damage 

to the transpotation system was estimated at $1.8 

billion.

Most of the more than 1,000 landslides and rockfalls occurred in the epicentral zone in the Santa 

Cruz Mountains. One slide, on State Highway 17, 

disrupted traffic for about 1 month.

The earthquake produced a pattern of northwesttrending extensional fractures in the north end of the 

aftershock zone northwest of the epicenter, but 

throughgoing right-lateral surface faulting was not 

found above the rupture defined by the main shock 

and its aftershocks. Six feet of right-lateral strike-slip
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 183

Nimitz Freeway along Cypress Street (Interstate 880) in Oakland, California, collapsed by the October 18, 1989 (Oct. 17 PST), Santa 

Cruz Mountains (Loma Prieta) earthquake. (Photograph by E.V. Leyendecker.)

and 4 feet of reverse-slip was inferred from geodetic 

data. The only surface fracturing that might be attributed to primary tectonic faulting occurred along a 

trace of the San Andreas near Mount Madonna Road 

in the Corralitos area, where en echelon cracks 

showed 2 cm of right-lateral displacement.

Extensional fractures (maximum net displacement 

of 92 cm) were observed about 12 km northwest of 

the epicenter, in the Summit Road-Skyland Ridge 

area, east of State Highway 17, whereas zones of 

compressional deformation were found along the 

northeast foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains between 

Blossom Hill and Palo Alto. In Los Altos and Los 

Gatos, ground deformation appeared to be associated 

closely with zones of heavy structural damage and 

broken underground utility lines.

Other towns in the area that also experienced 

severe property damage include Boulder Creek, Corralitos, Hollister, Moss Landing, and several smaller 

communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

This earthquake was felt over most of central California and in part of western Nevada (see fig. 24). 

The rate of aftershock activity decreased rapidly with 

time, but the total number of aftershocks was less 

than that expected from a generic California earthquake of similar magnitude. Fifty-one aftershocks of 

magnitude 3.0 and larger occurred during the first 

day after the main shock, and 16 occurred during the 

second day. After 3 weeks, 87 magnitude 3.0 and 

larger aftershocks had occurred. (Ref. 74, 574, 579, 

594, 595, 596, 606, 607.)
184 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Ground failure along the San Andreas fault zone, causing slumping and cracking of Hazel Dell Road, north of 

Watsonville, California, during the October 18, 1989 (Oct. 17 PST), Santa Cruz Mountains (Loma Prieta) 

earthquake.
EARTHQUAKES IN CALIFORNIA 185

House on Rebecca Drive, Boulder Creek, California, destroyed by the October 18, 1989 (Oct. 17 PST), Santa Cruz Mountains

(Loma Prieta) earthquake.
186

124°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

122° 120° 118° 116P

40° -

34'

FIGURE 24. Isoseismal map for the Santa Cruz Mountains (Loma Prieta), California, earthquake of October 18, 1989. This map is a

simplified version of figure 1 in reference 574 of table 1.
COLORADO

108° 106° 104° 102°

WYOMING

40°

O () Craig

Grand Junction O

38°

Durango

NEBRASKA

o

Sterling

Denver

COLORADO

o

Colorado Springs

O

» 

Trinidad

36°

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O

O 

.O

o

o

2.9-4.4/VI 

4.5-4.9

5.0-5.4/VI 

5.5-5.9

6.0-6.4

NEW MEXICO

100 KILOMETERS 

I \

OKLA.

TEXAS

Earthquakes in Colorado with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

187
188 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

COLORADO

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1871 10

1882 11 08

1891 12

1913 11 11

1944 09 09

1955 08 03

1960 10 11

1962 02 05

1962 12 04

1962 12 05

1965 02 16

1965 09 14

1965 09 29

1965 11 21

1966 10 03

1966 11 14

1967 04 10

1967 04 27

1967 08 09

1967 11 27

1979 01 06

1981 04 02

Origin 

time {UTC)

h m s

0130

21

2155

041220

063942

08 05 30.5

144551.1

17 49 59.4

13 48 00.4

22 21 43.7

224624.1

185956.1

04 02 28.7

022602.3

200235.9

190025.5

172442.3

13 25 06.2

050924.6

01 58 55.3

161006.4

Hypocenter

Latitude

40.5 N

40.5 N

40.5 N

38.1 N

39.0 N

38.0 N

38.3 N

38.2 N

39.8 N

39.9 N

39.9 N

39.9 N

39.8 N

39.8 N

37.4 N

39.9 N

39.94 N

39.91 N

39.9 N

39.87 N

38.96 N

39.91 N

Longitude

108.5 W

105.5 W

108.0 W

107.7 W

107.5 W

107.3 W

107.6 W

107.6 W

104.7 W

104.6 W

105.0 W

104.6 W

105.1 W

104.8 W

104.1 W

104.7 W

104.75 W

104.77 W

104.7 W

104.88 W

105.16 W

104.95 W

Depth 

(km)

_

_

049

025

033

033

005

005

005

005

010

005

005

005

005

005

005

009

Ref

487

487

273

487

266

273

33

266

266

266

74

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

74

274

262

325

USGS 

nib Mg

_ _

Magnitude

Other

_

Moment 

M

_

 6.20Mfa KRK 

 

 

 

 ~ ~ 

 

 

 

 

__ .^_

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

4.5 

5.3 

5.2 

__

4.3 

___

5.50mb

4.70ML

3.20ML

3.80ML

3.00ML

3.60ML

3.50ML

3.80ML

4.60ML

3.50ML

4.30Mn

3.80ML

4.90mb

4.60mb

2.90ML

3.80ML

__

BRK 

GOL 

GOL 

GOL 

GOL 

GOL 

GOL 

GOL 

GOL 

GOL 

HER 

GOL 

NUT 

NUT 

GS 

GS 

Intensity

MMI

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

Ref

487

273

273

487

38

28

33

35

35

35

75

75

75

75

81

81

40

40

40

40

262

325

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

485

14

19

5

39

12

16

1

3

4

7

45

4

16

4

50

56

11

6

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1871. October. Lily Park, Moffat County, 

Colo. An avalanche of rock cascaded from the high 

cliffs of the canyon walls at Lily Park. The ground 

heaved and fell. It is possible that the date of this 

earthquake is Nov. 9, 1871. (Ref. 487.)

1882. Nov. 8 (Nov. 7). Near Denver, Colo. This 

earthquake probably was the largest event to occur 

in Colorado in the period of historic record. It caused 

minor damage in Colorado and southern Wyoming 

and was felt slightly in Utah and Kansas (see fig. 

25). The location of this earthquake is very uncertain 

and has been postulated to have occurred in western 

Colorado or southern Wyoming.

In Denver, electricity was cut off after an iron bolt 

that connected an engine-driving pulley was broken 

in two at the electric power building; another bolt 

was bent out of shape. Buildings trembled violently 

and residents ran out of doors. Plaster fell and windows broke as far north as Laramie, Wyo., and

plaster fell from the ceiling of a building at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Observers also 

reported that the walls of the railroad depot in Louisville were cracked, that timbers cracked in a house 

at La Porte, and that walls of one house were 

cracked severely and plaster fell near Thompson, 

Colo. An aftershock on Nov. 8 was reported to be 

almost as strong as the main shock in Laramie and 

Denver. (Ref. 273, 283, 440, 487, 488, 499.)

1891. Dec. Lily Park, Moffat County, Colo.

The earth was convulsed by waves that rolled at 

intervals of a few seconds. Thousands of tons of boulders rolled down Fitzpatrick's Cliff. A house moved, 

calendars and pictures on the walls oscillated, dishes 

rattled, and people ran outside. A cow was knocked 

against a house. (Ref. 273, 487, 488.)

1913. Nov. 11. Near Ridgway, Ouray County, 

Colo. Damage at Ridgway included damage to the 

school ceiling and broken dishes. The shock was 

reported as strong at towns near Ridgway, including 

Montrose, Ouray, and Telluride; rocks rolled down 

cliffs at Ouray. Three shocks were reported. (Ref. 38, 

487, 488.)
EARTHQUAKES IN COLORADO 189

OKI-AHOMA I 

^__ _ __ __ \ -jf Epicent

FIGURE 25. Isoseismal map for the Colorado earthquake of November 8, 1882. This map is a simplified version of figure 1 in reference

499 of table 1.

1944. Sept. 9 (Sept. 8). Near Basalt, southwest Eagle County, Colo. Walls and chimneys 

cracked at Basalt; bricks fell from chimneys; and 

rocks rolled onto the road. A strongly built log house 

was moved slightly out of line at Riland. (Ref. 17, 38, 

266, 487, 488.)

1955. Aug. 3 (Aug. 2). Lake City, Hinsdale 

County, Colo. Residents at Lake City reported 

cracks formed in a chimney and in the ground; one 

chimney fell. Also felt at Ouray, west of Lake City; 

Silverton (San Juan County), southwest of Lake City; 

and Creede (Mineral County), southeast of Lake City. 

(Ref. 28, 273, 487.)

1960. Oct. 11. Near Montrose, Colo. At Montrose, southeast of Grand Junction, a foundation 

cracked in three places in a house, and all cupboards 

loosened from walls. Damage at nearby towns consisted of a cracked chimney at Ophir, cracked and 

broken windows at Placerville and Powderhorn, 

fallen plaster at Lake City, and cracked walls at 

Telluride. (Ref. 33, 487.)

1962. Dec. 4. Near Denver, Colo. At Dupont, a 

picture window broke and a bed moved 15 cm from 

the wall. At Irondale, windows broke at a school, 

electrical wall outlets were left hanging by their 

wires, and brick tiles loosened. (Ref. 35, 266, 487.)

1962. Dec. 5. Near Denver, Colo. This earthquake caused cracks in plaster and a wall in the 

Derby-Dupont area, about 13 km northeast of Denver. Plaster cracked in the Derby area. (Ref. 35, 

266, 487.)

1965. Feb. 16. Near Denver, Colo. At Northglenn, a large crack formed in one house. At Commerce City, a washer moved from the wall and 

furnishings shifted. (Ref. 74, 75, 487.)

1965. Sept. 14. Near Denver, Colo. Plaster 

cracked and dishes and windows broke at Denver; 

chimneys and plaster cracked at Broomfield; and 

plaster cracked in the Commerce City Derby area. 

Felt from 40 km south of Denver northwest to 

Boulder. (Ref. 75, 266, 487.)

1965. Sept. 29. Near Denver, Colo. Plaster and 

windows cracked at Commerce City, a refrigerator
190 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Cracks in highway overpass pillar in the Denver, Colorado, area caused by the August 9, 1967, earthquake.

(Photograph by the Denver Post.)
EARTHQUAKES IN COLORADO 191

was moved several inches at Northglenn. The shock 

was felt from Denver northwest to Boulder and Nederland. (Ref. 75, 266, 487.)

1965. Nov. 21 (Nov. 20). Near Denver, Colo. 

The earthquake broke many windows at Northglenn 

and Thornton and cracked plaster at Commerce City 

(one window also broke), Hudson (fallen plaster), and 

Louisville. (Ref. 75, 266, 487.)

1966. Oct. 3 (Oct. 2). Near Trinidad, Las Animas County, Colo. Minor damage reported in Las 

Animas County includes cracks in houses at Aguilar 

and Segundo, cracks in plaster and windows at 

Trinchera, and broken windows and cracks in plaster 

at Trinidad. Felt over a large area of southeast Colorado and northeast New Mexico. Magnitude 3.6 MS 

NUT (Ref. 81, 263, 266, 487.)

1966. Nov. 14. Near Denver, Colo. A slight 

earthquake in the Denver area cracked plaster nnd 

lengthened old cracks in Commerce City and knocked 

merchandise from shelves in a supermarket. (Ref. 81, 

266, 487.)

1967. Apr. 10 Near Denver, Colo. In the 

Denver-Commerce City region, plaster cracked and 

fell, windows broke, and a house foundation cracked. 

North of Denver, at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, 118 

small windows were broken; at Boulder, walls 

cracked at a high school. Water pipes broke at one 

Commerce City residence, and cracks in a parking lot 

were reported in the Derby area of Commerce City. 

Minor damage occurred in several other towns in the 

area, including Brighton, Golden, Lafayette, Lakewood, Thornton, and Westminster. (Ref. 40, 266, 487.)

1967. Apr. 27. Near Denver, Colo. This earthquake caused slight damage in Commerce City and 

Boulder. Plaster cracked and nails were forced out of 

walls at Commerce City, and walls and a tile ceiling 

were cracked at Boulder. (Ref. 40, 266, 487.)

1967. Aug. 9. Near Denver, Colo. The main 

damage occurred in Northglenn, a northern suburb of 

Denver, but minor damage occurred in many area 

towns. At Northglenn, concrete pillars were damaged 

at a church; foundations, concrete floors, and walls 

cracked; windows broke; and tile fell at a school. At 

one residence, a piano shifted about 15 cm and a 

television set overturned. Some bricks fell from a 

chimney in downtown Denver, damaging a car. This 

was the largest of a series of earthquakes in the 

northeast Denver area that were believed to be 

induced by pumping of waste fluids into a deep disposal well at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. The Colorado School of Mines recorded more than 300 

earthquakes from this zone during 1967. Felt north 

to Laramie, Wyo., south to Pueblo, west to Vail, and 

east to Sterling. Magnitude 4.4 Ms NUT (Ref. 40, 74, 

263, 487.)

1967. Nov. 27 (Nov. 26). Near Denver, Colo.

Damage occurred mainly in the suburban area of 

northeast Denver, at Commerce City. It consisted 

chiefly of cracked plaster, enlargement of existing 

cracks, and loss from fallen merchandise in stores. 

Masonry walls and basement floors in the area also 

were cracked. Felt north to Laramie, Wyo., south to 

Pueblo, west to Glenwood Springs, and east to Sterling. (Ref. 40, 263, 274, 487.)

1979. Jan. 6 (Jan. 5). Cripple Creek, Teller 

County, Colo. Plaster cracked and furniture shifted 

at Cripple Creek, west of Colorado Springs. Also felt 

in Florissant and the nearby area. Magnitude 3.3 Mn 

TUL. (Ref. 262, 487.)

1981. Apr. 2. Near Denver, Colo. At Thornton, 

cracks formed in plaster and concrete-block walls. At 

Commerce City, many large cracks occurred in plaster walls. Magnitude 4.5 Mn TUL. (Ref. 325, 487.)

CONNECTICUT

MASSACHUSETTS

CONNECTICUT

O

Bridgeport

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity 

O 4.5-4.9/VI 

5.0-5.4/VI

25 KILOMETERS

I

Earthquakes in Connecticut with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

193
194 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

CONNECTICUT

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date time<UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ref 

Yr Mo Da h m s (°) (°) (km)

USGS Other

TIb MS

Moment MMI Ref Felt area 

M (1,000km2)

1568 41.5 N 72.5 W 126

1791 05 16 1300 41.5 N 72.5 W 78

1845 10 26 2315 41.2 N 73.3 W 78

_ _ 4.85JOH VI 126 

 Vn 78 

 VI 76 

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1.]

1568. Date unknown. Moodus-East Haddam, 

Middlesex County, Conn. Ref. 126 assigns MM 

intensity VT to this earthquake. The original source 

of the intensity data is the Massachusetts Historical 

Society Collection, 4th series, v. 6, 1863, by R. Williams. (Ref. 126.)

1791. May 16. Near Moodus, Middlesex 

County, Conn. The region around East Haddam, 

on the Connecticut River northeast of New Haven, 

has been the scene of a series of local disturbances 

since this country was settled. The region southeast 

of Middletown has been referred to in Indian tradition as Morehemoodus, or "place of noises." The

first reported earthquake began on May 16 with 

two heavy shocks in quick succession. Stone walls 

were shaken down, tops of chimneys were knocked 

off, and latched doors were thrown open. A fissure 

several meters long formed in the ground. In a 

short time, 30 lighter shocks occurred, and more 

than 100 continued during the night. Reported felt 

at Boston, Mass., and New York City, N.Y. (Ref. 38, 

76, 78.)

1845. Oct. 26. Near Stamford, Fairfield 

County, Conn. The shock was severe in Fairfield 

County, Conn. At Stamford and Weston, sections of 

a stone fence were damaged; at Huntington, books 

were thrown from a table; and at Greenfield Hill, 

milk pans were thrown down. Also felt in New Jersey and New York. (Ref. 76, 78.)
DELAWARE

PENNSYLVANIA

DELAWARE

EXPLANATION 

Intensity

Ovu

Damaging earthquake in Delaware, intensity > VI.

195
196 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

DELAWARE

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date tlme(UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ref 

 (0) (0) (km)

Yr MoDa h m s

USGS Other 

rib MS

Moment MMI Ref Felt area 

M (1,000km2)

1871 10 09 1440 39.7 N 75.5 W 38 VH 38 

[Reference (Ref.) number given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1871. Oct. 9. New Jersey-Delaware border

area. Chimneys toppled and windows broke in northern Delaware at Wilmington. Damage also was 

reported at New Castle (10 km south of Wilmington) 

and at Oxford, Pa. (about 40 km west of Wilmington). 

Also reported felt in New Jersey. (Ref. 38.)
FLORIDA

80°

EXPLANATION

Intensity

O Vl

0 100 KILOMETERS 

L I

Damaging earthquakes in Florida, intensity > VI.

197
198 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

FLORIDA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter

Date time<UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ref 

Yr Mo Da h m s <°) (°) (km)

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rib MS

Intensity

Moment MMI Ref Felt area 

M (1,000km2)

1780 02 06 30.4 N 87.2 W 101 

1879 01 13 0445 29.5 N 82.0 W 38

 VI 101 

_ _ _ VI 38 25&

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1.]

1780. Feb. 6. Northwest Florida. Regimentals 

and arms racks fell from walls in many barracks; 

everything in the rooms was moved; doors were 

sprung. Chimneys were thrown together causing 

fires. Neighboring houses clashed together, and people buried in the ruins cried for help. This event 

occurred during a "fearful" storm that was

accompanied by violent thunder and lightning and 

raging seas. Possibly a hurricane. (Ref. 101.)

1879. Jan 13 (Jan. 12). Near St. Augustine, 

St. Johns County, Fla. Plaster was shaken down 

and articles were thrown from shelves at St. Augustine and, to the south, at Daytona Beach. At Tampa, a 

trembling motion was preceded by a rumbling sound. 

Felt from a line joining Tallahassee, Fla., to Savannah, Ga., on the north to a line joining Punta Rassa 

and Daytona Beach, Fla., on the south. Two shocks 

occurred, each lasting 30 seconds. (Ref. 38, 101, 134.)
GEORGIA

SKDRTH CAROLINA

Chattanooga

SOUTH CAROLINA

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.6-4.4/VI 

Q 4.5-4.9

100 KILOMETERS

FLORIDA

Earthquakes in Georgia with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

199
200 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

GEORGIA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1875 

1903 

1914 

1976 

1984

Mo

11 

01 

03 

02 

10

Da

02 

24 

05 

04 

09

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0255 

0115 

2005 

19 53 53.0 

11 54 26.2

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

33.8 N 

32.1 N 

33.5 N 

34.971N 

34.775N

Longitude 

(°)

82.5 W 

81.1 W 

83.5 W 

84.702W 

85.193W

Depth 

(km)

014 

015

Ref

38 

38 

38 

349 

370

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

 4.30Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.10Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.50Mfa SC 

 3.60Mn DO 

 4.00Mn GS 4.22GT

Intensity

MMI

VI 

VI 

V 

VI 

VI

Ref

38 

38 

135 

49 

370

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

65 

26 

246 

8 

8

198607 11 142614.8 34.937N 84.987W 013 562 3.7 3.80Mn GS VI 562 13

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1875. Nov. 2 (Nov. 1). Northern Georgia. The

earthquake was strong enough to move a mirror back 

and forth from the wall and to shake doors and windows. Felt from Spartanburg and Columbia, S.C., to 

Atlanta and Macon, Ga., and from Gainesville (northeast of Atlanta) to Augusta, Ga. Several aftershocks 

were reported. (Ref. 38, 211, 473.)

1903. Jan. 24 (Jan. 23). Near Savannah, 

Bryan County, Ga. The highest intensity was 

reported at Tybee Island, Ga., east of Savannah, on 

the Atlantic Ocean. Houses were shaken strongly in 

that area. (Ref. 38.)

1976. Feb. 4. Northern Georgia, south of 

Conasauga, Tenn. Near Conasauga in the Lake 

Ocoee Dam area of Polk County, cracks formed in 

masonry, chimneys, and a concrete-block building.

Also felt at several towns in northern Georgia. Magnitude 3.0 Mn BLA. (Ref. 49, 349.)

1984. Oct. 9. Near Ringgold, Catoosa County,

Ga. The most serious damage occurred a few km 

south of Ringgold, where cracks formed in plaster 

and sheetrock walls, a house foundation, and exterior 

brick-veneer walls. One tractor plow was overturned. 

Light damage also was reported at Chickamauga, 

LaFayette, Summerville, and Trenton, Ga., and at 

Chattanooga, Tenn. Also felt in Alabama and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.2 Mn SLM, 3.8 MD TEC. (Ref. 370.)

1986. July 11. Northwest Georgia, near Chattanooga, Tenn. Damage reported at Cohutta, Ga., 

near the Tennessee border, southeast of Chattanooga, 

consisted of cracks in a house foundation, chimneys, 

and outside brick walls. Slight damage also was 

reported at Dalton and Tunnel Hill, Ga., and Chattanooga and Turtletown, Tenn. Felt in northern Georgia, southeastern Tennessee, and southwestern North 

Carolina. Magnitude 3.8 MD GT. (Ref. 562.)
HAWAII

159 157° 155° 153°

Earthquakes in Hawaii with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

201
202 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

HAWAII

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1823 06

1834 02

1838 12

1840 02

1841 04

1844 02

1848 07

1857 07

1859 11

1860 07

1861 06

1861 12

1868 03

1868 04

1868 04

1868 05

1868 07

1868 11

1869 02

1869 02

1869 08

1870 03

1870 08

1871 02

1871 09

1872 04

1874 05

1874 12

1875 11

1877 05

1879 05

1879 11

1880 09

1880 09

1881 04

1881 09

1881 09

1885 01

1887 01

1888 08

1890 08

1894 12

1895 12

1896 09

1904 04

1904 06

1905 05

1908 09

1912 10

1913 09

1913 10

1914 03

1918 06

Origin Hypocenter

time (UTC) Latitude

Da

20

12

02

08

19

09

30

21

19

02

05

29

03

04

25

25

17

19

22

15

22

07

20

13

22

15

29

23

31

16

04

24

25

22

13

30

13

24

20

07

03

09

13

04

04

04

21

13

08

25

30

14

h m s

0800

0430

2330

0000

1015

0500

1445

1130

1250

0230

0700

2220

0015

0225

1057

1030

0910

0830

1030

1210

1430

0700

1443

0842

1045

0300

2215

1630

2200

1450

0800

1925

0145

1430

0100

1523

1629

0957

1805

0940

1400

0934

1530

1809

2257

0200

0631

1600

2208

1128

0634

2143

(°)

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

20.0 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

21.0 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

20.5 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

20.5 N

20.8 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

21.0 N

21.0 N

19.5 N

21.0 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

21.0 N

19.25 N

19.25 N

21.0 N

19.25 N

19.0 N

20.5 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

21.0 N

19.0 N

Longitude Depth 

O (km)

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

156.0

155.0

155.0

157.0

155.5

155.5

156.5

155.5

155.5

155.5

155.5

155.5

155.5

155.5

157.0

157.0

155.0

155.5

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

155.0

157.0

156.0

156.0

156.0

155.50

155.0

155.0

155.0

157.0

155.0

155.0

156.0

155.0

155.0

155.5

155.5

155.5

157.0

155.5

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

_

__

_

_ _

__ _

__

__

_

_

__

_

. _

.^_

__

_

015

^mlmm

_

^ _

__

_

__

___

_ _

__

^__

^^

__

Ref

500

405

405

405

405

405

405

405

423

405

405

423

406

38

406

405

405

405

405

405

405

405

500

422

405

500

405

405

405

405

405

405

405

405

423

463

463

423

500

405

405

405

423

405

463

272

405

412

423

38

38

417

417

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

_ _ _ _ -

 

 

_ _ 

 

__ ^ -

_ 

 

 

 

^ ____ _ _ _ -

__ - . 

__ _ 7.00Mfa WY 

 7.90Mfa WY 

 

__ _ . _ -

_ _ 

_ _ _ 

_ _ . __ .

 

_ _ . _ _

 

 6.00Mfa WY 

 7.00Mfa COX 

 

__ «_ -

 

 

 

 6.25Mfa Wy 

_ _ _ _ _ . 

 

 

_ 

 

_ _ _ _

 6.00Mfa Wy 

 6.00Mfa Wy 

 6.00Mfa Wy 

 

 

 

 . 

 6.00Mfa Wy 

 

__ ___ - -

 

 6.80M8 ABE 

 

 

_ _ - __

_ 

 

Intensity

MMI

IX

VI

VI

V

VI

V

V

V

V

V

V

VI

vm

X

vn

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

vm

vn

V

V

V

V

VI

V

V

V

V

V

V

vm

VI

vm

V

VI

Felt

V

V

V

V

V

VI

V

V

V

Felt

V

Ref

500

405

405

405

405

405

405

405

423

405

405

423

406

406

406

405

405

405

405

405

405

405

500

422

405

500

405

405

405

405

405

405

405

405

423

463

463

423

500

405

405

405

423

405

463

272

405

405

423

38

38

417

417

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_
EARTHQUAKES IN HAWAII

HAWAII Continued 

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

203

Date

Yr Mo Da

1918 11 02

1919 01 29

1919 09 15

1923 01 14

1923 12 26

1924 08 20

1924 09 11

1926 02 07

1926 02 28

1926 03 20

1926 04 22

1927 03 20

1927 08 03

1929 09 26

1929 09 27

1929 09 28

1929 09 29

1929 09 30

1929 10 06

1930 05 26

1932 07 08

1935 01 02

1935 06 28

1935 10 01

1935 11 21

1938 01 23

1939 05 15

1939 07 14

1940 06 17

1940 06 17

1940 06 17

1940 07 16

1940 09 02

1941 09 25

1941 11 16

1941 11 18

1943 11 11

1944 12 27

1945 05 19

1948 06 28

1949 05 02

1950 05 30

1951 04 23

1951 08 21

1951 09 16

1951 11 08

1952 03 18

1952 04 07

1952 05 23

1953 01 15

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

100110

0322

0350

125925

0516

1650

0333

2159

1711

0903

1503

15 21 42

2012

045056

2120

1738

0148

2225

07 51 31

0647

083049

1717

193005

1028

1141

083243

20 57 31

14 21

10 2647

1817

2309

03 17 33

084442

17 48 38

2011

1326

0252

14 11 40

1218

1141

1502

01 16 15

005223

105657.5

114251

19 34 12

0358

070951

22 12 26

1205

Hypocenter

Latitude 

O

19.4 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

19.0 N

21.0 N

19.25 N

19.0 N

21.0 N

19.0 N

20.5 N

19.5 N

20.5 N

19.0 N

19.75 N

19.75 N

19.75 N

19.75 N

19.75 N

19.75 N

19.4 N

19.4 N

19.418N

19.50 N

19.635N

19.516N

21.0 N

19.367N

19.3 18N

20.4 N

20.5 N

20.5 N

20.5 N

21.0 N

19.5 N

20.0 N

20.0 N

19.0 N

19.5 N

19.5 N

21.2 N

19.5 N

19.5 N

19.2 N

19.483N

19.32 N

19.192N

19.125N

21.0 N

19.483N

19.3 17N

Longitude 

(°)

155.3 W

155.5 W

155.5 W

155.5 W

157.0 W

155.55 W

155.5 W

157.0 W

155.5 W

155.5 W

155.5 W

155.25 W

155.5 W

156.0 W

156.0 W

156.0 W

156.0 W

156.0 W

156.0 W

155.4 W

155.3 W

155.283W

155.25 W

155.434W

155.518W

156.0 W

155.133W

155.116W

154.7 W

155.25 W

155.25 W

155.0 W

155.25 W

155.5 W

155.8 W

155.8 W

155.5 W

155.5 W

155.5 W

157.9 W

155.7 W

156.0 W

155.5 W

155.967W

155.42 W

155.720W

155.033W

157.0 W

155.983W

155.433W

Depth 

(km)

_

__

i^^^

___

, 

__^

010

004

_

016

. 

_

, _

005

060

010

024

Ref

265

417

38

417

417

500

445

218

408

423

408

218

218

258

408

408

408

408

258

500

408

8

258

418

418

258

266

418

265

408

408

258

258

258

408

408

408

258

408

421

22

258

418

408

481

409

408

25

408

408

USGS 

nib MS

_ 

 

_ __

 

 . 

 

 

^ ^ _

 

 . 

 

 

___ __

 

 

 

 

_ .

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_ _

 

 

 _

__ 

__ _

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_ _ __

 

 _

Magnitude

Other

6.20Mfa Wy

6.10MfaWy

5.00Mfa Wy

f^^m

6.00Mfe Wy

6.0MfaWy

___

5.60Ms GR

. .

_ _ ,

6.50Ms GR

4.70Mfa WY

5.90Mfa Wy

5.60Ms GR

5.60Mfa Wy

6.75M8 GR

5.50Mfa Wy

6.00MS GR

5.60Ms GR

5.60M8 GR

6.00MS GR

5.60Ms GR

4.80Mfa UH

6.25Ms GR

6.50Ms PAS

6.90Ms GR

_^

6.00M8 PAS

5.20MS BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

^_

.... 

. 

_...

_

__

 .

._

^_

MMI

vu

V

vn

VI

IV

V

V

V

V

V

VI

V

VI

vn

VI

vn

VI

VI

vn

V

V

V

VI

IV

V

vn

VI

V

V*

V

V

V

IV

vn

V

V

V

VI

V

VI

V

vn

vn

vm

V

VI

V

IV

VI

V

Ref

38

38

38

417

417

500

416

218

408

423

218

408

218

38

408

38

408

408

38

500

408

408

408

408

408

11

408

500

13

408

408

408

408

38

38

38

408

38

38

421

38

408

24

419

481

481

408

238

238

408

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

__

_ ,

__

__

. 

__

__

_

_

___
204 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

HAWAII Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1953 08 22

1954 03 30

1954 03 30

1954 07 03

1955 03 08

1955 03 28

1955 04 01

1955 08 07

1955 08 14

1956 05 14

1956 10 16

1957 07 04

1957 07 26

1957 08 18

1958 12 27

1959 02 20

1960 01 19

1960 12 25

1961 01 21

1961 07 23

1961 09 23

1961 09 25

1962 02 11

1962 06 28

1962 07 25

1963 01 08

1963 08 26

1963 09 21

1963 10 23

1964 09 18

1964 10 11

1964 12 03

1964 12 10

1965 02 13

1966 08 19

1966 09 05

1967 07 22

1968 02 22

1968 04 28

1969 05 10

1969 11 10

1969 11 24

1970 09 21

1970 10 25

1971 08 01

1971 08 16

1971 12 28

1971 12 29

1971 12 29

1972 02 29

1972 07 14

1972 09 05

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0547

164002.0

18 41 56.0

21 52 35

082126.1

020220

14 24 25.5

171744

12 28 00.0

075336

104455

10 53 59

11 40 30

104156

191724

060028

042649.2

12 56 27.8

11 39 36.8

15 24 15.5

03 01 33.3

05 28 53.5

020048.3

04 27 14.2

03 48 15.8

193945.0

184918.1

16 24 20.6

202406.9

102529.1

100643.6

08 28 41.0

115344.6

230629.6

15 21 39.5

16 33 21.9

073410.1

192040.3

140859.0

01 33 28.0

05 12 12.8

191221.6

11 26 36.5

195529.1

18 52 39.5

013509.1

011151.8

02 59 12.0

113843.1

220823.9

19 36 57.7

11 31 33.8

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°>

19.75 N

19.380N

19.353N

19.4 N

19.335N

19.4 N

19.407N

20.0 N

19.3 13N

20.283N

19.667N

19.8 N

20.250N

21.800N

19.783N

19.350N

19.320N

19.222N

19.225N

19.377N

19.320N

19.302N

19.224N

19.399N

19.540N

19.390N

19.375N

19.428N

19.376N

19.3 15N

18.856N

19.405N

19.266N

18.754N

18.537N

19.353N

20.753N

19.223N

19.375N

19.359N

19.187N

19.731N

19.332N

21.146N

18.402N

19.367N

19.262N

19.248N

19.249N

19.360N

19.033N

19.331N

Longitude 

(°>

155.8 W

155.025W

155.020W

155.2 W

154.997W

155.3 W

155.305W

155.8 W

155.285W

155.283W

156.467W

155.7 W

156.083W

155.467W

155.117W

155.150W

155.670W

155.764W

155.666W

155.282W

155.113W

154.998W

154.398W

155.454W

155.961W

155.218W

155.370W

155.823W

155.416W

155.115W

156.517W

155.277W

155.139W

155.314W

155.087W

155.437W

156.121W

156.297W

155.298W

155.073W

155.542W

156.099W

155.203W

156.612W

154.545W

155.278W

155.372W

155.382W

155.363W

156.35 1W

155.330W

155.206W

Depth 

(km)

_

009

009

012

000

010

040

029

020

025

015

005

010

045

005

007

001

010

026

004

009

003

010

002

031

006

006

009

005

006

025

008

015

051

008

008

005

030

013

033

002

Oil

Oil

007

034

005

008

007

008

038

010

Ref

408

418

418

408

482

408

482

408

482

418

418

418

418

418

418

32

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

37

418

418

418

418

418

81

418

418

41

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

__

__

, 

_

__

__.

_

__

4.4

4.6

5.0

4.8

5.3

4.7

5.1

4.7

._._

4.7

4.9

3.7

3.8

_

4.5

4.8

4.5

_

. _

4.9

_

4.4

_ _

 6.00Ms PAS

 6.50UknPAS

 5.40ML HVO

 5.40ML HVO

 

 5.20ML HVO

_ _

 5.70Mt HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 5.50ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 5.60ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 6.10ML HVO

 4.70ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.70ML HVO

 4.70ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.90ML HVO

 5.30ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.30ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.70ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 4.80ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.80ML HVO

 4.70ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.60ML HVO

 4.90ML HVO

 4.50ML HVO

 5.00ML HVO

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

^^ _

^_ _

 

__

__

__

__

mm^

__

__

_ ^

. 

«« 

_

_

_

MMI

V

VI

vn

VI

IV

VI

V

V

VI

V

V

IV

IV

V

inin

m

in

m

V

V

V

_^

VI

V

V

IV

IV

V

IV

V

V

m

IV

m

IV

n

_

IV

IV

m

m

IV

IV

IV

m

IV

m

IV

m

IV

Ref

408

410

410

408

408

408

38

38

28

38

38

30

30

38

31

32

33

33

34

34

34

34

__

35

35

36

36

36

36

37

423

37

37

75

81

81

40

__

41

42

42

42

43

43

44

44

44

44

45

45

45

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

___

_

__

^_

_. _

___

-i>^

__

__ _

_ -| 
EARTHQUAKES IN HAWAII 205

HAWAII Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1972 12 23

1972 12 23

1973 04 23

1973 04 26

1973 10 09

1973 12 13

1974 01 12

1974 06 19

1974 08 28

1974 11 30

1974 12 16

1974 12 25

1974 12 31

1975 01 01

1975 01 01

1975 01 01

1975 01 01

1975 01 02

1975 01 03

1975 01 05

1975 03 30

1975 05 22

1975 05 28

1975 07 08

1975 11 06

1975 11 29

1975 11 29

1975 11 29

1975 11 30

1976 01 15

1976 01 29

1976 02 21

1976 04 02

1976 04 21

1976 05 24

1976 12 18

1977 01 14

1977 01 22

1977 02 04

1977 04 21

1977 06 06

1977 09 07

1979 03 06

1979 03 10

1979 03 22

1979 03 28

1979 03 30

1979 08 14

1979 09 22

1980 01 20

1981 01 12

1981 01 14

1981 03 05

1981 03 06

1981 08 10

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

190452.7

204307.0

070753.1

202630.6

11 53 45.3

042556.1

160434.2

15 05 42.6

07 49 41.0

13 54 23.8

09 17 29.8

17 47 49.4

224048.4

124111.1

13 18 59.6

132054.5

13 44 36.3

13 27 43.4

17 32 49.5

01 32 05.5

005626.5

08 32 58.4

12 02 08.8

004742.6

120528.4

13 35 40.7

144740.1

184400.2

06 15 27.4

22 59 26.2

20 19 56.6

05 51 17.4

18 14 06.7

18 13 35.9

09 24 07.8

14 01 00.7

232642.5

22 36 28.5

012059.9

04 49 23.2

094219.1

23 51 06.9

150758.5

13 55 14.6

064659.8

073009.8

09 06 39.6

12 51 42.2

07 59 37.6

01 28 48.6

14 18 10.6

04 20 16.5

140939.8

02 43 36.4

19 40 35.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

19.589N

19.578N

19.963N

19.903N

19.338N

19.374N

19.332N

19.380N

19.328N

19.442N

19.406N

19.348N

19.305N

19.217N

19.059N

19.475N

19.071N

19.232N

19.207N

19.247N

19.283N

20.288N

18.641N

19.536N

19.343N

19.362N

19.341N

19.145N

19.419N

19.413N

19.373N

20.267N

19.342N

18.8 16N

20.995N

19.330N

19.329N

20.940N

19.347N

19.326N

19.362N

19.373N

19.520N

19.334N

20.100N

20.090N

20.608N

20.8 14N

19.347N

19.3 12N

19.356N

19.368N

21.017N

21.159N

19.306N

Longitude 

(°)

155.926W

155.936W

154.672W

155.130W

155.267W

155.292W

155.120W

155.422W

155.205W

155.416W

155.434W

155.280W

155.366W

155.356W

155.899W

155.580W

155.854W

155.391W

155.364W

155.373W

155.374W

155.657W

154.273W

155.504W

155.313W

155.039W

155.004W

155.252W

155.373W

155.295W

154.988W

155.990W

155.106W

155.032W

156.362W

155.115W

155.119W

160.260W

155.074W

155.325W

155.081W

155.322W

155.270W

155.111W

155.841W

155.835W

158.862W

156.290W

155.071W

155.541W

155.305W

155.324W

156.988W

156.910W

155.359W

Depth 

(km)

015

015

032

048

033

035

009

010

010

008

009

032

006

005

010

010

010

009

010

007

006

012

042

003

019

002

009

005

012

018

010

021

010

012

020

010

010

033

010

012

009

031

027

010

016

012

010

024

009

027

031

029

010

000

004

Ref

418

418

418

464

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

74

74

74

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

74

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

418

299

418

418

418

418

418

74

418

418

USGS 

rrib MS

4.9

4.2

6.0

4.8

4.4

4.8

5.1

4.8

5.1

5.0

4.5

5.5

4.7

4.5

5.1

4.7

4.5

4.7

5.1

_

4.4

4.6

3.9

4.4

5.8

6.0

4.9

4.8

4.5

4.9

4.5

5.0

4.2

4.7

4.5

4.8

5.0

4.8

4.6

4.4

4.7

4.1

5.7

4.4

4.5

5.0

4.5

4.7

 _

6.1

.-.

5.5

5.2

5.3

4.2

5.3

_

5.1

7.1

__

4.0

^_

^_

4.3

. __

3.9

4.8

_

Magnitude

Other

5.10ML HVO

4.60ML HVO

4.80ML HVO

6.20ML HVO

4.60ML HVO

4.60ML HVO

4.70ML HVO

4.70ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

5.40ML HVO

4.70ML HVO

4.60ML HVO

5.40ML HVO

4.60ML HVO

_

4.90ML HVO

4.90ML HVO

4.90ML HVO

4.90ML HVO

4.60MD HVO

4.70ML HVO

5.10MD HVO

4.70ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

5.90ML HVO

7.20MS PAS

4.60ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.70ML HVO

5.00ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.90MD HVO

4.80ML HVO

4.70ML HVO

5.10ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

5.00ML HVO

5.10ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.70ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.90ML HVO

5.50ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

5.50ML HVO

4.60ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.80MD HVO

5.10ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

4.50ML HVO

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

_ y

 IV

 IV

 vm

 IV

 IV

 m V

 m IV

__ y

 IV

 V

 IV

 Felt

 Felt

 Felt

_ y

 V

 V

, _ _

 V

 

 IV

_ y

 VI

7.45AND Vm

 

 

 V

 IV

 VI

_ y

 

 V

_ y

 IV

 

 IV

_ y

 V

 m

 V

 IV

_ y

 V

 V

_ y

 VI

_ . y

_ y

_ y

 VI

 m IV

Ref

45

45

46

46

46

46

47

47

47

47

47

47

47

48

74

74

74

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

48

49

49

49

49

49

49

39

39

39

39

39

489

262

262

262

262

262

262

300

325

325

325

325

325

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

__

_

__

 .

__

.. _

__

__

, 

_
206 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

HAWAII Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Origin 

time (UTC)

Hypocenter

Latitude Longitude

Yr Mo Da h m s

Depth 

(km)

Ref

Magnitude

USGS Other

MS

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

Ref Felt area 

(1,000km2)

1981 

1982 

1982 

1982 

1982

11 

01 

01 

05 

05

10 

21 

21 

14 

19

13 02 56.6 

215241.2 

22 29 13.9 

16 26 31.7 

03 36 19.8

19.343N 

19.230N 

19.218N 

20.001N 

19.954N

155.211W 

155.592W 

155.552W 

155.864W 

156.436W

010 

010 

014 

020 

001

418 

418 

418 

418 

418

1983

1983

1983

1983

1984

03

03

09

11

06

08

21

09

16

09

16 41 03.4

03 18 39.2

16 30 55.3

161300.1

03 34 10.6

19.199N

19.357N

19.332N

19.429N

20.055N

155.593W

155.050W

155.122W

155.452W

157.975W

Oil

007

009

Oil

030

418

360

360

360

370

1985

1985

1986

1986

1987

02

12

04

04

02

22

12

23

26

04

05 48 29.4

190122.9

044351.3

171946.5

02 22 32.7

19.378N

20.578N

19.305N

20.8 UN

20.053N

155.211W

155.755W

155.27 1W

155.749W

156.530W

009

025

031

033

010

371

371

562

562

74

1988

1988

1988

1988

1988

03

03

03

04

06

02

25

28

02

07

08 41 56.5

00 29 50.5

03 33 40.8

044807.1

104845.0

19.329N

19.992N

19.936N

19.7 14N

19.3 19N

155.213W

156.454W

156.445W

156.570W

155.117W

010

000

001

010

010

1988 

1988 

1989 

1989 

1989

07 

07 

04 

06 

12

04 

31 

04 

26 

05

05 38 09.3 

140433.0 

190957.0 

03 27 03.9 

22 16 58.6

19.221N 

18.924N 

18.972N 

19.362N 

21.633N

155.459W 

155.207W 

155.288W 

155.083W 

157.323W

Oil 

017 

024 

009 

010

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

5.3

5.4 

5.6 

4.5 

4.8

4.9 

5.5 

6.4

5.0

4.3

5.1

5.2

4.9 

5.3 

5.6 

4.7 

4.4

5.1

4.5

4.6 

5.8 

4.0

4.9

4.8

3.7

___

5.0

6.7

__

4.9

4.90MD

5.40ML

5.40ML

4.80ML

4.80ML

4.50ML

4.80ML

5.4OML

6.60ML

5.00ML

4.80ML

4.70ML

4.50ML

4.90ML

5.20ML

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

HVO

_ _

__

5.44HAV

 5.20ML HVO 

 4.60MD HVO 

 4.40MD HVO 

6.1 6.20MD HVO 6.43HAV

 4.60ML HVO 

V

VI 

VI

V 

V

V 

V

IV

V 

V

 4.70MD HVO V

4.5 IV

5.1 5.30Ms BRK 5.44HAV V

 Felt

 4.70MD HVO V

IV

vn

IV

325

350

350

350

350

IV 360

V 360 

V 360 

360

371

371

562

562

577

578

578

578

578

578

IV 578 

1989 12 28 091317.3 19.333N 155.212W 009 74 5.0 4.5 5.00ML HVO 

579 

579 

579 

579 

INTRODUCTION

All earthquakes included in the hypocenter list 

above are of magnitude > 4.5 or Modified Mercalli 

intensity > VI. Those without a computed magnitude 

were estimated to be > 4.5. Since the routine computation of magnitudes for Hawaiian earthquakes 

began in about 1956, most of the earthquakes that do 

not have recorded magnitudes occurred before that 

year.

Epicenters included in this table that are without 

magnitudes are estimated to be equivalent to a magnitude > 4.5. These estimates were derived by comparing pre-1956 felt or damage reports to reports 

from well-documented earthquakes in later years 

that had computed magnitudes. From that comparison, two criteria emerged that defined an estimated 

magnitude > 4.5 earthquake. These were: (1) 

reported felt on more than one island, or (2) reported

shaking. Only the

of these criteria were

as experiencing severe 

earthquakes meeting one 

included in the table.

Estimates of intensity also were necessary for 

many of the earthquakes in the hypocenter list that 

had a general description of the shaking but no 

assigned intensity. The estimates of maximum intensity are based on the following: (1) shaking described 

as severe intensity V; (2) shaking reported islandwide on Hawaii Island intensity IV; and (3) shaking 

reported felt only on parts of Hawaii Island intensity III.

Felt areas were not computed in Hawaii. Reliable 

estimates are not possible owing to the small land 

area of that State.

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]
EARTHQUAKES IN HAWAII 207

1823. June (date unknown). Kaimu, Hawaii.

A strong earthquake threw down a 4-ft-wide by 6-fthigh stone wall, caused large fissures and sand 

blows in the ground, and damaged a native dwelling. (Ref. 500.)

1834. Feb. 20 (Feb. 19). Hilo, Hawaii. A heavy 

shock threw down stone walls and upset small jars. 

The undulating motion made it difficult to stand or 

walk. (Ref. 38, 405.)

1838. Dec. 12. Hilo, Hawaii. This earthquake 

threw down stone walls and cracked plaster. The 

strong motion made it difficult to walk. (Ref. 405.)

1841. Apr. 8. Hilo, Hawaii. Plaster cracked and 

fell to the floor in every room of a house. Water was 

splashed out of a bucket. (Ref. 405.)

1861. Dec. 5. Honolulu, Hawaii. Plaster fell 

from the ceilings of several houses, and people 

rushed into the streets. (Ref. 423)

1868. Mar. 29 (Mar. 28). Island of Hawaii. 

This is a foreshock of the Apr. 3 event. At Kahuku, a 

stone house was destroyed, the chimney of the Mission parsonage was thrown down, and the walls of 

the stone church were cracked. At Kona, stone walls 

were thrown down, masses of rock were thrown off 

the cliff at the bay, stone buildings were damaged, 

and the cisterns of the Kona Plantation were 

cracked. At Waiohinu, walls were shaken down, and 

the stone church was cracked from top to bottom. 

Also slightly felt at Hilo. (Ref. 406, 500.)

1868. Apr. 3 (Apr. 2). Near south coast of 

Hawaii. This major earthquake caused 77 deaths 

(tsunami, 46; landslide, 31). It knocked almost all 

wooden houses off their foundations in the Keiawa, 

Punaluu, and Ninole areas. In those areas, straw 

houses supported by posts in the ground reportedly 

were "torn to shreds." At Kau, the more substantial 

houses and every stone wall were thrown down. At 

Waiohinu, a large stone church collapsed within 10 

seconds of the onset of shaking. The shock "ruined" 

the few stone buildings in Hilo and shook down 

almost every wall. Brooks became muddy.

At Kealakekua, strong trees were bent backward 

and forward "like reeds in a storm." Ground waves 

as much as 0.6 m from ground to crest were observed 

at Kohala. The motion was so violent at Ulupalakua 

that it was difficult for people to stand. Reports from 

Keaiwa and Kiolakaa suggest that vertical accelerations larger than 1 g may have occurred.

Extensive surface effects were observed in the epicentral region. Ground fissures extended from Pahala 

to Kilauea. At Kohuku, a fissure about 5 km long 

was reported. A volcanic eruption took place from 

that fissure a few days later, on Apr. 7.

Landslides, which occurred beyond Hilo as far as 

Waipio and Hamakua, buried 10 houses in the area. 

A mass of earth as much as 3 km wide and 9 m thick 

swept down the hillside at Kapapala, carrying with it 

trees, animals, and people. Thirty-one people were 

killed.

Along the Puna coast from Kapoho to Apua, the 

land subsided in places as much as 2 m. At Kaimu, 

trees stood about 2.5 m deep in sand and water. The 

plain at Kalapana sank about 2 m, and water stood 

as much as 1.5 m deep over 8 hectares (20 acres) of 

formerly dry land.

A tsunami that struck the Kau-Puna coast added 

to the devastation. The waves, which were most 

destructive at Honuapo, Keauhou, and Punaluu. 

At Keauhou (now Keauhou Landing) the water rose 

12-15 m, destroying all the houses and warehouses 

and drowning 46 people. At Hilo, the height of the 

wave was about 3 m, and at Kealakekua, 2 m. The 

tsunami also was observed on Maui and Oahu. 

Also felt on Lanai, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai (about 

560 km from the epicenter). (Ref. 38, 406, 500, 

570, 610.)

1868. Apr. 4. Near the island of Hawaii. This 

earthquake was described as "almost as noticeable" 

as the main shock on Apr. 2. Dishes were shaken 

from shelves on Kauai. It was "severe" at Honolulu 

on Oahu. (Ref. 406, 423.)

1871. Feb. 20 (Feb. 19). Near Lanai, Hawaii. 

This major earthquake caused severe damage on the 

islands of Lanai, Molokai, and Maui, and minor damage on Hawaii and Oahu. It was felt throughout the 

islands.

On Lanai, in the Palawai Valley, a large part of the 

Pali Kaholo bluff fell into the sea, and enormous 

fragments broke from the towering ocean walls 

between Manele Bay and Kamaiki Point. Masses of 

the red basalt were torn from the turrets of Puupehe, 

located on the southeast coast of Lanai. Huge boulders were hurled from the mountainsides, and 

ravines were filled with debris of rocks and trees. 

"Several great clefts opened" on different parts of the 

island.

On Molokai, in the Pukoo area, the earth opened 

for a distance of several meters; stone houses in the 

area cracked in every direction. A 1.5-m-deep hole 

opened in the ground at Pukoo. At Kaluaaha, a small 

addition on the northwest corner of the old stone 

Mission house was thrown down and a part of the 

east gable end crashed down through the veranda 

roof below. Stone walls fell in every direction. In one 

place on the shore, a hole about 0.6 m in diameter 

and 5.5 m deep was formed by the sinking earth.
208 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

On Maui, at Lahaina, all adobe and stone houses 

were cracked and some were damaged so severely 

that they were uninhabitable. The old Mission 

church was damaged, and its walls were cracked. 

All fence walls reportedly fell to the north. A stone 

building and the courthouse were damaged. The 

main road to Lahaina cracked open for several 

meters. Close to the pier, the earth cracked open for 

a length of 14.6 m. Damage was much less severe 

on other parts of Maui stone walls were thrown 

down at Kaeleku, Kapueokahi, and Wailuku; cliffs 

collapsed at Keanae, Koali, Muole, Pukuila, and 

Wailua. (Ref. 422.)

1871. Sept. 13. Hilo, Hawaii. A severe earthquake knocked down walls. (Ref. 405.)

1877. May 31. Hilo, Hawaii. A severe and longlasting earthquake damaged walls and threw objects 

to the floor in a house. (Ref. 405.)

1881. Sept. 30. Kona, Hawaii. Many buildings 

and cisterns were shattered at Kona. Stone houses 

were damaged severely, and several kilometers of 

stone-wall fencing was destroyed. Every movable 

object in houses was jumbled and thrown together. It 

was described as a severe and destructive earthquake. The shaking at Hilo also was violent. (Ref. 

405, 407, 463.)

1885. Jan. 13. Island of Maui, Hawaii. The 

main earthquake, which caused some damage at 

Kahului, Maui, was felt severely at Honolaa and 

Heeia, Hawaii. Also felt at Honolulu. (Ref. 405, 423.)

1887. January 24. Kau District, Hawaii 

Island. Many houses were moved several inches 

from their foundations. Water tanks were thrown 

down and broken. Contents of homes and stores were 

thrown about and broken. Six aftershocks were felt 

in the following half hour. (Ref. 405, 500).

1890. Aug. 7 (Aug. 6). Hilo, Hawaii. Stone 

walls were knocked down. In some houses, tables and 

pianos were moved 15 cm from the wall. Small 

objects were thrown down in almost every room in 

one house. (Ref. 405.)

1908. Sept. 21 (Sept. 20). Hilo, Hawaii. An 

earthquake caused some damage in stores and a 

warehouse. It threw down vases, crockery, and pictures, and stopped clocks. It caused the water in the 

rivers and in Hilo harbor to rise 1.2 m. (Ref. 405, 

412, 610.)

1918. Nov. 2. Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Water tanks 

and stone walls were damaged at Kapapala Ranch. 

The earthquake was felt strongly at Hilo and Kona. 

(Ref. 38, 265.)

1919. Sept. 15 (Sept. 14). Kilauea, Hawaii. 

Chimneys fell and walls cracked in the Kau section.

Slight damage was reported at Hilo. Felt on Maui 

and Oahu. (Ref. 38.)

1923. Jan. 14. Island of Hawaii. This strong 

earthquake shook down stone walls and caused some 

slight damage at Hilea. It was felt on Oahu and 

throughout Hawaii Island. (Ref. 417.)

1926. Apr. 22. Island of Hawaii. At Hilo, one 

building shook about 20 cm off its foundation. Unstable objects were overturned. Felt widely over the 

island. (Ref. 218, 408.)

1927. Aug. 3. Hilo, Hawaii. Slight damage 

occurred at Hilo. Felt throughout the island. (Ref. 

38, 218.)

1929. Sept. 26 (Sept. 25), Sept. 27-30. Kona, 

Hawaii. The strongest shock of a series occurred on 

Sept. 26. This earthquake generally was felt 

throughout the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Walls 

fell in the Kona district, and many houses were 

damaged. Water tanks, underground pipes, and 

fences throughout the Kona district were demolished. Aftershocks occurring on Sept. 27, 28, 29, and 

30 added greatly to the damage to tanks, masonry, 

stone fences, chimneys, roadways, and weak buildings on slopes. Also felt on Maui and Oahu Islands. 

(Ref. 38, 258, 408, 500.)

1929. Sept. 28. Island of Hawaii. At Hilo, a 

church was cracked severely and a street was damaged. Strongly felt. Also see the description for 

events on Sept. 26, 1929. (Ref. 38, 408.)

1929. Oct. 6 (Oct. 5). Holualoa, Hawaii. WaUs 

fell and houses were displaced on their foundations 

at Holualoa. Road fills were cracked and embankments overthrown at the road spurs in North Kona; 

telephone poles were tipped over throughout North 

Kona. Water tanks in Kealakekua were burst or 

thrown off their foundations, and some weak structures collapsed. At Puuwaawaa Ranch, unbraced 

foundation posts fell over, masonry in the main house 

basement was partly thrown down, new "avalanches" 

fell in the gulches of Puuwaawaa hill, boulder fences 

were generally collapsed, and a chimney stump was 

broken for the second time. Also felt on Lanai, Maui, 

and Oahu. (Ref. 38, 258, 408, 500.)

1935. June 28. Island of Hawaii. Some damage 

occurred at Hilo. Generally felt throughout the island 

of Hawaii. (Ref. 258, 408.)

1938. Jan. 23 (Jan. 22). North of island of 

Maui, Hawaii. This strong earthquake, which was 

felt throughout the islands, caused property damage 

estimated at $150,000 on Maui. Several landslides 

occurred throughout the island, some chimneys fell, 

walls were cracked, and pipelines were damaged. 

Two large oil tanks were shattered at Hana. Ranches 

on southern Maui sustained heavy damage to water
EARTHQUAKES IN HAWAII 209

tanks and stone walls. Walls collapsed from Ohia to 

Mapulehu. The Olinda Reservoir was cracked 

severely, and the steel storage dam on the WailukuKahului line was damaged.

Many severe cracks formed in roadbeds throughout 

Maui. At Kula, cracks as wide as 3.8 cm formed in 

the Haleaka road. On Molokai, at Mapulehu, cracks 

5 to 7.5 cm in width and as much 30.5 m in length 

formed on the east Molokai road. Minor damage also 

occurred on the islands of Kauai, Lanai, Oahu, and 

northern Hawaii. Flashes of light were observed in 

the sky before and during the earthquake. (Ref. 11, 

258, 408, 500.)

1939. May 15. Island of Hawaii. Slight damage to masonry structures and plaster occurred at 

Hilo. Generally felt over the island of Hawaii. (Ref. 

266, 408.)

1940. June 17, 10 26 UTC. North of island of 

Hawaii. At Kaunakakai, on Molokai, glass was 

cracked, vases overturned, and water spilled from 

containers; on Maui, sharp shocks broke medicine 

bottles and stopped clocks; on Hawaii, dishes fell 

from shelves in Hilo. Residents were awakened on 

the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, 

and Oahu. Loose objects rattled violently. (Ref. 38, 

258, 500.)

1941. Sept. 25. Island of Hawaii. Felt sharply 

throughout Hawaii Island. At Pahala, roadfills 

cracked, shoulders along roadways failed, pipes were 

sprung, plaster cracked, and goods fell from shelves 

and broke. At the Kapapala Ranch, several stone 

walls were partly thrown down and two windows and 

many dishes were broken. Many earthslides from the 

walls of Halemaumau caused large dust clouds; boulders shook loose from steep slopes at the head of 

Wood Valley and on Hilina Pali. An old crack in a 

building reopened at Hilo. Also felt on Oahu at 

Honolulu. (Ref. 38, 258, 500.)

1944. Dec. 27. Island of Hawaii. Near Hilea, 

stone fences were thrown down. At Pepeekeo and 

Naalehu, objects toppled from shelves. Also felt on 

Oahu. (Ref. 38, 258, 408.)

1948. June 28. Off island of Oahu, Hawaii. 

This sharp earthquake caused minor damage on 

Oahu. Four large plate-glass windows broke in downtown Honolulu; fluorescent lamps displaced from 

their sockets; plaster cracked in at least 20 buildings; 

and one chimney cracked. At the Fort Shafter military installation, a 21-m-long crack formed in the 

wall of the new barracks. A landslide blocked Kamehameha Highway in Ripapa Gulch, and another 

landslide occurred on Moanalua Road at Red Hill. 

Several sidewalks in Kaimuki were cracked severely.

Also felt slightly on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, 

and Molokai. (Ref. 38, 421.)

1950. May 30 (May 29). Kona, Hawaii. This 

widely felt earthquake damaged water tanks and 

stone walls in Kona. At Captain Cook, Machado's 

store shifted about 2.5 cm from its foundation and 

four large water tanks split open. Cracks 2.5 cm wide 

were observed along the highway from Honaunau to 

Captain Cook, and shoulders gave way. Residents at 

Hilo reported broken chinaware. (Ref. 258, 408, 500.)

1951. Apr. 23 (Apr. 22). Near Kilauea caldera, 

Hawaii. This strong earthquake generally was felt 

throughout the island of Hawaii and by many residents on Maui and Oahu. It caused slight damage on 

Hawaii, including broken windows and dishes and a 

broken water pipe. The roadbed between the Volcano 

House and Kilauea Overlook settled, and much damage was sustained by roads in the National Park. 

Small earth slips occurred in road cuts between 

Kilauea caldera and Hilo and north of Hilo along the 

Hamakua coast. Minor cracks formed in the highway 

at the northeast rim of Kilauea caldera. Cracks in 

the soil, apparently caused by lurching, formed at 

several places north and east of Kilauea caldera. Sui> 

face faulting was not observed. (Ref. 24, 418, 500.)

1951. Aug. 21. Near Napoopoo, Hawaii. This 

earthquake probably was caused by movement on the 

Kealakekua fault. It inflicted property damage that 

extended from Holualoa on the north to Honuapo on 

the southeast, a distance of 80 km. Damage was 

most severe in the central Kona district, along a 16- 

km stretch from Captain Cook to Hookena. Here, 

several houses, churches, and a school building were 

damaged severely, and about 200 water tanks were 

demolished or damaged beyond repair (mainly owing 

to damage to footings). Many stone walls were 

thrown down. Roads were partly blocked by small 

rock slides; road pavement and shoulders were 

cracked badly; and telephone communications and 

electric power were disrupted. Tombstones were 

shifted, rotated, or overturned in many cemeteries in 

the area.

The earthquake was felt strongly throughout the 

island of Hawaii and slightly on Maui and Oahu (at 

Honolulu, about 290 km from the epicenter). Many 

aftershocks, all of lower intensity, occurred through 

September 1951. A small tsunami was observed at 

Hilo, Honolulu, and the Kona Coast area (maximum 

at Napoopoo 0.9 m). Residents of Naalehu and 

Pahala reported bright flashes of white light at the 

time of the earthquake. (Ref. 408, 419, 481, 610.)

1951. Nov. 8. Island of Hawaii. At Kahuku 

Ranch headquarters, 15 km north of South Point, on 

the southern part of Hawaii Island, stone walls were
210 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

damaged extensively and dishes were thrown from 

shelves. Felt throughout the island. (Ref. 409, 481.)

1952. May 23. Island of Hawaii. Slight damage 

reported in the central Kona district included cracks 

in pavement, landslides from roadcuts, damaged 

water tanks, broken dishes and windows, and overturned tombstones. Dishes were broken as far distant as Naalehu, about 60 km southeast of the 

epicenter. Felt throughout the island and by some 

residents on Maui. (Ref. 238, 408.)

1954. Mar. 30, 16 40 and 18 41 UTC. Island of 

Hawaii. The foreshock at 16 40 UTC collapsed several domestic water tanks at Kalapana and Opihikao. During the stronger shock 2 hours later, 

extensive damage occurred in the Hilo and Puna districts. In Hilo, several chimneys and stone walls were 

thrown down, plaster cracked, and windows broke. 

Between Kalapana and Opihikao, stone fences were 

thrown down, people driving automobiles were disturbed, and some residents found it difficult to walk 

or stand. Also felt on Maui and Oahu. (Ref. 410, 418.)

1954. July 3. Island of Hawaii. This strong 

earthquake, widely felt over the southern part of the 

island, caused minor damage at Hilo. Many heavy 

rockfalls occurred in the area of Halape during and 

after the earthquake. (Ref. 408.)

1955. Mar. 28 (Mar. 27). Hawaii Volcanoes 

National Park. This earthquake broke water lines 

and cracked houses in the residential area of Hawaii 

Volcanoes National Park. It also opened cracks across 

the Mamalahoa Highway, east of park headquarters. 

(Ref. 408.)

1955. Aug. 14. Island of Hawaii. At a farm 

about 64 km southwest of Hilo, walls were cracked 

and dishes were knocked from shelves. Felt throughout the island of Hawaii and on Kauai, Maui, and 

Oahu. (Ref. 28, 408, 482.)

1962. June 28 (June 27). Island of Hawaii. 

This earthquake, which occurred near the Kaoiki 

fault system, caused the most severe damage to 

houses at Kapapala. Paint on walls was chipped, 

large kitchen appliances were moved several centimeters, and loose china fell from shelves. Damage 

reported at Hilo includes cracks in walls, plaster, 

and windows, and broken dishes. Landslides 

occurred at Kawalii Gulch near Laupahoehoe, on 

Kealakekua Bay, and in the remote Waipio Valley on 

the northern end of the island. Also felt slightly on 

Maui and Oahu. One report of this earthquake came 

from the North Kohala district, a region where 

earthquakes are not commonly felt. More than 1,500 

aftershocks were recorded in the next 3 days, and 

intense aftershock activity continued for several

weeks. Magnitude 5.75 Ms BRK, 5.25-5.5 Ms PAL. 

(Ref. 35, 411, 418.)

1973. Apr. 26. Near northeast coast of island 

of Hawaii. This damaging earthquake was felt from 

the east coast of Hawaii Island through the main 

islands of Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, and 

Oahu, a distance of about 595 km. Property damage 

in and near Hilo was estimated at $5.75 million, and 

11 people were injured.

Damage to buildings, roads, and utilities led 

authorities to declare a state of emergency. Ground 

effects, mainly landslides but including ground 

cracks induced by lateral displacement and local subsidence, were severe locally. Subsidence damaged 

the main wharf in Hilo, and landslides damaged 

roads and structures over a large area.

It was reported that 17 houses in the Hilo area 

were shaken from their foundations and that five collapsed. One structure in downtown Hilo collapsed, 

and the outside walls of an apartment building a 

two-story concrete-block structure were torn loose 

at two ends. Tombstones and chimneys overturned in 

several towns; water pipes and tanks were damaged. 

Several schools sustained damage, and four were 

closed temporarily. At Papaikou, the roof on the 

Kalaniaonaole School dropped 7-10 cm, and its ceiling was warped. Magnitude 6.3 MS PAS, 6.1 MS 

BRK. (Ref. 46, 418, 423, 464.)

1975. Nov. 29, 13 35 UTC. Island of Hawaii. 

Campers at Halape saw dust clouds rising from rockfalls that the earthquake sent crashing down the face 

of Puu Kapukapu. Felt strongly in Hilo and Puna. 

(Ref. 48, 418.)

1975. Nov. 29, 14 47 UTC. Southeast coast of 

island of Hawaii. The largest earthquake in more 

than a century (since April 2, 1868) struck Hawaii on 

the morning of Nov. 29, killing two people, injuring 

several, and inflicting property damage estimated at 

$4.1 million in Hawaii (including damage caused by 

the tsunami). It was accompanied by a damaging tsunami, massive ground movements, hundreds of aftershocks, and a brief, small-volume volcanic eruption. 

The earthquake was felt throughout Hawaii Island, 

and on Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu.

Most of the buildings in the epicentral area sustained little or no structural damage from ground 

shaking. Structural and nonstmctural damage in 

Hilo, 45 km north of the epicenter, was slight to 

moderate but was more extensive than elsewhere on 

the island.

Structural damage on the southeast part of the 

island included minor cracks, floor-to-wall separations a few millimeters wide, and bowing of walls in
EARTHQUAKES IN HAWAII 211

Hilo at a hospital, schools, and libraries. Floor sections dropped 5 to 10 mm in some of the buildings; 

hotel, apartment, and commercial buildings 

sustained structural and equipment damage. A damage survey of the area revealed that slight to moderate structural damage was sustained by five 

churches (Hilo, 4; Opihikao, 1), 11 commercial buildings (Hilo, 10; Mountain View, 1), and 80 private 

dwellings (Hilo, 51; Puna, 23; Hamakua, 2; Kau, 3; 

and Kona, 1). Five poorly constructed or old houses 

were demolished (Hilo, 4; Kau, 1). Houses shifted on 

their foundations at Kalapana, Kurtistown, Pahoa, 

and Hawaiian Paradise Park. Water tanks were 

destroyed at Opihikao, Pahoa, and Volcano.

The summit and south flank areas of Kilauea Volcano were displaced by vertical and horizontal movements of several meters, forming many ground 

cracks and faults. Roads in Hawaii Volcanoes 

National Park were damaged by extensive ground 

cracking. Landslides occurred on Coast Road.

Fault displacements resulted in widespread subsidence (locally as much as 3.5 m near Halape), leaving 

coconut palms stranded in the sea and almost submerging a small nearby island. Inland, an almost 

continuous zone of ground cracking and faulting, 

having vertical offsets as much as 1.5 m, occurred 

along the Hilina fault system over a 25-km2 area. To 

the south and southwest of this zone of maximum 

faulting, vertical displacements of as much as 0.5-1.0 

m were common along other faults.

A large part of the coastal area between Cape 

Kumukahi and Punaluu subsided during or soon 

after the earthquake. A leveling survey of the bench 

marks near the Keauhou tide gage (2 km east of Halape) indicated that the coast subsided about 3.5 m.

The tsunami generated by this major earthquake 

consisted of five or more distinct waves in some 

places. The only locally generated tsunami in Hawaii 

this century to be destructive, it killed two people at 

Halape, where it was about 7.9 m high, and caused 

property damage estimated at $1.2 million at 

Punaluu, Honuapo, Kaalualu Bay, Hilo, and KailuaKona. At Punaluu (7.6 m), 30 km southwest of Halape, several wood-frame houses were flattened or 

washed off their foundations; nearby county park 

facilities were damaged severely, and buildings at the 

Seamountain Resort sustained heavy nonstructural 

damage. Tsunami damage also was severe at Honuapo (6.6 m), 6 km southwest of Punaluu. The highest 

wave reached a maximum height of 14.6 m above the 

postsubmergence shoreline, 1.5 km east of Halape. 

The tsunami was recorded in Alaska, California,

Japan, Okinawa, Samoa, and on Johnston and Wake 

Islands. (Ref. 48, 418, 453, 501, 610.)

1976. Feb. 21 (Feb. 20). Island of Hawaii. 

This minor earthquake caused damage to walls 

at Kawaihae. Also felt on Maui and Oahu. (Ref. 

49, 418.)

1979. Sept. 22 (Sept. 21). Island of Hawaii. In 

the Hilo area, several hundred houses were damaged 

and several businesses lost merchandise. Foundations were damaged; water lines ruptured; and windows broke. At Reeds Island, a fireplace and house 

foundation sustained damage. (Ref. 262, 418.)

1981. Mar. 5. Near island of Molokai, Hawaii. 

The pipe that carries water from Waikolu Valley to 

Kalaupapa sustained four breaks and some cracks. 

Underground water pipes cracked near Kalaupapa on 

Molokai. Also felt on Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, and 

Oahu. (Ref. 74, 325.)

1982. Jan. 21, 21 52 and 22 29 UTC. Island of 

Hawaii. The first earthquake caused widespread 

minor damage in the Kau area; two small landslides 

occurred in Laupahoehoe Gulch. At Pahala, rock 

walls fell and chimneys cracked. The second shock, 

37 minutes later, was not as strong, but it caused a 

rockfall in Kaawali Gulch that injured one person. 

Both shocks also were felt on Maui and Oahu. (Ref. 

350, 418.)

1983. Nov. 16. Island of Hawaii. This earthquake, the most destructive in Hawaii since a magnitude 7.1 event occurred there in 1975, caused heavy 

property damage on the island of Hawaii and injured 

six people. The Small Business Administration 

reported 35 commercial buildings sustained varying 

degrees of damage, 317 houses had minor damage, 

and 39 houses had major damage. Unanchored chimneys fell. Roads, bridges, and other government facilities also were damaged.

At Volcano, many houses and garages were moved 

off their foundations, causing extensive damage to 

ceilings and walls. Highways in the area were 

cracked severely and were closed temporarily. Elevated water tanks were thrown down; water tanks on 

gravel bases were moved as much as 5 cm, and some 

had their roofs damaged or knocked off by sloshing 

water. Three chimneys collapsed. Moderate damage 

on Hawaii Island also occurred at Hawaiian Volcano 

Observatory, Hilo, Kipapala Ranch, Kaumana, 

Kilauea Military Camp, and Wood Valley.

Landslides and ground cracking occurred in many 

areas on southern Hawaii Island. The most severe 

ground failures were on Crater Rim Drive, a road 

around Kilauea crater. The road extended near the 

edge of the crater wall in several places, and a
212 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Ground failure on Crater Rim Drive, around Kilauea crater on the island of Hawaii, caused by the November 16, 1983, earthquake.

(Photograph by J.D. Griggs.)

section of the road fell into the crater. In other 

areas, cracks as much as 1-1.5 m wide and 3-6 m 

deep formed in the road. Also, many sections of 

trails in Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park collapsed 

into the main caldera of Kilauea Volcano. At South 

Point and Kealakekua Bay, parts of the cliffs fell into 

the ocean. Felt on Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and 

Oahu. (Ref. 360.)

1989. June 26 (June 25). Near Kalapana, 

Puna District, Hawaii. This strong earthquake 

injured five people in the Puna area and destroyed 

five houses. Additional structural damage to residential property in the County of Hawaii included 

major damage to 10 houses and minor damage to 

100 houses. Many of the houses sustained cracks in 

walls, ceilings, and concrete pads, and slight shifting of their foundations. Total damage to property

was estimated at $1 million (Robert Y. Koyanagi, 

oral commun., Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Aug. 

10, 1989.)

Damage to structures in the Puna area included 

the collapse of at least five houses in Kaimu, Kalapana, and Royal Gardens. Ground cracks were 

observed across the coast road in Kalapana, and 

landslides were reported in Puna and along the 

Hamakua coast between Honokaa and Hilo. Only 

slight damage to houses was reported at.Hilo. Power 

outages occurred in the Hilo, Kau, and Puna 

districts.

A small tsunami was recorded on tide gauges at 

Hilo, Honuapo, and Kapoho. The main shock was 

felt on Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii Islands. Several 

aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 74, 579.)
EARTHQUAKES IN HAWAII 213

 *,. !.'«*>> . .JL" Ji*

Chimney in Volcano, Hawaii, toppled by the November 16, 1983, earthquake. (Photograph by the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Ltd.)

IDAHO

118° 116° 114° 112° 110°

48

4.1-4.4/VI 

4.5-4.9/VI

5.0-5.4/VI 

5.5-5.9/VII

Earthquakes in Idaho with magnitudes r> 4.5 or intensity > VI.

215
216 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

IDAHO

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (--) indicates information

is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1884 11 10 

1905 11 11 

1913 10 14 

1916 05 13 

1917 12 12

1924 11 25 

1928 09 05 

1937 11 19

1942 11 01

1944 07 12

1945 02 14

1947 09 25

1957 12 19

1960 08 07

1963 01 27

1963 09 11

1963 09 12

1963 10 17

1969 04 26

1969 09 19

1975 03 28

1975 03 29

1977 11 27

1978 10 24

1978 10 29

1978 11 30

1982 10 14

1983 10 28

1983 10 28

1983 10 28

1983 10 29

1983 10 29

1983 10 30

1983 10 30

1983 11 06

1984 01 24

1984 08 22

1985 02 06

1985 03 17

1986 09 26

1988 01 10

1988 07 14

1988 11 19

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

0850 

2129 

2300 

0226 

1050

0710 

0536 

005020

185006

193020.7

0301 11.3

01 34 30

0625

162716.2

15 24 43.8

020843.7

06 23 48.9

012207.7

104153.1

13 33 15.0

02 31 06.0

130119.9

09 25 55.6

20 30 59.3

134645.6

065340.1

041024.3

140606.5

15 14 07.7

19 51 25.0

23 29 11.8

233905.4

012451.3

015902.0

21 04 48.7

21 07 57.5

094630.2

19 34 19.4

065617.1

224857.9

23 22 19.5

17 31 33.0

200053.1

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

42.0 N 

42.9 N 

45.2 N 

44.2 N 

43.0 N

42.5 N 

42.1 N 

42.1 N

48.1 N

44.4 12N

44.607N

44.3 N

47.5 N

42.4 N

44.190N

44.177N

44.181N

44.4 N

44.058N

42.99 N

42.06 N

42.03 N

44.537N

42.55 N

44.866N

42.11 N

42.59 N

43.974N

44.127N

44.045N

44.244N

44.241N

44.089N

44.200N

44.140N

44.047N

44.467N

44.55 IN

44.553N

44.043N

44.840N

44.456N

42.007N

Longitude 

(°)

111.3 W 

114.5 W 

116.7 W 

116.5 W 

111.3 W

111.5 W 

115.2 W 

113.9 W

116.6 W

115.063W

115.087W

115.4 W

116.0 W

111.5 W

114.528W

114.615W

1 14.62 1W

114.7 W

H4.444W

111.43 W

112.52 W

112.52 W

116.276W

111.84 W

114.243W

112.49 W

111.43 W

113.916W

113.968W

113.918W

114.055W

114.109W

113.977W

114.056W

113.963W

114.442W

114.008W

114.176W

114.182W

114.756W

114.377W

114.083W

111.477W

Depth 

(km)

_

010

010

_

049

Oil

008

009

030

018

005

005

007

009

007

012

004

007

014

010

013

010

Oil

013

016

Oil

010

010

010

010

005

005

005

005

Ref

298 

38 

56 

498 

38

38

54 

54

266

354

354

20

38

266

354

354

354

74

354

74

298

298

354

240

354

240

350

354

360

354

354

354

360

360

360

370

370

371

371

562

74

74

74

Magnitude

USQS Other 

rrib MS

_

__

4.9

4.4

4.7

4.9

4.5

6.1

4.7

4.2

4.2

4.2

4.6

4.6

6.2

4.3

5.4

5.4

5.5

4.3

4.2

4.3

4.5

5.0

4.7

4.5

4.6

4.8

4.9

5.0

 5.30UknPAS 

 5.30UknJON

 5.20UknJON 

 5.40MX SJG

 

 6.10MS GR

 6.00UknPAS

 4.70MX JON

 

 

 4.80Mn DW

 4.80Mn DW

 4.70Mn DW

 

 4.90Mn DW

 4.90ML GS

6.0 6.00ML UU

 4.70ML UU

 4.40Mn DW

 4.10ML UU

 4.70Mn DW

 4.70ML UU

 4.70ML UU

7.3 7.20ML BRK

 4.60ML UU

5.1 5.80ML UU

5.0 5.80ML UU

5.0 5.40ML UU

 4.80ML UU

 4.70ML UU

 4.60ML UU

 4.60ML MMT

5.1 5.80ML UU

 4.80MD BU

 4.70MD BU

 4.50ML GS

 4.40ML GS

4.1 

 4.30MJJU

Intensity

Moment 

M

. _

6.13BAS

4.93BAS

6.95ED

5.58ED

5.48ED

4.7 1GM

4.36GM

4.18GM

4.16GM

_

__

MMI

vn 

vn

VI

vn

V

VI 

IV

V

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

IV

VI

vm

V

VI

VI

V

V

VI

IX

Felt

Felt

Felt

m

IV

V

V

V

IV

m

IV

Felt

Ref

52 

38 

56 

38 

272

218 

10

15

17

18

259

30

33

36

36

36

42

48

48

39

240

240

240

350

360

360

360

360

360

370

370

371

371

562

578

578

578

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

15

130 

21

52

65

153

128

<§>

2

15

9

23

160

24

5

25

18

13

855

15

173

15

15

_

110

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of each 

description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude values are 

described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in table 2.]

1884. Nov. 10. Paris, Franklin County, Idaho.

The earthquake damaged houses considerably in

Paris, about 100 km southeast of Pocatello, near the 

Idaho-Utah-Wyoming border. It knocked down chimneys and shook stock from shelves in Richmond, 

Utah, about 125 km north of Salt Lake City. In an 

area north of Ogden, Utah, the tremor shook a Utah 

and Great Northern Railroad train. Also reported felt
EARTHQUAKES IN IDAHO 217

at Salt Lake City, Utah, and Franklin, Idaho. (Ref. 

52, 298.)

1905. Nov. 11. Near Shoshone, Lincoln 

County, Idaho. Cracks formed in the walls of the 

courthouse and schools in Shoshone, and plaster fell 

from ceilings in almost all the buildings. Felt from 

Salt Lake City, Utah, to Baker, Oreg. (Ref. 38.)

1913. Oct. 14. North-central Idaho. A tremor 

broke windows and dishes in the area of Idaho and 

Adams Counties. (Ref. 56.)

1916. May 13 (May 12). Boise, Idaho. The 

earthquake wrecked several brick chimneys at Boise 

and sent residents rushing into the street. The shock 

was described as "violent" at Emmett, 40 km north of 

Boise, and at Weiser, 96 km west of Boise. Reclamation ditches in the area were damaged. Pressure in a 

new gas well increased noticeably immediately after 

the shock. Also felt in western Montana and eastern 

Oregon. (Ref. 38, 272, 498.)

1924. Nov. 25. Near Wardboro, Franklin 

County, Idaho. A slight earthquake in Franklin 

County on this date broke windows at Wardboro, 

cracked ceilings at Montpelier, and displaced furniture at Geneva and Montpelier. (Ref. 38, 218.)

1944. July 12. Near Sheep Mountain, southwest Idaho. This earthquake apparently was most 

severe in the area of Fontez Creek, near Sheep 

Mountain, Idaho, where buildings were shaken so 

severely that occupants thought the structures were 

falling apart. A new cabin set on concrete piers was 

displaced on its foundation. Along Seafoam Creek, 

rocks and boulders were thrown down the hillside.

Cracks about 30.5 m long formed in the ground 

in the Duffield Canyon trail along Fontez Creek. 

Cracks 2.5 to 7.5 cm wide extended for several 

meters in a continuous break near Seafoam. A section of the Rapid River Canyon wall (near Lime 

Creek) fell into the river. Also felt in Montana, Oregon, and Washington (see fig. 26). Seventeen shocks 

were reported felt, the first of which was the strongest. (Ref. 17, 354.)

1945. Feb. 14 (Feb. 13). Idaho City, Boise 

County, Idaho. This tremor broke dishes at Idaho 

City and cracked plaster at Weiser, northwest of 

Boise in Washington County. Also felt in Montana, 

Oregon, and Washington. (Ref. 18, 354.)

1947. Sept. 25 (Sept. 24). Boise, Ada County, 

Idaho. Several large cracks formed in a wellconstructed brick building at Boise, but damage generally was slight. (Ref. 20, 259.)

1957. Dec. 19 (Dec. 18). Northern Idaho. 

Timbers fell and mine walls collapsed at the Galena 

Silver mine near Wallace, Shoshone County. (Ref. 

30, 38.)

1960. Aug. 7. Near Soda Springs, Caribou 

County, Idaho. Southeast of Pocatello and about 14 

km east of Soda Springs, cracks formed in plaster 

and a concrete foundation at a ranch. (Ref. 33, 266.)

1963. Jan. 27. Clayton, Custer County, Idaho. 

Plaster and windows cracked at Clayton, northeast of 

Boise. Large boulders rolled down a hill at Livingston Camp, about 22 km south of Clayton. Several 

aftershocks were felt in the area. (Ref. 36, 354.)

1963. Sept. 11 (Sept. 10). Central Idaho. Plaster fell in buildings at Redfi?h Lake, south of Stanley 

in Custer County; a windowpane was broken at a fire 

station in Challis National Forest. (Ref. 36, 354.)

1969. Apr. 26. Ketchum, Blaine County, 

Idaho. Cracks formed in concrete floors of structures in Warm Springs and Ketchum. Plaster was 

cracked at Livingston Mill, 20 km south of Clayton. 

(Ref. 42, 354.)

1975. Mar. 28 (Mar. 27). Eastern Idaho. In 

the Ridgedale area of the sparsely populated Pocatello Valley, this earthquake shifted several ranch 

houses on their foundations and toppled many chimneys. At Malad City, 20 km northeast of the epicenter, about 40 percent of the chimneys on old 

buildings were damaged. Total property damage was 

estimated at $1 million.

Geologists observed one zone of ground 

fractures about 0.6 km long and 5 cm wide in the 

south-central section of the valley. The shock triggered many snow avalanches northeast of the valley. Fourteen aftershocks ranging in magnitude 

from 3.8 to 4.7 were located through Mar. 31. Felt 

in parts of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and 

Wyoming. (Ref. 48, 298.)

1977. Nov. 27. Cascade, Valley County, 

Idaho. Property damage was reported only at Cascade, a few kilometers east of the epicenter, near 

Cascade Dam. The tremor cracked foundations and 

sheetrock walls, separated ceiling beams, and left 

water muddy in wells and springs. Also felt in Oregon. (Ref. 39, 354.)

1978. Oct. 24. Southeast Idaho. Cracks formed 

in plaster and a concrete foundation at Thatcher in 

Franklin County. This earthquake was felt mainly in 

Bannock and Franklin Counties of southeast Idaho, 

and at Plymouth, Utah, south of Pocatello, Idaho. 

(Ref. 240.)

1982. Oct. 14 (Oct. 13). Near Soda Springs, 

Caribou County, Idaho. In the Soda Springs area, 

about 45 km southeast of Pocatello, bricks fell from 

chimneys and cracks formed in the foundation of a 

house and in interior drywalls. Also felt in Utah and 

Wyoming. (Ref. 350.)

1983. Oct. 28. Borah Peak, Custer County, 

Idaho. The Borah Peak earthquake is the largest ever
218 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

118° 116° 114° 112° 110°

44<

42° - ._._._

FIGURE 26. Isoseismal map for the southwest Idaho earthquake of July 12, 1944. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from

data listed in references 17 and 259 of table 1.

recorded in Idaho both in terms of magnitude and in 

amount of property damage. It caused two deaths in 

Challis, about 200 km northeast of Boise, and an estimated $12.5 million in damage in the Challis-Mackay 

area. A maximum MM intensity IX was assigned to 

this earthquake on the basis of surface faulting.

Vibrational damage to structures was assigned intensities in the VI to VII range (see fig. 27.)

Spectacular surface faulting was associated with 

this earthquake a 34-km-long northwest-trending 

zone of fresh scarps and ground breakage on the 

southwest slope of the Lost River Range. The most
40°

124°

EARTHQUAKES IN IDAHO 

120° 116° 112°

219

108° 104°

EXPLANATION

^Ar Epicenter 

IX Intensity 9

FIGURE 27. Isoseismal map for the Borah Peak, Idaho, earthquake of October 28, 1983. This map is a simplified version of figure 28 in

reference 360 of table 1.

extensive breakage occurred along the 8-km zone 

between West Spring and Cedar Creek. Here, the 

ground surface was shattered into randomly tilted

blocks several meters in width. The ground breakage 

was as wide as 100 m and commonly had four to 

eight en echelon scarps as high as 1-2 m. The throw
220 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Fault scarp more than 1.8 m in height, northwest of Mackay, Idaho, caused by the October 28, 1983,

earthquake.
EARTHQUAKES IN IDAHO 221

Brick walls of the old Custer Hotel, in Mackay, Idaho, damaged by the October 28, 1983, earthquake. 

(Photograph by the Idaho Falls, Idaho, Post-Register.)

on the faulting ranged from < 50 cm on the southernmost section to 2.7 m south of Rock Creek at the 

western base of Borah Peak.

Other geologic effects included rockfalls and landslides on the steep slopes of the Lost River Range, 

water fountains and sand boils near the geologic feature of Chilly Buttes and the Mackay Reservoir, 

increase or decrease in flow of water in springs, and 

fluctuations in well water levels. A temporary lake 

was formed by the rising water table south of Dickey.

The most severe property damage occurred in the 

towns of Challis and Mackay, where 11 commercial 

buildings and 39 private houses sustained major 

damage and 200 houses sustained minor to moderate 

damage.

At Mackay, about 80 km southeast of Challis, most 

of the commercial structures on Main Street were 

damaged to some extent; building inspectors

condemned eight of them. Damaged buildings were 

mainly of masonry construction, including brick, concrete block, or stone. Visible damage consisted of 

severe cracking or partial collapse of exterior walls, 

cracking of interior walls, and separation of ceilings 

and walls at connecting corners. About 90 percent of 

the residential chimneys were cracked, twisted, or 

collapsed.

At Challis, less damage to buildings and chimneys 

was sustained, but two structures were damaged 

extensively: the Challis High School and a vacant 

concrete-block building (100 years old) on Main 

Street. Many aftershocks occurred through 1983. 

Also felt in parts of Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, 

Washington, Wyoming, and in the Provinces of 

Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, Canada. (Ref. 354, 360, 608.)

ILLINOIS

92

Magnitude/Intensity

O 4.0-4.4/VI 

4.5-4.9/VI

5.0-5.4

OMount Vernon O

Earthquakes in Illinois with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

223
224 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

ILLINOIS

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1804

1838

1857

1876

1876

1881

1882

1883

1887

1891

1903

1905

1909

1909

1912

1917

1922

1922

1922

1934

1939

1947

1953

1955

1958

1965

1968

1972

1974

1984

Mo

08

06

10

09

09

05

09

04

08

09

02

08

05

07

01

04

03

03

11

11

11

06

09

04

11

08

11

09

04

06

Da

20

09

08

25

25

27

27

12

02

27

09

22

26

19

02

09

22

23

27

12

23

30

11

09

08

14

09

15

03

29

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

2010

1445

1000

06

0615

1020

0836

1836

0455

0021

0508

1442

0434

1621

2052

22 29 10

0222

0331

1445

15 14 52.0

042353

18 26 28

13 01 23.3

024112.6

13 13 56.9

17 01 40.5

05 22 15.9

23 05 02.8

07 58 29.3

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°>

42.0 N

38.5 N

38.7 N

38.5 N

38.5 N

41.3 N

39.0 N

37.0 N

37.2 N

38.25 N

37.8 N

37.2 N

41.6 N

40.2 N

41.5 N

38.1 N

37.4 N

37.4 N

37.8 N

41.5 N

38.180N

38.4 N

38.8 N

38.232N

38.436N

37.226N

37.911N

41.645N

38.549N

37.700N

Longitude 

(°)

87.8 W

89.0 W

89.2 W

87.8 W

87.8 W

89.1 W

89.5 W

89.2 W

88.5 W

88.50 W

89.3 W

89.3 W

88.1 W

90.0 W

88.5 W

90.2 W

89.4 W

89.4 W

88.5 W

90.5 W

90.137W

90.2 W

90.1 W

89.785W

88.008W

89.307W

88.373W

89.369W

88.072W

88.470W

Depth 

(km)

_

_

000

on

005

001

021

Oil

014

002

Ref

105

113

113

105

353

105

113

38

529

302

105

529

529

38

38

113

529

529

105

149

349

20

105

349

349

349

349

349

349

370

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb Ms M

_ _ 4.40Mfa SC 

 5.20Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.90Mfa SC 

 4.50Mfa SC 

 4.80Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.60Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.40Mfa SC 

 

_ _ 4.90Mfa SC 

 5.20Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.90Mfa SC 

 4.80Mfa SC 

 5.lOMfa SC 

_ _ 4.80Mfa SC 

 4.50Mfa SC 

 5.10Mfa SC 

 4.80Mfa SC 

 4.60Mfa SC 

 4.80Mfa SC 

 4.00Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.60Mfa SC 

 4.20Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.00Mfa SC 

 4.30Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.40Mfa SC 

 3.80Mn SLM 3.44STT

5.3 5.50Mn SLM 5.27HRN

3.7 _ 4.50Mn DO 4.03STT

4.5 _ 4.70Mn DO 4.36STT

 4.10Mn GS 

Intensity

MMI

VI

vn

vn

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

vn

VI

vn

vn

VI

vn

vn

VI

vn

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

vn

VI

VI

VI

Ref

105

113

113

105

529

105

38

173

529

302

529

529

38

38

38

529

529

529

529

38

38

38

26

28

31

75

490

45

47

370

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

78

500

200

150

150

181

100

450

560

202

375

430

121

150

408

135

175

130

13

440

40

15

54

75

1

1473

230

400

7

1987 06 10 234854.8 38.713N 87.954W 010 74 4.9 5.1 5.20Mn SLM 4.96JOH VI 592 433

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1804. Aug. 20. Fort Dearborn (Chicago), 111.

The earthquake was felt at the south end of Lake 

Michigan and at Fort Wayne, Ind. (about 320 km 

from the epicenter). (Ref. 38, 105, 353.)

1838. June 9. Southern Illinois. Several catalogs place the epicenter of this earthquake near St. 

Louis, Mo., because of a report of a chimneys being 

thrown down at St. Louis and because it was 

"severely felt" at St. Charles, Mo. Although reported

effects do not support an intensity of VII, that 

intensity is assigned because of the similarity of the 

distribution of intensity to that of the earthquake of 

Oct. 8, 1857. Felt reports recorded at common points 

are one-half to one unit of intensity higher for the 

1857 earthquake. Also felt in Illinois, Indiana, and 

Kentucky. Magnitude Ms 5.7 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 113, 

353, 529.)

1857. Oct. 8. Southern Illinois. This severe 

earthquake was centered in the Mississippi River 

valley between St. Louis, Mo., and Centralia, 111. At 

Centralia, the first of three reported shocks threw 

down chimneys; at St. Louis, it moved furniture,
EARTHQUAKES IN ILLINOIS 225

dislocated bricks, and felled plaster. The largest 

buildings rocked and articles fell from mantles. 

Reports indicate that the Mississippi River was in 

tumult. Felt in many towns in Illinois, along the Mississippi River south of Hannibal, Mo., in western 

Kentucky, and in parts of Indiana and Iowa. (Ref. 

105, 109, 113, 353, 529.)

1876. Sept. 25, 06 and 06 15 UTC. Wabash 

River valley. These earthquakes were felt most 

strongly between Friendsville and Mt. Carmel, 111., 

and Evansville, Ind. They were described as "heavy" 

at Friendsville. The second shock threw down chimneys at Vincennes, Ind., alarmed residents at Evansville, Ind., and caused slight damage at Louisville 

and Owensboro, Ky. They were felt from St. Louis, 

Mo., to Indianapolis, Ind., and Louisville, Ky. (Ref. 

38, 105, 353, 463, 529.)

1881. May 27. La Salle, 111. Before daybreak, a 

shock in the southwest part of La Salle, about 90 

km northeast of Peoria, formed six parallel fissures 

that were traceable for 183 m in a northwest-southeast direction. Walls, foundations, and furnaces in 

bottle and glass factories cracked in many places. 

(Ref. 105, 463.)

1882. Sept. 27. Southern Illinois. A chimney 

was cracked severely at Greenfield, Green County, 

111., and a crack in the wall of a building was widened considerably at Salem, Marion County. People 

were awakened and small objects were displaced 

throughout the area. The felt area extended from 

Mexico, Mo., to Vincennes, Ind., and Henderson, Ky, 

in an east-west direction, and from Springfield to 

Pickneyville, 111., in a north-south direction. (Ref. 38, 

113, 353, 463.)

1883. Apr. 12. Cairo, Pulaski County, m. A 

strong local earthquake rattled windows for 30 seconds and awakened everyone in Cairo, in southern 

Illinois near the Kentucky-Missouri border. People 

were injured slightly in the collapse of an old frame 

house. (Ref. 38, 105, 173, 463.)

1887. Aug. 2. Southern Illinois. This severe 

shock broke windows at Cobden, 111., cracked brick 

walls at Jonesboro, 111., and Russellville, Ky, and 

loosened some plaster at Nashville, Tenn. Also felt in 

Indiana and Missouri and as far south as Huntsville, 

Ala. Magnitude 4.7 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 529.)

1891. Sept. 27 (Sept. 26). Near Mount Vernon, 

Jefferson County, 111. Several chimneys were toppled at Mount Vernon, and the ceiling and sidewalls 

of the Methodist Church were damaged. Chimney 

damage also was reported at Browns and Nashville, 

111., and Cloverport, Ky. Plaster was knocked down at 

Jerseyville, Murphysboro, and Warsaw, 111. Also felt 

in all or parts of Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri,

Ohio, and Tennessee (see fig. 28). Magnitude 5.8 nib 

BAR. (Ref. 302, 353, 529.)

1903. Feb. 9 (Feb. 8). Mississippi River valley. This earthquake threw down chimneys in Jackson County at Grand Tower and Murphysboro, 111., 

and damaged chimneys east of Murphysboro, at 

Carterville and Harrisburg, 111. It was strongly felt 

from Jeffersonville, Mo., to Louisville, Ky, and from 

Cairo, 111., to Hannibal, Mo. (Ref. 38, 105, 353, 529.)

1905. Aug. 22 (Aug. 21). Southern Illinois. 

Chimneys were shaken down at Cairo, Pulaski 

County, 111., and, about 40 km southwest, at 

Sikeston, Mo. Chimneys also were broken or partly 

collapsed at nearby Charleston, Mo., and, about 175 

km southeast, at Clarksville, Tenn. The earthquake 

was felt most strongly along the Mississippi and 

Ohio River valleys, including parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and 

Tennessee (Ref. 109, 353, 529.)

1909. May 26. Aurora, Kane County, 111. This 

earthquake has been related to the La Salle anticline 

in the Illinois Basin. Many chimneys fell, a stove 

overturned, and gas line connections broke at 

Aurora, west of Chicago. Several chimneys were 

downed at Forreston, Naperville, Streator, Triumph, 

and Troy Grove, and one fell at Waukegan. Brick 

walls cracked at Bloomington, and sidewalks cracked 

and many chimneys were damaged at Freeport. At 

Platteville, Wis., about 130 km northwest of Chicago, 

an old building was cracked; houses were jostled out 

of plum at Beloit, Wis., about 240 km northwest of 

Chicago. Felt from Missouri to Michigan and Minnesota to Indiana. Magnitude 5.1 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 

105, 353, 529.)

1909. July 19 (July 18). Between Havana and 

Petersburg, 111. Chimneys were demolished on more 

than 100 buildings in Menard County at Petersburg, 

northwest of Springfield. At a farm west of Petersburg, 20 windows broke and bricks pushed out above 

the doors. Fallen chimneys also were reported northwest of Springfield at Davenport, Iowa, and west of 

Springfield at Hannibal, Mo. Several newspaper 

articles describe this earthquake but do not report 

property damage. (Ref. 38, 105, 353, 529.)

1912. Jan. 2. Near Aurora, Freeport, Morris, 

and Yorkville, 111. The highest intensity was 

reported at those towns in Kane, Stephenson, 

Grundy, and Kendall Counties, respectively. Slight 

damage to chimneys was reported at Batavia and 

Geneva, 111., north of Aurora, in Kane County. Two 

distinct shocks were observed at some places. The 

stronger shock also was felt in parts of Indiana, 

Iowa, Kentucky (Fulton County), and Wisconsin. 

(Ref. 38, 105, 353, 529.)
226 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

94° 92° 90° 88° 86°

EXPLANATION

Epicenter .' 

VII Intensity 7

34'

FIGURE 28. Isoseismal map for the southern Illinois earthquake of September 27, 1891. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in references 302 and 529 of table 1.

1922. Mar. 22. Southern Illinois. This strong 

earthquake knocked down 25 chimneys at Illmo, 

Scott County, Mo., and sent people rushing out of 

stores. Dishes fell from shelves at Carbondale, 111. 

Also felt in Kentucky and Tennessee. (Ref. 529.)

1922. Mar. 23 (Mar. 22). Southern Illinois. At 

Illmo, Mo., south of Cape Girardeau in Scott County, 

the earthquake knocked down "many more chimneys" 

(see above description of the main shock on Mar. 22). 

The shock was "violent" at Belleville, 111., and 

"severe" at Jonesboro, 111. Stovepipes were downed at 

Cape Girardeau, Mo., and people were knocked off 

their feet. Also felt at Evansville, Ind. (Ref. 529.)

1917. Apr. 9. Southern Illinois in the Mississippi River valley. At St. Louis, Mo., several chimneys were knocked down, windows were broken, and 

people were thrown to the pavement. At Granite 

City, Mo., buildings shifted on their foundations. At 

DeSoto, Mo., in Jefferson County, bricks fell from 

chimneys and the walls of several buildings were 

cracked. Many windows were broken and buildings 

rocked at Ste. Genevieve and St. Mary, Mo., south of 

St. Louis near the Illinois border. Heavy rumbling 

preceded and accompanied the earthquake in places. 

Felt from Kansas to Ohio and from Wisconsin to Mississippi (see fig. 29). (Ref. 38, 113, 353, 529.)
96° 94°

EARTHQUAKES IN ILLINOIS 

92° 9CP

227

88° 86°

EXPLANATION 

Epicenter 

VI Intensity 6

38°

36° ~

34C

FIGURE 29. Isoseismal map for the southern Illinois earthquake of April 9, 1917. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from data

listed in references 272 and 529 of table 1.

1922. Nov. 27 (Nov. 26). Near Eldorado, 

Saline County, 111. The earthquake broke several 

windows and downed chimneys at Eldorado. One

chimney flue was demolished and stovepipes fell at 

Harrisburg, 8 km southwest of Eldorado. Generally 

felt in southern Illinois, western Indiana, northern
228 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Kentucky, eastern Missouri, and western Tennessee. 

(Ref. 105, 109, 353, 529.)

1934. Aug. 20 (Aug. 19). Mississippi River 

valley near the Illinois-Missouri border. In the

area near Charleston, Mississippi County, Mo., chimneys were thrown down or lost bricks, windows were 

broken, and plaster was cracked. Destructive intensity covered an area of 600 km2, including Charleston, Mo., Arlington and Wickliffe, Ky, and Cairo and 

Mounds, 111. Felt north to Alton, 111.; east to Paducah 

and Marion, Ky.; south to Paris and Ripley, Term., 

and Corning and Paragould, Ark.; and west to Poplar 

Bluff and Greeneville, Mo. (Ref. 7, 38, 149, 149, 353.)

1934. Nov. 12. Near Rock Island, HI. In Rock 

Island and Moline, 111., and Davenport, Iowa, bricks 

fell from a few chimneys and pendulum clocks 

stopped. In Rock Island, a stucco cornice was dislodged from St. Joseph's School; some loose plaster 

was shaken from ceilings in the men's dormitory at 

Augustana College, and loose bricks were shaken 

from a few buildings. (Ref. 7, 38, 129, 149, 353.)

1947. June 30 (June 29). Waterloo-Dupo, 111., 

area, south of St. Louis, Mo. At St. Louis, several 

chimneys were toppled and a sidewalk was cracked. 

(Ref. 20, 38, 105, 353.)

1953. Sept. 11. Southwest Illinois. At Roxana, 

north of East St. Louis, in Madison County, cracks 

formed in a concrete-block foundation and in plaster. 

Also felt in eastern Missouri. (Ref. 26, 105, 353.)

1955. Apr. 9. West of Sparta, Randolph 

County, 111. Concrete foundations and plaster walls 

were cracked at Evansville, 111. (about 20 km west of 

Sparta), and at Lemay, University City, and Webster 

Groves, Mo. Also felt in Kentucky and Missouri. 

Magnitude 4.5 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 28, 349, 353.)

1958. Nov. 8 (Nov\7). Southeast Illinois, near 

the Indiana border. Plaster fell at Dale (Hamilton 

County) and Albion (Edwards County), and a basement wall cracked at Maunie (White County). Also 

felt in Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. Magnitude 

4.5 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 31, 38\ 105, 349, 353.)

1965. Aug. 14. Southwest Illinois. This strong 

local earthquake at Ta\nms (Alexander County) 

downed chimneys, cracked \walls, muddied water, and 

knocked stock from shelves. (Ref. 75, 349, 353.)

1968. Nov. 9. Southern Illinois. This was the 

strongest felt earthquake ill southern Illinois since 

the 1895 Missouri event. Property damage in the 

area consisted mainly of fallen bricks from chimneys, 

broken windows, toppled television aerials, and

cracked or fallen plaster. In the epicentral area, near 

Dale, Hamilton County, MM intensity VII was characterized by downed chimneys, cracked foundations, 

overturned tombstones, and scattered instances of 

collapsed parapets.

Most buildings that sustained damage to chimneys 

were 30 to 50 years old. A large two-story brick 

house near Dale, 111., sustained several thousand dollars damage. About 10 km west of Dale, near Tuckers Corners, a concrete and brick cistern collapsed. 

A large amount of masonry damage occurred at the 

City Building at Henderson, Ky, 80 km east-southeast of the epicenter. Moderate damage to chimneys 

and walls occurred in several towns in south-central 

Illinois, southwest Indiana, and northwest Kentucky. 

Felt over all or parts of 23 States (see fig. 30): from 

southeast Minnesota to central Alabama and Georgia 

and from western North Carolina to central Kansas. 

People in multistory buildings in Boston, Mass, and 

southern Ontario, Canada, felt the earthquake. Magnitude 5.2 MS NTT, 5.5 mb NUT, 5.38 M JOH (Ref. 

41, 263, 349, 353, 490.)

1972. Sept. 15 (Sept. 14). Northern Illinois.

Cracks in chimneys, tombstones, elevated water 

tanks, and plaster occurred at Amboy (Lee County), 

south of Rockford. Chimney and plaster cracks were 

observed at Holcomb, northeast of Amboy, in Ogle 

County. Also felt in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Magnitude 3.3 

MS NTT, 4.4 mb NUT. (Ref. 45, 263, 349, 353.)

1974. Apr. 3. Southeast Illinois. Minor damage, generally in the form of cracked and broken 

chimneys, occurred in Wabash County. At West 

Salem, a few chimneys and tombstones were 

shaken down and other chimneys were damaged. 

Slight damage occurred at many towns in Indiana and Illinois. Also felt in Arkansas, Iowa, 

Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, 

Virginia, and Wisconsin. Magnitude 4.7 Mn SLM. 

(Ref. 47, 349, 353.)

1984. June 29. Southern Illinois. At Harrisburg, in Saline County, one house sustained structural damage. Also felt in western Kentucky and 

southeast Missouri. Magnitude 3.8 Mn SLM. 

(Ref. 370.)

1987. June 10. Near Olney, Richland 

County, HI. Minor damage in the form of cracks in 

chimneys, hairline cracks in plaster and drywall, 

and cracks in house foundations was reported in
EARTHQUAKES IN ILLINOIS

City Building in Henderson, Kentucky, damaged by the November 9, 1968, southern Illinois earthquake.

(Photograph by the Gleaner Journal.)

several towns in Illinois and Indiana. The most 

serious damage was observed at Olney, 111., where 

chimneys toppled and bricks fell from chimneys; at 

West York, 111. (about 60 km northeast of Olney), 

where chimneys were broken at their rooflines; at 

Evansville, Ind. (about 100 km southeast of Olney), 

where underground pipes were damaged and large 

cracks formed in sidewalks and streets; and at Louisville, Ky. (about 200 km southeast of Olney),

where one downed chimney and widespread minor 

damage were reported.

Felt over a large area of the United States, including all or parts of 17 States from Illinois east to 

Pennsylvania and West Virginia, west to Kansas and 

Nebraska, south to Alabama and Georgia, and north 

to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and southern Ontario, Canada. This was the largest earthquake in the area in 

19 years since Nov. 9, 1968. (Ref. 74, 577, 583, 592.)
230

100°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

95° 90° 85° 80°

45°

35°

FIGURE 30. Isoseismal map for the southern Illinois earthquake of November 9, 1968. This map is a simplified version of figure 3 in

reference 490 of table 1.
88°

INDIANA

86° 84°

42° MICHIGAN

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 4.0-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9 

5.0-5.4

40° ILLINOIS

South Bend

INDIANA

Fort Wayne

OHIO

O

Terre Haute

Indianapolis

38°

KENTUCKY

100 KILOMETERS

Earthquakes in Indiana with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

231
232 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

INDIANA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Origin Hypocenter

time (urc) Latitude

Yr Mo Da

1827 07

1827 08

1827 08

1887 02

1891 07

1899 04

1909 09

1921 03

1925 04

05

07

07

06

27

30

27

14

27

h m s

1130

0430

07

2215

0228

0205

0945

1215

0405

(°)

38.0

38.0

38.0

38.7

37.9

38.5

39.8

39.5

38.2

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude (°;

87.5

88.0

88.0

87.5

87.5

87.4

87.2

87.5.

87.8

)

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

Depth Ref

(km)

 529

 529

 105

 38

 38

 529

 529

 113

 529

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment

mb MS M

 4.80Mfa SC 

 4.80Mfa SG 

_ _ 4.70Mfa BAR 

 4.60Mfa SC 

 4.10Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.90Mfa SC 

 5.10Mfa SC 

 4.40Mfa SC 

 4.80Mfa SC 

Intensity

MMI

VI

V

V

VI

VI

vn

vn

VI

VI

Ref

353

529

105

529

38

38

38

529

67

Felt area

(1,000km2)

430

170

22

179

377

89

325

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1827. July 5. Near New Harmony, Posey 

County, Ind. The earthquake cracked a brick store 

at New Harmony, Ind., and "greatly alarmed" some 

people. It was described as violent at New Madrid, 

Mo., and severe at St. Louis. It also alarmed many at 

Cincinnati, Ohio, and Frankfort, Ky. Magnitude 4.8 

Mfa BAE. (Ref. 105, 353, 529.)

1887. Feb. 6. Near Vincennes, Knox County, 

Ind. This shock was strongest in southwest Indiana 

and southeast Illinois. Plaster was shaken from walls 

at Vincennes, Ind., and west of Terre Haute, at Martinsville, 111.; a cornice reportedly fell from a building 

at Huntington, Ind. It was felt distinctly at Evansville, Ind., but only slightly in the outskirts of St. 

Louis, Mo. Also reported felt at Louisville, Ky. (Ref. 

38, 105, 353, 529.)

1891. July 27 (July 26). Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Ind. A strong local earthquake damaged a wall on a hotel, broke dishes, and overturned 

furniture at Evansville. The shock also was strong 

near Evansville at Mount Vernon and Newburgh, 

Ind., and at Hawesville, Henderson, and Owensboro, 

Ky. Magnitude 3.8 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 105, 529.)

1899. Apr. 30 (Apr. 29). Near Vincennes, Knox 

County, Ind. Brick walls cracked and several chimneys fell at Vincennes, and the tops of many chimneys were shaken down at Princeton in Gibson 

County. Toppled chimneys also were reported at

Greencastle, Putnam County, northeast of Terre 

Haute. The shock was "heavy" at Jeffersonville, near 

Louisville, Ky. Also felt in Illinois and Kentucky 

Magnitude 4.6 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 105, 353, 529.)

1909. Sept. 27. Wabash River valley, between 

Terre Haute and Vincennes, Ind. At Terre Haute 

(Vigo County), two chimneys were thrown down, 

plaster was cracked, and pictures were shaken from 

walls. At Covington, north of Terre Haute in Fountain County, a few chimneys were downed and windows were broken. Chimneys were "jarred loose" 

south of Vincennes at Princeton, Ind., one chimney 

was shaken to pieces at Olivette, Mo. (a suburb of St. 

Louis), and a brick wall was shaken down at St. 

Louis, Mo. Also reported felt in Arkansas, Illinois, 

Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee (see fig. 31). 

Magnitude 4.8 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 105, 353, 529.)

1921. Mar. 14. Near Terre Haute, Vigo 

County, Ind. This earthquake broke windows in 

many buildings and sent residents rushing into the 

streets at Terre Haute. Small articles were overturned at Paris, 111., about 35 km northwest of Terre 

Haute. Magnitude 4.4 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 113, 529.)

1925. Apr. 27 (Apr. 26). Wabash River valley, 

near Princeton, Gibson County, Ind. Chimneys 

were downed at Princeton and at Carmi, 111., 100 km 

southwest; chimneys were "broken" at Louisville, Ky. 

Crowds fled from the theatres at Evansville, Ind. The 

felt area includes parts of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, 

Missouri, and Ohio. Magnitude 4.8 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 

67, 105, 218, 353, 529.)
96° 94'

EARTHQUAKES IN INDIANA 

90° 88°

233

86° 84° 82°

36°

34

FIGURE 31. Isoseismal map for the Wabash River valley, Indiana, earthquake of September 27, 1909. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in reference 529 of table 1.

102° 100° 98° 96° 94°

40°

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.3-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9 

5.0-5.4

OQ

Ou

NEBRASKA

Goodland

38°

Hays

KANSAS

Manhattan

-eDodge City Wichita

100 KILOMETERS 

J OKLAHOMA

Earthquakes in Kansas with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.
236 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

KANSAS

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1867 04 

1897 12 

1906 01 

1931 08 

1956 01

Da

24 

02 

08 

09 

06

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

2022 

0710 

0015 

061837 

11 58 07.4

Hypocenter

Latitude

39.2 N 

38.0 N 

39.3 N 

39.1 N 

37.583N

Longitude

96.3 W 

96.5 W 

96.6 W 

94.7 W 

98.346W

Depth 

(km)

029

Ref

174 

174 

63 

105 

349

Magnitude

USGS Other

IDb MS

 5.10Mfa BAR 

_ _ 4.50Mfa BAR 

 4.90Mfa BAR 

_ 3.80Mfa BAR 

_ _ 4.40Mfa DG

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

 vn

 VI

 vn

 VI 

 VI

Ref

38 

174 

109 

174 

29

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

500 

116 

95

1 

41

1979 06 30 204642.3 39.922N 97.287W 007 349 3.30Mn GS VI 262

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1867. Apr. 24. Manhattan, Riley County, 

Kans. This earthquake inflicted several minor injuries, cracked walls, and loosened stones from buildings. At Manhattan, a 0.6-m wave was observed 

moving south to north on the Kansas River. Chimneys were downed in Louisville (Pottawatomie 

County) and Leavenworth. One side of a large building that housed a newspaper office was knocked 

down at Paola, south of Kansas City, in Miami 

County. East of Manhattan, the earth opened and 

ejected much water on a farm about 5 km south of 

Wamego.

Additional minor damage occurred in Iowa at 

Dubuque (plaster fell); in Kansas at Junction City 

(a well being dug was destroyed), Kansas City 

(plaster was shaken down), Lawrence (several 

stones were knocked off a church), Olathe (roof 

shingles were knocked to the ground), and Wamego 

(walls were cracked and plaster was broken); and in 

Missouri at Chillicothe (plaster fell from ceilings), 

St. Joseph (walls of new school house were 

cracked), and Warrensburg (plaster fell from ceiling). This earthquake is one of the important 

shocks that define the Midcontinent seismic trend. 

Also felt in Indiana and Illinois.

The felt area shown in the Kansas hypocenter list 

(500,000 km2) is based on information in the original 

source reference, which states that the earthquake 

was felt only in the territory east of the epicenter.

Information on this shock is sparse for the region 

west of the epicenter, and so the felt area given is 

only a rough estimate. (Ref. 38, 63, 105, 174, 353.)

1906. Jan. 8 (Jan. 7). Manhattan, Riley 

County, Kans. The earth movement at Manhattan 

sent residents fleeing from their houses. Only a few 

chimneys fell, but something was broken in almost 

every house. Plaster was knocked from walls in the 

surrounding towns of Junction City, Wamego, and 

Westmoreland. Also felt in Missouri and Nebraska. 

(Ref. 63, 109, 174, 353.)

1931. Aug. 9. Near Merriam, Johnson 

County, Kans. A stron^ local earthquake broke 

dishes and bounced pictures from walls at Merriam 

and overturned furniture at Turner. Also felt in Missouri. (Ref. 4, 105, 174, 353.)

1956. Jan. 6. South-central Kansas. Chimneys 

sustained slight damage at Coldwater and Medicine 

Lodge, Kans., near the Oklahoma border. Plaster fell 

to the floor at Wilmore, Kans., and Alva, Okla. Walls 

were reported cracked in a few towns. This earthquake was centered near the northern margin of the 

Anadarko Basin. Magnitude 4.3 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 29, 

105, 349, 353.)

1979. June 30. Mahaska, Washington County,

Kans. Large amounts of plaster cracked and fell and 

the foundation of a concrete-block building cracked at 

Mahaska, on the Kansas-Nebraska border, north of 

Salina. Slight damage also occurred in the towns of 

Haddam, Narka, and Morrowville. Also felt in 

Nebraska. (Ref. 262, 349.)
Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.5-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9 

5.0-5.4

36

Earthquakes in Kentucky with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.
238 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

KENTUCKY

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (-) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr

1779

1791

1841

1850

1858

1878

1883

1916

1925

1954

1976

1980

1988

Mo

04

12

04

09

03

01

12

09

01

01

07

09

Da

28

05

21

12

11

19

02

02

19

27

07

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

12

0550

0205

1000

0712

0542

1156

0325

062039.6

185221.4

022809.5

Hypocenter

Latitude

37.0 N

37.5 N

36.6 N

37.0 N

36.5 N

36.8 N

37.0 N

36.6 N

37.8 N

36.6 N

36.866N

38.193N

38.143N

Longitude

85.0

85.0

89.2

88.0

89.2

89.1

89.0

89.2

87.5

83.7

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

83.861W

83.891W

83.878W

Depth Ref 

(km)

 38

 145

 105

 529

 105

 105

 529

 105

 353

 38

001 349

006 349

010 74

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment

Tib MS M

_ _ . __ _

 

 4.60Mfa SG 

_ _ 4.90Mfa SG 

 4.20Mfa BAR 

 4.20Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.60Mfa SC 

 3.80Mfa BAR 

_ _ 4.60Mfa SC 

 4.30Mfa SC 

4.0 3.80Mn SLM 

5.1 4.7 5.00Mn SLM 5.03HRR

4.5 _ 4.60Mn BLA 

Intensity

MMI

Felt

Felt

V

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

VI

Ref

130

145

38

159

159

463

529

109

113

27

49

300

578

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

40

185

@

200

60

15

667

103

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1791 or 1792. April or May. Kentucky. This 

earthquake is assumed to have caused damage. Furniture was agitated by the shock. Felt in northern 

and eastern parts of Kentucky. Few settlements 

existed farther west to report this event. The shock 

was preceded by a rumbling noise. (Ref. 38, 145.)

1858. Sept. 21. Line Shore, Fulton County, 

Ky. The earthquake was so severe at Line Shore, a 

community south of Hickman, that a woman 200 m 

from her house fell down four times before reaching 

her door. She thought that her house was going to 

collapse. (Ref. 105, 159.)

1878. Mar. 12. Columbus, northwest Hickman County, Ky. A severe earthquake in western 

Kentucky overturned furniture at Columbus, about 

55 km southwest of Paducah. A section of a bank on 

the Mississippi River caved in. (Ref. 105, 463.)

1883. Jan. 11. Mississippi River valley. A 

moderate tremor shook an area from St. Louis, Mo., 

to Memphis, Tenn. At Paducah, Ky, several brick 

walls were cracked slightly, and at Hopkinsville, windows were broken. Small boats were "dashed about" 

on the river at Mound City, 111. In the St. Louis area, 

buildings swayed gently and engine bells rang. At 

Clarksville, Tenn., cooking utensils and other small 

articles were displaced. Mag. 4.6 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 105, 

353, 463, 529.)

1916. Dec. 19 (Dec. 18). Hickman, Fulton 

County, Ky. Bricks were shaken from chimneys at 

Hickman in southwest Kentucky. Two strong local 

shocks were felt. (Ref. 105, 109, 272, 353.)

1925. Sept. 2. Near Henderson, Ky. Landslides 

occurred at Henderson, about 15 km south of Evansville, Ind., and one chimney fell. Plaster was 

knocked from ceilings and walls at Owensboro, Ky, 

west of Henderson; a few bricks were displaced on 

chimneys at Evansville, Ind.; and a chimney toppled 

at Louisville, Ky, about 100 km northeast of Henderson. Several strong shocks were felt, but the last 

one was the strongest. The felt area of the main 

earthquake includes southern Illinois, southern Indiana, western Kentucky, southeastern Missouri, and 

northern Tennessee. Magnitude 4.8 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 

105, 113, 353, 529.)

1954. Jan. 2. (Jan. 1). Southeast Kentucky.

The earthquake left cracks in foundations of houses 

and dislodged loose bricks in Bell County at Middlesboro. Tables slid across the floor, and residents were 

alarmed. Also felt in parts of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. (Ref. 27, 38, 508.^

1976. Jan. 19. Southeast Kentucky. Minor 

property damage occurred in Knox and Bell Counties. Damage reports from the area of maximum 

intensity include broken windows at Artemus; cracks 

in plaster and walls at Barbourville, Hinkle, Kettle 

Island, Pineville, and Woodbine; cracks in a brick 

school building at Walker; and cracks in a concrete 

sidewalk at Green Road. Material fell from a ceiling
EARTHQUAKES IN KENTUCKY 

86° 84° 82°

239

78°

44°

42°

EXPLANATION 

Epicenter 

VI Intensity 6

36° *-._I_

34<

FIGURE 32. Isoseismal map for the northern Kentucky earthquake of July 27, 1980. This is a simplified version of figure 21 in reference

300 of table 1.
240 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Cemetery monument in Washington, Kentucky, twisted by the July 27, 1980, Sharpsburg earthquake.

(Photograph by M. Hopper.)
EARTHQUAKES IN KENTUCKY 241

at Lexington, and rocks slid on tracks at the Eastover mine. Also felt in northwest North Carolina, 

northeast Tennessee, western Virginia, and southwest West Virginia. (Ref. 49, 349.)

1980. July 27. Northeast Kentucky, near 

Sharpsburg, Bath County. This earthquake, the 

strongest in the history of Kentucky, was felt over all 

or parts of 15 States and in Ontario, Canada (see fig. 

32). Damage occurred in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Property damage was estimated at $1 million at 

Maysville, about 50 km north of the epicenter, in 

Mason County, where 37 commercial structures and 

269 private residences were damaged to some extent. 

Multistory all-brick structures in the downtown area, 

many of which were built in the mid-1800's, were 

affected the most. Broken chimneys represented the 

most common type of damage observed: several toppled or were broken at or near the roofline, some had 

bricks loosened or broken off their tops, and others 

sustained cracks of varying lengths and widths. This

type of damage was a community-wide effect only in 

Maysville.

Cracks formed in the ground about 12 km from the 

epicenter. East of the epicenter, at Owingsville, ground 

cracks were estimated to be 6 to 10 cm deep and 30 m 

long. West of the epicenter, near Little Rock, ground 

cracks extending toward a cistern were observed on 

Stoner Road. Magnitude 4.7 Ms NLI, 5.2 Mn TUL, 5.0 

Mn PAL, 5.05 M JOH. (Ref. 38, 300, 340, 349.)

1988. Sept. 7 (Sept. 6). Northeast Kentucky, 

near Sharpsburg, Bath County. An earthquake 

northeast of Lexington caused slight damage in Bath, 

Menifree, Montgomery, and Nicholas Counties. 

Cracks in chimneys and foundations occurred east of 

Lexington, at Jeffersonville and Means, and northeast of Lexington, at Moorefield. Large cracks formed 

in exterior walls at Olympia, north of Means, in Bath 

County. Felt over a large area in several States, 

including parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. (Ref. 74, 578.)

LOUISIANA

EXPLANATION

Intensity

O VI

Alexandria

LOUISIANA

30

Damaging earthquake in Louisiana, intensity >. VI.

243
244 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

LOUISIANA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not av;ii!-'l>le]

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date time(UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ref 

Yr Mo Da h m s (°) (°) (ton)

USGS Other 

it MS

Moment MMI Ref Felt area 

M (1,000km8)

1930 10 19 1217 30.0 N 91.0 W 3 4.20Mfa BAR VI 38 48 &

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

the description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1930. Oct. 19. Near Napoleonville, Assumption Parish, La. The earthquake damaged chimneys 

and broke windows at Napoleonville and cracked 

plaster at White Castle, northwest of Napoleonville. 

Many people in the area rushed into the streets. 

Magnitude 4.4 Mn SLM. (Ref. 3, 38, 105.)
MAINE

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.6-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9/VI

O 5.0-5.4 

Q 5.5-5.9

Earthquakes in Maine with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VT.

245
246 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

MAINE

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1857

1870

1904

1905

1918

1928

1947

1957

1982

1982

Mo

12

02

03

07

08

02

12

04

01

01

Da

23

08

21

15

21

08

28

26

09

11

Origin

time (urc)

h m s

1830

0604

1010

041154

19 58 18

114008.6

12 53 51.8

21 41 07.9

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

44.1 N

44.1 N

45.0 N

44.3 N

44.2 N

45.3 N

45.2 N

43.535N

46.984N

46.975N

Longitude (°;

70.2

67.1

67.2

69.8

70.5

69.0

69.3

)

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

70.255W

66.656W

66.659W

Depth Ref

(km)

 76

 76

 38

 76

 78

 1

 77

005 349

010 74

006 74

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment

mb MS M

_ _ _ 

 

 5.10Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.40Mfa SC 

 4.20Mfa SC 

 3.60Mfa SC 

 4.50ML EPB 

_ _ 4.70Mn ST 4.40ST

5.7 5.2 5.80Mn BLA 5.47EPB

5.4 4.5 5.50Mn BLA 

Intensity

MMI

VI

VI

vn

VI

vn

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

Ref

78

76

38

126

76

38

20

30

350

350

Felt area

(1,000km2)

11&

388

100

9

2

12

82&

570&

260&

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1857. Dec. 23. Near Lewiston, Androscoggin 

County, Me. At Lewiston, chimneys were thrown 

down and the ceiling of the depot building was 

shaken down. Residents described the earthquake as 

the most severe ever felt in the area. Glass was broken at Augusta and Gardiner, northeast of Lewiston, 

and residents rushed outside. Felt from Portland 

north to Waterville and from the coast west to Paris. 

(Ref. 76, 78.)

1870. Feb. 8. Bay of Fundy. This earthquake 

was reported in Maine and the Maritime Provinces of 

Canada. Little information is available on which to 

base an intensity evaluation. The intensity value 

listed here was assigned in ref. 76. (Ref. 76.)

1904. Mar. 21. Southeast Maine. This strong 

earthquake overthrew chimneys in Washington 

County, in the area of Calais and Eastport, Me., and 

at St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Felt throughout 

most of New England and the Provinces of New 

Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It was observed west to 

the Hudson River and Montreal, Canada, and south 

to southern Connecticut. (Ref. 38, 76.)

1905. July 15. Southern Maine. In Gardiner, 

south of Augusta, several chimneys in disrepair toppled; bricks were shaken from chimneys in 

Androscoggin County at Auburn and Monmouth. 

Felt from northeastern Massachusetts through 

southern New Hampshire to central Maine. (Ref. 38, 

76, 78, 126.)

1918. Aug. 21 (Aug. 20). Southern Maine.

West of Augusta, at Norway and South Paris, bricks 

tumbled from chimneys and a few chimneys were 

cracked. "A hundred or more chimneys will need topping out before winter." Stovepipes were "unjointed" 

in houses at Norway, and bed slats dropped to the 

floor. A temporary change of about 10 cm in the level 

of Lake Sebago, northwest of Portland, was observed. 

(Ref. 38, 76, 78, 272.)

1928. Feb. 8. Milo, Piscataquis County, Me. 

This local event cracked plaster walls and knocked 

dishes from shelves at Milo, north of Bangor. It was 

a distinct tremor, followed at 5- to 6-minute intervals 

by smaller shocks. (Ref. 1, 38.)

1957. Apr. 26. Near coast of Maine. Minor damage occurred in Cumberland County at Portland and 

Westbrook, Me. Chimneys split and windows and 

dishes broke at Westbrook; plaster and walls cracked 

and merchandise fell from shelves at Portland. Reports 

of minor damage also were received from observers on 

ships about 32 km offshore. (Ref. 30, 38, 349.)

1982. Jan. 9. New Brunswick, Canada. Cracks 

in streets, chimneys, and foundations, the most common type of damage sustained, occurred at several 

towns in Aroostook County, in northern Maine. In 

addition, cracks formed in sidewalks, plaster, and 

drywall in several towns. Tombstones were displaced 

at Lubec, and underground pipes were put out of service at Stockholm. Moderate aftershocks occurred on 

Jan. 11 (see description below), Mar. 31, Apr. 11, and 

June 16. The main earthquake was felt in Canada 

from the Gaspe Peninsula in the north to Prince 

Edward Island in the east and west to Montreal. In 

the United States, it was felt in Connecticut, Maine,
EARTHQUAKES IN MAINE 247

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode 

Island, and Vermont. Magnitude 5.8 Mn EPB. (Ref. 

74, 350.)

1982. Jan. 11. New Brunswick, Canada. This 

earthquake is an aftershock of the event on Jan. 9 

(see description above). Minor damage, including 

cracks in foundations and walls, occurred in

Aroostook County, Maine, at Caribou, Haynesville, 

Loring Air Force Base, Presque Isle, and Saint Francis. Felt in Canada from the Saint Lawrence River 

south to Nova Scotia and in the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 

York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Magnitude 5.5 Mn 

EPB. (Ref. 74, 350.)

13. 

cm

tr

i0>

IV
250 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

MASSACHUSETTS

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available!

Date

Yr

1627

1638

1663

1727

1744

1755

1761

1766

1800

1817

1847

1963

1963

Mo Da

06

02

11

06

11

03

02

12

10

08

10

10

11

05

10

14

18

12

02

25

05

08

16

30

Origin

time (urc)

h m s

07

2230

0340

1515

091135

0715

1645

1500

153059.7

22 36 57.9

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

42.6

46.5

47.6

42.8

42.6

42.7

42.7

42.0

41.9

42.5

41.7

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

42.401N

42.7 N

Longitude (°;

70.8

72.5

70.1

70.8

70.9

70.3

70.3

68.0

71.1

71.2

70.1

)

W

w

W

w

w

w

w

w

w

w

w

70.422W

70.8 w

Depth Ref

(km)

 126

 76

 76

r------ iJO

 78

 78

 78

 76

 76

 38

 78

014 349

 36

Magnitude Intensity

USGS Other Moment MMI

mb MS M

_ _ _ _ VI

_ _ _ _ DC

_ _ _ _ X

_ _ _ vn

_ _ _ ~_ vi

__ _ _ ~_ vm _ _ _ _ v

 VI

_ _ VI

_ VI

_ _ _ _ VI

 3.90Mn ST 3.40ST VI

 3.20ML WES 2.58ST VI

Ref

76

76

76

78

78

78

78

76

76

78

76

36

36

Felt area

(1,000km2)

__

1900&

296&

157 &

1000&

127&

55 &

34&

18 &

6&

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1.]

1627. Date unknown. Essex, Mass. This local 

earthquake at Essex, about 40 km northeast of 

Boston, was reported to be as violent as the shock 

of June 11, 1638 (see description below). (Ref. 59, 

76, 126.)

1638. June 11. Probably in the St. Lawrence 

River valley, Canada. Tops of chimneys were 

thrown down and dishes were knocked from shelves 

in the Salem-Lynn area, north of Boston, and at Plymouth, on the coast about 55 km southeast of Boston. At Plymouth, people had to hold on to posts to 

keep from falling. Ships near the coast reportedly 

were shaken. Also felt in Connecticut and Rhode 

Island. Aftershocks continued for 20 days. (Ref. 38, 

59, 76.)

1663. Feb. 5. St. Lawrence River valley 

region, Canada. This major earthquake caused vast 

landslides along the St. Maurice, Batiscan, and St. 

Lawrence Rivers. The earthquake was felt sharply in 

New England. On the shores of Massachusetts Bay, 

the tops of chimneys were broken on houses and 

pewter was jarred from shelves. (Ref. 38, 59, 76.)

1727. Nov. 10 (Nov. 9). Northern Cape Ann 

region, east of Newbury, Essex County, Mass. At 

Newbury, many stone walls and chimney bricks were 

shaken down, and almost all tops of chimneys were 

knocked off. Considerable changes occurred in the 

flow of water in springs and, in some springs, 

changes occurred in the character of the water. 

"Some firm land became quagmire, and marshes

were dried up." The rise and fall of the ground made 

it difficult to walk, and houses shook and rocked as if 

they would fall apart. Sand blows were reported near 

Spring Island. Felt from the Kennebec River in 

Maine to the Delaware River on the New YorkPennsylvania border and from ships at sea to the 

"extreme western settlements." Aftershocks occurred 

in the area for several months. The strongest aftershock (MM intensity V) occurred in the Newbury 

area on Dec. 28, 1727, and Jan. 4 and Feb. 10, 1728 

(local dates). (Ref. 38, 59, 78.)

1744. June 14. Southern Cape Ann, Mass., 

region (near Salem, Essex County, Mass.). Bricks 

were shaken from several chimneys in Boston and 

other towns, and pieces of stone fence were thrown 

down in the country. Many persons were alarmed at 

Newbury and Ipswich, Mass. The shock was reported 

from Falmouth, Me., to New York City. Several aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 38, 78.)

1755. Nov. 18. East of Cape Ann, Mass. This 

earthquake caused the heaviest damage in the region 

around Cape Ann and Boston. At Boston, much of 

the damage was confined to an area of infilled land 

near the wharfs. There, about 100 chimneys were 

leveled with the roofs of houses, and many others 

(1,200 to 1,500) were shattered and partly thrown 

down. Some chimneys, which were broken off below 

their tops, tilted dangerously 3 or 4 cm; others were 

twisted or partly turned. The gable ends of several 

brick buildings (12 to 15) were thrown down, and the 

roofs of some houses were damaged by the fall of 

chimneys. Stone fences were thrown down throughout the countryside, particularly on a line extending
EARTHQUAKES IN MASSACHUSETTS 251

from Boston to Montreal. New springs formed, and 

old springs dried up. At Scituate (on the coast southeast of Boston), Pembroke (about 15 km southwest of 

Scituate), and Lancaster (about 40 km west of Boston), cracks opened in the earth. Water and fine sand 

issued from some of the ground cracks at Pembroke.

The earthquake generated a tsunami that left vessels aground and fish on the banks after the water 

withdrew from St. Martin's Harbor in the West 

Indies. When the water flowed back into the harbor, 

it rose about 2 m higher than normal and inundated 

the low-lying lands.

This earthquake was reported from Halifax, Nova 

Scotia, south to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland 

and from Lake George, N.Y., east to a ship 320 km 

east of Cape Ann. The location of the ship is thought 

to be near the epicenter, because the shock was felt 

so strongly that those onboard believed the ship had 

run aground. Several aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 59, 

78, 502.)

1761. Mar. 12. East of Cape Ann, Mass. This 

earthquake is included in the list of magnitude > 4.5 

or intensity > VI events based on the large felt area 

documented on land from the estimated offshore location. While no damage was documented the large felt 

area and strong shaking indicates that this event is 

as large or larger than a magnitude 4.5 earthquake.

1766. Feb. 2. Off the coast of Massachusetts. 

This shock was felt throughout Massachusetts, 

Rhode Island, and other parts of New England. It 

was reported that the earthquake was "accompanied 

by a remarkable meteor." Note: Existing felt reports 

do not substantiate the MM intensity VI published in 

ref. 76 for this earthquake and the one in 1800 (see 

next paragraph), but an intensity of that level probably was assigned because the shocks were felt over 

such wide areas. (Ref. 59, 76.)

1800. Dec. 25. Eastern Massachusetts. A

severe shock was felt at Boston and Concord, Mass; 

Newport, R.I.; and elsewhere (see 1766 description 

above). (Ref. 59, 76.)

1817. Oct. 5. Northeast Massachusetts. Walls 

were thrown down at Woburn, in Middlesex County, 

according to ref. 59. Ref. 78 states that the "walls" 

referred to by ref. 59 possibly were stone fences, 

characteristic of rural New England pasture land, 

rather than house walls. Such walls were constructed 

of glacial boulders piled loosely on top of each other 

to form a stone fence. Felt in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and probably 

Rhode Island and Vermont. (Ref. 38, 59, 76, 78.)

1847. Aug. 8. Near Harwich, Barnstable 

County, Mass. A section of "the plastering" was 

thrown down at the Harwich Baptist Church; mirrors 

hanging on the wall were broken at Nantucket 

(south of Hyannis) and Sandwich (northeast of Hyannis). In the Yarmouth area, northeast of Hyannis, 

glass was broken and crockery shook from shelves. 

Felt throughout eastern Massachusetts. (Ref. 76, 78.)

1963. Oct. 16. Near the coast of Massachusetts. Slight damage at Somerville, north of downtown Boston, consisted of fallen plaster, cracks in 

walls, and fallen stones from building foundations. 

Also felt in Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode 

Island. (Ref. 36, 38, 349.)

1963. Oct. 30. Northeast of Peabody, Essex 

County, Mass. Slight damage occurred at Framingham, Peabody, and Swampscott. At Framingham, in 

Middlesex County, southwest of Boston, 3 m of stone 

foundation on a 155-year-old house collapsed. Northwest of Boston, at Peabody, cracks in wall plaster 

and a sidewalk occurred; and southeast of Peabody, 

at Swampscott, basement stairs were thrown out of 

alignment. Also felt in New Hampshire. (Ref. 36, 38.)

MICHIGAN

Magnitude

O 4.0-4.4 

4,5-4.9

100 KILOMETERS 

II

42

Earthquakes in Michigan with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

253
254 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

MICHIGAN

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date time(UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ref 

Yr Mo Da h m s (°) (°) (M

USGS Other 

nib MS

Moment MM) Ref Felt area 

M (1,000km2)

1905

1906

1947

07

05

08

27

26

10

0020

1442

024641.3

47.24 N

47.10 N

41.928N

88.45 W

88.64 W

85.004W

_

002

326

336

349

__ _ 4.50Mfa SC 

 4.20Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.60Mn BAS 

vn

vm

VI

38

38

20

40

2

158

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1905. July 27 (July 26). Calumet, Houghton 

County, Mich. This earthquake was associated 

with unstable geological conditions induced by mining operations in the area. The shock downed many 

chimneys and broke plate glass windows at Calumet, in northwest Michigan. Accompanied by a terrific explosion, the shock was felt throughout the 

Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan and as far east 

as Marquette. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 

326, 353.)

1906. May 26. Houghton, Mich. At the Atlantic 

mine, near Houghton (about 20 km southwest of Calumet), rails were twisted and a notable sinking of 

the earth was observed above the workings of the 

mine. These effects were not observed elsewhere. 

About 50 shocks were reported. Magnitude 3.6 Mfa 

BAR. (Ref. 38, 336, 353.)

1947. Aug. 10 (Aug. 9). Southern Michigan. 

Damage was heaviest in the area southeast of 

Kalamazoo at Athens, Bronson, Coldwater, Colon, 

Matteson Lake, Sherwood, and Union City. Chimneys 

were damaged, windows and plaster were broken, 

and brick cornices were downed. Also felt in Indiana, 

Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada, (see 

fig. 33). Magnitude 4.7 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 20, 349, 353.)
EARTHQUAKES IN MICHIGAN 255

90° 88° 86°

44'

FIGURE 33. Isoseismal map for the southern Michigan earthquake of August 10, 1947. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in reference 20 of table 1.

MINNESOTA

100 KILOMETERS 

I i

UNITED STATES

MINNESOTA

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 4.0-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9/VI

WISCONSIN

Earthquakes in Minnesota with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

257
258 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

MINNESOTA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date time(UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ref 

(°) (°) (km)

USGS Other

Yr MoDa h m s

Moment MMI Ref Felt area 

M (1,000km2)

1860 46.0 N 94.8 W 105

1917 09 03 2130 46.3 N 94.5 W 38

1975 07 09 145421.3 45.498N 96.100W 008 349

 VI 272 

_ _ 4.30Mfa SC VI 38 48

5.0 4.60Mn DG 4.29HRN VI 48 75

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1860. Date unknown. Long Prairie, Todd 

County, Minn. Little is known about the effects of 

this earthquake. MM intensity VI is assigned to the 

shock because it is described as "a harder shock" 

than that on Sept. 3, 1917. Ref. 272 describes an 

earthquake on a Sunday afternoon between the 

years 1865 and 1870. The above reports probably 

refer to an earthquake between 1860 and 1870. (Ref. 

105, 272.)

1917. Sept. 3. Staples, Todd County, Minn. 

The earthquake was most severe at Staples, a

railway village on the north edge of Todd County, 

where chimneys toppled and many windows were 

broken. The shock also cracked the wall of a brick 

building, the concrete floor in the city clerk's office, 

and concrete sidewalks. Several courses of bricks 

were dislodged from a chimney at Brainerd, east 

of Staples, and a chimney was thrown down near 

Lincoln, south of Staples. Also observed in Minneapolis, 190 km southeast of Staples. (Ref. 38, 105, 

272, 491.)

1975. July 9. Western Minnesota. The earthquake caused minor damage to walls and foundations of basements in Stevens County around 

Morris. Also felt in Iowa, North Dakota, and South 

Dakota. Magnitude 4.8 Mn SLM. (Ref. 38, 48, 349.)
MISSISSIPPI

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 4.0-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9/VI

ARKANSAS

MISSISSIPPI

100 KILOMETERS 

I i

30

Earthquakes in Mississippi with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VT.

259
260 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

MISSISSIPPI

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter

Date time(irrc) Latitude Longitude

Yr Mo Da h m s (°) (°)

Depth Ref 

(km)

Magnitude

USGS Other

Tib MS

Intensity

Moment MMI Ref 

M

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

1931 12 17 0336 33.8 N 90.1 W 4 

1967 06 04 161412.6 33.552N 90.836W 006 349

 4.60Mfa SC VI 4 175 

3.8 _ 4.40Mn DG 4.28HRN VI 40 54

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1931. Dec. 17 (Dec. 16). Charleston, Tallahatchie County, Miss. Several chimneys were 

thrown down at Charleston, and the walls and foundation of the Agricultural High School were cracked. 

Minor damage to chimneys also occurred at Tillatoba 

and Water Valley; several buildings were damaged

slightly and plaster fell at Belzoni. Also felt in Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. (Ref. 4, 105.)

1967. June 4. Near Greenville, Washington 

County, Miss. A few instances of cracked plaster 

were reported at Greenville. One person near the epicenter observed a crack in his lawn about 0.5 1.3 cm 

wide and 12 m long. Also felt in Arkansas, Louisiana, 

and Tennessee. A slight aftershock was observed in 

the Greenville area on June 29. Magnitude 4.5 Mn 

BAR, 3.0 MS NUT, 4.5 mb NUT. (Ref. 40, 263, 349.)
MISSOURI

96° 94° 92° 90°

NEBR

40°

38°

KANSAS

IOWA

36°

OKLAHOMA

Kansas City

MISSOURI

Jefferson City

Springfield

ARKANSAS

0 100 KILOMETERS 

I____I____I i

O 3.6-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9/VI

Nev\J Madrid o f KY 

Q

O

Earthquakes in Missouri with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

261
262 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

MISSOURI

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-1 indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1812 01 23

1812 02 07

1812 11 09

1895 10 31

1902 01 24

1903 11 04

1903 11 04

1909 10 23

1915 12 07

1924 01 01

1934 08 20

1955 01 25

1956 11 26

1962 02 02

1963 03 03

1965 10 21

1967 07 21

1974 05 13

1975 06 13

1977 01 03

1987 09 29

1989 04 27

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

1500

0945

22

1108

1048

1818

1914

0710

1840

0305

004727

072439.1

04 12 43.3

064330.0

17 30 10.6

020439.1

091448.8

06 52 18.7

224027.5

225648.5

000457.2

164749.8

Hypocenter

Latitude

36.3 N

36.5 N

36.5 N

37.0 N

38.6 N

36.5 N

36.5 N

37.0 N

36.0 N

36.0 N

36.95 N

36.073N

36.914N

36.374N

36.642N

37.479N

37.440N

36.739N

36.543N

37.583N

36.840N

36.006N

Longitude

89.6 W

89.6 W

89.6 W

89.4 W

90.3 W

89.5 W

89.8 W

89.5 W

90.0 W

90.0 W

89.2 W

89.827W

90.387W

89.511W

90.050W

90.944W

90.443W

89.357W

89.682W

89.714W

89.2 10W

89.768W

Depth 

(km)

__

_

_

008

001

004

009

007

012

004

009

005

005

010

Ref

301

301

143

38

38

529

529

38

529

529

38

349

349

349

349

349

349

349

349

349

74

74

USGS 

rrib MS

_ _

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_ _ ___

 

 

 

 

5.1 

3.9 

4.3 

4.3 

 

4.6 

4.6 

Magnitude

Other

7.10Mfa NU

7.40Mfa NU

5.90Mfa SC

4.50Mfa SC

4.60Mfa SC

S.lOMfa SC

4.50Mfa BAR

4.50Mfa BAR

4.50Mfa SC

4.70Mfa SC

4.40Mfa SC

4.30Mfa SC

4.30Mn BAR

4.80Mn DG

4.80Mn DG

4.30Mn SIT

3.60Mfa SC

3.90Mn DG

3.60Mn DG

4.50Mn GS

4.30Mn GS

Intensity

Moment 

M

7.55NLI

7.88NLI

. 

4.22HRN

4.64HRN

4.59HRN

4.03HRN

3.73HRN

MMI

XI

xn

VI

vm

VI

VI

vn

V

V

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

VI

Ref

473

473

143

527

38

38

529

38

109

529

38

28

29

35

38

75

40

47

48

39

577

579

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

5000

5000

2037

130

168

340

125

120

150

85

85

70

90

208

420

53

2

13

6

35

57

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1812. Jan. 23. New Madrid, Mo. This is the 

third principal shock of the 1811-12 sequence. The 

first earthquake of this series on Dec. 16, 1811, was 

located in northeast Arkansas. It is difficult to assign 

intensities to the principal shocks that occurred after 

1811 because many of the published accounts 

describe the cumulative effects of all the earthquakes. Using the Dec. 16 earthquake as a standard, 

however, a comparison between it and the shock on 

Jan. 23 indicates that the intensities were about 

equal at similar locations. The meizoseismal area 

was characterized by general ground warping, ejections, fissuring, severe landslides, and caving of 

stream banks. Magnitude 8.4 MSn NLI. (Ref. 143, 

301, 353, 473. 529.)

1812. Feb. 7. New Madrid, Mo. This is the 

fourth and largest earthquake of the 1811-12 series. 

Several destructive shocks occurred on Feb. 7, the 

last of which equaled or surpassed the magnitude of

any previous event. The town of New Madrid was 

destroyed. At St. Louis, many houses were damaged 

severely and their chimneys were thrown down. The 

meizoseismal area was characterized by general 

ground warping, ejections, fissuring, severe landslides, and caving of stream banks. Magnitude 8.8 

MSn NLI. (Ref. 114, 143, 301, 353, 473, 529.)

1812. Nov. 9. New Madrid, Mo. This earthquake 

caused "much motion to furniture" at Cape Girardeau, 

about 75 km north of New Madrid. (Ref. 143.)

1895. Oct. 31. Near Charleston, Mississippi 

County, Mo. This is the largest earthquake to occur 

in the central Mississippi River valley since the 1811- 

12 series in the area of New Madrid, Mo. Structural 

damage and liquefaction phenomena were reported 

along a line from Bertrand, Mo., in the west to Cairo, 

111., in the east. Many sand blows were observed in 

an area southwest of Charleston, Mo., and south of 

Bertrand, Mo. Isolated occurrences of sand blows also 

were reported north and south of Charleston.

The most severe damage occurred in Charleston, 

Puxico, and Taylor, Mo.; Alton and Cairo, 111.; Princeton, Ind.; and Paducah, Ky. The earthquake caused
EARTHQUAKES IN MISSOURI 263

rv ,(< / u/ r^-v^^l/ / w- VA- 1/7

FIGURE 34. Isoseismal map for the Charleston, Missouri, earthquake of October 31, 1895. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in references 527 and 529 of table 1.

extensive damage (including downed chimneys, 

cracked walls, shattered windows, and broken plaster) to school buildings, churches, private houses, and 

to almost all the buildings in the commercial section 

of Charleston.

East of Charleston, at Cairo, 111., few buildings 

escaped at least the loss of a chimney or a broken 

window. The courthouse, library, and a church at 

Cairo sustained extensive damage, and the brick 

walls of many buildings in the downtown section 

were cracked badly. Other damage included a 

cracked pier on the Illinois Central Railroad bridge 

over the Ohio River and downed chimneys at

Gadsden, Ala.; Evansville and New Waverley, Ind.; 

Covington, Spottsville Depot, and Uniontown, Ky; St. 

Louis, Mo.; and Memphis, Term. Minor damage to 

property occurred throughout the region.

Felt from Chatham, Ontario, Canada, to New 

Orleans, La., and from Washington, B.C., to Wichita, 

Kans., an area that includes 23 States (see fig. 34). 

Magnitude 6.7 MSn NTL. (Ref. 38, 109, 113, 353, 

366, 527, 529.)

1902. Jan. 24. Near St. Louis, Mo. Two distinct 

earthquakes were felt in western Illinois, Kansas, 

and Missouri. The shocks were particularly severe in 

the western part of St. Louis. A street car conductor
264 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

stated that the Eads Bridge swayed perceptibly. Felt 

from Leavenworth, Kans., and Kansas City, Mo., to 

Springfield, 111. (Ref. 38, 105, 109, 353.)

1903. Nov. 4, 18 18 and 19 14 UTC. Near 

Charleston, Mississippi County, Mo. Two earthquakes occurred on this date, the second of which 

was the strongest. The first shock which damaged 

chimneys at New Madrid, Mo., was felt in Arkansas, 

Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. During the second shock at 19 14 UTC, chimneys were 

downed at Cape Girardeau and New Madrid, Mo. 

Minor damage also was reported at Maiden, Mo., 

Oxford, Miss., and Quincy, 111. This earthquake was 

felt over an area similar to that of the first shock but 

also was reported in Indiana. Magnitude 4.9 Mfa 

BAR (first shock); 4.7 Mfa BAR (second shock). (Ref. 

38, 105, 109, 353, 529.)

1924. Jan. 1 (1923, Dec. 31). Missouri. A few 

plate-glass windows were broken at Osceola (Mississippi County), Ark., and a few windowpanes were 

broken at Little Rock, Ark. Also felt in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.6 Mfa 

BAR. (Ref. 529.)

1955. Jan. 25. Mississippi River valley, near 

Finley, Tenn. Windows were shattered and plaster 

walls and ceilings were cracked in southeast Missouri and western Tennessee (in Dyer County at Finley). Windows cracked northwest of Finley at Hayti, 

Mo. Felt from Lepanto, Ark., north to Paducah, Ky, 

and east to Birmingham, Ala. Also felt in southern 

Illinois and northern Mississippi. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa 

BAR. (Ref. 28, 349, 353.)

1956. Nov. 26 (Nov. 25). Wayne County, Mo. 

Minor damage in the form of shattered windows and 

cracked walls was reported at Gmbville, Richmond 

Heights (suburb of St. Louis), and St. Louis; a concrete porch was cracked at Sturdivant. The felt area 

includes parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.3 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 

29, 38, 349, 353.)

1962. Feb. 2. New Madrid, Mo., near Catron 

and Marston. At Catron, two water pipes broke and 

walls and plaster cracked; at Marston, chimneys 

were damaged and windows cracked. Also felt in 

parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. 

Magnitude 3.5 Ms NUT, 4.3 mb NUT. (Ref. 35, 38, 

263, 349, 353.)

1963. Mar. 3. Near Poplar Bluff, Butler 

County, Mo. Minor damage in the form of fallen and 

cracked plaster; cracks in foundations, walls, sidewalks, chimneys, and windows; fallen bricks from

chimneys; and damaged water lines occurred in 

many towns in southeast Missouri. In addition, 

cracks in plaster and walls occurred in several towns 

in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Also 

reported felt in parts of Indiana, Kansas, and Mississippi, (see fig. 35). Magnitude 4.7 Mn BAR, 4.1 MS 

BAR, 4.8 mb NUT, 4.1 Ms NUT, 4.66 M JOH. (Ref. 

38, 263, 349, 353.)

1965. Oct. 21 (Oct. 20). Eastern Missouri.

Plaster was knocked down at St. Louis, northeast of 

the epicenter. Minor damage also occurred at 

Augusta (cistern cracked), Illmo (basement floor 

cracked), Pacific (sewer vent line cracked), and Reynolds (bricks fell from flue). Minor cracks in plaster, 

walls, and windows were reported from several towns 

in Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas. Also felt in Kentucky, 

Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.9 

Mb NUT, 4.1 Ms NUT. (Ref. 75, 263, 349, 353.)

1967. July 21. Near Poplar Bluff, Butler 

County, Mo. Plaster fell at Poplar Bluff, and plaster 

cracked north of Poplar Bluff at Elvins and Fredericktown. Felt mainly in southeast Missouri and 

southern Illinoi s. Magnitude 4.3 Mn BAR, 2.8 MS 

BAR. (Ref. 40, 349, 353.)

1974. May 13. New Madrid, Mo., region. The

City swimming pool at East Prairie, northeast of 

New Madrid, was "badly damaged," and plaster was 

cracked in several buildings. Also felt in Arkansas, 

Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.1 Mn 

SLM. (Ref. 47, 349.)

1975. June 13. New Madrid, Mo., region.

Damage was slight at Lilbourn, southwest of New 

Madrid, where plaster cracked and fell. Furniture 

overturned and broke at nearby Marston. Also felt in 

Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.3 

Mn SLM. (Ref. 48, 349.)

1977. Jan. 3. Cape Girardeau, Mo., region.

Plaster cracked and small objects fell at Old Appleton, about 35 km north of Cape Girardeau. Also felt 

in Illinois. Many aftershocks were felt on Jan. 3. 

Magnitude 3.4 Mn SLM. (Ref. 39, 349.)

1989. Apr. 27. Near Steele, Pemiscot County,

Mo. At Steele, near the Arkansas-Missouri-Tennessee border in southeast Missouri, large cracks formed 

in exterior walls of a brick building and plaster and 

drywall sustained hairline cracks. Chimneys, plaster, 

and drywall were cracked at nearby Hayti, and items 

fell from shelves in stores. Felt in parts of Arkansas, 

Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. Magnitude 4.2 Mn SLM. (Ref. 74, 579.)
EARTHQUAKES IN MISSOURI 

92° 90°

265

88° 86C

36'

34'

FIGURE 35. Isoseismal map for the southeast Missouri earthquake of March 3, 1963. Isoseismals are based on intensity esimates from

data listed in reference 36 of table 1.

116° 1 12° 108° 104°

48°

46°

44°

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.8-4.9/VI 

O 5.0-5.4/VI

O 5.5-5.9/VII 

6.0-6.4/VIII 

6.5-6.9/IX7.5-7.9/X-XII O

100 KILOMETERS

o2 H

Earthquakes in Montana with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.
268 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

MONTANA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader ( ) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr

1872

1895

1897

1897

1903

1908

1910

1925

1925

1925

1925

1926

1928

1929

1935

1935

1935

1935

1935

1935

1935

1935

1935

1936

1938

1938

1939

1940

1943

1945

1946

1947

1947

1950

1952

1952

1953

1958

1959

1959

1959

1959

1959

1959

1959

1959

1963

1964

1964

1964

Mo

12

09

06

11

03

12

04

06

06

06

07

12

02

02

10

10

10

10

10

10

11

11

11

02

06

06

05

12

06

09

12

03

11

08

04

04

08

05

08

08

08

08

08

09

09

11

02

10

10

10

Da

10

06

05

04

15

27

19

28

28

28

10

13

29

16

07

12

15

19

27

31

04

22

28

14

13

14

12

23

25

23

11

14

23

20

01

22

08

28

18

19

19

20

23

05

13

03

16

09

14

21

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

2330

1920

1222

0929

1757

0830

01 21 05

02 05 27

0420

1442

0044

2238

0300

1930

075039

2030

044802

1921

18 37 47

1123

0358

14 41 48

0030

1130

0532

0000

215029

042500

095748

1309

1800

094603.3

01 44 55

003741

16 54 42.5

1650

164554

06 37 13.5

190627.0

21 45 57.4

19 11 26.8

0840

1204

194934.8

170308

03 01 41.0

022602.4

160353.6

07 38 27.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

46.4 N

46.0 N

46.6 N

45.3 N

46.6 N

45.2 N

46.0 N

46.40 N

46.4 N

46.4 N

46.4 N

46.1 N

46.5 N

46.1 N

47.0 N

46.6 N

46.6 N

46.6 N

46.6 N

46.6 N

46.6 N

46.6 N

46.6 N

46.6 N

45.9 N

45.9 N

45.9 N

46.5 N

48.5 N

48.0 N

48.4 N

47.2 N

44.820N

47.25 N

48.0 N

46.2 N

47.9 N

46.5 N

44.7 12N

44.8 18N

44.773N

44.704N

44.7 N

44.7 N

44.722N

44.7 N

46.1 N

47.8 N

47.9 N

44.730N

Longitude 

(°)

112.5 W

112.5 W

112.0 W

112.6 W

112.0 W

111.9 W

112.5 W

111.24 W

111.2 W

111.2 W

111.2 W

111.2 W

112.0 W

111.3 W

111.9 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

111.3 W

111.3 W

111.3 W

112.5 W

105.0 W

114.3 W

114.4 W

113.5 W

111.713W

113.25 W

113.8 W

111.4 W

114.0 W

113.0 W

111.215W

111.588W

111.606W

111.678W

111.2 W

111.2 W

111.127W

111.2 W

111.0 W

114.2 W

114.3 W

111.807W

Depth 

(km)

_ _

025

_

005

__

^^

_

___

005

__

005

005

005

005

005

_

033

033

033

005

Ref

38

249

249

38

249

316

249

208

218

312

312

38

249

38

249

8

8

8

316

8

8

38

8

38

11

11

12

266

330

266

249

38

576

266

25

25

249

31

576

576

576

576

32

32

576

32

266

266

266

576

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb Ms M

 5.00Mfa MMT 

 5.00Mfa MMT 

 5.00Mfa MMT 

_ _ 6.40Mfa MMT 

 

_ _ _ __ __

 5.40UknMMT 

 6.75M8 GR 6.62DOR

 

 _ 

__ 

 5.40Mfa MMT 

_ __ 4.90MX REN 

 5.60Mfa MMT 

 

 5.90Mfa MMT 

 

 6.25MS GR 

 

 6.00MS GR 

_ _ 

 3.80ML KJ 

 5.00ML KJ 

 

 

____ W. ___ 

_ _ _ 

 

_ _ 4.00Mn EPB 

 5.50Mfa MMT 

__ _ 

 

 6.25MS GR 6.12DOR

 

 5.50Mfa MMT 

__ _ _ 

_ 

_ _ 4.40ML EPB 

 7.70ML BOT 7.28DSR

 S.OOUknBRK 

 4.70UknBRK 

 S.OOUknBRK 

 

_ _ 

_ _ 4.40ML EPB 

__ __n « , ,

4.5 

4^6 _ _ _

4.6 

5.8 5.00MS NUT 5.22DOR

Intensity

MMI

VI

V

V

VI

VI

VI

V

vm

vn

VI

V

V

IV

V

VI

vn

VI

vm

VI

vm

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

vm

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

X

V

Felt

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

V

Felt

V

Ref

38

249

249

38

249

38

316

38

312

312

218

38

1

38

38

38

249

38

38

38

249

38

38

259

249

249

12

38

38

18

19

38

20

23

25

25

26

31

38

249

32

38

38

38

32

32

36

37

37

37

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

30

30

30

500

_

70

1000

518

130

130

78

161

181

570

315

_

34

233

_

18

3

95

8

@

340

10

77

4

13

1175

__

__

15

65
EARTHQUAKES IN MONTANA 269

MONTANA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1965 01 06

1965 10 08

1966 03 07

1969 04 01

1969 04 01

1969 09 15

1969 11 07

1972 11 02

1974 07 01

1975 02 04

1977 03 11

1977 10 19

1978 04 23

1979 05 08

1982 10 26

1983 03 17

1985 04 01

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m 3

020120.7

19 34 59.8

180942.6

164509.1

170518.1

000239.0

001129.1

03 41 31.3

18 23 07.3

013252.1

050938.3

16 50 50.9

232437.0

005844.8

08 26 29.9

07 25 56.6

09 13 14.2

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

44.772N

44.713N

46.3 N

47.90 N

47.98 N

47.9 N

47.9 N

46.15 N

44.56 N

48.21 N

46.024N

44.77 N

46.97 N

44.75 N

44.75 N

47.526N

47.276N

Longitude 

(°)

112.746W

111.272W

111.5 W

114.30 W

114.38 W

114.2 W

114.2 W

111.50 W

111.09 W

114.11 W

111.457W

111.81 W

113.27 W

111.38 W

111.75 W

112.702W

113.233W

Depth 

(km)

005

005

013

010

015

019

004

005

005

008

005

010

005

005

005

005

010

Ref

576

576

266

74

74

74

74

74

47

48

465

39

240

262

350

360

371

USGS 

nib MS

5.1 

4.9 

4.8 

4.7 

4.5 

4.3 

4.3 

4.2 

4.8 

4.6 

4.6 

 

4.5 

 

 

4.2 

4.8 

Magnitude

Other

5.00Mn

4.70mb

4.70mb

4.30ML

4.10ML

4.50ML

5.10Mt

5.00ML

4.80ML

4.70ML

4.90ML

4.60ML

4.60ML

3.80ML

4.90MD

Moment 

M

DW 

ISC 

ISC 

GS 

OS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

MSO 

BU 

Intensity

MM!

VI

V

V

vn

Felt

VI

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

V

IV

IV

VI

V

Ref

75

75

81

42

74

42

42

45

48

39

39

240

262

350

360

371

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

37

35

26

5

<§>

3

50

94

54

68

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1872. Dec. 10. Western Montana. This earthquake apparently was centered at some distance 

west of Helena. It was felt most strongly in Beartown 

(overturned a stove and broke much glass), Deer 

Lodge (cracked walls of the penitentiary and threw 

several people off their feet), and Philipsburg 

(cracked windows). This shock opened a crack in the 

plastering of a stone-block building on Main Street in 

Helena and shook violently the massive newspaper 

building. It was observed as far west as Missoula and 

south to Warm Springs. Two aftershocks occurred on 

Dec. 11. (Ref. 38, 249, 316.)

1897. Nov. 4. Near Dillon, Beaverhead 

County, Mont. The earthquake was severe at Dillon, 

where cracks formed in the courthouse and in many 

other buildings. Chimneys fell and plate glass was 

broken in Butte, north of Dillon. The shock was 

widely felt in Idaho, western Montana, and Utah. 

(Ref. 38, 249, 316.)

1903. Mar. 15. Helena, Mont. The earthquake 

was severe at Helena, where windows broke and 

rafter beams in less substantial buildings cracked.

Cracks also formed in pillars of the rotunda at the 

State Capitol. (Ref. 249.)

1908. Dec. 27. Crater Lake, Madison County, 

Mont. At Crater Lake, about 10 km southeast of Virginia City, several buildings were cracked, plaster 

was cracked, and people were panic-stricken. Dishes 

were shaken from shelves and tables, and the electric 

powerplant was put out of commission. Of the 30 or 

more foreshocks, two were severe enough to crack 

plaster. (Ref. 38, 316.)

1925. June 28, 01 21 (June 27). Clarkston 

Valley, north of Gallatin County, Mont. The most 

severe damage from this strong earthquake occurred 

in Gallatin County at Manhattan, Three Forks, 

Logan, and Lombard. Because no large cities were 

near the epicenter, property damage did not exceed 

$150,000.

At Manhattan, the community high school and the 

grade school were both damaged severely, but 

reinforced concrete buildings were undamaged. 

Many chimneys were toppled.

At Three Forks, walls of the schoolhouse bulged on 

all sides, and its foundation and basement were damaged. A church, whose walls were not tied together 

by an upper floor, also sustained heavy damage. 

Later shocks demolished the walls. Almost all 

masonry buildings showed cracks and damage, but
270 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Community High School at Manhattan, Montana, damaged by the June 28, 1925 (June 27 MST), earthquake.

(Photograph by J.T. Pardee.)

because most of the buildings were of frame construction, they sustained only cracks in plaster and some 

fallen chimneys.

At Logan, the poorly designed and constructed 

schoolhouse was damaged heavily. However, a large 

brick roundhouse sustained only a few cracks. As at 

Three Forks, most of the buildings at Logan were of 

frame construction and therefore sustained only 

cracks in plaster and destruction of chimneys.

At Lombard, where the Chicago, Milwaukee and 

St. Paul Railway crosses the Northern Pacific Railway, large boulders were dislodged to such an extent 

that trains were delayed on the Northern Pacific line. 

Also, a huge rock slide blocked the Deer Park 

entrance of the Lombard Tunnel on the Chicago, 

Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway and the canyon of 

Sixteenmile Creek, causing a lake to form.

Cracks occurred in graded and filled roads but not 

in cuts or where the natural surface had not been 

disturbed. Approaches to many bridges settled as 

much as 30 cm. One spring formed near Josephine 

and began to flow, but other springs and sources of 

water in the neighborhood ceased to flow. Felt from

the North Dakota line to Washington, and from 

southern Canada to southern Wyoming (see fig. 36). 

Aftershocks continued for several months. (Ref. 38, 

168, 208, 218, 312, 316.)

1925. June 28, 02 05 UTC (June 27). Near 

Three Forks, Gallatin County, Mont. This was 

described as the strongest aftershock of the damaging earthquake at 01 21 UTC. Most observers 

reported that it was almost as strong as the main 

shock, but it was of shorter duration. It caused additional rock slides, threw down chimneys, and toppled 

previously damaged brick walls. Bricks fell from 

buildings at Belgrade, Logan, Manhattan, Maudlow, 

and Three Forks; about 5 km south of Manhattan, 

the upper part of a brick chimney was twisted. The 

shock was so violent at Deer Park that people could 

hardly stand; some Three Forks residents were 

thrown to the floor. The aftershock at 04 20 UTC was 

"violent" at Anaconda. (Ref. 38, 168, 218, 312.)

1935. Oct. 7. Craig, Lewis and Clark County, 

Mont. This local earthquake damaged chimneys and 

cracked plaster and walls. Pendulum clocks stopped 

and objects fell from shelves. (Ref. 8, 38, 249.)
118°

EARTHQUAKES IN MONTANA 

114° 110°

271

106° 102°

44'

42° -.-._._._

40°

FIGURE 36. Isoseismal map for the Gallatin County, Montana, earthquake of June 28, 1925. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from data listed in references 168 and 218 of table 1.

1935. Oct. 12. Helena, Mont. This was the first 

destructive foreshock of the 1935 series of earthquakes at Helena on Oct. 12, 18, and 31. An 

estimated total of $4 million in property damage was 

caused by the series. The fault zone from which the 

tremors originated lies on the south side of Prickly 

Pear Valley, north and northeast of Helena. The 

heavy damage sustained was due to the fact that the 

shocks occurred almost directly beneath Helena and 

that each successive shock further damaged previously weakened buildings.

Damage in East Helena from the first tremor was 

confined to toppled chimneys, broken plaster, and 

cracked windows. Cracks formed in walls of buildings 

in Helena, but damage was generally slight. Chimneys 

toppled at Fort Harrison, plaster was torn from walls, 

and a hospital was damaged. Total property damage, 

about $50,000, generally was confined to a few structures. (Ref. 8, 38, 316, 503, 533.)

1935. Oct. 15. Helena, Mont. Some damage to 

property occurred at Helena, and students were dismissed from schools. (Ref. 8, 38, 249.)
272 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Front brick walls collapsed at the National Biscuit Company building in Helena, Montana, by the October 19, 1935 (Oct. 18 MST),

earthquake. (Photograph by F. Ulrich.)

1935. Oct. 19 (Oct. 18). Helena, Mont. This is 

the main earthquake of the 1935 series of shocks at 

Helena. Two people were killed by falling bricks, several were injured, and property damage was estimated at about $3 million. The earthquake damaged 

about 300 buildings, of which more than 200 lost 

their chimneys. Damage was most severe in old 2- 

and 2 1/2-story brick houses on alluvial soil in northeast Helena, but severe damage also occurred in the 

southern business section of Helena. Downed chimneys and cracked plaster were common throughout 

the city, and in sections, almost all chimneys were 

destroyed. Gables commonly were damaged, regardless of the structural material used or the location of 

the building.

The most severely damaged structure in the area 

was the Helena High School, constructed a few 

months earlier, in August 1935. Many large buildings were damaged heavily, including the City Hall, 

Kessler Brewery, and St. Joseph's Orphanage, but 

damage was slight to structures on solid bedrock 

(e.g., the State Capitol, Federal Building, and St. 

Helena Cathedral). In general, wood buildings

covered with wood siding and structures having a 

framework of reinforced concrete or steel sustained 

little damage. Tombstones in all the cemeteries in 

the area were twisted or overturned.

The ground cracks observed were shallow, narrow, 

surface cracks in alluvial material caused by shaking of the ground, and none represent slip along the 

fault plane. East of town, water flowed from the 

cracks that formed in the ground. The largest crack, 

a maximum of 13 cm wide, and 91 m long, was 

observed on the gravel road leading into the Stanchfield Gun Club.

Changes in the volume of flow of many wells and 

springs occurred. The most noted change was an 

increase in flow of springs or the formation of new 

springs. Seven Mile Creek, which was almost dry 

before the earthquake, was about 1.5 m wide and 30 

to 45 cm deep when it was observed on Oct. 31. Also 

felt in parts of Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, and in 

adjacent areas of Canada. (Ref. 8, 38, 316, 503.)

1935. Oct. 27. Helena, Mont. Described as 

strong, this aftershock of the Oct. 19 earthquake
EARTHQUAKES IN MONTANA 273

FIGURE 37. Isoseismal map for the southwest Montana earthquake of November 23, 1947. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed references 20 and 259 of table 1.

shook down previously weakened chimneys at 

Helena. (Ref. 8, 38, 316.)

1935. Oct. 31. Helena, Mont. This aftershock was 

almost as severe as the main tremor on Oct. 19. Two 

people were killed at Helena, and about $1 million in 

property damage occurred, bringing the death toll from 

this series to four and the damage total to $4 million. 

(Ref. 512 reports a total of 6 deaths and $5.5 million 

damage). It intensified the damage in all the towns and 

damaged structures weakened by previous shocks. 

Most residents described it as sharper and more pronounced than the main earthquake on Oct. 19.

Many buildings previously damaged were demolished, including the new Helena High School and the 

Kessler Brewery. Damage was most severe in the 

neighborhood of the City Hall on Main Street and in 

the residential district on 9th Street. On the west 

side of town, damage from this shock was more 

severe than that caused by the Oct. 19 earthquake. 

Damage to frame buildings was slight, except to their 

chimneys and brick-veneer facing.

The ground in Helena Valley again was cracked. 

Water was observed spurting 30 cm or more from 

cracks, and dust was emitted from others. All chimneys in this neighborhood were downed, and a bridge
274 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

was shifted slightly. Several tombstones turned over 

in the Resurrection Cemetery, about 5 km north of 

Helena. Also felt in parts of Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, and Canada. Magnitude 5.5 ML KJ. (Ref. 8, 

38, 316, 460, 512.)

1935. Nov. 4. Helena, Mont. A series of strong 

tremors, the strongest at 11 23 and 12 42 UTC, 

threw down weakened structures at Helena. Walls of 

the Federal Reserve Bank cracked. One additional 

building was designated as unsafe for habitation. 

(Ref. 8, 249.)

1935. Nov. 22 (Nov. 21). Helena, Mont. Buildings previously weakened were damaged slightly at 

Helena. (Ref. 8, 38.)

1935. Nov. 28. Helena, Mont. Brick walls damaged by earlier earthquakes were further weakened 

at Helena, and a few were thrown down. This event 

was described as the fourth strongest of the Helena 

series of earthquakes. (Ref. 8, 38.)

1936. Feb. 14 (Feb. 13). Helena, Mont. This 

strong tremor caused some minor damage and much 

alarm at Helena. (Ref. 9, 38, 259.)

1938. June 13. Trident, Gallatin County, 

Mont. This shock was strongest at Trident, where 

plaster cracked slightly in several houses and objects 

fell from shelves. (Ref. 11, 249.)

1938. June 14 (June 13). Trident, Gallatin 

County, Mont. Strongest at Trident, this shock 

cracked plaster in several houses and threw down 

rocks in a quarry at a cement plant. Though 

alarmed, residents reported that it was slightly less 

severe than the earthquake 10 hours earlier. (Ref. 

11, 249.)

1939. May 12 (May 11). Trident, Gallatin 

County, Mont. Plaster cracked and people ran outdoors at Trident. (Ref. 12.)

1940. Dec. 23. Helena, Mont. At Helena, plaster 

cracked in a few buildings and one wall cracked. At 

East Helena, windows cracked. About 10 km north of 

Helena, in Scratch Gravel Hills, rocks rolled from 

cliffs. City officials reported an increase in the flow of 

water into the Hale Reservoir. (Ref. 13, 38, 266.)

1943. June 25 (June 24). Southern Sheridan 

County, Mont. In Froid, a well-constructed granary 

was cracked so severely that grain spilled out. 

Cracks formed in plaster and chimneys at Homestead, Redstone, and Reserve. (Ref. 38, 330.)

1945. Sept. 23. Northwest Montana. The 

earthquake cracked chimneys and broke windows at 

Elmo and cracked plaster at Bigfork, near Flathead 

Lake, south of Kalispell. One window was broken at 

Poison, south of Elmo. Also felt in Idaho and Washington. (Ref. 18, 266.)

1946. Dec. 11. Northwest Montana. This earthquake was described as sharp at Kalispell, where 

plaster and chimneys cracked, bricks fell, and dishes 

broke. Plaster also cracked at Whitefish. (Ref. 19, 249.)

1947. Mar. 14. Seeley Lake, Missoula County, 

Mont. Plaster cracked and fell to the floor at Seeley 

Lake, northeast of Missoula. (Ref. 38.)

1947. Nov. 23. Southwest Montana. Chimneys 

fell, twisted, or cracked in several towns in Madison 

County, including Alder, Cameron, Ennis, Laurin, 

and Virginia City. New springs formed in several 

areas, and creeks became muddy. Huge rocks rolled 

down the mountainside. Brick, masonry, and concrete 

structures sustained much damage. Also felt in parts 

of Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming (see fig. 37). 

(Ref. 20, 38, 576.)

1950. Aug. 20 (Aug. 19). Western Montana. 

Two wells became muddy in Sanders County, in the 

Niarada area; a minor rockslide occurred at Mud 

Lake Lookout. (Ref. 23, 266.)

1952. Apr. 1 (Mar. 31). Northwest Montana. 

Brick, masonry, and concrete sustained slight damage at Flathead Lake, south of Kalispell. Chimneys 

twisted and fell, and walls and chimneys cracked. 

(Ref. 25.)

1952. Apr. 22. Western Montana. The earthquake was strongest in the area near Townsend and 

Toston, southeast of Helena, in Broadwater County. 

Bricks fell from a chimney; plaster fell inside a 

camphouse; and a parked jeep was moved about 1 

m. (Ref. 25.)

1953. Aug. 8. Flathead Lake area, Lake 

County, Mont. A sharp, jarring movement caused 

doors to sag on two sheds on the east shore of Flathead Lake, about 20 km south of Bigfork. At Yellow 

Bay, cracks formed in an old building. (Ref. 26, 249.)

1958. May 28. Western Montana. At Philipsburg, Granite County, bricks fell from several buildings, plaster cracked, and windows broke. In the 

Porters Corner area, near Philipsburg, a heavy candy 

case was displaced about 10 cm. (Ref. 31.)

1959. Aug. 18 (Aug. 17). Hebgen Lake, Mont. 

This earthquake caused 28 fatalities and about $11 

million in damage to highways and timber. It is 

characterized by extensive fault scarps, subsidence 

and uplift, a massive landslide, and a seiche in Hebgen Lake. A maximum MM intensity X was assigned 

to the fault scarps in the epicentral area. The instrumental epicenter lies within the region of surface 

faulting. Area of perceptibility (see fig. 38), maximum 

intensity, and Richter magnitude all were larger for 

this earthquake than for any earlier earthquake on 

record in Montana (from May 1869).
EARTHQUAKES IN MONTANA 275

125° 120° 115'

FIGURE 38. Isoseismal map for the Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake of August 18, 1959. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in references 32, 259, and 438 of table 1.

The most spectacular and disastrous effect of the 

earthquake was the huge avalanche of rock, soil, and 

trees that cascaded from the steep south wall of the 

Madison River Canyon. This slide formed a barrier 

that blocked the gorge and stopped the flow of the 

Madison River and, within a few weeks, created a 

lake almost 53 m deep. The volume of material that 

blocked the Madison River below Hebgen Dam has 

been estimated at 28-33 million m3. Most of the 28 

deaths were caused by rockslides that covered the 

Rock Creek public campground on the Madison 

River, about 9.5 km below Hebgen Dam.

New fault scarps as high as 6 m formed near Hebgen Lake. The major fault scarps formed along preexisting normal faults northeast of Hebgen Lake.

Subsidence occurred over much of an area that was 

about 24 km north-south and about twice as long 

east-west. As result of the faulting near Hebgen 

Lake, the bedrock beneath the lake was permanently 

warped, causing the lake floor to drop and generate a 

seiche. Maximum subsidence was 6.7 m in Hebgen 

Lake Basin. About 130 km2 subsided more than 3 

m, and about 500 km2 subsided more than 0.3 m. 

The earth-fill dam sustained significant cracks in its 

concrete core and spillway, but it continued to be an 

effective structure.

Many summer houses in the Hebgen Lake area 

were damaged: houses and cabins shifted off their 

foundations, chimneys fell, and pipelines broke. Most 

small-unit masonry structures and wooden buildings
276 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Landslide and slumping damage to State Highway 287, along the shore of Hebgen Lake, Montana, caused by the August 18, 1959

(Aug. 17 MST), earthquake. (Photograph by J.R. Stacy.)

along the major fault scarps survived with little damage when subjected only to vibratory forces. 

Roadways were cracked and shifted extensively, and 

much timber was destroyed. Highway damage near 

Hebgen Lake was due to landslides slumping vertically and flowing laterally beneath pavements and 

bridges, which caused severe cracks and destruction. 

Three of the five reinforced bridges in the epicentral 

area also sustained significant damage.

High intensities were observed in the northwest 

section of Yellowstone National Park. Here, new geysers erupted, and massive slumping caused large 

cracks in the ground from which steam emitted. 

Many hot springs became muddy.

On the basis of vibration damage (and excluding 

geologic effects), damage to buildings along the fault

zone was singularly unspectacular (MM intensity 

VIII at places, intensity VII generally). Minor damage occurred throughout southern Montana, northeast Idaho, and northwest Wyoming. Felt as far as 

Seattle, Wash., to the west; Banff, Canada, to the 

north; Dickinson, N. Dak., to the east; and Prove, 

Utah, to the south. This area includes nine Western 

States and three Canadian Provinces. Aftershocks 

continued for several months. Magnitude 7.5 Ukn 

PAS, 7.5 MS ABE, 7.3 mb ABE. (Ref. 38, 281, 310, 

438, 504, 576.)

1959. Aug. 23. Hebgen Lake, Mont., aftershock. A strong earthquake generated a rockslide 

above Hebgen Dam that blocked the road. (Ref. 32, 38.)

1959. Sept. 5. Hebgen Lake, Mont., aftershock. This event broke plumbing and dishes at
EARTHQUAKES IN MONTANA 277

Damaged and collapsed buildings at the Blarneystone Ranch, near Hebgen Lake, Montana, caused by the August 18, 1959 

(Aug. 17 MST), earthquake. Note the fault scarp running beneath the building. (Photograph by I.J. Witkind.)

Canyon, in Yellowstone National Park. Rockslides 

smashed the viewing platform in the Grand Canyon 

of the Yellowstone. (Ref. 32, 38.)

1959. Sept. 13. Hebgen Lake, Mont., aftershock. Grayling Creek, which flows into Hebgen 

Lake at Parade Rest Ranch, was muddied. Rocks fell 

in the Hebgen Lake area. (Ref. 32, 266, 576.)

1959. Nov. 3. Hebgen Lake, Mont., aftershock. At Duck Creek (intersection of U.S. 191 and 

Montana State 1), a stove was moved about 30 cm 

from the wall and a sewing machine was displaced 

from the window to the middle of the room. (Ref. 32.)

1965. Jan. 6 (Jan. 5). Southwest Montana. A 

10.7-m flagpole was broken in three places and 

dishes were thrown from shelves at Dewey, about 30 

km southwest of Butte. The shock was felt strongly 

to the south at Dell, Beaverhead County. Also felt in

Idaho. Magnitude 4.9 mb NUT, 4.5 Ms NUT. (Ref. 75, 

263, 354, 576.)

1969. Apr. 1. Northwest Montana. At Big Arm, 

on the southwest shore of Flathead Lake, the shock 

shifted a building several centimeters on its 

foundation, buckled a boathouse, damaged a dock, 

and muddied well water. At nearby Dayton, four 

chimneys were destroyed. The tremor twisted a chimney at Proctor, and caused deep wells to increase 

their flow of water. At Lake Mary Ronan, chimneys 

and concrete floors cracked and paneling on walls 

loosened. Also felt in Idaho. Magnitude 4.3 mb NUT, 

3.7 Ms NUT. (Ref. 42, 74, 263.)

1969. Sept. 15 (Sept. 14). Northwest Montana. At Big Arm, a crack extending in both horizontal and vertical directions formed in a building. One 

basement wall also was cracked. (Ref. 42, 74.)
278 SEISMICJTY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1969. Nov. 7 (Nov. 6). Northwest Montana.

Slight damage occurred at Dayton, on the west shore 

of Flathead Lake, where plaster fell and small 

objects overturned. (Ref. 42, 74.)

1975. Feb. 4 (Feb. 3). Northwest Montana.

Basement walls cracked and dishes broke at Creston, 

about 12 km east of Kalispell. Cracks formed in 

plaster at Kalispell and, about 30 km northeast, at 

Martin City. Also felt in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. (Ref. 48.)

1977. Mar. 11 (Mar. 10). Southwest Broadwater County, Mont. Cracks formed in plaster at 

Harrison, about 65 km southeast of Butte. Also felt

at Hudson, Maudlow, Radersburg, and Trident, and 

southeast to Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. (Ref. 

39, 465.)

1977. Oct. 19. Northwest of West Yellowstone, 

Mont., in Madison County. Cracks formed in 

plaster at West Yellowstone. Buildings shook in 

Lima, and vehicles rocked in Clinton. (Ref. 3.9.)

1983. Mar. 17. Near Lincoln, Lewis and Clark 

County, Mont. Damage at Lincoln included cracks 

in chimneys, foundations of houses, interior walls, 

and windows. Items were thrown from shelves at 

Augusta, about 65 km northeast of Lincoln, and furniture was displaced in the Great Falls area of Cascade County, east of Augusta. (Ref. 360.)
104°

44°

_______102°______ 

I

100 KILOMETERS 

j

100° 98° 96°

42'

40°

SOUTH

Valentine

North Platte

DAKOTA

NEBRASKA

KANSAS

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.3-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9

5.0-5.4

Earthquakes in Nebraska with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity >VI.
280 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEBRASKA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1877

1902

1934

1935

1964

1975

Mo

11

07

07

03

03

05

Da

15

28

30

01

28

13

Origin

time (urc)

h m s

1745

1800

0720

1100

100846.5

07 53 40.0

Hypocenter

Latitude

<°)

41.0 N

42.0 N

42.7 N

40.3 N

42.997N

42.070N

Longitude

(°)

97.0

97.6

103.0

96.2

W

W

W

W

101.798W

98.503W

Depth Ref

(km)

 105

 105

 38

 38

030 349

001 349

Magnitude

USQS Other

rrib MS

 S.lOMfaSC

_ _ 4.40Mfa SC

 4.30Mfa SC

_ _ 4.60Mfa SC

5.1 4.50Mn DG

4.3 3.30Mn DG

Intensity

Moment MMI

M

 vn

 VI

 VI

 VI

 vn

 VI

Ref

105

105

38

38

37

48

Felt area

(1,000km8)

450

90

60

210

150

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1877. Nov. 15. Eastern Nebraska, between 

Lincoln and Columbus. This is the largest earthquake known to have originated in Nebraska. Its 

proposed epicenter lies on the western flank of the 

Keweenawan mafic belt. Damage was most severe at 

Columbus, in Colfax County, northwest of the epicenter, where the 30-second shock split the courthouse walls in nine places and damaged the 

schoolhouse walls. Two severe shocks about 350 km 

west of Lincoln, at North Platte, cracked walls and 

overturned printing cases. About 200 km north of 

Lincoln, at Sioux City, Iowa, a high school sustained 

cracks in a wall. Felt over all or parts of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, 

and Wisconsin. Magnitude 5.0 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 

105, 353, 463.)

1902. July 28. Battle Creek, Madison County, 

Nebr. This earthquake was reported to be most 

strong at Battle Creek, where it lasted for 30 seconds 

and spilled water from buckets. At nearby Tilden, 

one chimney was destroyed, plaster was cracked, and 

dishes fell from shelves. Reported in western Iowa 

and as far east as Chicago, 111. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa 

BAR. (Ref. 38, 105, 353.)

1934. July 30. Chadron, Dawes County, Nebr. 

Chimneys were damaged, plaster fell, and objects 

toppled from shelves at Chadron. Felt in western

Nebraska and in the adjacent States of South Dakota 

and Wyoming. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 105, 

353.)

1935. Mar. 1. Tecumseh, Johnson County, 

Nebr. This earthquake has been attributed to slippage on the Humboldt fault along the east side of the 

Nemaha Ridge. Many chimneys cracked and a few 

collapsed at Tecumseh, and windows broke and 

cracks formed in plaster and stone walls. Two shocks, 

about 4 minutes apart, were felt; the first was the 

strongest. Also felt in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. 

Magnitude 3.0 Ms BAR, 4.7 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 353.)

1964. Mar. 28. Near Merriman, northwest 

Cherry County, Nebr. Many cracks formed in the 

roadway south of Merriman, and steep slopes 

slumped into the Niobrara River. Merchandise in 

stores was broken, dishes were broken, and stucco 

under windows cracked. At Alliance, about 135 km 

southwest of Merriman, part of a chimney cap fell on 

a house; at Rushville, about 35 km southwest of Merriman, plaster fell and a wall cracked. Also felt in 

Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming (see fig. 39). 

Magnitude 4.7 Mn BAR. (Ref. 37, 349, 353.)

1975. May 13. Near Bartlett, Wheeler 

County, Nebr. The shock cracked stucco in Bartlett 

and knocked cans from shelves in a store. Also 

reported felt northeast of the epicenter at Hudson, 

South Dakota. Magnitude 3.5 Mn SLM. (Ref. 48, 

349.)
EARTHQUAKES IN NEBRASKA 281

FIGURE 39. Isoseismal map for the northwest Nebraska earthquake of March 28, 1964. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in reference 37 of table 1.

NEVADA

120° 118° 116° 114°

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

0 4.5-5.4/VI

O 5.5-5.9/VII

O 6.0-6.4

O 6.5-6.9

38

36° -

Earthquakes in Nevada with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

283
284 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEVADA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (--) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1857 09

1860 03

1868 05

1869 12

1869 12

1872 03

1872 11

1873 11

1875 04

1877 07

1887 06

1888 01

1894 11

1896 01

1897 05

1901 07

1903

1910 11

1910 11

1910 11

1910 11

1914 02

1914 04

1915 10

1915 10

1916 02

1916 08

1916 08

1916 08

1916 10

1917 03

1917 04

1925 08

1928 03

1928 04

1929 09

1930 04

1930 04

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

Da

03

15

30

27

27

23

12

05

02

10

03

30

18

27

15

26

07

19

21

22

18

24

03

03

03

03

03

04

11

28

11

21

26

17

10

09

12

21

22

22

23

24

25

25

26

28

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0305

1900

0510

0155

1000

2141

1700

0200

0710

1048

0635

1049

2101

1904

2220

1720

0225

2323

0605

1817

0835

0149

065248.0

050304

13 49 19

14 22 38

041252

054909

111600

18 59 55

11 13 57

162607

10 39 15

2001

215647

125640

061005

074930

10 34 15

2006

124049

035445

18 36 35

0503

030755

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

39.3

39.5

39.3

39.4

39.1

40.0

39.0

40.

39.5

39.3

39.2

39.0

39.2

39.1

39.3

40.8

39.5

37.5

38.0

38.0

38.0

39.5

39.5

40.5

40.5

41.0

41.5

41.5

41.5

41.5

41.6

40.0

38.0

38.3

39.50

41.2

39.25

39.25

38.75

38.75

38.75

38.75

38.8

38.8

38.8

38.75

38.8

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude Depth Ref 

(°) (km)

120.0

119.5

119.7

119.7

119.8

117.5

117.0

118.

115.8

120.0

119.8

120.0

119.5

119.8

119.7

115.7

118.1

117.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

119.8

119.8

117.5

117.5

117.8

116.5

116.5

117.0

116.5

117.8

118.0

118.3

117.5

119.83

116.8

120.00

119.17

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

 368

 368

 368

 368

 368

 54

 521

^^ ^"T SA

_ 54

 54

 _ _ .S*T SA

 54

 54

 54

_ <j.

 - »/T

 54

 54

 54

 54

 54

 54

 54

 54

 54

 258

 54

 54

 54

 54

 54

 54

 54

_ 54

 54

 324

 54

 324

 324

 258

 315

 315

 315

 54

 54

 54

 315

 54

Magnitude

USGS Other 

rrib MS

 6.00MLa DMG

 6.30MLa DMG

 5.80MLa DMG

 6.10Mu,DMG

 5.90MU.DMG

 5.50Mfa SJG

 6.00MLaELL

 5.50Mfa SJG

 

 S.OOMfaSJG

 6.30Mu,DMG

 4.50Mfa SJG

 

 

 

 5.00Mfa SJG

 

 

__ _ __

 

_ _

 6.00Mfa SJG

 6.40Mfa SJG

 

 7.70Ms AB1

 5.90Mfa SJG

 5.60MX SJG

 5.80MX SJG

 5.00MX SJG

 5.00MX SJG

 4.70UknJON

 5.10MX SJG

 4.80MX SJG

 4.70MX SJG

 4.50MX SJG

 4.60MX SJG

 4.30MX SJG

 4.50MX SJG

 7.20MS GR

 4.50UknSJG

_ _ 4.90MX SJG

 4.50UknSJG

 5.00MX SJG

 5.50MX SJG

 4.50MX SJG

 5.30MX SJG

 4.60MX SJG

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

_ v

 VI

 vn

 vn

 vn

 VI

 Felt

 Felt

 VI

 IV

 vm

_ V

 VI

 VI

 V

 vn

 VI

 VI

 Felt

 vn

 Felt

 VI

 vn

_ V

7.14WAL X

 V

 IV

 Felt

 Felt

 Felt

 IV

 m

_ Y

 Felt

 IV

 IV

 VI

 VI

 X

 Felt

 Felt

 

 Felt

 Felt

 Felt

 Felt

 Felt

Ref

368

368

54

368

368

38

54

54

54

54

368

54

56

54

54

54

328

56

56

56

56

38

56

327

56

272

272

56

54

56

315

272

56

54

1

54

3

3

38

315

315

54

356

54

356

54

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

^^_

190

180

31

129

9

_

42

260

788

278

___

49

30

795

_

_ .
EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA 285

NEVADA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1932 12

1933 01

1933 01

1933 01

1933 01

1933 01

1933 01

1933 01

1933 01

1933 01

1933 02

1933 03

1933 04

1933 04

1933 05

1933 06

1933 06

1933 06

1933 07

1933 07

1933 07

1933 10

1934 01

1934 01

1934 01

1934 01

1934 01

1934 01

1934 01

1934 01

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 02

1934 03

Da

29

29

29

30

30

31

02

02

04

05

06

06

11

17

29

13

12

07

30

09

04

11

25

17

21

21

27

30

30

30

30

30

31

31

31

01

01

01

01

01

01

03

09

10

12

16

20

13

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

062028

063803

064508

041752

160310

1730

154408

170644

01 01 15

065020

13 05 56

1333

17 29 38

010208

135111

220845

204420

001756

161650

094625

140822

08 34 31

204527.0

205714

0255

0307

105854

192329

20 16 31

2034

210423

23 39 38

002422

035449

142639

110054

111851

11 45 54

121023

132045

183444

1631

092034

131346

220054

01 54 53

05 36 59

162019

Hypocenter

Latitude

38.8 N

38.8 N

38.8 N

38.8 N

38.8 N

38.6 N

38.8 N

38.8 N

38.8 N

38.75 N

39.0 N

39.0 N

38.9 N

38.8 N

38.5 N

38.7 N

38.8 N

38.0 N

39.8 N

38.5 N

38.50 N

38.8 N

39.08 N

39.2 N

38.45 N

38.42 N

38.9 N

38.3 N

38.28 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.50 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.3 N

38.0 N

Longitude Depth 

(°) (km)

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.0

117.9

118.0

118.0

118.0

118.00

117.8

118.0

117.8

118.0

118.0

117.9

117.6

118.0

118.1

117.9

118.16

117.5

119.33

118.15

118.16

118.16

117.6

118.4

118.36

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.25

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.4

118.0

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 016

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

 yf _

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

vy _ _

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

Ref

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

315

258

54

54

54

315

54

265

54

54

315

54

324

315

324

315

324

324

6

38

324

315

54

324

54

54

54

54

324

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

54

7

Magnitude

USGS Other

Tib M$

 5.20MX

 5.00MX

 5.00MX

_ _ 4.60MX

__ __ 4.60MX

_ _ 4.60MX

 4.50MX

 _ 4.70MX

- - 5.10MX

 5.70Ma

 5.10MX

 4.50MX

 5.20MX

 4.80MX

 5.00MX

 5.50MX

 5.00MX

 4.50MX

 4.50MX

 5.10MX

 5.20MX

 5.20MX

 6.10M8

__ __ 4.60MX

_ _ 4.70MX

 4.70MX

 5.50MX

 5.50M8

 6.50M8

 4.50MX

 4.90MX

 5.40MX

 5.00MX

 5.00MX

 4.60MX

 5.00MX

 5.20MX

 5.40MX

 4.50MX

 4.50MX

 4.50MX

 4.50ML

 5.50ML

 4.50MX

_ __ 4.70MX

_ _ 4.80MX

 4.80MX

_ __ 4.70MX

Moment 

M

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

GR 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG -

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

GR 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

CFR 

CFR 

JON 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

PAS 

PAS 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

SJG 

JON 

Intensity

MMI

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

IV

IV

m

V

IV

vn

IV

Felt

V

vn

vm

Felt

IV

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

IV

V

V

IV

. 

V

Ref

54

54

54

54

54

54

356

6

54

54

6

54

6

_

6

324

6

54

7

7

7

7

266

7

266

7

7

7

7

315

Felt area 

(1,000km8)

175

205 &
286 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEVADA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (-) indicates information is

not available

Date

Yr Mo Da

1934 03 19

1934 03 28

1934 03 30

1934 03 31

1934 04 02

1934 04 15

1934 04 21

1934 04 22

1934 12 04

1935 01 21

1936 01 14

1936 01 30

1936 02 27

1936 03 26

1936 07 02

1936 09 07

1936 09 21

1936 09 22

1937 02 19

1937 02 19

1937 04 25

1937 05 25

1937 06 18

1937 08 19

1938 07 28

1938 07 31

1938 11 01

1939 01 11

1939 04 28

1939 05 04

1939 05 11

1939 05 11

1939 05 13

1939 05 17

1939 06 21

1940 03 10

1940 03 11

1940 04 07

1940 07 08

1941 07 18

1941 08 29

1942 07 11

1942 07 11

1942 08 18

1942 12 03

1943 08 09

1945 09 18

1946 01 15

1946 03 17

1946 04 27

1948 03 28

1948 11 02

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

104057

0937

1626

001148

0805

1209

2322

1124

061746

000849

05 29 11

1832

0040

22 43 40

1629

1148

0731

103907

090910

2306

042748

05 35 20

090726

07 05 15

003830

103707

13 53 20

2200

2159

204446.8

1804

205930

024906

181848

11 28 30

18 01 54.0

000630

0842

100445

03 53 42

130953.0

16 41 56

1645

21 55 24

094442

053004

2239

22 31 56

14 45 53

021824

18 26 20

164808

Hypocenter

Latitude

38.35 N

37.3 N

37.67 N

38.1 N

38.0 N

38.0 N

39.0 N

38.0 N

38.4 N

38.5 N

39.5 N

38.0 N

41.0 N

39.1 N

39.2 N

36.0 N

40.25 N

40.43 N

38.3 N

38.0 N

39.0 N

41.5 N

41.25 N

38.1 N

37.6 N

38.3 N

39.0 N

39.0 N

39.0 N

35.967N

38.58 N

38.58 N

38.58 N

38.58 N

38.6 N

37.0 N

37.0 N

37.0 N

38.58 N

40.0 N

41.5 N

38.5 N

38.5 N

38.6 N

39.7 N

38.2 N

40.6 N

40.50 N

38.3 N

38.5 N

39.0 N

35.98 N

Longitude

117.88 W

116.6 W

115.33 W

116.3 W

118.0 W

115.0 W

117.0 W

118.0 W

118.5 W

117.9 W

117.5 W

118.0 W

119.0 W

117.9 W

117.5 W

114.8 W

117.38 W

117.28 W

118.3 W

118.0 W

117.0 W

119.8 W

120.0 W

118.2 W

115.8 W

115.8 W

116.0 W

119.2 W

117.0 W

114.817W

117.83 W

117.83 W

117.83 W

117.83 W

117.8 W

115.0 W

115.0 W

115.0 W

117.83 W

119.0 W

118.5 W

117.1 W

117.1 W

118.5 W

119.3 W

118.2 W

116.5 W

117.25 W

117.9 W

118.0 W

119.9 W

114.78 W

Depth 

(km)

016

__

^_

__

_

016

__

. 

_

016

016

016

__ 

_ i^

_

_

__

Ref

54

54

292

54

324

54

54

54

54

54

54

324

54

54

324

54

315

315

10

10

10

54

324

54

266

266

54

324

324

292

324

266

266

266

12

292

292

292

13

324

258

266

15

16

324

16

54

54

324

54

21

259

USGS 

rrib MS

 

 

 

 

 

 _ _

 

 

 

 

_ __

 

 

 

 

__ -

 

 

 . 

 

_ _

 

 

 

 

^ ^_ _^

 

 

 

 

_ _ _

 

 

 

 

__ _ - 

 

 

 

 

 _ _

 

 _

 

 

^ _ ^^

 

_ _

_ . __

 

_ __

 

Magnitude

Other

4.50MX JON

4.50MX SJG

4.90MX JON

4.50MX SJG

4.50ML PAS

S.OOMfa WOO

4.50ML BRK

4.60MX SJG

4.50MX SJG

4.60MX SJG

4.60MX SJG

4.50ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.50MX SJG

S.OOMfa WOO

4.50UknSJG

4.50ML PAS

4.70MX SJG

5.00ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

4.60MX JON

5.25Mg GR

4.60MX SJG

4.50ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

5.50Mfa WOO

4.50ML BRK

5.00ML PAS

5.50ML BRK

4.70MX SJG

4.80MX SJG

4.50MX SJG

4.50ML BRK

S.OOMfa WOO

4.50ML PAS

4.50ML PAS

4.50ML BRK

5.00ML BRK

5.50MS GR

5.00ML BRK

4.50Ukn SJG

5.00ML BRK

5.50ML BRK

5.50ML BRK

5.10ML PAS

S.lOUkn SJG

5.00ML BRK

4.70ML PAS

4.60ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

.^

__

_

_ _

_

_ __

___

^--_

_

_

__

MMI

IV

___

IV

IV

Felt

IV

IV

V

IV

V

V

V

_

VI

VI

VI

Felt

IV

Felt

IV

IV

Felt

Felt

IV

IV

VI

VI

VI

IV

V

m

VI

Ref

7

_

54

54

324

54

54

10

259

10

10

10

__

12

12

12

259

54

54

259

259

14

54

15

15

15

15

16

54

_

19

54

21

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

__

__

__

29

37

75

__

24

18

115

_.

__

18

57

92

_

31

m 

@
EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA 287

NEVADA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1949 01 02

1949 07 18

1950 10 17

1950 10 23

1951 01 22

1951 06 16

1952 05 09

1952 05 24

1952 11 13

1952 11 18

1953 08 09

1953 09 26

1954 07 02

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 06

1954 07 07

1954 07 08

1954 07 08

1954 07 08

1954 07 08

1954 07 09

1954 07 10

1954 07 11

1954 07 11

1954 07 12

1954 07 12

1954 07 20

1954 07 30

1954 07 31

1954 08 02

1954 08 03

1954 08 05

1954 08 24

1954 08 24

1954 08 25

1954 08 25

1954 08 26

1954 08 29

1954 08 29

1954 08 31

1954 09 01

1954 09 09

1954 12 16

1954 12 16

1954 12 16

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

220354

15 31 05

03 54 33

081246

15 14 53

05 52 56

15 31 32

04 15 15.0

005516

040408

220002

03 34 29

104313

11 13 20

111804

11 26 55

114100

114900

12 53 59

131511

133601

14 55 15

220741

061108

02 13 55

040819

12 55 10

193157

085003

01 22 20

070400

095812

101706

160525

001138

020010

17 24 14

10 18 53

212454

050308

05 51 32

055746

02 17 13

22 21 10

12 56 15

034106

03 58 05

22 20 32

051846

092105

110711

111134

11 50 36

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

38.7 N

39.7 N

39.60 N

39.5 N

39.08 N

37.08 N

39.42 N

36.1 N

38.5 N

39.8 N

37.5 N

39.53 N

38.17 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.3 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

38.2 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.42 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.58 N

39.283N

39.8 N

39.28 N

Longitude 

<°>

119.0 W

119.8 W

116.69 W

117.5 W

119.95 W

117.08 W

119.78 W

114.7 W

118.5 W

117.7 W

114.5 W

119.98 W

116.37 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.5 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

116.4 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.53 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.45 W

118.117W

118.1 W

118.12 W

Depth 

(km)

__

...

016

016

__

_

_

_

__

. 

_

__

__

_

^_

_ .

015

040

Ref

22

324

324

324

324

292

324

292

324

324

54

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

358

358

324

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nrib MS

 4.50ML

_ _ 4.50ML

_ _ 4.50ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 4.80ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 5.10ML

_ _ 4.90ML

 4.80ML

_ _ 4.60ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 5.30ML

_ _ 4.90ML

 6.80ML

 5.50ML

_ _ 4.80ML

 4.50ML

 5.70ML

_ _ 4.50ML

 5.20ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 6.00ML

__ _ 4.60ML

_ 4.80ML

 _ 4.50ML

 4.70ML

 5.30ML

 4.90ML

_ _ 4.60ML

 4.60ML

 4.60ML

 4.50ML

_ __ 4.60ML

 5.00ML

 5.10ML

_ _ 4.50ML

__ _ 5.40ML

__ _ 4.70ML

_ _ 4.70ML

 6.80ML

 5.20ML

_ _ 4.80ML

_ _ 4.70ML

_ _ 4.60ML

_ _ 4.70ML

 4.80ML

 5.80ML

 5.50ML

 _ 4.90ML

 7.20ML

 7.10ML

 5.00ML

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

PAS

BRK

PAS

BRK

BRK

REN

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

Moment 

M

__

_

___

 -

6.20ELL

_ .

6.22SAW

^_

__

__

_ 

_

6.55SAW

... _

__

5.80ELL

__

7.25HHT

6.90SAW

Intensity

MMI

IV

_

V

VI

VI

^_

VI in

DC

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

Felt

vn

_

IV

V

V

IV

IV

Felt

V

Felt

Felt

DC

Felt

___

vn

Felt

Felt

X

X

Ref

259

24

25

25

__

26

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

27

259

_

27

27

27

27

27

54

27

54

54

27

54

^_

27

27

54

27

27

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

8

__

41

347

_

_

__

_ ,

__

490

_

_

600
288 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEVADA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km"2. Leader (-) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1954 12 

1954 12

1954 12

1954 12

1954 12

1954 12

1954 12

1954 12

1954 12

1954 12

1954 12

1955 01

1955 01

1955 01

1955 01

1955 01

1955 01

1955 02

1955 02

1955 03

1955 03

1955 03

1955 03

1955 05

1955 05

1955 06

1955 06

1955 06

1955 08

1955 09

1955 11

1955 11

1955 12

1955 12

1955 12

1956 03

1956 07

1956 07

1956 11

1956 12

1956 12

1957 10

1958 01

1958 04

1959 03

1959 05

1959 06

1959 06

1960 01

1961 07

1961 07

1961 08

Da

16 

16

16

16

16

16

17

17

17

18

20

01

05

09

11

19

25

11

19

08

11

13

14

08

30

08

19

19

08

29

02

21

22

22

31

08

06

26

16

31

31

17

04

19

23

21

23

23

26

04

04

04

Origin 

time (urc)

h m 3

11 57 30 

13 15 03

14 16 57

14 24 10

150942

21 48 43

10 15 26

10 33 29

202706

01 45 36

173647

121354

082040

091050

102140

02 10 10

232646

16 12 32

235007

200517

14 23 16

084104

18 23 47

10 38 31

212826

12 22 11

192000

19 25 16

10 35 35

054051

061517

202533

120507

120654

135104

072620

03 31 35

095317

08 26 10

17 37 45

173924

101409

172734

090102

071020

175140

143500

150434

041736

045600

110911

165609.1

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

39.28 N 

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.28 N

39.0 N

39. N

39.0 N

39.0 N

39.35 N

39.0 N

39.47 N

39.3 N

39.20 N

39.3 N

39.57 N

39.42 N

38.933N

39.42 N

38.88 N

38.97 N

39.0 N

38.33 N

39.22 N

39.50 N

39.42 N

38.98 N

38.98 N

39.00 N

39.03 N

38.45 N

39.55 N

41.03 N

38.25 N

38.28 N

39.28 N

38.9 N

36.0 N

39.60 N

39.47 N

39.08 N

39.1 N

38.0 N

40.90 N

40.13 N

39.2 N

Longitude Depth 

(°) (km)

118.12 

118.12

118.12

118.12

118.12

118.12

118.12

118.12

118.12

118.12

118.12

118.0

118.

118.0

118.0

118.25

118.0

118.10

117.8

118.55

118.1

118.05

118.25

W 

W 

W 

W -

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

 yy _

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

118.117W 

118.00

118.17

118.25

118.5

118.67

118.20

118.05

118.08

118.70

118.70

118.03

118.07

118.62

118.45

116.45

118.93

118.97

118.43

115.5

114.8

118.02

118.12

118.82

118.8

116.5

118.40

118.60

117.4

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

^y _

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 012

Ref

324 

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

54

54

28

54

324

54

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

324

54

324

324

324

324

33

324

324

324

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

 5.00ML 

 5.00ML

 5.80ML

 5.30ML

 S.lOMt

 4.50Mt

 4.50ML

_ __ 4,70ML

 5.00ML

_ _ 4.70ML

 5.00ML

 5.10ML

 

 5.00ML

_. _ 4.70ML

_ 4.60ML

_ 4.70ML

 4.70ML

 4.80ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 _ 4.60ML

 4.70ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 4.50ML

 5.20ML

 5.00ML

 5.20ML

 4.50ML

 4.60ML

 5.50ML

 4.80ML

 4.60Mt

 4.50ML

 4.60ML

__ _ 4.90ML

 5.10ML

_ _ 4.70ML

 5.00ML

 5.10ML

 4.60ML

 4.50ML

_ _ _

 6.30ML

 4.80ML

 6-lOMi,

 5.50Mt

 4.90ML

 5.40ML

 5.00ML

 4.50ML

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

. .

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

__

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

BRK 

Intensity

MMI

IV

. 

Felt

V

IV

_ .

_ 

__

V

__

_

V

IV

V

VI

VI

IV

VI

VI

__

VI

V

. 

V

IV

Ref

27

_

27

54

28

_

 .

__

28

___

_

_

29

29

29

29

29

30

31

32

__

32

32

__

34

34

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

_

. 

__

__

_

. 

__

23

__

_

__

15

15

_

__

170

_^_

105

_ .

26

._ _
EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA 289

NEVADA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codos. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (-) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1962 04 25

1962 07 20

1962 09 07

1962 12 15

1963 03 25

1964 03 22

1964 10 23

1964 10 30

1965 04 13

1966 01 28

1966 04 02

1966 08 16

1966 08 16

1966 08 17

1966 08 18

1966 08 18

1966 08 18

1966 08 19

1966 08 22

1966 09 04

1966 09 22

1966 09 22

1966 09 22

1966 09 23

1966 10 02

1966 10 22

1966 10 25

1966 10 26

1967 02 16

1967 05 07

1968 01 30

1968 02 06

1968 02 06

1968 05 22

1968 05 29

1968 07 06

1970 03 28

1971 12 08

1972 12 09

1973 03 02

1973 03 03

1978 02 14

1978 03 05

1978 05 23

1979 12 31

1980 04 08

1980 09 04

1980 09 04

1980 09 06

1980 09 07

1980 09 07

1980 09 07

1980 09 07

Origin 

time (uic)

h m s

08 48 58.2

090210.0

23 19 12.8

06 34 59.8

092843.0

163055.2

13 57 10.6

190312.3

131422.1

180009.1

12 48 38.8

18 02 32.9

195009.5

23 07 58.9

061501.3

09 15 37.5

17 35 06.4

10 51 37.9

08 27 30.2

112318.1

185641.0

18 57 36.5

19 59 39.8

115609.4

153941.2

171626.4

16 39 32.9

15 17 38.6

15 05 54.3

18 01 35.7

152005.6

004138.0

03 48 10.8

13 21 55.7

114107.1

140240.0

093844

17 18 56.0

024445.7

11 28 42.3

030003.3

04 35 24.0

224618.2

05 47 55.4

08 27 52.5

001341.8

133909.4

210334.1

07 27 52.3

013042.8

04 36 38.2

064810.6

064830.6

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°>

38.5 N

39.5 N

41.3 N

40.7 N

36.0 N

38.8 N

38.5 N

37.7 N

38.9 N

41.6 N

38.4 N

37.46 N

37.4 N

37.3 N

37.3 N

37.3 N

37.4 N

37.438N

37.3 N

37.4 N

37.3 N

37.4 N

37.3 N

37.3 N

37.3 N

40.6 N

37.3 N

37.3 N

37.42 N

37.040N

41.0 N

38.02 N

38.00 N

38.6 N

39.07 N

41.1 N

38.95 N

37.615N

38.676N

41.831N

41.810N

39.63 N

38.94 N

40.868N

38.460N

39.499N

38.083N

38.113N

38.078N

38.083N

38.083N

38.093N

38.093N

Longitude 

(°)

118.1 W

118.2 W

116.7 W

117.5 W

114.8 W

118.7 W

118.4 W

118.0 W

117.7 W

118.2 W

118.2 W

114.15 W

114.2 W

114.1 W

114.2 W

114.2 W

114.2 W

114.191W

114.2 W

114.2 W

114.2 W

114.2 W

114.2 W

114.1 W

114.2 W

116.3 W

114.2 W

114.2 W

114.18 W

115.012W

117.4 W

118.35 W

118.37 W

116.2 W

118.05 W

117.4 W

116.40 W

115.288W

115.639W

118.546W

118.457W

117.18 W

118.03 W

117.257W

118.428W

119.178W

118.570W

118.560W

118.572W

118.575W

118.600W

118.570W

118.570W

Depth 

(km)

025

033

033

__

019

016

026

020

033

020

009

007

033

033

034

033

033

007

033

033

033

033

033

033

033

032

033

033

033

015

018

013

003

008

010

005

005

005

005

Oil

008

005

001

010

007

007

010

005

005

Ref

35

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

298

266

266

266

266

266

298

266

266

266

74

266

266

266

266

266

266

266

74

74

324

324

74

324

324

324

292

74

74

74

240

240

74

401

74

401

401

401

401

401

401

401

Magnitude

USGS Other

ITIb MS

_

4.3

4.5

5.0

4.4

4.6

4.4

4.0

5.6

4.6

4.9

4.2

4.6

5.2

4.2

4.3

4.2

4.5

5.3

4.4

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.4

4.3

4.8

4.7

4.5

4.6

4.4

5.1

4.9

5.1

4.5

4.8

4.4

4.2

4.7

4.4

4.0

4.1

4.2

4.0

4.9

4.1

4.4

4.9

4.7

 4.60Mt BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.60ML PAS

 4.90ML BRK

 4.90ML PAS

 5.50ML BRK

 5.30ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 5.60ML UU

 4.50ML PAS

 5.50Mt BRK

 4.50ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 5.00ML PAS

 4.70ML UU

 4.60ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 5.30ML PAS

 5.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50ML PAS

 4.50Mt BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 5.13ML PAS

 

 4.90ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 5.50ML BRK

 4.50ML BRK

 4.70ML PAS

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.80ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.80Mt BRK

 4.70ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 4.90ML BRK

 4.60ML BRK

 5.10ML BRK

5.0 5.50ML BRK

 4.70ML BRK

4.4 5.30ML BRK

Intensity

Moment 

M

,^_

^_

5.31DOS

_

_

_

__

_ _

__

__

__

^^^

. 

^^

^^

__

__

__

__

_

MMI

V

V

__

VI

V

V

VI

__

m

VI

V

Felt

IV

IV

^_

Felt

V

^_

V

__

IV

V

V

Felt

Felt

V

V

^ ^

IV

V

V

V

V

V

m

Felt

Felt

V

Felt

Felt

Ref

35

35

_

36

37

37

37

__

81

81

81

81

81

259

__

81

81

_

81

__

40

41

41

41

41

41

44

^^

240

240

240

262

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

300

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

35

__

45

28

_.

66

_

_^

^_

^_

9

21

__

25

34

 m

^^

21

21

__

__

56

_
290 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEVADA Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1980 09 08

1980 09 16

1980 11 11

1980 12 28

1981 01 28

1981 04 28

1982 01 28

1982 04 15

1982 09 24

1982 12 28

1984 02 16

1984 02 17

1986 11 01

1987 07 28

1987 07 29

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

04 26 19.8

042441.1

101903.0

22 58 09.8

200850.7

22 54 49.9

225102.1

215209.1

074024.6

190624.8

11 14 58.8

120355.8

19 23 38.3

18 55 11.5

035232.1

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

38.045N

38.047N

38.040N

38.157N

38.202N

38.058N

38.54 N

38.052N

37.870N

38.028N

39.858N

38.854N

38.7 12N

38.385N

38.378N

Longitude 

(°)

118.600W

118.567W

118.590W

118.360W

118.335W

118.587W

118.07 W

118.568W

118. WOW

118.418W

117.556W

119.630W

119.540W

118.168W

118.137W

Depth 

(km)

008

007

005

005

015

010

005

007

017

008

002

012

017

013

014

Ref

401

401

401

401

401

401

350

401

401

401

475

475

562

74

74

USGS 

nib MS

 

4.2 

 

4.6 

4.5 

4.2 

 

4.5 

5.0 4.6

4.7 

4.8 

4.1 

 

4.3 

4.4 

Magnitude

Other

4.60ML

4.70ML

4.70ML

S.OOMt

4.60ML

4.60ML

4.60ML

5.10ML

5.50ML

4.90ML

5.20ML

4.60MD

4.60ML

4.60ML

4.50ML

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

BRK

REN

BRK

BRK

BRK

Intensity

Moment MMI 

M

 IV

 IV

 m IV

 IV

 IV

 V

 IV

 V

 IV

 IV

_ v

4.37BRK V

 IV

 Felt

Ref

300

300

300

300

325

325

350

350

350

350

370

370

562

577

74

Felt area 

(1.000km8)

10

_ _

45

50

. _

15

1988 09 19 025631.7 38.461N 118.342W 009 74 4.5 5.30ML BRK 578 24

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1860. Mar. 15. Near Carson City, Ormsby 

County, Nev. Rockslides were reported between Pyramid Lake and Carson City. Merchandise was 

shaken from shelves at Carson City. Also reported 

felt in parts of California and Utah. (Ref. 358, 368.)

1868. May 30, 05 10 UTC (May 29). Near Virginia City, Storey County, Nev. Brick buildings 

were cracked and bricks were shaken down at Virginia City. Plaster fell in almost all brick buildings. 

(Ref. 54, 368.)

1869. Dec. 27, 01 55 UTC (Dec. 26). Near Virginia City, Storey County, Nev. Masonry walls 

were damaged severely in Virginia City and at 

Washoe City, 5 km west. Plaster fell at Mokelume 

Hill, and a stone chimney fell at Spring Gulch. Minor 

damage also was reported in Calaveras County in 

California. (Ref. 368.)

1869. Dec. 27. Western Nevada aftershock. 

Considerable damage occurred at Carson City, Dayton, Genoa, Steamboat, and Virginia City. Damage 

also was reported at Downieville and Oroville, Calif. 

It is difficult to separate the damage caused by this 

shock from that of the main shock at 01 55 UTC, 

Dec. 27. (Ref. 38, 368.)

1872. Mar. 23. Austin, southern Lander 

County, Nev. Plaster fell in the Austin Courthouse.

The earthquake was described as a violent shock. 

(Ref. 38, 54.)

1875. Apr. 2 (Apr. 1). Near Eureka, Nev. One 

building was seriously damaged at Eureka. (Ref. 54.)

1887. June 3. Near Carson City, Ormsby 

County, Nev. The ground was reported to have been 

uplifted about 10 m north of Carson City (at Deadman's Ranch). Large fissures opened and spouted 

water and sand near Cradlebaugh's Bridge. The 

water level at Shaw's Hot Springs, near Carson City, 

dropped several centimeters a few weeks before the 

earthquake, and the water dried up after the shock. 

At Carson City, chimneys were reported to be in "bad 

condition" and brick and stone walls were cracked. 

At Genoa, houses were shifted on their foundations 

and bricks were thrown down. (Ref. 54, 368.)

1894. Nov. 18. Near Virginia City, Storey 

County, Nev. Some walls were damaged, plaster 

cracked, and windows broke at Virginia City. Many 

aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 54, 56.)

1896. Jan. 27. Near Carson City, Ormsby 

County, Nev. A large crack formed in the side of a 

government building in Carson City; plaster fell in 

the County Building. (Ref. 54, 56.)

1901. July 26. Near Elko, Nev. A brick schoolhouse and other buildings were damaged at Elko. A 

series of heavy shocks was reported. (Ref. 54, 56.)

1903. Fall. Near Wonder, Churchill County, 

Nev. Interviews with long-time residents of the area 

establishes (with a fair degree of certainty) the date
EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA 291

as the fall of 1903 for this uncataloged earthquake 

in Churchill County. Evidence also suggests that as 

much as 19 km of surface faulting may have 

occurred on the Gold King fault as result of this 

shock. At the Stephens dwelling, about 8 km northeast of Wonder, an adobe house was damaged (probably by this earthquake) and its roof required 

repair. (Ref. 54, 328.)

1910. Nov. 7. Southeast of Goldfield, in Nye 

County, Nev. A few dishes and windows were broken at Goldfield. (Ref. 54, 56.)

1910. Nov. 21. Esmeralda County, Nev. The 

watchman's car was thrown from the track at 

Tonopah Junction; windows were broken. A succession of shocks occurred at the same time as a loud, 

rumbling noise. (Ref. 54, 56.)

1914. Feb. 18. Near Reno, Washoe County, 

Nev. Plaster cracked and a few bricks were thrown 

from chimneys at Reno and nearby Virginia City. 

Windows were broken at Sparks, and the shock 

was severe at Verdi. Also felt in California. (Ref. 

38, 54, 56.)

1914. Apr. 24. Near Reno, Washoe County, 

Nev. This earthquake probably originated northeast 

of Reno. Many chimneys were toppled throughout 

Reno, including four that fell on buildings at the University of Nevada. The shock was described as 

"severe" about 25 km east of Reno, at Hazen. Also 

felt in California. Magnitude 5.5 MS ELL, 5.0 ML& 

DMG. (Ref. 54, 56.)

1915. Oct. 3 (Oct. 2). Pleasant Valley, Nev. 

This earthquake occurred along a fault on the eastern side of Pleasant Valley, which lies about 64 km 

southeast of Winnemucca, in the north-central part 

of Nevada. The epicentral region was almost uninhabited, and, therefore, property damage was less 

than might have been expected. Damage was confined mainly to an area within 80 km of the fault in 

Humboldt, Lander, and Pershing Counties, including 

the towns of Battle Mountain, Kennedy, Lovelock, 

Winnemucca, and several ranches in Pleasant Valley. 

Four main scarps the China Mountain, Tobin, 

Pearce, and Sou Hills developed in a right-stepping 

en echelon pattern. The combined length of the 

scarps was 59 km, the average vertical displacement 

2 m, and the maximum displacement (which occurred 

on the Pearce scarp) 5.8 m. Several northwest-striking segments of the scarps had a right-lateral component of displacement, generally less than 1 m.

At Kennedy, two adobe houses were destroyed, 

mine tunnels collapsed, and concrete mine foundations were cracked. At Winnemucca, adobe buildings 

generally were damaged, and several multistory 

brick buildings lost their coping and parts of upper

walls; many chimneys were demolished above the 

rooflines. In addition, water tanks were thrown down 

at Battle Mountain, Kodiak, Lovelock, and Parran. 

Damage occurred on several ranches at the southern 

end of Pleasant Valley: an adobe house was shaken 

down; a masonry chicken house and a hog pen were 

destroyed; and houses were displaced from their 

foundations.

One of the most striking effects of this earthquake 

was the large increase (and decrease) in the flow of 

springs and streams throughout northern Nevada. 

Cracks formed in unconsolidated materials for considerable distances. Felt from the State of Oregon to 

southern California and from the Pacific coast to 

beyond Salt Lake City, Utah, (see fig. 40). Two foreshocks and many aftershocks occurred. Magnitude 

7.3 mb ABE, 7.75 Ms GR, 7.6 Ms CFR. (Ref. 56, 258, 

327, 589.)

1930. Apr. 9. Near Lake Tahoe, Douglas 

County, Nev. At the southeast end of Lake Tahoe, 

chimneys were damaged. Plaster was cracked at 

Tahoe. Also felt in California. (Ref. 3, 324.)

1930. Apr. 12. Fernley, Lyon County, Nev. 

Chimneys and dishes broke at Fernley; plaster 

cracked at Fallon, southeast of Fernley, and objects 

fell from shelves. Also felt in California. (Ref. 3, 324.)

1932. Dec. 21 (Dec. 20). Cedar Mountain, Nev. 

This major earthquake originated in an uninhabited 

desert region of western Nevada, near Cedar Mountain, and therefore caused minimal property loss. 

Two cabins, one of stone and the other of adobe, were 

destroyed, and ore-treating plants and mines were 

damaged. The main shock was strong at Fallon, 

Mina, Luning, Tonopah, and at many other Nevada 

towns. Many chimneys were downed in Mineral 

County, at Luning and Mina. In addition, walls fell 

and cracks formed in the ground at Luning.

Extensive and complicated faulting occurred over 

an area 63 km long and 6 to 14.5 km wide in the 

valley between Gabbs Valley Range and Pilot Peak 

on the west and Paradise Range and Cedar Mountains on the east, northeast of Mina. In this area, 60 

en echelon rifts as much as 6 km in length and 122 

m in width were found. The rifts consisted of zones of 

fissures that commonly revealed vertical displacement, and in several places showed horizontal displacement. Boulders were shaken from cliffs and 

hillsides in many places; large landslides occurred; 

and the flow of ground water either increased or 

decreased in some springs and wells. Felt from the 

Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean and from San 

Diego to southern Oregon, (see fig. 41). One foreshock 

and many aftershocks occurred. Magnitude 7.3 MS 

CFR. (Ref. 38, 258, 356.)
292 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

124° 122° 120° 118° 116°

40°

EXPLANATION 

W Epicenter 

X Intensity 10

38°

36°

34°

FIGURE 40. Isoseismal map for the Pleasant Valley, Nevada, earthquake of October 3, 1915. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates form data listed in references 272 and 327 of table 1.
EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA 293

118° 116° 114° 110"

EXPLANATION

100 KILOMETEHS| if Epicenter 

X Intensity 10

FIGURE 41. Isoseismal map for the Cedar Mountain, Nevada, earthquake of December 21, 1932. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 5, 259, and 356 of table 1.
294 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1933. June 25. Western Nevada. Many chimneys were downed southeast of Reno, at Virginia 

City, and in Lyon County, at Wabuska and Yerington. 

A church was damaged severely at Virginia City, and 

a wall separated from the rest of courthouse building 

at Yerington. Water spurted from cracks that formed 

in the ground at Yerington. Minor damage occurred 

in many nearby towns. Also felt in California. (Ref. 

6, 324.)

1934. Jan. 30, 19 23 UTC. Excelsior Mountains, Nev. A strong foreshock of the damaging 

earthquake at 20 16 UTC downed chimneys and 

broke windows and dishes southeast of Hawthorne, 

at Mina (Mineral County). Also felt in California. 

(Ref. 38, 54, 335.)

1934. Jan. 30, 20 16 UTC. Excelsior Mountains, Nev. This strong earthquake centered in an 

uninhabited area having few structures, and damage 

therefore was slight. At Mina (Mineral County), a 

few chimneys were broken and a small section of a 

brick wall fell. At Marietta, two walls of an adobe 

cabin collapsed; at Candelaria, a stone cabin was 

partly destroyed; and at the Silver Dike mine in the 

eastern part of the Excelsior Mountains, a rockslide 

destroyed a pipeline and a pumphouse. Fissures 

formed in alluvium; landslides occurred; and changes 

in the flow of springs were observed.

Fissures in alluvium, mainly related to slumping 

rather than to primary faulting, were found in three 

places: above Pepper Spring, south of Garfield Flat; 

on the northwest side of Teel's Marsh; and at the 

Endowment mine, about 5 km north of Marietta. The 

average trend of the fissures was N. 10° W, and the 

length about 30.5 m. One graben was 6 m wide and, 

on its west side, was a slump hole about 0.6 m deep. 

At the Endowment mine, two fissures one 6 m long 

and the second 30.5 m long formed in the bed of the 

wash about 122 m beyond the end of the fault. An 

earthquake scarp about 1.4 km long developed on 

one of the faults 5 km north of Marietta, on the 

southern side of the Excelsior Mountains. This scarp 

had a maximum height of 12.7 cm, and the fissures 

were as wide as 7.6 cm. It appears that this was the 

surface expression of the movement that caused the 

earthquake.

Several landslides occurred, and boulders rolled 

down slopes throughout the Excelsior Mountains. 

The shock also was felt throughout central Nevada 

and central California as far as the west coast. Magnitude 6.3 MS GR. (Ref. 7, 324, 335.)

1939. Jan. 11. Near Gardnerville, Douglas 

County, western Nevada. Damage was slight at 

Gardnerville, where cracks formed in plaster, and at

Hudson, where dishes broke. Also felt in California. 

(Ref. 12, 324.)

1939. May 4. Near Boulder City, Clark 

County, southern Nevada. At Boulder City, about 

15 km southeast of Las Vegas, plaster cracked and 

fell. In the Hoover Dam area, large rocks rolled onto 

roadways and made some of them impassable. A 

heavy dust cloud noted south of Hoover Dam probably resulted from landslides. Plaster was cracked in 

several houses in Mohave City and Oatman, Ariz. 

Also felt in California. (Ref. 12, 292, 343.)

1939. May 11. Northeast of Mina in Nye 

County, Nev. At Rawhide, vases were overturned 

and trees and bushes were shaken strongly. Plaster 

was cracked at Yerington. Felt north to Lovelock, 

south to Beatty, east to Eureka, and west to Yosemite 

National Park, Calif. Magnitude 5.5 Ms GR. (Ref. 12, 

38, 324.)

1942. Aug. 18. Near Mount Montgomery, Mineral County, Nev. Dishes fell at Mount Montgomery, 

in southern Mineral County, and lath on veneer 

board panels cracked loose. Also felt in California. 

(Ref. 15, 16.)

1942. Dec. 3. Near Reno, Washoe County, 

Nev. At Reno, plaster was cracked in several buildings, and a heavy safe was shifted several centimeters. Rocks fell onto the highway in Truckee 

Canyon, east of Sparks. Also felt in California. (Ref. 

15, 259, 324.)

1943. Aug. 9 (Aug. 8). Excelsior Mountains, 

Nev. Plaster and walls were cracked at Dyer (Esmeralda County) and at Fallon (Churchill County), 80 

km northeast. Also felt in California. Several aftershocks were recorded. (Ref. 16.)

1948. Nov. 2. Hoover Dam, Nev., area. Southeast of Las Vegas, rocks rolled onto the highway 

leading to Hoover Dam and fell from canyon walls 

upstream and downstream from the dam. Dust 

clouds from landslides also were observed. At nearby 

Boulder City, some minor cracking of plaster 

occurred. (Ref. 21, 259.)

1952. May 9. Near Carson City, Ormsby 

County, Nev. New cracks formed in four State buildings at Carson City. Plaster and knickknacks fell at 

Virginia City, about 20 km north. Also felt in California. (Ref. 25, 324.)

1952. May 24 (May 23). Near Boulder City, 

Clark County, Nev. Slight damage occurred southeast of Las Vegas, at Boulder City (cracks in plaster 

and foundations) and at Whitney (cracks in walls). 

(Ref. 25, 292.)

1953. Sept. 26 (Sept. 25). Near Reno, Washoe 

County, Nev. Two chimneys toppled at Reno, and 

plaster cracked in buildings throughout the
EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA 295

northwest part of town. Much damage occurred to 

plaster at the University of Nevada in the Mackay 

School of Mines Building. Slight damage also was 

reported in California. (Ref. 26, 324.)

1954. July 6, 11 13 UTC. Fallon-Stillwater 

area, Churchill County, Nev. In Fallon, the town 

nearest the epicenter, several old and poorly built 

concrete-block structures and unreinforced brick 

structures were damaged severely, and many brick 

chimneys fell. Several people were injured at the 

Naval Auxiliary Air Station, about 8 km southeast 

of Fallon, when the shock knocked heavy steel lockers onto them. Two areas outside Fallon that also 

sustained damage were the Lone Tree district to 

the south and the Stillwater district to the east. 

Ground motion and surface breakage were heavier 

in Stillwater.

Canals and drainage systems of the Newlands Reclamation Project near Fallon were damaged extensively. Many box-type culverts were damaged or 

collapsed. Failure of the Coleman Diversion Dam cut 

off irrigation water to most of the project.

Paved highways in the Fallon-Stillwater areas settled, cracked, and buckled in several places. One of 

the largest ground movements occurred in the Lone 

Tree area. One road dropped about 90 cm for a distance of several hundred meters and lurched about 

90 cm horizontally toward a canal. In the Lone Tree 

and Stillwater areas, canal banks settled as much as 

0.9 m, and bottoms of canals were raised as much as 

0.6 m.

The main zone of ground fractures was observed 

on the east edge of Rainbow Mountain in the Stillwater Range, about 24 km southeast of Fallon. This 

earthquake and the large shock on Aug. 24 (see 

description below) resulted in surface evidence of 

faulting for about 40 km. This break is referred to 

as the Rainbow Mountain fault. Vertical displacement was evident along about two-thirds of the 

fault; the west side uplifted everywhere with respect 

to the east side. Scarps as high as 30 cm or more 

formed, and small grabens developed in places. 

Horizontal displacement was not found. The quake 

was also felt in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah 

(see fig. 42). Magnitude 6.6 Ms CFR, 6.3 Ms ELL. 

(Ref. 27, 324, 575.)

1954. July 6, 22 07 UTC. Fallon-Stillwater 

area, Churchill County, Nev., aftershock. U.S. 

Highway 50 settled to the extent that it had to be 

filled and resurfaced about 8 km southeast of Salt 

Wells. Many observed a large cloud of dust rising in 

that area, probably a result of landslides. Little additional damage to structures was reported from

Fallon. Also felt in California. Magnitude 6.4 MS 

CFR. (Ref. 27, 38, 259, 324.)

1954. Aug. 24 (Aug. 23). Fallon-Stillwater 

area, Churchill County, Nev. Ground surface 

movement was increased several centimeters at the 

break of the main fault of July 6, 1954 (11 13 UTC), 

along the east edge of Rainbow Mountain. Displacement owing to this shock was much more continuous than that of July 6, probably as a result of the 

larger relative movement (76 cm compared to 30 cm 

on July 6). The ground breakage extended north for 

about 18 km to the region southeast of Carson Sink. 

Only vertical movement was observed, however. 

Except for the Lovelock area, where this earthquake 

considerably damaged the Rogers Dam, damage to 

buildings, roads, and irrigation facilities occurred in 

the same general areas as for the shock on July 6. 

Also felt in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah (see 

fig. 43). Magnitude 6.8 Ms CFR, 6.9 Ms ELL. (Ref. 

27, 324.)

1954. Aug. 31. Dixie Valley, Churchill County, 

Nev. A series of violent, earthquakes generated additional landslides in the Stillwater Range northeast of 

Stillwater. In West Lee Canyon, everything in one 

cabin was overturned, including the stove. Magnitude 6.3 MS CFR. (Ref. 27, 324.)

1954. Dec. 16, 11 07 UTC. Dixie Valley-Fairview Peak area, Churchill County, Nev. The population was sparse in the epicentral region of this 

earthquake, and few man-made structures existed. 

Damage to structures, therefore, was minor despite 

the geologic and seismographic evidence of a major 

earthquake.

The earthquake was accompanied by offsets along 

many faults in four main zones of a north-trending 

belt 96 km long by 32 km wide. Minor geologic 

effects included changes in flow of springs and wells, 

formation of craters and water fountains, landslips 

and landslides, mudflows, and rockfalls.

The fault displacements mainly were along normal 

faults in the following areas: (1) west of Dixie Valley, 

(2) southeast of Dixie Valley, (3) east of Fairview 

Peak, and (4) east of Stingaree Valley. The maximum 

strike-slip component was 3.6 m of right-lateral 

movement at Fairview Peak, and the maximum vertical-slip component was 3.6 m at Bell Flat.

Heavy furniture was displaced at Frenchman Station, about 11 km west of major surface faulting, but 

damage to buildings was negligible. Differential settlement of about 10 cm that occurred under a woodframe store resulted in minor cracking of the building. Damage at Fallon, about 48 km west of the nearest major surface break, was limited to a few toppled 

chimneys. Hundreds of aftershocks occurred. The
296

124°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

122° 120° 118° 116° 114° 112C

38'

36°

FIGURE 42. Isoseismal map for the Fallon-Stillwater, Nevada, earthquake of July 6, 1954. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in references 27, 259, and 575 of table 1.

main earthquake also was felt in Arizona, California, 

Idaho, Oregon, and Utah (see fig. 44). Magnitude 7.1 

MS ABE, 6.9 mb ABE, 7.1 Ms CFR. (Ref. 27, 358, 

505.)

1954. Dec. 16, 11 11 UTC. Dixie ValleyFairview Peak area, Churchill County, Nev., 

aftershock. See above description of the main earthquake at 11 07 UTC on Dec. 16. Because damage 

from the two earthquakes cannot be separated, they 

are treated as one event. Magnitude 6.8 MS CFR. 

(Ref. 27, 358.)

1956. Dec. 31, 17 37 UTC. Near Hawthorne, 

Mineral County, Nev. Two moderate earthquakes

(the second one at 17 39 UTC) cracked U.S. Highway 95, south of Hawthorne, and split Highway 50, 

near Frenchman Station. Also felt in California. 

(Ref. 29, 324.)

1956. Dec. 31, 17 39 UTC. Near Hawthorne, 

Mineral County, Nev. See above description of 

the earthquake at 17 37 UTC, Dec. 31, 1956. 

(Ref. 29, 324.)

1958. Apr. 19. Boulder City area, Clark 

County, Nev. This minor earthquake cracked plaster, broke dishes, and overturned books and pictures 

at Boulder City. (Ref. 31, 54.)
124° 122°

EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA 

120° 118° 116°

297

114° 112°

36

FIGURE 43. Isoseismal map for the Fallon-Stillwater, Nevada, earthquake of August 24, 1954. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from data listed in references 27, 259, and 575 of table 1.

1959. Mar. 23 (Mar. 22). Dixie Valley area, 

Churchill County, Nev. Plaster cracked at Carson 

City and Frenchman Station, and the top of a new 

addition to the State printing office was damaged. A 

field investigation in Dixie Valley revealed no sign of 

fresh cracking on the Fairview Peak fault where it 

crosses U.S. Highway 50, the Dixie Valley Road

northward to Horse Creek Road, nor the Horse Creek 

Road; fresh cracking was not noted on the extension 

of the Gold King fault at the south edge of Dixie Valley. Also felt in California. (Ref. 32, 259, 324.)

1959. June 23. Near Schurz, northeast Mineral County, Nev. This was the main shock of a 

series of four moderate earthquakes. Chimneys
298 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Fault scarp in the Fairview Peak area, Nevada, formed by the December 16, 1954, earthquake. 

(Photograph from the National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA.)

twisted and cracked at Schurz, and a garage 

attached to a frame house separated 5 cm from the 

house. A new roadbed, about 8 km west of Schurz, 

was cracked; plaster cracked and knickknacks fell at 

Genoa. Some residents reported minor rockslides in 

the adjacent mountains. Also felt in California. (Ref. 

32, 324.)

1963. Mar. 25. Near Boulder City, Clark 

County, Nev. Considerable minor damage mainly 

cracked and fallen plaster and broken dishes 

occurred at Boulder City. Several rockslides were 

observed in the Boulder City area. Power was interrupted for 20 minutes at Hoover powerplant and

dam, and one generator possibly was misaligned. 

Also felt in Arizona, California, and Utah. (Ref. 36, 

259, 266.)

1964. Oct. 30. Dyer area, Esmeralda County, 

Nev. A series of earthquakes occurred along the California-Nevada border, all of which were preceded by 

a roaring noise. The strongest shock (at 19 03 UTC) 

cracked a concrete-block foundation and a window at 

Dyer. (Ref. 37, 259, 266.)

1966. Apr. 2. South of Luning, Mineral 

County, Nev. This earthquake separated two parts 

of an old building at Luning. Small objects shifted 

and fell. (Ref. 81, 266.)
36'

34

124° 122C

EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA 

120° 118° 116° 114C 112°

299

110°

32

FIGURE 44. Isoseismal map for the Dixie Valley-Fairview Peak, Nevada, earthquake of December 16, 1954. Isoseismals are based on

intensity estimates from data listed in references 27 and 259 of table 1.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

73° 72

45°

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

3.2-4.4/VI 

4.5-4.9

5.0-5.4 

5.5-5.9 

CANADA

UNITED STATES

VERMONT

Portsmouth

MASSACHUSETTS

50 KILOMETERS 

I

Earthquakes in New Hampshire with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

301
302 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEW HAMPSHIRE

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1732 09

1810 11

1925 10

1940 12

1940 12

1964 06

1973 06

1977 12

1982 01

1988 10

Da

16

10

09

20

24

26

15

25

19

20

Origin

time (uic)

h m s

1600

0215

1355

07 27 26.2

13 43 45.0

110449.0

010905.1

15 35 54.0

001442.7

130950.1

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

45.5 N

43.0 N

43.7 N

43.872N

43.908N

43.405N

45.307N

43.185N

43.51 N

44.539N

Longitude

0

73.6 W

70.8 W

71.1 W

71.370W

71.283W

71.680W

71.119W

71.658W

71.62 W

71.158W

Depth

(km)

___

010

008

001

012

012

007

005

Ref

76

78

76

349

349

349

349

349

350

74

Magnitude

USGS Other

m,b MS

_ _ _

 

 4.00Mfa SC

 5.50Mn ST

 5.50Mn ST

 3.20Mn DG

4.8 5.00Mn STR

 3.20Mn WES

4.5 _ 4.50Mn BLA

 3.90Mn OS

Intensity

Moment

M

__

5.25ST

5.60ESM

4.48HRN

MM

rx

VI

VI

vn

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

Ref

76

76

38

13

13

37

46

39

350

578

Felt area

(1,000km2)

_

21 &

18

356&

12

182&

3

127

17

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1732. Sept. 16. St. Lawrence River valley, 

Canada. An earthquake that was violent in Montreal, Canada, also damaged houses at Piscataqua, 

N.H., in eastern Rockingham County. In Montreal, 

the shock damaged 300 houses, cracked walls, 

knocked down chimneys, and caused one death. Felt 

slightly at Boston, Mass., and Annapolis, Md. (Ref. 

38, 59, 76.)

1810. Nov. 10 (Nov. 9). Between Portsmouth 

and Hampton, Rockingham County, N.H. The 

earthquake broke windows at Portsmouth, and 

caused earth noises like a heavy explosion. Felt from 

Concord, N.H., east to the coast and from Portland, 

Me., south to Charlestown, Mass. (Ref. 38, 76, 78.)

1925. Oct. 9. Eastern New Hampshire, near 

Lake Winnipesaukee. One chimney fell from an old 

colonial house at Sandwich, N.H., in Carroll County 

north of Laconia. Chimneys also were knocked down 

at Cornish, Me., about 60 km east of Sandwich, N.H. 

This severe shock broke windows in Carroll County 

at Ossipee, Sandwich, and Tuftonboro, N.H., and 

cracked a concrete sidewalk at Meredith, north of 

Laconia. Items were knocked from shelves and residents were frightened in many towns in the area. 

Felt to the north at Bethlehem (northern Grafton 

County), to the southwest at Keene (Cheshire 

County), and to the east at Portland, Me. (Cumberland County). (Ref. 38, 76, 78, 218.)

1940. Dec. 20 and Dec. 24. Near Ossipee 

Lake, Carroll County, N.H. The first earthquake 

and one of about the same intensity on Dec. 24 are 

described together. Their epicenters lie in the same 

general region west of Whittier, N.H. Although the 

second shock was of less duration, it was somewhat

more intense than the first. However, the first shock 

undoubtedly weakened structures, which resulted in 

more severe damage from the second earthquake.

The town of Tamworth, on the edge of the Ossipee 

Mountains in central Carroll County, sustained the 

most damage. Old houses and chimneys in need of 

repair were most commonly damaged. Some chimneys were thrown down, and 20 others were damaged. Also, reports indicate that well water remained 

muddy for several days and that many cracks formed 

in the crusty snow. Other minor damage included 

cracked walls, broken water pipes, fallen plaster, and 

broken furniture.

At the Riverside Cemetery at Whittier, about 3 km 

south of Tamworth, five monuments were displaced. 

In the nearby towns of West Ossipee and Chocorua, 

many old chimneys in need of repair were damaged, 

and water in wells became muddy. At Wonalancet, 8 

km northwest of Tamworth, the foundation of an old 

house (constructed of heavy timber) was damaged 

when it shifted about 30 cm. Heavy furniture, including a kitchen stove, moved several centimeters across 

the floor.

Minor damage occurred at several towns in Maine, 

Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont (see fig. 45). 

Reports of the shock also were received from Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode 

Island, as well as from Montreal and Quebec, Canada. Several small aftershocks occurred over the 

next several months. Magnitude 5.6 Mg GR (both), 

5.44 M JOH (Dec. 20), 5.62 M JOH (Dec 24). (Ref. 

13, 38, 349, 506.)

1964. June 26. Near Warner, Merrimack 

County, N.H. Plaster fell at Meriden, and trees and 

bushes were shaken lightly. Slight damage also was 

reported at Bradford, Merrimack County, N.H., and 

at Springfield, Vt. (Ref. 37, 38, 349.)
EARTHQUAKES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 303

FIGURE 45. Isoseismal map for the New Hampshire earthquake of December 20, 1940. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in references 13 and 506 of table 1.

1973. June 15 (June 14). Quebec-New Hampshire border area. Cracks formed in the road surface in the area about Montpelier, Vt.; chimneys and 

grocery stock were damaged at Woburn, Quebec. The 

earthquake cracked plaster and broke windows in 

Quebec Province and in the States of Maine, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Also felt in Connecticut and Rhode Island. 

Magnitude 4.49 M JOH. (Ref. 46, 349.)

1977. Dec. 25. Near Concord, Merrimack 

County, N.H. The earthquake cracked plaster and 

windows in Concord. Felt over a small area of southcentral New Hampshire. Magnitude 3.1 Mn PAL. 

(Ref. 39, 349.)

1982. Jan. 19 (Jan. 18). Near Laconia, 

Belknap County, N.H. Damage, mainly cracks in 

chimneys and walls, occurred in Drury and Westford,

Mass.; Ashland, Bristol, Danbury, Laconia, and 

North Stratford, N.H.; and several towns in 

northeast Massachusetts and central Vermont. Other 

damage, widely reported in the area, included 

cracked plaster and broken merchandise and knickknacks. Also felt in Quebec, Canada and in the 

States of Connecticut, Maine, New York, and Rhode 

Island. Magnitude 4.7 MD WES. (Ref. 350.)

1988. Oct. 20. Near Berlin, Coos County, 

N.H. Minor damage at Berlin included cracked 

chimneys and house foundation, hairline cracks in 

interior walls, and displaced tombstones. At nearby 

Milan, interior walls sustained hairline cracks in 

plaster and drywall, and a house foundation was 

cracked. Felt over a small area of northwest Maine, 

northern New Hampshire, and northeast Vermont. 

(Ref. 74, 578.)

NEW JERSEY

76

Magnitude/Intensity 

O 2.4-4.4/VI 

5.0-5.4/VII

PENNSYLVANIA

39

Earthquakes in New Jersey with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

305
306 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEW JERSEY

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader ( ) indicates

information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1783 11

1895 09

1927 06

1957 03

1976 03

Da

30

01

01

23

11

Origin

time (UTC)

h m s

0350

1109

1220

190231

21 07 20.4

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

41.0 N

40.75 N

40.3 N

40.6 N

40.96 N

Longitude

(°)

74.5

74.5

74.0

74.8

74.37

W

W

W

W

W

Depth

(km)

^ _

010

004

Ref

76

369

38

77

49

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment

mb MS M

 5.30Mfa SET 

 4.10MfaSC 

 

 3.80Mfa SC 

 2.40Mn PAL 

Intensity

MM

VI

VI

vn

VI

VI

Ref

76

38

38

30

49

Felt area

(1,000km2)

^_

30

20&

7

@

1976 04 13 15 3913.6 40.84 N 74.05 W 001 317 3.10Mn PAL VI 49 <§>

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1783. Nov. 30 (Nov. 29). West of New York

City, N.Y. This earthquake was felt from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania. A foreshock at 02 00 UTC on 

Nov. 30 and an aftershock at 07 00 UTC were 

reported only in New York and in Philadelphia, Pa. 

(Ref. 76.)

1895. Sept. 1. Near High Bridge, Hunterdon 

County, N.J. This earthquake knocked articles from 

shelves and rocked buildings in several towns in New 

Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. At Asbury 

Park, N.J., plaster was knocked from walls. At Philadelphia, Pa., windows were broken and crockery was 

overturned. Felt from Falls Church, Va., and Washington, B.C., to Connecticut. Magnitude 4.3 Mfa SET. 

(Ref. 38, 272, 369.)

1927. June 1. Near Asbury Park, Monmouth 

County, N.J. Several chimneys were downed, bricks 

fell from chimneys, and articles fell from shelves in 

an area from Asbury Park north to Long Branch, in 

northeast Monmouth County. Also, part of a ceiling 

fell at Long Branch, and plaster fell from walls and 

ceilings at Fairhaven, northwest of Long Branch. 

Many accounts of broken crockery and fallen plaster

were reported from Westchester County, N.Y. Three 

shocks were felt along the New Jersey coast from 

Sandy Hook to Toms River. (Ref. 38, 218.)

1957. Mar. 23. Long Valley area, Morris 

County, N.J. At Long Valley (about 55 km west of 

Newark), walls were cracked and plaster fell to the 

floor. Chimneys cracked and windows and dishes 

broke at Lebanon (about 18 km southwest of Long 

Valleyj, and one chimney cracked and a well curb 

broke in the Hamden area (5 km southwest of Lebanon). (Ref. 30, 38, 77.)

1976. Mar. 11. Pompton Lakes area, Passaic 

County, N.J. Slight damage occurred about 35 km 

northwest of Newark, at Pompton Lakes (cracks in 

ceiling, fallen plaster), at nearby Kinnelon (cracks 

in plaster and windows), and north of Jersey City, 

at Ridgefield (cracks in ceiling). Felt in Bergen, 

Morris, and Passaic Counties in northeast New Jersey. (Ref. 49.)

1976. Apr. 13. Near Ridgefield, Bergen 

County, N.J. An earthquake slightly larger in magnitude than that on Mar. 11, 1976, centered in the 

same general area. Residents in Ridgefield, about 13 

km north of Jersey City, reported that plaster was 

knocked to the floor. The shock was felt widely in the 

area. (Ref. 49, 317.)
NEW MEXICO

110° 108° 106° 104° 102°

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.8-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9

5.0-5.4/VI

Earthquakes in New Mexico with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

307
308 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEW MEXICO

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader ( ) indicates information is not

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1855 04 20

1869 04 18

1869 04 20

1878 06 14

1893 04 08

1893 09 07

1897

1906 07 12

1906 07 12

1906 07 16

1906 11 15

1918 05 28

1931 02 05

1935 02 21

1935 12 16

1935 12 18

1935 12 20

1938 09 17

1938 09 20

1938 09 29

1938 11 01

1938 11 02

1938 11 27

1939 01 20

1939 06 04

1947 11 06

1960 07 23

1961 07 03

1966 01 23

1970 01 12

1970 11 28

1971 01 04

1973 12 24

1976 01 05

1977 03 05

1983 03 02

1985 08 16

1989 11 29

Origin 

time <UTC)

h m s

05

13

0320

1215

1305

1900

1215

1130

0448

0125

18

05 33 18

1030

17 20 17

053900

23 34 57

082606

085958

001239

12 17 20

01 19 10

1650

1415

0706

015638.1

112115.1

074011.8

073907.0

02 20 14.9

06 23 33.9

030055.8

23 22 19.4

14 56 52.9

06 54 38.5

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

34.0 N

34.0 N

34.0 N

36.5 N

34.5 N

34.5 N

34.0 N

34.0 N

34.0 N

34.0 N

34.0 N

35.5 N

35.1 N

34.5 N

34.7 N

34.7 N

34.7 N

33.3 N

33.3 N

33.3 N

33.3 N

33.3 N

33.3 N

33.3 N

33.3 N

35.2 N

34.35 N

34.10 N

36.98 N

35.89 N

35.10 N

35.10 N

35.26 N

35.8 17N

35.748N

34.302N

34.130N

34.455N

Longitude 

(°)

107.0 W

107.0 W

107.0 W

104.9 W

106.8 W

106.8 W

107.0 W

107.0 W

107.0 W

107.0 W

107.0 W

106.0 W

106.6 W

106.8 W

106.8 W

106.8 W

106.8 W

108.5 W

108.5 W

108.5 W

108.5 W

108.5 W

108.5 W

108.5 W

108.5 W

106.3 W

106.85 W

106.95 W

107.02 W

103.40 W

106.61 W

106.60 W

107.74 W

108.212W

108.222W

106.892W

106.832W

106.891W

Depth 

(km)

__

_

_

_ _ _

, _

____

 _ -

_

_

003

_

018

040

044

008

007

013

Ref

269

38

270

463

270

255

38

38

270

38

38

84

4

38

270

38

270

277

277

277

277

277

277

277

277

259

261

261

264

261

261

261

74

470

470

360

371

74

USGS

Tib MS

_ 

 

 

 

 

 * 

 

 

_ _

 

 » _ _

 

 

 

 

__ __

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_ . _ .

 

 

5.1 

3.5 

4.5 

4.7 

4.4 

5.0 

4.6 

4.1 

 

4.6 

Magnitude

Other

__

___

^_

4.90Mn

4.30Mn

4.80Mn

3.80Mn

4.30Mn

4.60Mn

3.70Mn

4.60Mn

_ .

5.10mb

3.30ML

3.80ML

3.50ML

4.10ML

4.60ML

4.20ML

4.10ML

4.10ML

4.70MD

Moment 

M

. _

 

 

 

___

^_

__

TAG 

TAG 

TAG 

TAG 

TAG 

TAG 

TAG 

TAG 

_

NUT 4.98HDP

NMI 

GS 

NMI 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

NMI 

Intensity

MM

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

vn

VI

vn

VI

vn

vn

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

Ref

269

38

270

463

255

38

38

257

270

257

257

38

38

38

270

270

270

38

259

259

11

259

11

259

259

259

3f3

34

81

43

43

44

46

49

39

360

371

579

Felt area 

(I.OOOk-n2)

_

104

104

205

25

<§>

5

21

20

<§>

8

27

10

3

2

20

115

51

4

4

28

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1855. Apr. 20 (Apr. 19). Socorro area, N. Mex.

The earthquake almost destroyed two houses at 

Socorro, about 110 km south of Albuquerque. The 

earth trembled; houses shook; and horses were 

frightened. (Ref. 269.)

1869. Apr. 18. Socorro area, N. Mex. Socorro 

Springs (at the base of Socorro Mountain) changed 

flow and became muddy, and its flow was diminished 

for many weeks. Some houses were damaged considerably at Socorro, about 110 km south of Albuquerque. Seven severe shocks occurred from Apr. 18 20. 

(Ref. 38, 270, 446.)

1869. Apr. 20. Socorro area, N. Mex. This 

severe aftershock cracked the walls of the church at
EARTHQUAKES IN NEW MEXICO 309

Socorro, about 110 km south of Albuquerque. Near 

Socorro, the hot springs spouted water "hotter than 

ever and of a reddish color." (Ref. 270, 446.)

1878. June 14. Cimarron, Colfax County, N. 

Mex. Windowpanes were broken by an earthquake 

at Cimarron, about 55 km southwest of Raton. 

(Ref. 463.)

1887. May 3. Northern Sonora, Mexico. Chimneys were thrown down in Albuquerque, N. Mex. See 

the Arizona chapter for a complete description of this 

damaging earthquake. (Ref. 38, 343, 471, 494, 497.)

1893. Apr. 8 (Apr. 7). Belen, Valencia County, 

N. Mex. This was the strongest of a series of shocks 

Apr. 6-8. It damaged almost all the houses in and 

around Belen and threw several entirely down. The 

earthquake was not felt farther south than Sabinal. 

The effects for these earthquakes were taken from 

two reports, one not indicating any damage and the 

other as described above. The assigned intensity is 

lower than the above damage would indicate. (Ref. 

255, 270.)

1893. Sept. 7. Los Lunas, Valencia County, N. 

Mex. Five shocks threw down a score of old adobe 

buildings already weakened by previous earthquakes 

in Los Lunas. At Sabinal, a spring formed in a place 

that always had been dry and barren. The central 

area of the State was subjected to tremors for a 

period of three months, the most severe occurring on 

Sept. 7. (Ref. 38, 255.)

1897. Date unknown. Socorro area, N. Mex. 

This violent tremor overturned chairs and small 

objects at Socorro, about 110 km south of Albuquerque. The motion was so strong that one person could 

not walk. (Ref. 38, 270.)

1906. July 12, 12 15 UTC. Socorro area, N. 

Mex. About 110 km south of Albuquerque at Socorro, 

an earthquake threw down several chimneys, 

knocked plaster from the walls of many adobe houses 

and the courthouse, and hurled shelf goods, book 

cases, and dishes to the floor. The entire business 

block, extending from the plaza along the north side 

of Manzanares Avenue, was damaged heavily. A twostory brick house, one of the buildings most severely 

damaged, was abandoned because its walls were 

cracked badly and thrown out of plumb. Nearby, one 

of the walls of another cottage was damaged so 

severely that the occupants moved outside to a tent. 

Many other residences sustained damage to walls 

and furniture.

Many boulders rolled onto the branch railroad 

leading to Magdalena, west of Socorro, breaking one 

rail and many ties. Fissures formed in the ground 

near the Santa Fe depot in Socorro, and waves were 

seen on the ground surface. The earthquake shook

residents of Carthage, Kelly, Magdalena, San Antonio, San Marcial, and other towns as far north as 

Albuquerque and as far south as Silver City (Grant 

County). Tremors were felt daily from July 2, 1906, 

well into 1907. (Ref. 38, 257, 270.)

1906. July 12, 13 05 UTC. Socorro area, N. 

Mex. This earthquake at Socorro, about 110 km 

south of Albuquerque, was described as almost as 

severe as the first tremor on July 12 (12 15 UTC). 

(Ref. 270.)

1906. July 16. Socorro area, N. Mex. Described 

as slightly stronger that the July 12 event, an earthquake caused additional damage in the form of 

downed chimneys, cracked houses, and damaged 

brick gables at Socorro, about 110 km south of Albuquerque. Many residents left their houses and lived 

in tents. The Socorro Hotel, a brick structure, was 

abandoned because of severe damage. The brick post 

office had a bulging wall, and its southeast corner 

was "thrown out." Three chimneys on the Socorro 

County Courthouse were destroyed, and two were 

downed at the high school. At San Marcial, the shock 

knocked down a few chimneys, cracked a few houses, 

and broke windows. At San Antonio, the earthquake 

caused plaster to fall, broke windows, and cracked 

most houses. This shock was reported felt at Raton, 

about 390 km northeast of Socorro, and Douglas, 

Ariz., 400 km southwest. (Ref. 38, 257, 270.)

1906. Nov. 15. Socorro area, N. Mex. This 

earthquake, which increased the property damage 

already sustained at Socorro, was described as the 

most severe shock of the year. Four rebuilt chimneys 

were shaken off the Socorro County Courthouse, and 

two others were cracked severely. Plaster fell at the 

courthouse, and a cornice on the northwest corner of 

the two-story adobe Masonic Temple was thrown onto 

its first floor. Several bricks fell from the front gable 

on one house. Plaster was shaken from walls in 

Santa Fe, about 200 km from the epicenter. Felt over 

most of New Mexico and in parts of Arizona and 

Texas. (Ref. 38, 257, 270, 272.)

1918. May 28. Near Cerrillos, Santa Fe 

County, N. Mex. Many chimneys and plastered ceilings fell at Cerrillos, about 35 km south of Santa Fe. 

A "heavy" break in the surface of the earth occurred 

at the edge of town. Glass was shaken from several 

windows. People in the street were thrown off their 

feet. Plaster was knocked down at Santa Fe, and 

adobe walls were cracked at Stanley, southwest of 

Cerrillos. (Ref. 38, 84, 270, 272.)

1931. Feb. 5. (Feb. 4). Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, N. Mex. Bricks and adobe walls 

cracked at Albuquerque, chimneys cracked, and part 

of one chimney fell. Large rocks rolled into the
310 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

streets from sand hills about the city. Across the 

river and south of town, two adobe houses were damaged severely. (Ref. 4, 38, 270.)

1935. Feb. 21 (Feb. 20). Near Bernardo, 

Socorro County, N. Mex. Coping on a building 

cracked at Bernardo, and walls and plaster cracked. 

Adobe and concrete buildings sustained damage. 

(Ref. 8, 38.)

1935. Dec. 16. Belen, Valencia County, N. 

Mex. Plaster fell, small cracks formed in buildings, 

and dishes broke at Belen. This is one of a series of 

81 earthquakes that were felt from Dec. 13, 1935, to 

Jan. 4, 1936. (Ref. 270.)

1935. Dec. 18 (Dec. 17). Belen, Valencia 

County, N. Mex. Plaster fell throughout the city of 

Belen, objects were shaken from shelves, and several brick and adobe buildings sustained cracks. 

(Ref. 38, 270.)

1935. Dec. 20. Belen, Valencia County, N.

Mex. A large locomotive shook on the Santa Fe 

tracks at Belen, and switch engines were rocked hard 

enough to alarm engineers and firemen. (Ref. 270.)

1938. Sept. 17. Southwest New Mexico, near 

the Continental Divide. This shock was strongest 

in Graham County, Ariz., at Clifton and Duncan, 

and in the southern part of Catron County, N. Mex. 

At Duncan, Ariz., plaster and walls cracked and 

bottles fell from shelves. At a Forest Service ranger 

station near the head of the west fork of the Gila 

River in New Mexico, one chimney cracked, plaster 

fell, and trees and bushes were shaken strongly. 

This was the first of a series of earthquakes that 

occurred through July 1939. Magnitude 5.5 MS GR. 

(Ref. 8, 38, 277, 343.)

1938. Sept. 20 (Sept. 19). Southwest New 

Mexico aftershock. An aftershock of the Sept. 17 

earthquake cracked old adobe walls and knocked 

others down at Duncan, Ariz., in southeast Graham County. The tremor disrupted telephone service for hours, displaced furnishings in houses, 

and overturned vases. The main shock also was 

felt in Graham County, Ariz., at Clifton, Morenci, 

and Safford; in northern Cochise County, at San 

Simon; and at several towns in New Mexico. Many 

small shocks were reported from Sept. 17-20. (Ref. 

11, 259, 277, 343.)

1938. Sept. 29. Southwest New Mexico aftershock. This aftershock of the Sept. 17 earthquake 

was strongest at Clifton (Graham County), Ariz., 

where about a large amount of plaster fell from a 

ceiling in one house. Felt in Graham and Cochise 

Counties, Ariz., and at several towns in New Mexico. 

(Ref. 259, 277, 343.)

1938. Nov. 1. Southwest New Mexico aftershock. Another aftershock of the Sept. 17 earthquake cracked plaster and chimneys at Cliff (Grant 

County), N. Mex. Rocks fell in the mountains near 

Buckhorn, northwest of Cliff. Also felt in Arizona. 

(Ref. 11, 277, 343.)

1938. Nov. 2. Southwest New Mexico aftershock. Another aftershock of the Sept. 17 earthquake cracked chimneys at White Creek Ranger 

Station near Cliff (Grant County). Also felt in Arizona. (Ref. 259, 277, 343.)

1939. Jan. 20. Southwest New Mexico aftershock. Walls were cracked in Grant County, at Gila, 

by an aftershock of the tremor on Sept. 17, 1938. 

(Ref. 259, 277.)

1939. June 4 (June 3). Southwest New Mexico aftershock. The last damaging aftershock of 

the Sept. 17, 1938, earthquake cracked plaster at 

Duncan, Ariz., in southeast Graham County. (Ref. 

259, 277.)

1947. Nov. 6. San Antonito area, Bernalillo 

County, N. Mex. This local earthquake cracked a 

fireplace and plaster at Zamora Ranch and shook 

dishes from shelves at San Antonito. (Ref. 259.)

1960. July 23. Near Lajoya, Socorro County, 

N. Mex. A weak adobe wall toppled and some adobe 

buildings were cracked at Lajoya. Canned goods fell 

from shelves and people ran outdoors at nearby Bernardo. (Ref. 33, 261.)

1961. July 3. Socorro area, N. Mex. Plaster 

cracked in adobe buildings at Socorro, about 110 km 

south of Albuquerque. (Ref. 34, 261.)

1966. Jan. 23 (Jan. 22). Near Dulce, Rio 

Arriba County, N. Mex. This earthquake affected 

to some extent almost every house in Dulce and damaged chimneys throughout the area. Property damage was estimated at about $200,000. The 

earthquake was caused by normal faulting on a fault 

striking approximately north-northwest, that probably had its maximum activity in Miocene time. Distribution of aftershock epicenters suggests that the 

main shock triggered aftershock activity on adjacent 

faults. The aftershock activity continued in the area 

for a year.

Property damage was most severe at the Dulce 

Bureau of Indian Affairs School and dormitory complex and the Dulce independent schools. Much plaster fell from ceilings in the dormitories, and several 

brick walls sustained vertical fractures that extended 

from ground to roof. Brick walls in the steam-heating 

plant were displaced from vertical alignment as 

much as 3 cm, and two boilers (each weighing 10 

tons) were displaced about 0.6 cm at their bases.
EARTHQUAKES IN NEW MEXICO 311

Also, an 18-m-high smokestack buckled, and only guy 

wires prevented it from falling.

Huge masses of shale and sandstone fell down the 

slopes from nearby Dulce Point. In addition, several 

small cracks formed in fill across the frozen roads in 

the Dulce area, but there was no evidence of ground 

displacement or fissuring. Also felt in southern Colorado. Magnitude 4.6 Ms NUT. (Ref. 38, 81, 263, 

264, 533.)

1970. Jan. 12. Amistad area, Harding County, 

N. Mex. Part of a ceiling fell at Amistad, and some 

adobe bricks in a wall crumbled at the public school 

gymnasium. Plaster fell at nearby Nara Visa. Also 

felt at Texline, Tex. (Ref. 43, 261.)

1970. Nov. 28. Near Albuquerque, Bernalillo 

County, N. Mex. This minor earthquake cracked 

plaster, a garage floor, and a concrete-block wall and 

broke windows. One resident reported that the roof 

of a barn collapsed; another said a roof air conditioner fell through a skylight. (Ref. 43, 261, 364.)

1971. Jan. 4. Near Albuquerque, Bernalillo 

County, N. Mex. Considerable minor damage at 

Albuquerque included cracked windows and plaster 

in buildings and fallen merchandise in markets. An 

old adobe building sustained both interior and exterior cracks. Slight damage also occurred at nearby 

Alameda and Corrales. (Ref. 44, 261.)

1973. Dec. 24 (Dec. 23). Grants area, Cibola 

County, N. Mex. Plaster cracked and fell, cracks 

formed in an exterior wall, and paneling on walls 

pulled apart at Grants. Walls and chimneys were 

cracked at Laguna, about 50 km southeast of Grants. 

(Ref. 46, 74.)

1976. Jan. 5 (Jan. 4). Near Crownpoint, McKinley County, N.Mex. Damage, which generally was 

minor, consisted mostly of cracks in plaster and drywall in several Colorado and New Mexico towns and 

at Leupp, Ariz. At Cahone, Colo., a chimney was 

cracked. Also felt in Utah.

This earthquake and that on Mar. 5, 1977, are 

two of the largest ever observed in New Mexico outside the Rio Grande rift and within the Colorado 

Plateau. They occurred in the southern part of the 

San Juan Basin (known as the Chaco slope), a 

region that historically has had a low level of seismicity. (Ref. 49, 470.)

1977. Mar. 5 (Mar. 4). Near Crownpoint, 

McKinley County, N. Mex. Fences displaced 

slightly at Crownpoint, and existing cracks in walls 

widened considerably south of Crownpoint, at Prewitt. Also felt in Arizona and Colorado. See description above for the earthquake on Jan. 5, 1976. (Ref. 

39, 470.)

1983. Mar. 2. Near Socorro, N. Mex. At San

Acacia, plaster cracked in both exterior and interior 

walls of adobe buildings, dishes were broken, and 

stock was thrown from store shelves. The shock also 

was strong in Socorro County at Bosque, Lajoya, and 

Socorro. (Ref. 360.)

1985. Aug. 16. Near Socorro, N. Mex. At

Socorro, about 110 km south of Albuquerque, cracks 

formed in sidewalks, plaster, windows, and the foundation of a brick building. Also, a few glassware 

items were broken. This earthquake was felt only at 

a few towns in the area. Magnitude 4.3 Mn TUL. 

(Ref. 371.)

NEW YORK

Magnitude/Intensity

2.9-4.4/VI 

Q 4.5-4.9/VI

5.0-5.4/VII

PENNSYLVANIA

Earthquakes in New York with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

313
314 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NEW YORK

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (-) indicates

information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1737 12

1853 03

1855 02

1857 10

1867 12

1877 11

1878 02

1884 08

1897 05

1914 02

1916 02

1928 03

1929 08

1931 04

1934 04

1935 11

1944 09

1944 09

1966 01

1967 06

1974 06

1975 06

1983 02

1983 10

1985 10

Da

19

12

07

23

18

04

05

10

28

10

03

18

12

20

15

01

05

05

01

13

07

09

26

07

19

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0345

0730

0430

2015

0800

0656

1620

1907

0316

1831

0424

1520

112448.7

19 54 30.6

02 58 13.0

060334.2

04 38 45.7

08 51 06.0

13 23 39.0

190855.5

194535.7

18 39 22.7

19 59 35.4

101846.1

100740.3

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°)

40.8 N

43.7 N

42.0 N

43.2 N

44.7 N

44.5 N

40.8 N

40.6 N

44.5 N

44.98 N

43.0 N

44.5 N

42.910N

43.471N

44.7 N

46.87 N

44.958N

44.999N

42.842N

42.837N

41.595N

44.874N

41.552N

43.938N

40.983N

Longitude 

(°)

74.0 W

75.5 W

74.0 W

78.6 W

75.2 W

74.0 W

73.9 W

74.0 W

73.5 W

76.92 W

74.0 W

74.3 W

78.402W

73.785W

73.8 W

79.05 W

74.723W

74.652W

78.249W

78.234W

73.951W

73.65 1W

73.663W

74.258W

73.829W

Depth 

(km)

__

_

_

__

009

005

001

012

001

000

001

003

Oil

007

013

006

Ref

76

76

76

76

126

38

141

76

126

76

126

38

349

349

77

349

349

349

349

349

349

349

360

360

371

Magnitude

USGS Other

IDb MS

 __ _

_ _ _

 

_ _ 4.30Mfa SC

 4.30Mfa SC

 4.90Mfa SC

 

 5.50Mfa SET

_ _ 4.70Mfa SC

 5.20Mfa SC

_ _ 4.10Mfa SC

_ _ 4.10ML EPB

 5.20Mn ST

 4.70Mn ST

 _ 4.50ML EPB

 6.20M8 GR

 5.80Mn ST

 4.50Mn BAS

4.7 _ 4.60Mn STR

3.9 _ 4.40Mn STR

 2.90Mn DG

 3.50Mn ST

 2.90Mn GS

5.1 5.10ML PAL

3.6 _ 4.00ML PAL

Intensity

Moment 

M

__

_

_

4.69ST

5.59ST

5.52ST

4.26HRN

4.07HRN

2.86ST

3.28ST

4.88SOM

MM

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

VI

vn

VI

vn

VI

VI

vm

vn

VI

vn

vm

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

Ref

76

76

76

76

126

38

463

76

76

76

272

38

77

4

126

77

17

81

40

47

48

360

360

371

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

65

65

200

540&

225

518

21

31

880

70

21

2590

1095

26&

6

@

13

4

634

31

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1737. Dec. 19 (Dec. 18). New York City area,

N.Y. Several chimneys were knocked down and bells 

were rung in New York City. It was felt in Boston, 

Mass., Philadelphia, Pa., and New Castle, Del. (Ref. 

38, 59, 76.)

1853. Mar. 12. Near Lowville, Lewis County,

N.Y. Machinery was knocked down at Lowville, about 

100 km northeast of Syracuse. Also felt in Canada. 

(Ref. 59, 76.)

1855. Feb. 7 (Feb. 6). Hudson River valley 

area. This event was felt to the east as far as 

Springfield, Mass. Ref. 444 reports that this was a 

nontectonic event (a cryoseism) which was caused by 

freezing action in ice, ice-soil, and ice-rock materials. 

The intensity VI in the hypocenter list above was

taken from ref. 76 but could not be documented with 

damage descriptions. (Ref. 76, 444.)

1857. Oct. 23. Near Buffalo, Niagara County,

N.Y. Crocks fell from shelves at Buffalo; bells rang 

and walls vibrated and surged. A man sitting on a 

chair was thrown to the ground. Felt from Warren, 

Pa., to Port Hope on Lake Ontario, and in the Montreal, Canada, region. (Ref. 38, 76.)

1867. Dec. 18. Northern New York. This earthquake was described as "quite severe" at Hammond 

(St. Lawrence County). The earthquake awakened 

residents at Ogdensburg (St. Lawrence County) and 

Syracuse (Onondaga County), N.Y., Burlington, Vt., 

and Hamilton, Ontario. Felt from Whitehall, N.Y, 

near the Vermont-New York border, to Belleville, 

Ontario, and Sackville, New Brunswick. (Ref. 38, 59, 

126, 591.)

1877. Nov. 4. Northern New York. Effects of 

the shock were most severe along the St. Lawrence 

River and Lake Champlain. In that area, chimneys
EARTHQUAKES IN NEW YORK 315

82°

44'

38'

36'

FIGURE 46. Isoseismal map for the New York City, New York, earthquake of August 10, 1884. Isoseismals are based on intensity 

estimates from data listed in references 369, 463, 518, and 529 of table 1.

were downed, crockery was overturned, and ceilings 

were cracked. As far southwest as Auburn, N.Y., windowpanes were damaged. Felt from Pembroke, 

Ontario, to Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, on the north; to 

Boston, Mass., Providence, R.I., Hartford, Conn., and 

Auburn, N.Y., on the south. (Ref. 38.)

1878. Feb. 5. Flushing, Queens County, N.Y. A 

severe shock broke windows and crockery and shook 

houses at Flushing. (Ref. 141, 463.)

1884. Aug. 10. Near New York City, N.Y. This 

severe earthquake affected an area roughly extending along the Atlantic Coast from southern Maine to

central Virginia and westward to Cleveland, Ohio 

(see fig. 46). Chimneys were knocked down and walls 

were cracked in several States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Many 

towns from Hartford, Conn., to West Chester, Pa., 

reported fallen bricks and cracked plaster.

Property damage was severe at Amityville and 

Jamaica, N.Y, where several chimneys were "overturned" and large cracks formed in walls. Two chimneys were thrown down and bricks were shaken from 

other chimneys at Stratford (Fairfield County), 

Conn.; water in the Housatonic River was agitated
316 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

violently. At Bloomfield, N.J., and Chester, Pa., several chimneys were downed and crockery was broken. Chimneys also were damaged at Mount Vernon, 

N.Y., and Allentown, Easton, and Philadelphia, Pa. 

Three shocks occurred, the second of which was most 

violent. This earthquake also was reported felt in 

Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Several 

slight aftershocks were reported on Aug. 11. (Ref 38, 

76, 369, 463.)

1897. May 28 (May 27). Northeast New York. 

This earthquake was reported as severe, but little 

damage occurred. Felt in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Also felt in Canada. 

(Ref. 38, 76, 126.)

1914. Feb. 10. Ontario, Canada. A strong 

earthquake near Lanark, Ontario, broke water pipes 

at Canton (St. Lawrence County), N.Y, caused a 

cave-in at Binghamton (Broome County), and cracked 

the road at nearby Johnson City Objects were 

thrown from shelves and walls at Albany and Syracuse. Also felt in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and 

Pennsylvania. Magnitude 5.5 Ukn EPB. (Ref 38, 76.)

1916. Feb. 3 (Feb. 2). Schenectady, N.Y. A distinct earthquake at Schenectady (northwest of 

Albany) broke windows and dishes, threw people out 

of bed, and shook houses. Residents within a 40-km 

radius of Schenectady felt the shock. (Ref. 272.)

1928. Mar. 18. Saranac Lake, Essex County, 

N.Y. Dishes fell from shelves at Saranac Lake, and at 

Malone, about 60 km north, people rushed from their 

houses. The shock was widely felt in northeast New 

York and probably in adjacent Canada. (Ref. 1, 38.)

1929. Aug. 12. Attica, Wyoming County, N.Y. 

The earthquake was strongest in eastern Attica and 

the region to the east. In Attica, 250 chimneys were 

thrown down, several brick buildings were damaged, 

and a crack formed in the railroad embankment near 

the railroad station. East of town, almost every monument was knocked over in the Brainerd Cemetery. 

West of Attica Reservoir, several wells went dry and 

a crack formed in the bottom of one well. Several 

chimneys also fell a few km north of Attica, at Batavia, and at Warsaw, 20 km southeast; only slight 

damage occurred at other towns. It was felt from 

New Hampshire to Michigan and from Maryland to 

northern Ontario (see fig. 47). Magnitude 4.4 MS 

NLI, 4.9 M JOH. (Ref. 2, 38, 77, 349.)

1931. Apr. 20. Lake George area, Warren 

County, N.Y. The most severe damage occurred at 

Warrensburg, a few kilometers north of Lake George, 

where several chimneys were thrown down and a 

church spire twisted. Minor damage also occurred at 

Glens Falls, Luzerne, and Lake George. Although 

widely felt, the shock was not as strong in the

Catskills to the south as it was at equal distances in 

other directions. (Ref. 4, 349.)

1934. Apr. 15 (Apr. 14). Adirondack Mountains area, N.Y., near Lake Champlain. The

earthquake was strongest in the Lake Champlain 

region, near Beekmantown (where a house shifted 

off its foundation); a few kilometers south at 

Keeseville; and at Saranac Lake (northern Essex 

County). Also felt in Vermont and at Montreal, Canada. (Ref. 7, 77, 126.)

1935. Nov. 1. Quebec-Ontario border, Canada. Heavy damage occurred in Timiskaming area, 

Canada. In the United States, chimneys and plaster 

sustained minor damage at Cortland, N.Y, about 50 

km south of Syracuse. Felt in eastern Maine, south 

to Washington, D.C., and west to Wisconsin, including 17 States and three Canadian Provinces. Magnitude 5.9 MS NLI. (Ref. 38, 77, 349.)

1944. Sept. 5 (Sept. 4). Between Massena, 

N.Y., and Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. This severe 

earthquake was felt from Canada south to Maryland 

and from Maine west to Indiana (see fig. 48). It 

caused property damage estimated at $2 million at 

Massena and Cornwall. Many chimneys in that area 

required rebuilding, and several structures were 

unsafe for occupancy until repaired. Residents of St. 

Lawrence County reported that many water wells 

went dry.

At Massena, in northern St. Lawrence County, 90 

percent of the chimneys were destroyed or damaged 

and house foundations, plumbing, and masonry were 

damaged severely. Similar effects were reported at 

Cornwall. Cracks formed in the ground at Hogansburg, and brick-masonry and concrete structures 

were damaged. Chimneys were downed in several 

towns in New York, including Fort Covington, 

Keeseville, Malone, Norfolk, Ogdensburg, and Waddington. Magnitude 5.6 Ms NLI, 5.77 M JOH. (Ref. 

17, 77, 194, 349, 533.)

1966. Jan. 1. Near Attica, Wyoming County, 

N.Y. Chimneys and walls were damaged slightly at 

Attica and 10 km south, at Varysburg. In addition, 

plaster fell at the Attica State Prison, and its main 

smokestack was damaged. Felt in western New York, 

northwest Pennsylvania, and southern Ontario, Canada. (Ref. 81, 105, 349.)

1967. June 13. Near Attica, Wyoming County, 

N.Y. At Attica, plaster fell, chimneys cracked, and 

fluorescent light fixtures were damaged. At Alabama, 

about 30 km north of Attica, ceiling tile fell in a 

church. This shock was felt over a small area of 

western New York. Magnitude 3.0 Ms NLI. (Ref. 38, 

40, 349.)
EARTHQUAKES IN NEW YORK 317

86°

40°

38'

i______ ,r ____ _______ v ' 5 r » \ i___________|

FIGURE 47. Isoseismal map for the Attica, New York, earthquake of August 12, 1929. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from

data listed in reference 2 of table 1.
318 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

82° 78° 74° 70°

66°

48°

FIGURE 48. Isoseismal map for the Massena, New York, earthquake of September 5, 1944. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates 

from original U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey questionnaires and from references 17 and 77 of table 1.

1974. June 7. Wappingers Falls area, Dutchess County, N.Y. Windows were broken in the area, 

and a bookcase toppled in one house. More than 100 

aftershocks were recorded through June 13. Magnitude 3.8 Mn PAL. (Ref. 47, 349.)

1975. June 9. Northern New York. A chimney and fireplace were cracked at Beekmantown, 

on Lake Champlain north of Plattsburgh. About 35 

km east of Beekmantown, at Fairfax, Vt., slight 

damage also was reported. Felt in southern Quebec, 

Canada, and in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,

New York, and Vermont. Magnitude 4.2 Mn PAL. 

(Ref. 38, 48, 349.)

1983. Feb. 26. Near Lagrangeville, Dutchess 

County, N.Y. Slight damage to property was 

reported at two towns in Dutchess County. At 

Lagrangeville, chimneys and a house foundation 

were cracked; at Pawling, a few buildings were damaged and a church wall was cracked. The shock was 

felt only in western Connecticut and southeast New 

York. Magnitude 3.0 Mn PAL. (Ref. 360.)

1983. Oct. 7. Blue Mountain Lake area, 

Hamilton County, N.Y. At Blue Mountain Lake,
86° 82

EARTHQUAKES IN NEW YORK 

78° 74°

319

66°

40'

FIGURE 49. Isoseismal map for the Blue Mountain Lake, New York, earthquake of October 7, 1983. This map is a simplified version of

figure 37 in reference 360 of table 1.

one old chimney collapsed, about 20 tombstones slid 

or rotated, and some minor cracks formed in plaster 

walls. Several landslides were reported. Light damage also occurred at several other towns in the area, 

but the most common effects were cracked chimneys, 

broken dishes or glassware, and overturned or fallen 

objects. Although this earthquake caused only minor 

damage, it was felt over a wide region (see fig. 49), 

including two Provinces in Canada and 12 States. 

Magnitude 5.3 Mn BLA, 5.1 Mn SLM, 4.89 M JOH. 

(Ref. 360.)

1985. Oct. 19. Southeast New York. Windows 

were broken at Newburgh, N.Y. (about 140 km south 

of Albany), and Glenville, Fairfield County, Conn. 

Plaster and drywall also were cracked and glassware 

was broken in Newburgh. Light damage was sustained at a few towns in Connecticut, New Jersey, 

and New York. Felt over a large area of Connecticut, 

Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. A moderate aftershock was felt in Connecticut, 

New Jersey, and New York on Oct. 21 (10 37 UTC). 

Magnitude 4.0 MD WES. (Ref. 371.)

84° 82° 80° 78" 76°

36°34°

SOUTH CAROLINA

100 KILOMETERS 

j____I

Magnitude/Intensity 

O 3.5-4.4/VI 

O 5.0-5.4/VII

Earthquakes in North Carolina with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.
322 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NORTH CAROLINA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (-) indicates information is not

availablej

Date

Yr

1861

1916

1926

1957

1957

1957

1981

Mo

08

02

07

05

07

11

05

Da

31

21

08

13

02

24

05

Origin

time <UTC)

h m s

1022

2339

0950

142451.1

09 33 01

200617

21 21 56.7

Hypocenter

Latitude Longitude

<°)

36.1 N

35.5 N

35.9 N

35.799N

35.6 N

35.0 N

35.327N

<°>

81.1 W

82.5 W

82.1 W

82.142W

82.7 W

83.5 W

82.422W

Depth

(km)

_

005

007

_

010

Ref

55

272

71

349

155

30

339

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment

mb Ms M

 S.OOMfaSC 

 5.20Mfa SC 

 

_ _ 4.00Mfa SC 

 3.70Mfa SC 

 3.90Mfa SC 

 3.50Mn BLA 

Intensity

MM

VI

vn

vn

VI

VI

VI

VI

Ref

38

67

68

132

132

132

325

Felt area

(1,000km2)

784

600

@

16

3

12

10

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1861. Aug. 31. Near Wilkesboro, Wilkes 

County, N.C. Bricks were shaken from chimneys, 

doors were jarred open, and clocks stopped running 

at Wilkesboro, about 85 km west of Winston-Salem. 

Felt along the Atlantic Coast from Washington, D.C., 

southward to Charleston, S.C., and Columbus, Ga., 

and westward to Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville, Ky., 

and Gallatin, Tenn. Magnitude 5.1 Mfa NUT. (Ref. 

38, 55, 508.)

1916. Feb. 21. Near Waynesville, Haywood 

County, N.C. Tops of chimneys were thrown to the 

ground; windowpanes were broken in many houses; 

and people rushed into the streets at Waynesville. At 

Sevierville, Tenn., about 70 km northwest of Waynesville, bricks were shaken from chimneys. In Wear's 

Cove, about 16 km southwest of Sevierville, the flow 

of water in springs increased and in places water 

became muddy. Minor damage was reported in western Tennessee at Athens, Knoxville, Maryville, Morristown, and Newport, Tenn.; at Tryon, N.C.; and at 

Bristol, Va. Also reported felt in Alabama, Georgia, 

Kentucky, South Carolina, and West Virginia (see fig. 

50). (Ref. 67, 71, 272, 508, 600.)

1926. July 8. Southern Mitchell County, N.C.

A sharp local earthquake in Mitchell County caused 

minor damage one downed chimney, cracks in chimneys and foundations of houses, broken water pipes 

and glassware, and shifting of houses on foundations. 

Ground cracks also were reported. Damage was confined to an area about 1 km long and 275 m wide. 

Town names were not mentioned in any of the 

accounts on this event. (Ref. 68, 71, 218, 508.)

1957. May 13. Near Woodlawn, McDowell 

County, N.C. A sprinkler pipe was shaken loose at a 

factory at Woodlawn, and books fell from library 

shelves Slight damage to plaster occurred at several 

towns in the area. Old cracks in a wall were enlarged 

at Busick, near Mt. Mitchell in southern Yancey 

County. The shock was strong in other towns in 

Burke and McDowell Counties and was reported felt 

at two towns in South Carolina. Magnitude 4.1 Mfa 

DG. (Ref. 30, 132, 349, 508.)

1957. July 2. Buncombe County area, N.C.

Minor damage reported in western North Carolina 

included cracks in walls and plaster at Asheville, 

cracks in retaining wall at Marshall, damaged chimneys and cracks in plaster at Swannanoa, and cracks 

in plaster at Weaverville. Also reported felt in Haywood and Madison Counties, N.C., and at Flag Pond, 

Tenn. (Ref. 38, 132, 155, 508.)

1957. Nov. 24. Northwest Jackson County,

N.C. At Hartford, Tenn. (about 70 km southeast of 

Knoxville), slight damage to buildings included a 

crack in one wall and a kitchen that was separated 

from the rest of the house. The earthquake shifted 

furniture in Jackson County, at Cherokee and 

Sylva, N.C., about 50 km south of Hartford, Tenn. 

Also felt in South Carolina. Magnitude 4.0 Mfa 

BAR. (Ref. 30, 132.)

1981. May 5. Near Hendersonville, Henderson County, N.C. Cracks formed in windows and a 

concrete patio in Hendersonville, and one sidewalk 

shifted 5 cm. Cracks also occurred in drywall and a 

house foundation a few kilometers southeast of 

Hendersonville, at Zirconia. Water in several wells 

became muddy in the Dana area. Also felt in South 

Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Magnitude 3.3 

TEC. (Ref. 325, 339.)
EARTHQUAKES IN NORTH CAROLINA 323

3ff>

FIGURE 50. Isoseismal map for the Waynesville, North Carolina, earthquake of February 21, 1916. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in reference 272 of table 1.

104°

NORTH DAKOTA

102° 100° 98° 96°

CANADA

48° Williston

§

46°

EXPLANATION

Magnitude

5.5-5.9

UNITED STATES

 Minot

NORTH

Bismarck

DAKOTA

SOUTH DAKOTA

Fargo

100 KILOMETERS

Earthquake in North Dakota with a magnitude > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

325
326 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

NORTH DAKOTA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date time(UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ref 

Yr Mo Da h m s (°) (°) (km)

USGS Other 

mb Ms

Moment MM Ref Felt area 

M (1,000km2)

1909 05 16 0415 49.0 N 104.0 W 413 5.50Mn EPB VI 413 1300

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1.]

1909. May 16 (May 15). North DakotaMontana-Saskatchewan border region. This moderate earthquake was felt widely over south-central 

Canada and the north-central United States, including

the States of Montana and North Dakota. A retaining 

wall fell in Helena, southern Lewis and Clark County, 

Mont.; plaster was cracked at Havre (northwest of Helena, in Hill County). The shock also was "severe" in 

Dickinson (Stark County), N. Dak. Some windows were 

broken and articles fell from shelves at a few towns in 

Saskatchewan, Canada. (Ref. 249, 413.)
OHIO

WEST VIRGINIA

Magnitude/Intensity

3.2-4.4/VI 

Q 4.5-4.9/VI

Q 5.0-5.4

Earthquakes in Ohio with magnitudes > 4.5 or intenstiy > VI.

327
328 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

OHIO

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (-) indicates information is not

available]

Date

Yr

1776

1875

1884

1900

1901

1926

1930

1931

1937

1937

1943

1952

1977

1986

1986

Mo

06

09

04

05

11

09

09

03

03

03

06

06

01

07

Da

18

19

09

17

05

30

20

02

09

09

20

17

31

12

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

1400

1243

1914

14

0600

1653

2040

230503.4

144733.3

05 44 35.5

03 25 24.9

09 38 08.6

153946.9

16 46 42.3

08 19 37.9

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

39.6 N

40.2 N

40.7 N

41.4 N

38.75 N

39.1 N

40.3 N

40.429N

40.488N

40.470N

41.628N

39.640N

40.705N

41.650N

40.537N

Longitude 

(°)

81.9 W

84.0 W

84.1 W

81.9 W

83.0 W

82.1 W

84.3 W

84.270W

84.273W

84.280W

81.309W

82.023W

84.707W

81.162W

84.371W

Depth 

(km)

_

005

002

003

007

009

001

002

010

Ref

116

38

38

116

584

38

38

349

349

349

349

349

349

562

562

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb Ms M

_ _ _ _

_ _ 4.70Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.80Mfa SC 

_ _ 3.40Mfa BAR 

 4.20Mfa SC 

 3.80Mfa SC 

 4.20Mfa BAR 

_ _ 4.70Mfa SC 

 5.00Mfa SC 

_ _ 5.40Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.50Mn BAS 

 4.00Mfa SC 

 3.20Mn AAM 

5.0 4.90Mn SLM 4.97GS

4.5 _ 4.60Mn SLM 4.39SZ

Intensity

MM

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

vn

vn

vn

vn

vm

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

Ref

60

38

38

105

584

38

38

38

38

38

105

38

39

562

562

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

100

373

42

1

90

280

390

150

13

@

322

90

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1776. Date unknown. Near the Muskingum 

River. In the summer of 1776, an earthquake frightened people and animals and overthrew furniture. 

Duration of the shock was estimated at 2 to 3 minutes. (Ref. 60, 116.)

1875. June 18. Western Ohio. This earthquake 

was most severe west of Columbus, at Urbana 

(Champaign County) and Sidney (Shelby County), 

where chimneys were thrown down and walls were 

cracked. Also felt in southern Illinois, southwest 

Indiana, northwest Kentucky, and eastern Missouri. 

(Ref. 38, 105.)

1884. Sept. 19. Near Lima, Alien County, 

Ohio. Slight damage occurred at Lima, where the 

shock was "of considerable violence and caused much 

excitement." Plaster was shaken from ceilings east 

and southeast of Columbus at Zanesville, Ohio, and 

Parkersburg, W. Va. Windows and dishes were broken at Defiance and Norwalk, Ohio; to the west at 

Fort Wayne and Muncie, Ind.; to the north at Lansing, Mich.; and to the east at Wheeling, W. Va. Furniture was displaced and buildings were heavily 

shaken at Urbana, Ohio, in Champaign County, and 

at many other towns in the region. Also felt in Iowa,

Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and western Ontario, Canada, and at Washington, D.C., by workmen on top of 

the unfinished Washington Monument (see fig. 51). 

Magnitude 4.8 Mfa BAR, 5.1 Mfa SG. (Ref. 38, 60, 

105, 463, 529.)

1900. Apr. 9. Berea, southeast Cuyahoga 

County, Ohio. Two chimneys on one house toppled 

at Berea. This event was an explosion according to 

ref. 443. (Ref. 105, 116, 443.)

1901. May 17. Near Portsmouth, Scioto 

County, Ohio. The strongest effects of this earthquake were reported in Scioto County, near the Kentucky-Ohio-West Virginia border. At Portsmouth, 

tops of chimneys toppled, bricks tumbled from many 

chimneys, and windows in several houses were shattered. East of Portsmouth, at Sciotoville, many chimneys were damaged and dishes were thrown from 

cupboards. At Gallipolis, Gallia County, plaster in 

one house was shaken loose. Reported felt mainly in 

the area along the border of Kentucky, Ohio, and 

West Virginia, including Greenup and Lewis Counties, Ky, and Cabell and Kanawha Counties, W. Va., 

to the south; Adams and Brown Counties, Ohio, to 

the west; Muskingum and Washington Counties, 

Ohio, and Wood County, W. Va., to the northeast; and 

Highland County, Ohio, to the northwest. (Ref. 584.)

1926. Nov. 5. Southeast Ohio, near Pomeroy, 

Meigs County. This earthquake toppled chimneys
90° 88°

EARTHQUAKES IN OHIO

84° 82°

329

EXPLANATION 

Epicenter 

\/| Intensity 6

40°

38°

FIGURE 51. Isoseismal map for the Lima, Ohio, earthquake of September 19, 1884. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from

data listed in reference 463 of table 1.

at Keno and nearby Pomeroy and overturned a 

heating stove at Chester, west of Keno. Also, one 

stovepipe was knocked down at Success, and a flue 

was downed at Bashan. Explosive earth sounds 

were reported. Felt throughout Meigs County, Ohio, 

and at Letart, W.Va. Magnitude 3.6 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 

38, 105, 218.)

1930. Sept. 30. Near Anna, Shelby County, 

Ohio. A brief but strong shock was felt over a wide 

area in Ohio. It was strongest at Anna, where a 

chimney at a schoolhouse toppled and plaster 

cracked and fell. Brief shocks were felt at Sidney, 

about 12 km south of Anna, on Sept. 29 at 21 15 

UTC and Sept. 30 at 23 50 UTC. (Ref. 3, 38, 60.)
330 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1931. Sept. 20. Anna, Shelby County, Ohio.

Moderate damage occurred at Anna and in nearby 

towns in Shelby County. At Anna, several chimneys 

were downed, many chimneys were damaged, and 

two large cornice stones were thrown from the Lutheran Church. At Botkins, north of Anna, the roof of 

the public school was pulled apart and its ceiling collapsed; several chimneys also were thrown down or 

otherwise damaged. In southern Shelby County, at 

Houston and Sidney, chimneys fell and walls and 

windows were cracked. Felt over a large part of Ohio 

and in eastern Indiana and northern Kentucky. Magnitude 4.6 Mfa BAR, 3.6 Ms BAR, 4.5 Mfa DG. (Ref. 

38, 105, 349, 353, 509.)

1937. Mar. 2. Western Ohio, near Anna and 

Sidney, Shelby County. Damage was heaviest to 

brick chimneys and buildings at Anna and Sidney 

many chimneys fell, walls cracked, and plaster fell. 

Springs and other water wells increased their flow, 

but output from oil and gas wells was decreased.

At the Anna public school, walls of the building 

were cracked so severely that it was declared unsafe; 

two churches sustained minor damage. Chimneys 

also were damaged at nearby Botkins and Jackson 

Center and in southern Auglaize County, at Wapakoneta. Several tombstones were rotated in three 

cemeteries near Anna. Plaster fell in buildings as 

far away as Fort Wayne, Ind., and plaster cracked at 

Indianapolis. Two to five shocks were felt in many 

places. Also felt in the States of Indiana, Kentucky, 

Michigan, and West Virginia, and in Ontario, Canada. Magnitude 4.8 Mfa BAR, 4.7 Mfa DG. (Ref. 38, 

349, 353, 509, 524.)

1937. Mar. 9 (Mar. 8). Western Ohio. An earthquake stronger than the shock on Mar. 2 centered 

near Anna in Shelby County. The three-story schoolhouse at Anna was cracked severely, and the 

churches that were damaged in the Mar. 2 shock 

were further damaged. Almost every chimney was 

broken or twisted, and house foundations and walls 

were cracked. A few chimneys fell at Sidney, about 

12 km south of Anna, and plaster was damaged.

Subsurface changes caused by the two earthquakes 

included renewed activity of springs, conversion of 

ordinary wells to artesian wells, and an increase in 

the flow of other water wells; the output of both oil 

and gas wells was reduced. A spring at Huntsville 

(Logan County), dry for 8 years, began "spouting 

water" after the second shock, and the flow of artesian wells was increased at New Knoxville (about 45 

km west of Huntsville). This shock was felt in upper 

stories of multistory buildings in Chicago and Milwaukee and in Toronto, Canada. Also felt in Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and West

Virginia. Magnitude 5.5 Ms GR, 5.0 Mfa BAR, 4.7 Ms 

BAR, 4.9 Mfa DG. (Ref. 38, 349, 353, 524.) 

1943. Mar. 9 (Mar. 8). Lake Erie area, Ohio.

An earthquake broke windows and dishes and 

cracked plaster in the Lake Erie area. The widely felt 

shock was reported in Michigan, New York, Ohio, 

Pennsylvania, and Canada. Magnitude 4.7 Mfa BAR. 

(Ref. 105, 349.)

1952. June 20. Near Zanesville, Muskingum 

County, Ohio. One old chimney fell and doors were 

thrown open at Zanesville. Felt throughout southeast 

Ohio. Magnitude 4.1 Mfa BAR, 4.1 Mfa DG. (Ref. 38, 

105, 349, 353.)

1977. June 17. Northwest Ohio. The earthquake caused slight damage in several towns in Mercer County. Plaster fell at Coldwater, and cracks 

formed in a sidewalk and a house foundation. Cracks 

in sidewalks, walls, and foundations also were 

reported north of Coldwater, at Celina and Rockford. 

It was reported only in Mercer County from Celina 

south to Chickasaw, west to Fort Recovery, and north 

to Rockford. (Ref. 39, 349, 353.)

1986. Jan. 31. Northeast Ohio. This earthquake caused minor property damage in several 

towns in northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania; 17 people were injured in the epicentral area.

Most of the damage to houses and commercial 

buildings occurred in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, 

Trumbull, and Wood Counties in Ohio and Crawford 

and Erie Counties in Pennsylvania. It mainly 

included fallen ceiling tiles and plaster; cracked 

chimneys, foundations, and brick walls; and broken 

windows and underground pipes. Changes in the flow 

of water were observed in more than a dozen wells in 

Lake and Geauga Counties, east of Cleveland. The 

changes included variations (starting, stopping) in 

the flow of water and sediment deposits in water. In 

Leroy Township, a small pond was formed from the 

flow of a new artesian well. Another artesian well 

suddenly began feeding water to an old water trough.

Over the next 2 months, 13 aftershocks of magnitude 0.5 to 2.5 were recorded in the area, and 13 

more aftershocks of about magnitude 1.0 were 

detected through Apr. 15, 1987. The main earthquake was felt over a large area of the Eastern 

United States, covering all or parts of eight States 

(Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, 

Pennsylvania, West Virginia) and Ontario, Canada 

(see fig. 52). It also was reported by people on the 

top floors of multistory buildings in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as 

Washington, D.C. Magnitude 5.3 Mn EPB, 4.88 M 

JOH. (Ref. 562.)
EARTHQUAKES IN OHIO 331

FIGURE 52. Isoseismal map for the northeast Ohio earthquakes of January 31, 1986. This is a simplified version of figure 2 in reference

562 of table 1.

1986. July 12. Western Ohio. This earthquake 

occurred near Anna, in Shelby County the same 

area where damaging shocks occurred in 1875, 

1930-31, and 1937. It caused minor property damage 

in Shelby County, at Anna, and in Auglaize County, 

at Minster, New Bremen, and Saint Marys, Ohio.

The damage, which was much less severe than that 

occurring in the earlier earthquakes, consisted 

mainly of cracks in chimneys and walls, fallen bricks 

from chimneys, and broken windows. Also felt in 

parts of Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia. Magnitude 4.9 Mn EPB. (Ref. 562.)

100 KILOMETERS 

I i

34

Earthquakes in Oklahoma with magnitudes > 4.5 or intenstiy > VI.
334 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

OKLAHOMA

See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader ( ) indicates information is not

available]

Date

Yr

1882

1918

1929

1933

1952

1953

1956

1959

1968

1975

Mo

10

09

12

08

04

03

10

06

10

11

Da

22

11

28

19

09

17

30

17

14

29

Origin

time (UTC)

h m s

2215

0530

0030

1930

162928.4

1425

10 36 21

10 27 10.6

144254

142944.9

Hypocenter

Latitude

C°)

34.0 N

35.5 N

35.5 N

35.5 N

35.525N

35.6 N

36.2 N

34.639N

34.0 N

34.681N

Longitude (°:

96.0

98.0

98.0

98.0

W

W

W

W

97.850W

98.0

95.8

W

W

98.055W

96.4 W

97.421W

Depth Ref

(km)

 342

 105

 2

 38

010 349

 105

 105

005 349

 237

014 349

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment

mb MS M

_ _ 4.90Mfa SC 

 3.30Mfa SC 

 3.90Mfa SC 

_ _ 3.40Mfa BAR 

 5.50MS GR 

 3.80Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.00ML SLM 

 4.20Mfa SC 

 3.50Mn BAR 

 3.60Mn TUL 

Intensity

MM

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

VI

vn

VI

VI

VI

Ref

342

272

38

38

25

105

29

32

41

48

Felt area

(1,000km2)

500

1

10

@

587

7

12

37

@

@

19820503 075448.7 33.99 N 96.47 W 005 350 3.10Mn TUL VI 350

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1882. Oct. 22. Southeast Oklahoma. The most 

severe damage was limited to the shaking of loose 

bricks from chimneys at Ft. Smith, Ark. (northwest 

of Little Rock), and the knocking of bricks from the 

top of a wall at Bonham, Tex. (northeast of Dallas). 

Even though few felt reports were received from 

Oklahoma residents, ref. 342 suggests that the epicenter is in southeast Oklahoma instead of northeast Texas. Felt over a wide area, including 

Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

(Ref. 342, 353.)

1918. Sept. 11 (Sept. 10). El Reno, Canadian 

County, Okla. A series of small earthquakes was 

reported in the El Reno area on Sept. 10 and 11. 

Some plaster fell at El Reno, and clocks stopped running during the strongest shock on Sept. 11. It also 

broke dishes and fruit jars at Union City (on the 

Canadian River, south of El Reno) and was felt at the 

nearby town of Yukon. Magnitude 3.6 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 

38, 105, 272.)

1929. Dec. 28 (Dec. 27). El Reno, Canadian 

County, Okla. One chimney fell, plaster cracked, 

and people rushed from their houses at El Reno. 

Generally felt in El Reno, Oklahoma City, Union

City, and in the adjacent region. Magnitude 4.0 Mfa 

BAR. (Ref. 2, 38, 353.)

1933. Aug. 19. El Reno, Canadian County, 

Okla. This severe earthquake broke dishes and 

cracked chimneys and walls slightly at El Reno. It 

was felt less strongly at Minco and Union City, south 

of El Reno. (Ref. 6, 38, 353.)

1952. Apr. 9. El Reno, Canadian County, 

Okla. This earthquake caused moderate damage at 

El Reno, Oklahoma City, and Ponca City, including 

toppled chimneys and smokestacks, cracked and loosened bricks on buildings, and broken windows and 

dishes. One crack in the State Capitol at Oklahoma 

City was 15 m long. Slight damage was reported 

from many other towns in Oklahoma and from some 

towns in Kansas and Texas. The earthquake was 

caused by slippage along the Nemaha fault. Felt over 

most of Oklahoma and in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, 

Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas (see fig. 53). Magnitude 5.0 Mfc DG, 5.1 Mfa BAR, 5.5 Ms BAR. (Ref. 25, 

105, 228, 349, 364.)

1953. Mar. 17. Concho, Canadian County, 

Okla. Two moderately strong earthquakes near Concho damaged the foundation of a garage slightly and 

cracked plaster. Felt in several nearby towns in 

Canadian County. Magnitude 4.2 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 

105, 353.)
104° 102°

EARTHQUAKES IN OKLAHOMA 

100° 98° 96°

335

90°

100 KILOMETERS « Epicenter 

VII Intensity 7

36'

34'

32° -.-._.

FIGURE 53. Isoseismal map for the El Reno, Oklahoma, earthquake of April 9, 1952. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from

data listed in reference 25 of table 1.
336 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

1956. Oct. 30. West of Catoosa, Rogers 

County, Okla. At the Foster Ranch, west of Catoosa, 

an oil well was shut down because of caving. Minor 

damage at Tulsa included cracks in plaster and in 

the foundation of one house. Buildings trembled violently. Magnitude 4.2 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 29, 105, 353.)

1959. June 17. Southwest Oklahoma. At Duncan, southwest of Oklahoma City, in Stephens 

County, cracks were observed in concrete curbing and 

in the foundation of a house. At Lawton, about 40 

km west of Duncan, cracks formed in pavement and 

in plaster on walls. Thunderous, roaring earth 

sounds were heard. Also felt in Texas. Magnitude 4.3 

Mfa BAR, 4.2 Mfa DG. (Ref. 32, 349, 353.)

1968. Oct. 14. Durant, Bryan County, Okla.

Felt only in the immediate area of Durant, this earthquake cracked plaster, broke windows, enlarged cracks 

in walls, and formed a crack more than 1 m long on 

one wall. Magnitude 3.5 Mn BAR. (Ref. 41, 237.)

1975. Nov. 29. Near Foster, Garvin County, 

Okla. Foundations were cracked at two houses 5 km 

northwest of Foster. The shock was felt only at a few 

other towns in the immediate area. Magnitude 3.5 

Mn SLM. (Ref. 48, 349.)

1982. May 3. Durant, Bryan County, Okla. 

The movement of a concrete house slab broke water 

pipes at Durant; a ceiling at the house also was 

cracked. Felt reports were not received from other 

towns in the area. (Ref. 350.)
OREGON

126° 124° 122° 120° 118° 116°

Magnitude/Intensity

O 4.0-4.9/VI 

O 5.0-5.4/VI

5.5-5.9 CALIFORNIA

Earthquakes in Oregon with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VT.

337
338 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

OREGON

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1892 

1893

1896

1910

1914

1917

1923

1924

1926

1928

1930

1932

1932

1933

1936

1936

1936

1936

1937

1938

1938

1940

1941

1941

1941

1941

1944

1944

1944

1945

1945

1947

1948

1948

1949

1949

1950

1951

1951

1951

1952

1953

1955

1956

1956

1957

1958

1959

1959

1959

Mo Da

02 

03

04

08

08

06

01

02

06

09

07

03

06

03

04

07

09

11

11

05

08

11

06

06

10

12

03

03

12

04

09

09

05

05

03

08

08

02

06

06

08

12

08

01

07

11

03

06

08

09

04 

07

02

05

22

10

11

24

05

11

19

02

20

26

30

16

25

05

10

28

03

17

09

09

31

29

06

06

30

11

28

22

25

25

28

24

24

23

16

17

20

16

23

10

06

17

12

02

21

26

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0430 

0103

11 17

01 31 36

05 28 18

043224

0429

05 45 10

195024

12 36 19

0238

174048

092627

190553

105538

07 07 48

12 53 35

204618

07 19 23

101401

13 32 36

035630

061724

08 43 45

124100

1837

200908

23 16 30

22 03 02

11 22 57

22 24 10

021601

151307

15 32 02

19 43 16

060714

174534

02 56 42

23 46 58

094015

15 24 59

043212

15 32 37

12 32 15

022200

060029

120916

184900

002817

082048

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

45.5 

45.9

45.2

42.0

44.0

44.0

42.2

44.0

43.0

43.5

45.0

43.0

43.0

43.5

44.0

N 

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

45.966N

43.0

43.0

43.0

42.75

43.9

44.8

42.8

42.8

43.0

45.5

44.5

44.5

43.75

42.0

42.0

43.5

44.0

43.5

42.0

43.5

42.5

44.5

44.5

44.5

43.0

45.5

43.5

43.4

42.5

45.3

42.4

43.7

44.8

43.7

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Longitude Depth 

(°) (km)

122.7 

119.3

123.2

127.0

129.0

129.0

120.3

127.0

127.5

130.3

123.2

131.0

127.5

129.0

128.5

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W _

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

118.212W 005

129.0

131.0

127.0

126.1

126.2

130.0

126.0

126.0

128.5

122.7

129.0

129.0

126.75

126.0

126.0

128.0

127.0

127.0

126.0

127.0

126.0

129.5

130.0

130.0

127.0

122.7

128.0

122.3

126.

123.8

120.0

119.7

124.7

128.3

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

W 

Ref

56 

53

338

258

258

258

53

258

258

258

3

5

338

338

53

260

338

338

258

258

338

338

338

53

53

53

258

258

258

338

258

53

258

338

266

266

266

338

357

258

357

53

266

324

266

30

324

324

324

324

Magnitude Intensity

USGS Other Moment MM Ref 

rrib MS M

 S.OOUknEPB V 56 

_ _ 4.70ML.NQT VI 56

 S.OOUknEPB V 56

 6.80MS GR Felt 338

 6.75MS GR 

 6.50MS GR 

 5.00MLa DMG VI 56

 5.75M8 GR 

 6.00MS GR 

 6.30M8 GR 

_ _ _ _ yj 3

 6.00mb VIC 

 5.50MS GR 

 5.50MS GR 

 5.50MS GR 

 5.75MS GR Vn 9

 6.20M8 GR 

 6.00mb VIC 

 5.75MS GR 

 6.00MS GR V 11

 5.60MS GR 

 6.00mb VIC 

 5.25MS GR 

 5.00M8 GR 

 - 5.50M8 GR 

 VI 53

 5.75MS GR 

 5.75MS GR 

 5.75MS GR 

 S.OOUknEPB 

 6.00MS GR 

 5.50mb VIC 

 5.50MS GR 

 5.80ML PAS 

 5.80UknEPB 

 5.50MS GR 

 5.60UknEPB 

 5.60mb VIC 

 5.50ML BRK 

 6.00ML BRK 

 6.00ML BRK 

 5.00ML EPB VI 26

 6.25UknPAS Felt 324

_ _ 4.90ML BRK 

 5.00ML BRK 

 4.00ML BRK VI 30

 4.50ML BRK 

 4.70ML BRK 

 4.60ML BRK 

 6.10ML BRK 

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

26&

69

_

190

10

^_

^_

9

13&
EARTHQUAKES IN OREGON 339

OREGON Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &. land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1960 11 08

1961 08 19

1961 08 23

1963 03 07

1963 12 27

1964 01 28

1964 07 13

1964 10 01

1965 05 31

1965 06 17

1965 06 20

1965 06 20

1965 07 25

1968 05 08

1968 05 08

1968 05 30

1968 06 03

1968 06 04

1968 06 04

1968 06 05

1970 11 26

1972 04 08

1973 06 16

1976 04 13

1976 12 09

1978 02 16

1980 08 03

1980 12 24

1981 11 03

1985 03 13

1988 08 11

1988 10 23

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

11 36 27

045624.1

17 59 47

23 53 26.5

023621.6

045648.6

064754.1

110048.3

05 07 43.4

11 22 54.9

17 23 56.8

18 04 37.3

08 34 43.2

12 17 14.2

22 17 13.8

00 35 59.8

13 27 39.7

02 34 15.7

06 22 19.0

04 51 56.8

03 11 42.8

06 24 13.7

14 43 47.5

0047 17.1

09 50 59.5

120021.2

14 43 04.2

13 29 15.3

134734.1

19 34 57.6

080050.6

13 48 35.6

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

44.9 N

44.7 N

42.4 N

44.877N

45.7 N

43.3 N

44.7 N

43.5 N

44.1 N

43.2 N

43.1 N

42.9 N

42.1 N

43.58 N

43.871N

42.3 N

42.2 N

42.3 N

42.2 N

42.3 N

43.776N

42.646N

44.980N

45.221N

44.525N

42.685N

42.498N

42.369N

43.542N

43.5 ION

42.023N

44.423N

Longitude 

(°)

125.2 W

122.5 W

123.2 W

122.738W

123.4 W

125.9 W

129.9 W

126.9 W

128.8 W

126.0 W

126.0 W

126.1 W

126.0 W

127.89 W

128.180W

119.8 W

119.8 W

119.9 W

119.8 W

119.9 W

127.449W

126.320W

125.774W

120.77 1W

129.961W

125.890W

124.560W

125.726W

127.706W

127.56 1W

125.400W

129.455W

Depth 

(km)

. _

033

033

017

033

033

033

033

033

033

033

030

033

024

020

021

033

021

014

Oil

033

015

018

015

015

015

010

010

010

010

Ref

324

266

324

324

266

266

266

74

266

266

266

266

266

299

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

USGS 

nib MS

4.6

4.5

4.5

5.5

5.5

4.6

4.6

5.6

4.6

6.1

5.0

5.1

5.0

4.7

4.3

4.7

5.6

5.6

5.6

4.5

5.3

5.0

4.5

5.2

6.0

6.1

4.6

5.3

. _

_ 

__

5.9

5.1

3.3

5.5

4.5

5.3

6.2

6.3

__

5.5

Magnitude

Other

5.00ML BRK

4.50UknPAS

4.60ML BRK

4.40MD YEL

4.10MD YEL

4.50ML BRK

5.00mb ISC

5.50ML BRK

5.10mb ISC

4.50ML BRK

4.60ML BRK

4.70ML BRK

6.10mb ISC

5.50mb ISC

4.70mb ISC

4.90ML BRK

5.10ML BRK

4.50ML BRK

6.00UknBRK

4.90ML BRK

5.80mb ISC

4.80ML OS

5.20mb ISC

4.80ML BRK

4.60mb ISC

5.00ML BRK

5.80ML BRK

5.90mb ISC

__

Intensity

Moment MM 

M

 IV

 VI

 

_ y

 VI

 

 

 

 

 

__ ^_

 

 

 

 

 IV

_ . y

 VI

 Felt

 Felt

 __ _____

 

 IV

 VI

 

 

 

_ 

6.43ED 

 IV

__ _

5.50HAV 

Ref

53

34

36

36

. _

41

41

41

41

41

__

46

49

371

_^

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

18

10

18

__

35

_

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1.]

1893. Mar. 7 (Mar. 6). UmatiUa, Oreg. One

wall of a large stone building was thrown down at 

UmatiUa, about 75 km west of Milton-Freewater. 

Several shocks were felt by residents. (Ref. 53, 56.)

1923. Jan. 11 (Jan. 10). Lake view, southern 

Lake County, Oreg. The shock was reported to be 

strongest in the Lakeview district. Plaster fell at 

Alturas (Modoc County), Calif. The intensity was 

taken from ref. 56 (Ref. 38, 53, 56.)

1930. July 19 (July 18). Near Perrydale, Polk 

County, Oreg. A crack formed in the roadbed near

Perrydale, southwest of Portland. Plaster was 

cracked at McCoy, northwest of Salem. (Ref. 3.)

1936. July 16 (July 15). Milton-Freewater, 

UmatiUa County, Oreg. This earthquake was 

strongest in the area of Milton-Freewater, where 

many chimneys were broken, several houses were 

displaced on their foundations, and cracks formed in 

the ground. Many capstones in area cemeteries were 

rotated. After the shock, water in several springs and 

wells started to flow again. Property damage was 

estimated at $100,000. Chimneys were reported damaged at Athena and Ferndale, Oreg., and Waitsburg 

and Walla Walla, Wash.
340

124°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

122° 120° 118° 116° 114°

FIGURE 54. Isoseismal map for the Milton-Freewater, Oregon, earthquake of July 16, 1936. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from data listed in references 9, 495, and 510 of table 1.

At Milton-Freewater, most chimneys were damaged 

at the roof level. One brick house at the penitentiary 

was condemned as unsafe. A new house, about 6.5 

km west of Milton-Freewater, was almost wrecked,

and two concrete houses, about 11 km west, were 

almost demolished. At nearby Umapine, one concrete 

house collapsed and a stucco house was damaged so 

badly that the family moved into the yard. The
EARTHQUAKES IN OREGON 341

Milton-Freewater school buildings were damaged, 

and repairs were estimated at $8,500. Most wells in 

the area increased or decreased their flow of water.

Between the towns of Milton-Freewater and Umapine, many ground cracks as much as 0.6 m in width 

developed. The general direction of the cracks was 

roughly parallel to the Touchet fault. The largest 

earth fractures were observed about 6.5 km west of 

Sunnyside, near Glencove. On a hillside, an irregular 

area about 24 m wide was broken by cracks into 

blocks of several sizes and shapes. The uphill side of 

the area, in one cross section, dropped about 2.5 m, 

and the lower side displaced to the north about 2.5 

m, pushing over and covering a 15-m length of railway fence. The largest cracks were about 0.6 m wide, 

but most were not more than 8 cm wide. Water was 

forced out of the ground in many places. Also felt in 

Idaho (see fig. 54). Aftershocks occurred to Nov. 17, 

1936. (Ref. 9, 260, 495, 510.)

1941. Dec. 29. Portland, Multnomah County, 

Oreg. This minor earthquake shattered a display 

window in downtown Portland, cracked chimneys 

about 50 km southwest of Portland, at Yamhill, and 

cracked plaster near Portland at Hillsboro and Sherwood and north of Portland, at Woodland, Wash. 

(Ref. 14, 53.)

1953. Dec. 16 (Dec. 15). Portland, Multnomah 

County, Oreg. The shock cracked plaster and chimneys and damaged fireplace tile slightly at Portland. 

A one-story building also was cracked, and a leak 

developed in an apartment building. In Vancouver, 

Wash., commercial buildings of block and concrete

were damaged slightly and plaster was cracked. (Ref. 

26, 53.)

1957. Nov. 17 (Nov. 16). Northwest of Salem, 

Marion County, Oreg. Walls and plaster cracked 

and furnishings shifted in West Salem. Also felt in 

the State of Washington. (Ref. 30.)

1961. Aug. 19 (Aug. 18). Northwest Oregon. 

Damage was most severe at Lebanon (Linn County), 

where two chimneys toppled, store windows broke, 

and two traffic lights and five signs fell. Plaster walls 

were cracked at nearby Albany. Also felt in Washington. (Ref. 34, 266.)

1963. Dec. 27 (Dec. 26). Northwest Oregon. 

Slight damage, mainly in the form of cracked plaster, 

occurred in Washington County, at North Plains and 

Timber, Oreg., and in northern Cowlitz County, at 

Toutle, Wash. Also, furnishings and small objects 

shifted. A car on the Tillamook-Portland Highway 

swayed to the opposite side of the highway before 

being controlled. (Ref. 36, 266.)

1968. June 4, 02 34 UTC (June 3). Southern 

Oregon. Old chimneys fell or sustained cracks at 

Adel, in southern Lake County. Also, part of an old 

rock cellar fell, and the rest of the building was 

cracked. About 4 km northwest of Fort Bidwell, 

Calif., along Bidwell Creek, cracks formed in the 

ground, and a house foundation cracked and shifted. 

(Ref. 41, 74.)

1976. Apr. 13 (Apr. 12). Northern Oregon. 

This minor earthquake opened cracks in plaster and 

drywall at Dufur and Wamic, south of The Dalles, in 

Wasco County. Also felt in southern Washington. 

(Ref. 49, 74.)

80° 78° 76°

42°

4V

40'

w. VA!

Pittsburgh

NEW YORK

100 KILOMETERS

Altoona

o

PENNSYLVANIA

Harrisburg

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.2-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9/VI

O 5.0-5.4/VII

-eMARYLAND

0)

I

Earthquakes in Pennsylvania with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity ^ VI.
344 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

PENNSYLVANIA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2 . Leader (-) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr

1889

1908

1938

1954

1954

1954

1964

1984

Mo

03

05

07

01

02

02

05

04

Da

08

31

15

07

21

24

12

23

Origin

time (urc)

h m s

2340

1742

224612.0

0725

2000

0355

064510.7

013600.1

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

40.0 N

40.6 N

40.37 N

40.3 N

41.2 N

4L2 N

40.298N

39.921N

Longitude

(°)

76.55 W

75.5 W

78.23 W

76.0 W

75.9 W

75.9 W

76.411W

76. 355 W

Depth Ref

(km)

 201

 38

 485

 38

 38

 38

001 349

005 370

Magnitude

USGS Other

rrib MS

 3.90Mfa SC

 

 3.30Mfa DG

 

 

__ _ . _ _

4.5 3.20Mn DO

4.2 4.10Mn OS

Intensity

Moment MM

M

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

 vn

 VI

 VI

 VI

Ref

142

38

38

38

38

38

37

370

Felt area

(1,000km2)

10

@

@

@

@

@

49

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1889. Mar. 8. Near York, Pa. At York, about 

70 km south of Harrisburg, the earthquake knocked 

down chimneys, bounced articles from shelves, and 

threw a man off a sofa. It was reported that a "ball 

of fire" passed over the area at the time the shock 

occurred. Also felt at Harrisburg, Philadelphia, 

Reading, and other towns. Magnitude 4.3 Mfa AS. 

(Ref. 38, 141, 142, 201.)

1908. May 31. Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa. 

This local shock toppled a few chimneys and threw 

people down at Allentown, about 150 km north of 

Philadelphia. Because this area is known for its limestone, the shock may have been due to a rockfall in a 

subterranean cavern. (Ref. 38.)

1938. July 15. Southern Blair County, Pa. 

Dishes broke and plaster fell at Henrietta and Clover 

Creek, south of Altoona. Water in several wells in 

Clover Creek Valley became cloudy, and water in one 

spring stopped flowing. (Ref. 38, 349, 485.)

1954. Jan. 7. Sinking Spring, Berks County, 

Pa. Coal-mining operations may have caused this 

tremor, which inflicted minor damage in the west 

section of Sinking Spring, near Reading. Plaster was 

torn from ceilings and walls, bricks were knocked 

loose from several chimneys, brick walls were 

cracked, windows were broken, furniture was upset, 

and dishes tumbled from shelves. Several brick and 

frame buildings sustained slight damage. Light 

aftershocks occurred through Sept. 24, 1954. (Ref. 

27, 38, 459.)

1954. Feb. 21. Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County,

Pa. Effects from this local shock were confined to a

five-block residential area in Wilkes-Barre, southwest 

of Scranton. Hundreds of houses were damaged; ceilings and cellar walls split; fences fell over; gas and 

water mains snapped; and sidewalks collapsed. Property damage was estimated at $1 million. This shock 

may have been due to coal-mining operations. (Ref. 

27, 38, 459, 533, 605.)

1954. Feb. 24 (Feb. 23). Wilkes-Barre, 

Luzerne County, Pa. Effects were similar to those 

that occurred on Feb. 21. Ceilings and walls cracked; 

curbs pulled away from sidewalks; street pavements 

buckled; water and gas mains broke. Coal-mining 

operations may have caused this tremor. (Ref. 27, 38, 

459, 605.)

1964. May 12. Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pa. 

A wall was cracked and plaster fell at Cornwall, east 

of Harrisburg. Small landslides resulted from this 

local disturbance. (Ref. 37, 349.)

1984. Apr. 23 (Apr. 22). Lancaster County, Pa. 

This earthquake was centered near Marticville. It 

caused minor damage at Conestoga, where a garage 

shifted 1.3 cm off its foundation; plaster fell from a 

ceiling; and cracks formed in windows, concrete basement walls, and a cistern. Similar kinds of damage 

occurred at Lampeter, Mount Nebo, and New Providence. Also felt in Connecticut, Delaware, District of 

Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia.

One foreshock occurred 5 days earlier and many 

slight aftershocks occurred. Aftershock data suggested a north-northeast fault dipping steeply east, 

with reverse, right-lateral slip consistent with a horizontal east-northeast axis of maximum compression. 

The geometry of the 1984 rupture conforms to the 

strike of Jurassic dikes and associated faults in the 

epicentral area. Magnitude 4.4 Mn TUL, 4.1 Mn 

PAL. (Ref. 370, 483.)
RHODE ISLAND

72

MASSACHUSETTS

Magnitude/Intensity 

O 3.5/VI

41°

Damaging earthquake in Rhode Island, intensity > VI.

345
346 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

RHODE ISLAND

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only. Leader (--) indicates information is not available I

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date time (UTQ Latitude Longitude Depth Ref USGS Other Moment MM Ref Felt area

Yr Mo Da h m s (km) M M (1,000 km2)

1976 03 11 08 29 32.2 41.56 N 71.21 W 000 49 3.50Mn CON 2.07ST VI 49 23 &

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1.]

1976. Mar. 11. Near Newport, in southeast 

Rhode Island. Plaster cracked at Rogers, Conn.; a

lamp fell from a table at Newport, R.I.; and snow 

was knocked off a roof at Westport, Mass. Felt from 

Oakland, R.I., south to Newport and from Somerset, 

Mass., south to New Bedford and Westport. (Ref. 

38, 49.)
SOUTH CAROLINA

34

NORTH CAROLINA

SOUTH CAROLINA

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

3.0-4.4/VI 

4.5-4.9/VI

5.0-5.4/VII

100 KILOMETERS

32

Earthquakes in South Carolina with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

347
348 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

SOUTH CAROLINA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (-»indicat

information is not available]

Date

Yr

1817

1853

1886

1886

1886

1886

1886

1886

1886

1886

1886

1887

1912

1913

1945

1959

1959

1971

1972

1974

1977

1979

Mo Da

01

05

08

09

09

09

09

09

10

10

11

03

06

01

07

08

10

07

02

11

01

08

08

20

28

01

06

17

21

27

22

22

05

17

12

01

26

03

27

13

03

22

18

26

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

0900

0845

0251

0406

0629

1015

1902

1020

1945

1720

1409

1030

1828

103216.4

060836.8

020728

11 42 26.0

23 11 09.7

05 25 56.7

182914.1

01 31 45.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

32.9 N

34.0 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

32.9 N

34.7 N

33.750N

33.054N

34.5 N

34.76 N

33.306N

32.926N

33.058N

34.916N

Longitude 

(°)

80.0 W

81.2 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

80.0 W

81.7 W

81.376W

80.126W

80.2 W

82.98 W

80.582W

80.159W

80.173W

82.956W

Depth Ref 

(km)

 288

 289

 289

 38

 96

 289

 96

 96

 38

 38

 38

 289

 96

 38

005 349

001 349

 38

 163

002 349

006 349

001 349

001 349

Magnitude

USGS Other 

nib MS

 5.00Mfa NUT

 

 

_ _ 6.70Mfa BOL

 

^_ ««-

_ 

_ 

 

 

«__ 

 

 

 4.80Mfa SC

 4.30Mfa SC

_ _ 4.40Mfa DG

 3.90Mfa SC

 3.70Mn GB

4.5 4.50Mn GB

4.7 _ 4.30Mn GB

 3.00Mn BLA

 3.70Mn BLA

Intensity

Moment MM 

M

 V

 VI

 VI

7.02BOL X

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

 vn

 VI

 VI

 VI

 vn

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

4.34HRM V

3.95HRM VI

 VI

 VI

Ref

288

289

289

289

463

289

96

289

38

38

38

289

289

162

289

32

38

44

45

47

39

262

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

516&

2000&

, _

78 &

78 &

78 &

150&

120

65

60&

12

8

76&

39&

@

11

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1853. May 20. Lexington, S.C. Just before 

sunrise, a severe earthquake broke windows and 

knocked crockery from shelves at Lexington, southwest of Columbia. (Ref. 289.)

1886. Aug. 28. Summerville, Dorchester 

County, S.C. A bed was "flung forward" against the 

wall in one house; window glass and crockery were 

broken. Several distinct aftershocks occurred that 

day. Also felt at Augusta, Ga., and Wilmington, N.C. 

(Ref. 289.)

1886. Sept. 1 (Aug. 31). Charleston, S.C. This 

is the most damaging earthquake to occur in the 

Southeast United States and one of the largest historic shocks in Eastern North America. It damaged 

or destroyed many buildings in the old city of 

Charleston and killed 60 people. Hardly a structure 

there was undamaged, and only a few escaped serious damage. Property damage was estimated at

$5-6 million. Structural damage was reported several hundred km from Charleston (including central 

Alabama, central Ohio, eastern Kentucky, southern 

Virginia, and western West Virginia), and long-period 

effects were observed at distances exceeding 1,000 

km (see fig. 55.)

Effects in the epicentral region included about 80 

km of severely damaged railroad track and more 

than 1,300 km2 of extensive cratering and fissuring. 

Damage to railroad tracks, about 6 km northwest of 

Charleston, included lateral and vertical displacement of tracks, formation of S-shaped curves, and 

longitudinal movement.

The formation of sand craterlets and the ejection of 

sand were widespread in the epicentral area, but surface faulting was not observed. Many acres of 

ground were overflowed with sand, and craterlets as 

much as 6.4 m across were formed. In a few locations, water from the craterlets spouted to heights of 

about 4.5 to 6 m. Fissures 1 m wide extended parallel to canal and stream banks. A series of wide 

cracks opened parallel to the Ashley River, and
EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTH CAROLINA 349

Public building in Charleston, South Carolina, severely damaged by the September 1, 1886 (Aug. 31 EST), earthquake.

several large trees were uprooted when the bank slid 

into the river.

At Summerville, a small town of 2,000 population, 

25 km northwest of Charleston, many houses settled 

in an inclined position or were displaced as much as 

5 cm. Chimneys constructed independently of the 

houses commonly had the part above the roofline 

thrown to the ground. Many chimneys were crushed 

at their bases, allowing the whole chimney to sink 

down through the floors. The absence of overturning 

in piered structures and the nature of the damage to 

chimneys have been interpreted as evidence that the 

predominant motion was vertical.

The meizoseismal area of MM intensity X effects is 

an elliptical area, roughly 35 by 50 km, trending 

northeast between Charleston and Jedburg and 

including Summerville. Middleton Place, about in the 

center of this ellipse, is at the southeast end of a 

zone (perhaps 15 km long) of microearthquake

activity that still continues today. This seismic activity may be a continuation of the 1886 aftershock 

series.

The intraplate epicenter of this major shock is not 

unique for large earthquakes in the Eastern and 

Central United States. Other intraplate earthquakes 

include those at Cape Ann, Mass. (1755), and New 

Madrid, Mo. (1811-12). Earthquakes occurring along 

boundaries of plates (e.g., San Francisco, 1906) are 

well understood in terms of plate tectonics, but those 

occurring within plates are not similarly understood. 

This problem still is being studied more than 100 

years after the earthquake.

This earthquake was reported from distant places 

such as Boston, Mass.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Chicago, 

111.; Cuba, and Bermuda. Magnitude 6.6 Mfa NLI; 

7.5 MSn NLI; 7.7 MSn BOL. (Ref. 38, 140, 289, 

450, 526.)
350 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Brick house at 157 Tradd Street, Charleston, South Carolina, damaged by the September 1, 1886 (Aug. 31 EST), earthquake.

(Photograph by J.K. Killers.)

1886. Sept. 6 (Sept. 5). Charleston, S.C. This 

minor aftershock knocked plaster from walls at 

Charleston. (Ref. 96, 463.)

1886. Sept. 17. Summerville, Dorchester 

County, S.C. This aftershock reportedly shifted the 

pillars of a Summerville hotel about 6.5 cm, cracking 

most of the pillars in the process. Brick fell from 

some chimneys and sheds. Also severely felt at 

Charleston. (Ref. 289.)

1886. Sept. 21. Summerville, Dorchester 

County, S.C. The medical college building, already 

weakened by previous earthquakes, was thrown 

down by this aftershock. Much loose plaster fell. Also 

felt in Georgia. (Ref. 96.)

1886. Sept. 27. Charleston, S.C. This aftershock cracked a brick building on Broad Street in 

Charleston. On East Bay Street, the rear wall of a 

store was separated about 10 cm from the adjoining

wall. Loose plaster and bricks fell in some houses. 

Also felt in Georgia. (Ref. 96, 289, 463.)

1886. Oct. 22, 10 20 UTC. Charleston, S.C.

Two of the most severe aftershocks of the Aug. 31 

earthquake occurred in Charleston on this date (also 

see next paragraph). The first shock cracked the 

west wing of the Customs House and caused the wall 

supporting the roof on the west to "give way" slightly. 

Also felt in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. 

(Ref. 38, 289.)

1886. Oct. 22, 19 45 UTC. Summerville, 

Dorchester County, S.C. This was the most severe 

aftershock to date of the Aug. 31 earthquake. It 

threw down several chimneys and cracked several 

others at Summerville. The shock knocked bricks 

from several chimneys and shook down plaster at 

Columbia, about 160 km northwest of Charleston.
EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTH CAROLINA 351

Damage on East Bay Street, Charleston, South Carolina, after the earthquake of September 1, 1886 (Aug. 31 EST).

(Photograph by J.K. Killers.)

Also felt in the District of Columbia, Georgia, North 

Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. (Ref. 38, 289.)

1886. Nov. 5. Charleston, S.C. This aftershock 

shattered one or two chimneys at Charleston, and 

knocked down the tops of a few chimneys at Summerville. Also felt in the District of Columbia, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. (Ref. 38, 289.)

1887. Mar. 17. Charleston, S.C. This violent 

aftershock widened existing cracks in buildings and 

knocked down plaster in Charleston. It was described 

as "more severe" in Summerville. (Ref. 289.)

1912. June 12. Summerville, Dorchester 

County, S.C. Several chimneys were cracked in 

Summerville, and a few had their tops thrown down; 

plaster fell in several houses. The shock was strong 

enough to move beds several cm across a floor in 

Charleston. Also felt in Georgia, North Carolina, and 

South Carolina. (Ref. 38, 96, 289.)

1913. Jan. 1. Union County, S.C. This earthquake overthrew chimneys throughout the area

and damaged plaster and stone walls. At Union, 

chimneys were thrown down in all parts of town, 

and plastering was damaged severely in the new 

courthouse. Cracks formed in the stone walls of 

the jail and in the brick courthouse. At Monarch, 

about 2.5 km south of Union, a house was partly 

shaken down. Chimneys were downed at Cross 

Keys, Enoree, Gaffney, Kings Mountain, Pacolet, 

Pauline, and West Springs. A pig was killed by 

bricks falling from a chimney at West Springs. 

Also felt in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. (Ref. 38, 162, 289.)

1945. July 26. Camden, Kershaw County,

S.C. Brick walls and chimneys were cracked at 

Camden; one chimney was damaged at Chester, 

about 45 km northwest of Camden. Felt throughout most of South Carolina and at a few towns in 

Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Magnitude 5.6 Ms GR, 4.4 Mfa DG. (Ref. 38, 289, 349.)
352

95° 90°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

85° 80° 75° 70°

FIGURE 55. Isoseismal map for the Charleston, South Carolina, earthquake of September 1, 1886. This map is a simplified version of

figure 5 in reference 526 of table 1.
EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTH CAROLINA 353

 * ^ TTV* ,; « v^.'.*"«» »

' !i|li.,.'JH 'I'M Iff II ' !' .'.! !' !U*

«i*n» 

»*«» »»» If *

- '

i

""*7**^r£//l*V;3ftij£" - * . -. __niillijfiM'f jRn 1 :;!*>>* ' ,"

-Tfrrr*rr?^rm«l LLsiU-.i ( ' !« - '

IT1 MI T/', /?/

;l!lil' !

v** T*-^.- -- v... ^.^. . ^- ^--^, ^

^, **>-r * > r - -^ "f -,j;*-./ »> ;>^?f, , ~ =^3*««, ^^^^'^ " ^** * v- -^"^ :.. / -

^ I(B'&*"*:'

^* " ^ "J'.,'*»ii , 

- -- - ,^ff ^ -~ .« ,, - *^^" '-^ "^ ^

 ^ v "** " -" ^.-* 7* X-^r. -

:*:^^,^^ -i.-^W^H^.

l^ik^ i ... .. » ' "" *» , " ""*'... " "" "**

"^> , .

'"^^Ntej ^«, ^ 

- . . ** 

"-, *r>^- ' ^"'i's,

^1^- 

. . x%

%.. vr^.

*«?

Craterlet from a sand spout at Ten Mile Hill, Berkeley County, South Carolina, formed by the September 1, 1886 (Aug. 31 EST),

Charleston earthquake. (Photograph by J.K. Hillers.)

1959. Aug. 3. Charleston-Summerville, S.C. A

chimney fell at Summerville, plaster was thrown to 

the floor, and a ceiling cracked. Damage to plaster 

and chimneys occurred at Charleston and on Wadmalaw Island. Also felt in Georgia. (Ref. 32, 349.)

1959. Oct. 27 (Oct. 26). Chesterfield, S.C. Plaster cracked and fell at Chesterfield, about 120 km 

northeast of Columbia, and a sheetrock wall cracked 

at McBee, about 30 km southwest of Chesterfield. 

Also felt in North Carolina. (Ref. 32, 38.)

1971. July 13. Near Newry, Oconee County, 

S.C. This earthquake cracked a chimney and displaced furniture at Newry, northwest of Clemson in 

northwest South Carolina. Also felt in Georgia. (Ref. 

44, 163.)

1974. Nov. 22. Charleston, S.C. In North 

Charleston, a resident in a ranch-style brick house 

reported cracks in the brick veneer, cracks in the 

driveway and sidewalk, and separation of an outside 

brick wall from the rest of the house. Throughout the 

city of Charleston, cracks formed in driveways, sidewalks, and plaster. At Summerville, damage included 

cracks in concrete-block footings, broken windowpanes, and enlarged cracks in a concrete patio floor. 

A 500-ton machine tool "jumped around" on its bed 

at the General Electric Plant at Ladson. Also felt in 

Georgia and North Carolina. Magnitude 4.3 Mfa 

NUT. (Ref. 38, 47, 263, 289, 349.)

1977. Jan. 18. Summerville, Dorchester 

County, S.C. Sidewalks were cracked in
354 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Summerville and suburban subdivisions. Felt only 

at a few other towns in the area. (Ref. 39, 349.)

1979. Aug. 26 (Aug. 25). Northwest South 

Carolina. At Tamassee (Oconee County), west of

Greenville, drywall cracked and fell and cracks 

formed in a concrete floor. The University of South 

Carolina reported about 20 aftershocks. Also felt in 

Georgia and North Carolina. (Ref. 262, 349.)
SOUTH DAKOTA

104° 102° 100° 98° 96°

46°

44°

42°

i

O

z

s 

g

Rapid City

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.0-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9/VI

NORTH I DAKOTA

_____I_____

SOUTH

Pierre

DAKOTA

NEBRASKA

100 KILOMETERS

j____I I

Earthquakes in South Dakota with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

355
356 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

SOUTH DAKOTA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude1 source codes. Leader < ) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr

1906

1911

1922

1946

1961

1966

1983

Mo

05

06

01

07

12

06

03

Da

10

02

02

23

31

26

04

Origin

time (urc)

h m s

0027

2234

1450

0645

163605.8

115943.1

06 32 18.6

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

43.0 N

44.2 N

43.8 N

44.1 N

44.250N

44.296N

44.2 14N

Longitude

(°)

101.3 W

98.2 W

99.3 W

98.6 W

100.724W

103.428W

99.409W

Depth

(km)

^^ _ .

023

002

005

Ref

105

38

105

105

349

349

360

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment

mb Ms M

 3.70Mfa SC 

 4.50Mfa BAR 

 

_ _ 4.lOMfa SC 

 4.20Mfa SC 

 3.10Mn BAR 

4.4 _ 4.40ML GS 

Intensity

MM

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

Ref

105

105

105

38

34

38

360

Felt area

(1,000km2)

45

100

22

34

3

42

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.J

1906. May 10 (May 9). South DakotaNebraska border. This earthquake was reported all 

along the Niobrara River valley from Rushville to 

Valentine, Nebr., and at Rosebud, S. Dak., about 100 

km southwest of Pierre. Plants fell from a windowsill 

at Cody, Nebr. Residents of towns for 100 km in all 

directions felt the shock. (Ref. 105, 353.)

1922. Jan. 2. Near Winner, Tripp County, S. 

Dak. Chimneys were thrown down and dishes and 

windows were broken at Winner, about 130 km south 

of Pierre. (Ref. 105.)

1946. July 23. Wessington, Beadle County, S. 

Dak. A series of earthquakes broke five water mains 

in the Wessington area, east of Pierre, and awakened 

sleepers at nearby Huron. Generally felt from Pierre 

east to De Smet and northward, including Redfield. 

Magnitude 4.2 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 38, 105, 353.)

1961. Dec. 31. Pierre, Hughes County, S. Dak.

Cracks formed in plaster and a concrete floor at 

Pierre and a clothes drier was moved several centimeters. Felt from Pierre west to Midland (Haakon 

County) and east to Huron (Beadle County). Magnitude 4.3 Mfa BAR, 4.2 Mfa DG. (Ref. 34, 349, 353.)

1966. June 26. Southwest South Dakota. At

Keystone (in Lawrence County, near Rapid City), 

well water was muddied for several hours. At Rapid 

City, a patio and concrete steps were cracked and 

objects fell from walls. Felt over a small area of 

southwest South Dakota. (Ref. 38, 349, 353.)

1983. Mar. 4. Near Fort Thompson, Buffalo 

County, S. Dak. This moderate earthquake caused 

minor damage at Fort Thompson (cracks in walls and 

ceiling), Lower Brule (cracks in reinforced concrete 

foundation, ceilings, and walls), and Stephan (cracks 

in exterior brick walls). Also felt in western Minnesota and northern Nebraska. Magnitude 4.6 Mn TUL. 

(Ref. 360.)
90° 88 86°

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.5-4.4/VI

O 4.5-4.9/VI

O 5.0-5.4

NORTH CAROLINA

I2 

wCfl Cfl

Earthquakes in Tennessee with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VT.
358 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TENNESSEE

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (-) indicates information is not

available]

Date

Yr

1844

1865

1889

1898

1913

1918

1928

1952

1955

1956

1962

1973

1980

1981

1984

Mo

11

08

07

06

03

10

11

07

03

09

07

11

12

08

02

Da

28

17

20

14

28

16

03

16

29

07

23

30

02

07

14

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

1300

1500

0132

1526

2150

0215

040249.8

23 48 10

090240

13 35 50.8

060515.7

07 48 40.5

08 59 29.7

115341.8

20 54 30.9

Hypocenter

Latitude

36.0 N

36.0 N

35.1 N

36.5 N

36.2 N

36.0 N

36.112N

36.2 N

36.0 N

36.445N

36.044N

35.889N

36.175N

35.95 N

36.125N

Longitude

84.0 W

89.5 W

90.0 W

88.5 W

83.7 W

89.2 W

82.828W

89.6 W

89.5 W

83.787W

89.399W

83.993W

89.429W

89.12 W

83.737W

Depth 

(M

_

_

005

005

008

012

005

010

010

Ref

38

113

105

529

38

105

349

25

105

349

349

349

349

325

370

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

 4.20Mfa BAR 

 5.00Mfa SC 

 3.80Mfa BAR 

_ _ 4.50Mfa SG 

_ _ 4.10Mfa SC 

 4.50Mfa SG 

 4.50Mn DG 

 

 3.90Mfa SC 

 4.10Mfa SC 

 3.60Mn BAR 3.38STT

4.7 _ 4.60Mn BLA 4.00STT

 3.80Mn SLM 

 4.00Mn SLM 

 3.50MD TEC 

Intensity

MM

VI

vn

VI

V

vn

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

Ref

38

38

105

529

38

105

1

25

28

29

35

46

300

325

370

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_

250

@

110

7

106

100

10

22

10

120

2

10

@

1987 03 27 072930.4 35.567N 84.229W 019 74 4.3 4.20Mn TEC VI 577 23

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1844. Nov. 28. Knoxville, Knox County, Tenn.

Bricks were thrown from the top of a chimney at 

Knoxville, and one chimney in the county was 

thrown down. In nearby Blount County, bricks were 

displaced from several chimneys and houses. Also 

felt at Athens. (Ref. 38, 508).

1865. Aug. 17. Near Memphis, Shelby 

County, Tenn. At Memphis, chimneys were thrown 

down. At New Madrid, Mo., chimneys were damaged 

and waves formed on the river, that were like those 

made by a passing steamboat. The earth appeared 

to undulate. Felt from St. Louis, Mo., to Jackson, 

Miss. Also felt in Illinois. Magnitude 5.3 Mfa BAE. 

(Ref. 38, 113, 353, 514.)

1889. July 20 (July 19). Memphis, Shelby 

County, Tenn. A severe local shock cracked walls 

and chimneys and frightened residents at Memphis. 

(Ref. 105, 353.)

1913. Mar. 28. Near Knoxville, Knox County, 

Tenn. This earthquake was of short duration, but 

caused general panic among residents. At Knoxville, 

bricks fell from chimneys, pictures fell to the floor, 

heavy furniture was overturned, and fire alarms

were activated. A noticeable rise and fall of the 

ground was observed in a small area of Knox County. 

The Knox County Courthouse, a massive structure 

on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River, trembled 

"like a leaf for several seconds. Magnitude 4.0 Mfa 

BAR. (Ref. 38, 353, 508, 513.)

1928. Nov. 3 (Nov. 2). Southern Appalachians. 

This earthquake was felt strongly along the French 

Broad River between Asheville, N.C., and Newport, 

Tenn. At Newport (Cocke County), bricks were 

shaken from some buildings and plaster cracked. 

Three frame houses under construction northeast of 

Newport at Johnson City were shaken down; one 

building under construction north of Newport at Morristown was damaged; and the top of one chimney at 

Greenville, east of Morristown, was thrown down. 

Minor damage also occurred at Asheville, Bryson 

City, and Waynesville, N.C. Also felt in Alabama, 

Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Virginia. 

(Ref. 1, 349, 508.)

1952. July 16. Near Dyersburg, Dyer County, 

Tenn. Many cracks were reported in a concrete 

structure at Dyersburg. Also felt at Finley and Jenkinsville. (Ref. 25.)

1955. Mar. 29. Finley, Dyer County, Tenn. 

Plaster cracked in a house at Finley, and violent 

shaking and a roaring noise were reported. Also felt
EARTHQUAKES IN TENNESSEE 359

in Arkansas and Missouri. Magnitude 4.0 Mfa BAR. 

(Ref. 28, 105, 353.)

1956. Sept. 7. Knoxville, Knox County, Tenn.

This earthquake caused the most severe effects at 

Knoxville, where one chimney was thrown down, 

plaster was knocked from walls, and windows were 

shattered. Also felt in parts of Kentucky, North 

Carolina, and Virginia. An aftershock was felt a few 

minutes after the main tremor. Magnitude 4.1 Mfa 

BAR, 4.1 Mfa DG. (Ref. 29, 349, 353, 508.)

1962. July 23. Dyersburg, Dyer County, Tenn. 

Walls and plaster cracked at Dyersburg, and one wall 

was damaged slightly at Miston, northwest of Dyersburg. Also felt in Arkansas and Missouri. (Ref. 35, 

349, 353.)

1973. Nov. 30. Eastern Tennessee. The earthquake caused minor damage to chimneys, walls, and 

windows in the Maryville-Alcoa area in Blount 

County, and small cracks in walls at Knoxville (about 

20 km north of Maryville). Plaster cracked and fell 

and windows broke at Maryville and at Vonore, about 

20 km southwest. Slight damage also occurred in a 

few towns in Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. 

Also felt in South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Magnitude 4.6 Mfa NUT. (Ref. 46, 263, 349.)

1980. Dec. 2. Northwest Tennessee. Cracks 

formed in a house foundation at Madie and in exterior brick walls at Ridgely in Obion County. In

addition, windows were damaged at Caruthersville, 

Mo., and north of Dyersburg at Elbridge, Hornbeak, 

and Lane, Tenn. Magnitude 3.8 Mn TEC. (Ref. 

300, 349.)

1981. Aug. 7. Western Tennessee. At Eaton, 

in Gibson County, southeast of Dyersburg, an earthquake cracked bathroom tile and two concrete patios. 

Also felt in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri. 

Magnitude 4.0 Mn BLA, 4.0 Mn TEC. (Ref. 325.)

1984. Feb. 14. Eastern Tennessee. A few 

buildings sustained damage northeast of Knoxville, 

at Blaine, where some windows were broken. Windows were cracked and small objects overturned at 

New Market (Jefferson County), northeast of Knoxville. Magnitude 3.6 Mn BLA. (Ref. 370.)

1987. Mar. 27. Near Greenback, Loudon 

County, Tenn. In the area southwest of Knoxville, 

at Greenback and Friendsville, chimneys and foundations of buildings sustained cracks and hairline 

cracks formed in plaster and drywalls. Slight 

cracks in drywall and building foundations also 

were reported in Blount County, at Louisville and 

Tallassee. Felt over a moderate area of six States, 

including northern Georgia, southern Kentucky, 

western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwest Virginia (Lee County), and northwest South 

Carolina (Pickens County). Magnitude 4.2 Mn TUL. 

(Ref. 74, 577.)

TEXAS

108° 104 100°

Magnitude/Intensity 

O 3.8-4.4/VI

28

Earthquakes in Texas with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

361
362 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TEXAS

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (--) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr

1891

1917

1925

1931

1932

1936

1948

1966

1974

1978

Mo

01

03

07

08

04

06

03

08

02

06

Da

08

28

30

16

09

20

12

14

15

16

Origin

time (urc)

h m s

0600

1956

1217

114022.3

1017

03 24 03.5

042906.3

15 25 53.7

13 33 49.2

114656.0

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

31.7 N

35.4 N

35.4 N

30.502N

31.7 N

35.3 ION

36.221N

32.115N

36.399N

32.990N

Longitude

(°)

95.2 W

101.3 W

101.3 W

104.575W

96.4 W

100.773W

102.478W

102.339W

100.688W

100.875W

Depth

(km)

001

005

005

003

000

003

Ref

342

364

364

214

342

349

349

349

349

349

Magnitude

USGS Other

nib MS

 3.80Mfa BAR

 3.80Mfa SC

 4.90Mfa SC

 5.80Mn NTT

 3.90Mfa SC

_ _ 4.40Mfa SC

 4.50Mfa SC

3.4 _ 4.30Mn BAR

4.5 _ 4.50Mn DG

4.4 _ 4.60Mn SLM

Intensity

Moment MM

M

 VI

 VI

 VI

 vm

 VI

 VI

 VI

 VI

4.35HRN V

4.48VOS V

Ref

342

364

364

4

342

364

364

81

47

240

Felt area

(1,000km2)

@

5

520

980

8

87

123

45

52

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1887. May 3. Northern Sonora, Mexico.

Chimneys were thrown down in El Paso, Tex. See 

Arizona section for a complete description of this 

earthquake. (Ref. 38, 343, 471, 494, 497.)

1891. Jan. 8. Rusk, Tex. A strong local earthquake thre w down chimneys at Rusk, southeast of 

Dallas, and awakened many residents. Two distinct 

shocks were felt. Some researchers have questioned 

the authenticity of this event, suggesting that it may 

have been a violent thunderstorm or a tornado. (Ref. 

342, 353.)

1917. Mar. 28. Panhandle area, Carson 

County, Tex. Ceiling plaster fell to the floor of the 

bank and the walls of many buildings were cracked 

at Panhandle, east of Amarillo. Distinctly felt in 

northern Carson County and southern Hutchinson 

County. Magnitude 3.8 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 353, 364.)

1925. July 30. Panhandle area, Carson 

County, Tex. Plaster fell and jars were displaced 

from shelves at Plemons; ground settling resulted in 

damage to a section of track of the Santa Fe Railroad 

at Cuyler. Plaster was shaken from ceilings at Guymon, Okla., north of Panhandle. Also felt in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico (see fig. 56). 

Magnitude 4.9 Mfa BAR. (Ref. 218, 353, 364.)

1931. Aug. 16. Near Valentine, Jeff Davis 

County, Tex. In terms of magnitude and damage, 

this is the largest earthquake known to have

occurred in Texas. The most severe damage was 

reported at Valentine, where all buildings except 

wood-frame houses were damaged severely and all 

brick chimneys toppled or were damaged. The 

schoolhouse, which consisted of one section of concrete blocks and another section of bricks, was damaged so badly that it had to be rebuilt. Small cracks 

formed in the schoolhouse yard.

Some walls collapsed in adobe buildings, and ceilings and partitions were damaged in wood-frame 

structures. Some concrete and brick walls were 

cracked severely. One low wall, reinforced with concrete, was broken and thrown down. Tombstones in a 

local cemetery were rotated. Damage to property was 

reported from widely scattered points in Brewster, 

Jeff Davis, Culberson, and Presidio Counties.

Landslides occurred in the Van Horn Mountains, 

southwest of Lobo; in the Chisos Mountains, in the 

area of Big Bend; and farther northwest, near Pilares 

and Porvenir. Landslides also occurred in the Guadalupe Mountains, near Carlsbad, N. Mex., and slides 

of rock and dirt were reported near Picacho, N. Mex. 

Well water and springs were muddied throughout the 

area. Also felt in parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico 

(see fig. 57), and in Chihuahua and Coahuila, Mexico. Magnitude 6.4 Mfa SAN, 5.8 Mn NTT, 6.4 Ms 

GR, 5.7 Mfa SC. (Ref. 4, 99, 124, 353, 364.)

1932. Apr. 9. Wortham, Freestone County, 

Tex. At Wortham, northeast of Waco, weakly mortared concrete bricks fell from at least four chimneys. 

Felt in Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan, and 

Navarro Counties. Magnitude 3.6 Mfa BAR, 3.9 Mfa 

CAR. (Ref. 342, 353.)
EARTHQUAKES IN TEXAS 363

106C 104'

40C

38C

36C

34C

32 ) 4 .-.--._._:

FIGURE 56. Isoseismal map for the Texas Panhandle earthquake of July 30, 1925. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from

data listed in references 218 and 364 of table 1.

1936. June 20 (June 19). Near Pampa, Gray 

County, Tex. The last shock of a series of three on 

this date cracked the cornice of the Pampa City Hall 

and enlarged an existing crack. Houses were jarred 

strongly at nearby Borger. Slight damage also was 

reported in Elkhart, Kans., and Kenton, Okla. Also 

felt at Richards, Colo. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa BAR, 4.5 

Mfa DG. (Ref. 349, 353, 364.)

1948. Mar. 12 (Mar. 11). Hartley County in 

northwest Texas. Cracks in walls and plaster 

were reported from several towns in the epicentral

region, including Amarillo, Panhandle, and Perico. 

Slight damage to plaster also was reported in Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Also felt in Kansas. Magnitude 4.8 Mfa 

349, 353, 364.)

BAR, 4.8 Mfa DG. (Ref.

1966. Aug. 14. Kermit, Winkler County, Tex.

At Kermit, windows were broken and several street 

signs were knocked down. Plaster was cracked in 

one church. Also felt at Wink, Tex., and Loco Hills, 

N. Mex. (Ref. 81, 349, 353.)
364 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

110° 108° 106° 104° 102° 100° 98° 96° 94°

30°

28°

26°

24°

FIGURE 57. Isoseismal map for the Valentine, Texas, earthquake of August 16, 1931. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates from

data listed in references 4, 124, and 342 of table 1.
42e

40°

38°

1 14°

o

UTAH

112°

[DAHO

01 100 KILOMETERS 

I___Li

6

Lake City

UTAH

0 O

Richfield O

-e G e

O Cedar City

c

110°

O

ARIZONA

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity

O 3.2-4.4/VI 

O 4.5-4.9/VI

O 5.0-5.4/VI ___

T J 6.5-6.

5.5-5.9/VII 

6.0-6.4/VIII

6.9

Vernal 

>

D 

O

Moab

N. MEX.

Earthquakes in Utah with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

365
366 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

UTAH

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader ( ) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1876 03

1887 12

1891 04

1894 07

1900 08

1901 11

1902 11

1902 12

1909 10

1910 01

1910 01

1910 05

1914 05

1915 07

1921 09

1921 09

1921 10

1933 01

1934 03

1934 03

1934 03

1934 03

1934 03

1934 03

1934 04

1934 04

1934 05

1936 09

1942 08

1942 09

1943 02

1945 11

1949 03

1949 11

1950 01

1958 02

1959 02

1961 04

1962 06

1962 08

1962 09

1963 07

1966 03

1967 10

1970 03

1972 01

1972 10

1977 09

1978 03

1981 02

1981 04

1982 05

Da

22

05

20

18

01

14

17

05

06

10

12

22

13

15

29

30

01

20

12

12

12

12

15

15

07

14

06

21

30

26

22

18

07

02

18

13

27

16

05

30

05

07

17

04

29

03

01

30

09

20

05

24

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

1530

1355

2250

0745

0432

1950

0241

1300

0300

1428

1715

2200

1412

0230

1532

1305

150540

1729

1812

18 20 13

1201

1346

0216

21 26 32

080949

0620

2308

1550

1420

010741

0650

02 29 38

01 55 51

225200

22 19 52

05 02 39.3

222945.0

13 35 28.7

160427.8

19 20 39.6

11 47 47.4

102012.8

124040.3

102038.9

194229.5

10 19 20.4

063051.9

09 13 01.2

05 40 39.7

12 13 26.6

Hypocenter

Latitude

39.5 N

37.1 N

37.1 N

41.2 N

40.0 N

38.7 N

37.4 N

37.4 N

41.8 N

38.7 N

38.7 N

40.7 N

41.2 N

40.4 N

38.7 N

38.7 N

38.7 N

37.8 N

41.7 N

41.5 N

41.5 N

41.5 N

41.5 N

41.5 N

41.5 N

41.5 N

41.5 N

38.0 N

37.7 N

37.7 N

40.7 N

38.8 N

40.7 N

37.0 N

40.5 N

40.5 N

38.0 N

39.33 N

38.0 N

41.917N

40.72 N

39.53 N

41.66 N

38.54 N

41.66 N

38.65 N

40.51 N

40.47 N

40.76 N

40.32 N

37.59 N

38.71 N

Longitude

111.6 W

112.5 W

113.6 W

112.0 W

112.1 W

112.1 W

113.5 W

113.5 W

112.7 W

112.1 W

112.1 W

111.8 W

112.0 W

111.6 W

112.1 W

112.1 W

112.1 W

112.8 W

112.8 W

112.5 W

112.5 W

112.5 W

112.5 W

112.5 W

111.5 W

112.5 W

113.0 W

113.3 W

113.1 W

113.1 W

112.0 W

112.0 W

111.8 W

113.5 W

110.5 W

111.5 W

112.5 W

111.65 W

112.1 W

111.733W

112.09 W

111.91 W

111.56 W

112.16 W

113.84 W

112.17 W

111.35 W

110.47 W

112.09 W

111.74 W

113.30 W

112.04 W

Depth 

(km)

.^^

_

__

__

__

_

_

_

033

010

007

007

007

007

007

007

007

006

009

001

001

005

Ref

298

38

298

38

298

38

38

298

298

298

298

298

298

52

298

298

298

298

7

315

315

258

315

315

7

258

258

298

298

298

265

298

298

265

24

31

32

234

35

556

298

298

298

298

298

298

298

319

298

341

341

350

Magnitude

USGS Other 

m^ MS

_ _ ^

 

 

_ 

 

 

 

 

_ _ _

 

_ _ __

 

 

 

 5.20UknPAS

_ _ .

 

 

 6.60MS GR

 4.80MX JON

 5.10MX JON

 6.00MS GR

 5.10MX JON

_ _ 4.80MX JON

 5.50MX JON

 5.25MS GR

 5.50MS GR

_ _ 4.70MX JON

 

 

_ _ _

. _ _ _

 

 4.70UknPAS

 5.30UknPAS

_ . ___ __

_ _ _

 

 4.50ML PAS

 5.70ML UU

5.1 5.20ML UU

4.9 _ 4.40ML UU

4.4 _ 4.60ML UU

5.2 5.20ML UU

4.6 4.70ML UU

4.6 _ 4.40ML UU

4.7 _ 4.30ML UU

5.0 4.50ML CDL

 3.20ML UU

4.7 3.90ML UU

4.2 _ 4.60ML UU

4.7 _ 4.00ML UU

Intensity

Moment 

M

_

_^

_

__

6.54DOS

5.61DOS

__

_

__

5.85DOS

5.02DOS

4.97DOS

5.22DOS

5.55DOS

_

^_

MM

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

vm

vm

VI

vn

VI

VI

vn

vn

VI

vm

vn

vm

VI

vm

Felt

Felt

vn

VI

m

m

Felt

VI

Felt

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

V

VI

VI

VI

vn

VI

VI

V

vn

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

VI

Ref

52

38

52

298

52

52

52

52

38

52

52

52

38

272

38

38

38

6

7

259

259

298

259

259

7

259

259

315

15

15

16

18

259

22

23

31

32

34

35

35

36

81

40

43

45

45

39

240

325

325

350

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

3

3

130

78

_

9

21

13

3

@

@

3

405

165

78

78

@

@

26

4

11

3

4

5

170

42

4

16

74

5

6

20

@

4

23

2
EARTHQUAKES IN UTAH 367

UTAH Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km2 . Leader (--) indicates information is

not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1983 10 08

1986 03 24

1986 03 25

1987 09 25

1987 10 26

1988 08 14

1988 08 18

1988 11 19

1989 01 30

1989 07 03

1989 07 05

Origin

time (UTC)

h m s

11 57 53.8

224023.4

02 53 01.2

042758.1

041600.9

200303.9

12 44 53.4

19 42 37.3

040622.7

22 44 28.6

22 51 56.3

Hypocenter

Latitude

<°)

40.748N

39.236N

39.223N

41.210N

41.203N

39.128N

39.132N

41.996N

38.824N

41.706N

41.707N

Longitude

(°)

111.993W

112.009W

112.011W

113.152W

113.172W

110.869W

110.867W

111.472W

111.614W

112.373W

1 12.37 1W

Depth

(km)

006

001

001

010

009

010

012

006

010

007

010

Ref

360

562

562

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

Magnitude

USQS Other

nib

4.5

4.7

4.5

4.7

4.3

5.5

4.5

4.9

5.0

4.5

4.2

Ms

 4.30ML

 4.40ML

 3.90ML

4.6 4.70ML

 4.80ML

 5.30ML

 4.40ML

 4.80ML

4.8 5.40ML

 4.80ML

 4.60ML

UU

UU

UU

UU

UU

UU

UU

UU

UU

UU

UU

Intensity

Moment MM

M

 VI

 V

 V

 V

 IV

 VI

 V

 VI

5.31HAV VI

_ y

 IV

Ref

360

562

562

577

577

578

578

578

579

579

579

Felt area

(1,000km2)

7

3

3

42

37

110

18

28

148

4

4

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1876. Mar. 22. Moroni, northern Sanpete 

County, Utah. A local earthquake on the Thousand 

Lake fault cracked two buildings and sent Moroni 

residents running from their houses. (Ref. 52, 298.)

1887. Dec. 5. Kanab, Kane County, Utah. A 

local earthquake on the Sevier fault caused minor 

damage at Kanab, near the Arizona border. Bricks 

fell from chimneys, a few houses were cracked, and 

people who were walking were thrown to the ground. 

Rocks fell from nearby cliffs, causing large clouds of 

dust. (Ref. 38, 52.)

1891. Apr. 20. St. George, southern Washington County, Utah. One chimney was thrown from a 

house, plaster was shaken from the walls, and dishes 

were broken at St. George, near the Arizona border 

west of Kanab. (Ref. 52, 298.)

1894. July 18. Northern Utah. Walls were 

cracked and dishes were shaken from tables at 

Ogden, north of Salt Lake City, in Weber 

County. Three distinct shocks were reported. 

(Ref. 38, 52, 298.)

1900. Aug. 1. Near Goshen, Utah County, 

Utah. At Goshen, southwest of Provo, dishes and a 

chimney were broken and plaster fell from walls. At 

nearby Santaquin, an adobe house was split in two 

and people were thrown from their beds. The mine 

shaft at the Mammoth mine at Santaquin was 

thrown out of line and the cage could not be lowered. 

(Ref. 52, 298.)

1901. Nov. 14 (Nov. 13). Southern Utah. An

earthquake on the Tushar fault caused much damage 

to brick buildings and chimneys from Parowan (Iron 

County) on the south to Richfield (Sevier County) on 

the north. Extensive rockslides occurred between 

Beaver and Marysvale, in Piute County. Masses of 

fallen rock in Bullion and Cottonwood Canyons made 

the roads almost impassable. Water and sand were 

ejected from cracks that formed in the ground about 

5 km east of Richfield; creeks in the area increased 

their flow. Many towns sustained minor damage. 

Aftershocks continued for several weeks. Also felt at 

Salt Lake City, 220 km to the north. (Ref. 38, 52.)

1902. Nov. 17. Pine Valley, Washington 

County, Utah. Every chimney was destroyed in 

Pine Valley, north of St. George, and rockslides 

occurred in the nearby mountains. At Santa Clara, 

south of Pine Valley, almost every chimney was 

knocked down. Buildings were damaged considerably at St. George; chimneys and plaster fell at 

Pinto. The earthquake reportedly was felt as far 

north as Salt Lake City. (Ref. 38, 52.)

1902. Dec. 5. Pine Valley, Washington 

County, Utah. Many aftershocks occurred at Pine 

Valley, keeping chimneys in "disrepair." Students 

were dismissed from school because of the shocks. 

(Ref. 52, 298.)

1909. Oct. 6 (Oct. 5). Hansel Valley, Utah. The 

earthquake was felt by people on a northbound train 

approaching Logan in Cache County. Waves reportedly rolled over a bathhouse pier at Saltair, a few 

kilometers west of Salt Lake City. Windows were 

cracked at Salt Lake City. Felt from Lehi, Utah 

(about 25 km northwest of Provo), north to Malad
368 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

City, Idaho, a distance of about 200 km. West of 

Logan, in the Garland-Tremonton area, 30 to 60 

earthquakes were reported to December 1909. A few 

were strong enough to throw down chimneys. (Ref. 

38, 52, 298.)

1910. Jan. 10. Richfield, Sevier County, Utah.

A local earthquake on the Tushar fault broke windowpanes at Richfield. School was dismissed at 

nearby Elsinore, where six severe shocks were 

observed. (Ref. 38, 52, 298.)

1910. Jan. 12 (Jan. 11). Elsinore, Sevier 

County, Utah. Located on the Tushar fault, this 

local earthquake shook down chimneys and destroyed 

merchandise on Elsinore store shelves. (Ref. 52, 298.)

1910. May 22. Salt Lake City, Utah. Many 

chimneys were demolished and several buildings 

were damaged in Salt Lake City, but well-constructed 

buildings were damaged little. Slight damage was 

reported at Bingham and Garfield. This local shock 

centered on the Wasatch fault. (Ref. 52, 298.)

1914. May 13. Ogden, Weber County, Utah. 

Some chimneys toppled, walls cracked, and plateglass windows broke at Ogden. Dishes were broken 

at Salt Lake City. (Ref. 38, 52, 298.)

1915. July 15. Provo, Utah County, Utah. An 

earthquake that was centered on the Wasatch fault 

cracked a few ceilings at Provo and shook dishes 

from shelves. (Ref. 52, 272.)

1921. Sept. 29. Elsinore, Sevier County, 

Utah. Elsinore is a small town in Sevier Valley, 240 

km south of Salt Lake City. After about 2 weeks of 

light foreshocks at Elsinore, three damaging local 

earthquakes occurred: two on Sept. 29 (local time) 

and one on Sept. 30. The first strong earthquake 

threw down scores of chimneys, or broke them at 

roof level, and fractured and displaced walls. A new 

two-story brick schoolhouse was damaged when a 

fire wall fell and several pilasters on the front of the 

building were dislodged. Gables of houses were 

"thrown out." The front of one store building was 

cracked severely (it collapsed in the strong shock on 

Oct. 1.). Considerable damage also occurred at the 

nearby towns of Joseph, Monroe, and Richfield. The 

shocks continued from Sept. 12 to Dec. 20, 1921. 

(Ref. 38, 52, 298, 311.)

1921. Sept. 30 (Sept. 29). Elsinore, Sevier 

County, Utah. The second damaging earthquake of 

this series of shocks toppled many chimneys and 

increased the damage caused by the previous earthquake (see paragraph above). At Monroe, about 8 

km south of Elsinore, this earthquake was more 

destructive than the first shock on Sept. 29 at 14 12 

UTC. Felt slightly at Joseph and Richfield. (Ref. 38, 

298, 311.)

1921. Oct. 1. Elsinore, Sevier County, Utah.

The third destructive shock of this series of earthquakes at Elsinore downed chimneys that remained 

upright and caused additional structural damage. 

Heavy damage was sustained by buildings made of 

stone or "sun-dried brick" [adobe(?)]. Ten houses were 

wrecked and made uninhabitable. The store building 

that was cracked severely in the first shock on Sept. 

29 collapsed during this earthquake. Large rockfalls 

occurred on both sides of Sevier Valley. Warm springs 

were discolored for hours. Additional damage was 

reported at Monroe, but the shock was only lightly 

felt at Joseph and Richfield. (Ref. 38, 52, 298, 311.)

1933. Jan. 20. Parowan, Iron County, Utah. A 

local earthquake on the Hurricane fault cracked plaster at Parowan and caused slight damage to brick, 

masonry, and concrete. Plaster also was cracked a 

few kilometers north, at Minersville. (Ref. 6, 52, 298.)

1934. Mar. 12, 15 05 UTC. Near Kosmo, Box 

Elder County, Utah. This earthquake occurred in 

Hansel Valley, a sparsely populated area. Two people 

were killed. Property damage was limited mainly to 

downed chimneys and cracked walls in poorly constructed brick buildings. Chimneys were downed in 

several towns in the County, including Hooper, Kelton, Kosmo, Locomotive Springs, Monument, and 

Snowville. Large rockslides occurred at Aragonite, 

Lakeside, Monument Rock, and Snowville. An outstanding feature of this earthquake was the large 

quantity of water emitted from the craterlets and fissures that developed in the area.

Most of the ground cracks that formed in the epicentral area occurred in poorly consolidated rocks on 

the salt flats. These cracks were traced for a distance of more than 8 km. Four distinct fractures, 

about 1 km apart, developed across a road about 5 

km north of Kosmo. The vertical displacement along 

the fractures ranged from about 7.5 to 25.5 cm. Precise leveling surveys later revealed that areas of 

land sank as much as 39 cm. Horizontal displacement was not observed.

Many springs formed in the epicentral area. Most 

of them developed along well-defined fractures in 

the salt flats where water flowed along the fissure. 

Notable exceptions, however, were the springs that 

formed in Monument Rock where water flowed at 

individual centers and formed mud cones. In places, 

large holes developed around the springs by the 

caving of the soft material through which the water 

flowed. Two such holes on the salt flats northeast of 

Monument Rock ranged in diameter from 2.5 to 3 

m, and one was 11 m deep. Also felt in Idaho, 

Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming (see fig. 58). (Ref. 

7, 52, 258, 533.)
122° 120° 118°

EARTHQUAKES IN UTAH

116° 114° 112° 110°

369

108° 106° 104°

40°

38°

FIGURE 58. Isoseismal map for the Kosmo (Hansel Valley), Utah, earthquake of March 12, 1934. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 7 and 259 of table 1.

1934. Mar. 12, 18 20 UTC. Near Kosmo, Box 

Elder County, Utah. See description in the paragraph above for the effects of this earthquake 

because damage for the two shocks could not be separated. This shock was reported to be slightly less 

severe than the first, but it was felt over a similar 

area of Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. (Ref. 

258, 298.)

1934. Mar. 15, 12 01 UTC. Near Kosmo, Box 

Elder County, Utah. This earthquake damaged 

chimneys and overturned small objects in Locomotive Springs. It also was felt in Idaho. (Ref. 259, 

298, 315.)

1934. May 6. Near Kosmo, Box Elder County, 

Utah. This strong earthquake apparently is an aftershock of the Mar. 12 event. A few windows were

broken at Salt Lake City, and plaster was cracked at 

Preston, Idaho. (Ref. 52, 258, 259.)

1942. Aug. 30. Cedar City, Iron County, 

Utah. A local earthquake on the Hurricane fault 

shook bricks from a chimney in the northeast part 

of Cedar City. It knocked plaster from the walls of 

one house and cracked plaster at another. (Ref. 15, 

259, 298.)

1942. Sept. 26. Cedar City, Iron County, 

Utah. A local earthquake on the Hurricane fault 

caused minor damage at Cedar City, including 

cracked walls, cracked plaster, and one broken plateglass window (Ref. 15, 298.)

1943. Feb. 22. Near Salt Lake City, Utah. This 

earthquake, believed to be centered on the Wasatch 

fault, shook plaster from the wall and ceiling at the
370 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Bingham High School and knocked down a chimney 

at Camp Kearns Air Force Training Center. The 

shock also cracked chimneys and broke windows and 

dishes at Magna and cracked plaster and windows at 

Salt Lake City. (Ref. 16, 259, 265.)

1945. Nov. 18 (Nov. 17). South-central Utah. 

Slight damage occurred in Sevier County, at Glenwood and nearby Richfield. Chimneys and plaster 

were cracked and many residents were frightened. 

This local shock occurred on the Sevier fault. (Ref. 

18, 298.)

1949. Mar. 7 (Mar. 6). Salt Lake City, Utah. 

A sharp local earthquake broke a pipeline, cracked 

walls in some houses, and broke windows at Salt 

Lake City. This shock, located on the Wasatch fault, 

also displaced furniture and tumbled dishes from 

shelves. (Ref. 22, 259, 298.)

1958. Feb. 13. North-central Utah. Plaster 

fell from ceilings and walls cracked in several buildings in Utah County, at Provo. Plaster also fell from 

a wall in the student service center at Brigham 

Young University. Felt mainly in the region east of 

Utah Lake. (Ref. 31, 259.)

1959. Feb. 27. Panguitch, western Garfield 

County, Utah. A minor earthquake knocked plaster 

from ceilings, cracked walls, and broke dishes and 

windows at Panguitch. Felt in several towns in 

southwest Utah. (Ref. 32, 259.)

1961. Apr. 16 (Apr. 15). Near Ephraim, Sanpete County, Utah. This earthquake caused minor 

damage at Ephraim and nearby towns to the north. 

Two chimneys fell, plaster was cracked, and bottles 

were knocked from shelves at Ephraim; chimneys 

were cracked at Chester; and plaster was cracked at 

Mount Pleasant and Spring City. (Ref. 34, 234.)

1962. Aug. 30. Cache Valley, Utah. The earthquake severely damaged many old, unreinforced 

brick buildings and other old structures on the east 

side of Cache Valley, Utah (from Logan to Lewiston). 

In Richmond (24 km north of Logan), where the most 

severe property damage occurred, 75 percent of the 

older brick chimneys collapsed and tombstones were 

overturned. One large church was damaged beyond 

repair. The walls of many houses were damaged 

badly, and building officials declared several houses 

were unsafe for occupancy. Heavy damage also 

occurred at Franklin, Lewiston, Logan, and Preston. 

Total property damage was estimated at $1 million.

Mudslides were noted west of Lewiston, along the 

Bear River, and at Cornish. At Fairview, Idaho, two 

large areas of land broke loose and slid down a hill. 

Felt in parts of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and 

Wyoming (see fig. 59). (Ref. 35, 298, 556.)

1962. Sept. 5. Near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Property damage occurred mainly in the area from 

Provo to Salt Lake City. It consisted of damaged 

chimneys, broken windows, minor cracks in walls 

and plaster, and loss from fallen stock in stores. In 

Salt Lake City, an outside wall of an older house fell 

through the ceiling; sections of interior walls and 

ceiling plaster fell at two other houses. Some large 

buildings sustained cracks in interior walls. Most of 

the damage to schools was superficial, consisting 

mainly of plaster cracks and loosened acoustical tile. 

Other towns reporting slight damage from this earthquake were Draper, Lark, Magna, Morgan, and 

Provo. (Ref. 35, 298.)

1963. July 7. Central Utah. A minor earthquake, felt over a small area of Juab County, caused 

slight damage at Levan and Nephi. Plaster fell and 

chimneys were cracked at Levan; plaster, walls, and 

chimneys were cracked at Nephi. (Ref. 36, 298.)

1967. Oct. 4. Central Utah. This earthquake 

caused minor damage in the Marysvale-Koosharem 

area. At Marysvale, in northern Piute County, brick 

and stone houses sustained many cracks in ceilings 

and walls; a cupboard in one house pulled away from 

the wall. Well water was muddied about 1.6 km 

north of Marysvale. Chimneys partly collapsed at 

Joseph, 20 km north of Marysvale, and root cellars 

caved in at Circleville, 30 km south of Marysvale. 

Rockslides were reported at Junction City, in the canyon near Joseph, and 8 km south of Sevier. Also felt 

in northern Arizona. Magnitude 5.1 mfc NUT, 4.7 MS 

NUT. (Ref. 40, 263, 298.)

1972. Jan. 3. Elsinore, Sevier County, Utah. 

An earthquake toppled chimneys and cracked walls 

at Elsinore and damaged the contents of houses considerably. Plaster was cracked at Central and Sevier. 

(Ref. 45, 72, 298.)

1972. Oct. 1. Midway, Wasatch County, Utah. 

This earthquake shook bricks from chimneys at Midway and cracked plaster at two schools. Slight damage (mainly cracks in plaster) also occurred at Salt 

Lake City, about 40 km northwest and, at Wallsburg 

about 15 km south. (Ref. 45, 72, 298.)

1977. Sept. 30. Northeast Utah. Damage was 

most severe at Mountain Home, east of Provo, in 

Duchesne County, where a septic system drain was 

broken and old mortar on a log house was cracked. 

There was an unconfirmed report of cracks in a stone 

fence and in interior plaster at Fruita and Grand 

Junction, Colo., more than 200 km southeast of the 

epicenter.

A few indications of minor earth movement were 

found in the epicentral area two days after the shock: 

one possible rockfall in Rock Creek Canyon and
EARTHQUAKES IN UTAH 371

116° 114° 112C 110° 108°

40'

38'

FIGURE 59. Isoseismal map for the Cache Valley, Utah, earthquake of August 30, 1962. Isoseismals are based on intensity estimates

from data listed in references 35 and 259 of table 1.

slumping of a rock slab in Farnsworth Canal, near 

Moon Lake. This earthquake occurred along a lineament that strikes N. 70° E. along the south flank of 

the Uinta Mountains and extends into the basin to 

the south. A lighter shock on Oct. 11 occurred along 

the same fault zone. Also felt in Idaho and Wyoming. Magnitude 5.1 ML GS. (Ref. 39, 319.)

1978. Mar. 9 (Mar. 8). Magna, Salt Lake 

County, Utah. This minor earthquake broke windows and cracked exterior walls, plaster, and drywall 

at Magna, west of Salt Lake City. (Ref. 240, 298.)

1981. Feb. 20. Orem, Utah County, Utah. A 

house foundation cracked at Orem, north of Provo, 

and hairline cracks formed in plaster and drywall. At
372 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

Provo, about 100 km south of Salt Lake City, a hairline crack in a cinder-block wall was enlarged. (Ref. 

325, 341.)

1982. May 24. Southwest Utah. This earthquake was observed mainly in Sevier Valley, between 

Aurora and Joseph. The heaviest damage occurred at 

Annabella, about 25 km south of Aurora, where 

bricks fell from chimneys, stone or brick fences fell or 

were cracked, exterior walls of houses were cracked, 

and a garage roof was shifted 2.5 cm. Slight damage 

also occurred in the nearby towns of Elsinore, Glenwood, Koosharem, and Monroe. (Ref. 350.)

1983. Oct. 8. Northern Utah. At West Valley 

City (in the western suburbs of Salt Lake City), one 

chimney toppled, cracks formed in chimneys and 

plaster walls, and glassware was broken. Bricks fell 

from a chimney south of Salt Lake City, at Granger, 

and hairline cracks formed in walls of buildings at 

Layton and Sandy. (Ref. 360.)

1988. Aug. 14. Near Clawson, Emery County, 

Utah. This earthquake was felt over a wide area but 

caused only minor damage to property. Bricks fell 

from chimneys at Clawson, Elmo, Orangeville, and 

Sunnyside, and chimneys were cracked at Ferron 

and Wellington. Other reported damage included broken windows, and cracks in plaster, drywall, exterior 

brick walls, and foundations.

This earthquake caused hundreds of rockfalls 

within 40 km of its epicenter. Ground cracks due to 

liquefaction of saturated alluvium were reported 4 

km from the epicenter, and similar ground cracks

and a sand boil were observed in saturated alluvium 

1.9 km from the epicenter. Flow of water into a 

spring in Tie Fork Canyon, 48 km from the epicenter, 

increased after the earthquake.

Two foreshocks occurred on Aug. 14 at 18 58 and 

19 07 UTC, and the largest aftershock caused one 

rockfall on Aug. 18. More than 100 aftershocks were 

located through Sept. 30. Felt to Brigham City, 280 

km to the northwest of the epicenter; Delta, 156 km 

to the west; Albuquerque, N. Mex., 567 km to the 

south; Bluff, 233 km to the southeast; and Golden, 

Colo., 475 km to the east. (Ref. 74, 578, 590.)

1988. Nov. 19. Northeast of Logan, Cache 

County, Utah. Slight damage reported at Garden 

City included hairline cracks in plaster and cracks in 

a fireplace and in the foundation of a reinforced concrete building. Some windows also were broken in 

the area. An observer at Logan reported broken 

pipelines and "some structural damage." Felt over a 

small area of northern Utah and southeast Idaho. 

(Ref. 74, 578.)

1989. Jan. 30 (Jan. 29). Near Salina, Sevier 

County, Utah. Slight damage in the form of cracks 

in chimneys, walls, windows, and foundations 

occurred at Ferron (Emery County), Koosharem 

(Sevier County), and Wales (Sanpete County). In 

addition, underground pipes were broken at Salina, 

and large amounts of plaster fell from a ceiling at 

Wales. Felt in northern Arizona, western Colorado, 

eastern Utah, and southwest Wyoming. Several small 

aftershocks were reported. (Ref. 74, 579.)
VERMONT

73° 72°

UNITED STATES

Montpelier

VERMONT

EXPLANATION

Intensity

O Vl

100 KILOMETERS

MASSACHUSETTS

43

Damaging earthquake in Vermont, intensity > VI.

373
374 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

VERMONT

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader (-) indicates information is not

available]

Origin Hypocenter Magnitude Intensity

Date time(UTC) Latitude Longitude Depth Ref USGS Other Moment MM Ref Felt area

Yr Mo Da h m s (km) M M (1,000 km2)

1952 01 30 0400 44.5 N 73.2 W 77 VI 25

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1.]

1952. Jan. 30 (Jan. 29). Burlington, Chittenden County, Vt. Ground cracks about 3 km

long and 3.5 m apart were observed in the 

north end of Burlington. Minor damage resulting from this local shock included cracks in pavement, basement walls, and a gas main. (Ref. 

25, 38, 77.)
84° 82° 80 78°

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/Intensity 

O 3.0-4.4/VI

36

Earthquakes in Virginia with magnitudes £ 4.5 or intensity > VI.
376 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

VIRGINIA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader (-) indicates information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1774 02

1828 03

1833 08

1852 04

1852 11

1853 05

1875 12

1897 05

1897 05

1898 02

1898 11

1899 02

1907 02

1918 04

1919 09

1929 12

1959 04

1975 11

1976 09

21

10

27

29

02

02

23

03

31

05

25

13

11

10

06

26

23

11

13

Origin 

time (urc)

h m s

1911

03

11

18

2335

1420

0445

1718

1858

20

20

0930

1322

010848

01 45 45

0256

205839.5

08 10 37.6

18 54 38.0

Hypocenter

Latitude

(°)

37.2

37.0

37.7

36.6

37.6

38.5

37.8

37.1

37.3

37.0

37.0

37.0

37.7

38.7

38.8

38.1

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

37.395N

37.217N

36.624N

Longitude 

(°)

77.4

80.0

78.0

81.6

78.6

79.5

78.0

80.7

80.7

81.0

81.0

81.0

78.3

78.4

78.2

78.5

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

W

80.682W

80.892W

80.768W

Depth Ref 

(km)

 314

 55

 179

 86

 55

 167

 365

 55

 55

 86

 86

 55

 55

 55

 55

 189

001 349

001 349

009 349

Magnitude Intensity

USGS Other Moment MM 

mb MS M

_ _ 4.50Mfa SC 

__ _ 4.60Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.50Mfa NUT 

 4.80Mfa SC 

 4.30Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.60Mfa NUT 

 4.80Mfa SC 

 4.30Mfa SC 

 5.60Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.40Mfa SC 

 4.50Mfa NUT 

 4.50Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.00Mfa SC 

_ _ 4.60Mfa SC 

 

 3.70Mfa SC 

 3.90Mfa SC 

 3.20Mn SLM 

 3.30Mn BLA 

VI

V

V

VI

VI

V

vn

VI

vm

VI

V

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

Ref

55

55

167

55

167

38

365

167

190

38

38

55

55

55

55

38

105

48

49

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

127

490

135

359

66

159

120

64

690

88

132

265

14

184

3

8

1

17

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1774. Feb. 21. Near Petersburg, Prince 

George County, Va. A sharp earthquake that was 

felt over much of Virginia displaced houses "considerably off their foundations" at Blandford and 

Petersburg. Although the shock was severe at Richmond and terrified residents about 80 km north of 

Richmond at Fredericksburg, it caused no damage at 

those towns. Several "smart shocks" were reported 

in parts of Virginia from Feb. 20th to the 22nd. The 

main tremor rang bells at Salem (now WinstonSalem), N.C. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa NUT. (Ref. 55, 

167, 314.)

1833. Aug. 27. Central Virginia. A rather 

strong shock agitated walls of buildings at Lynchburg 

(west of Richmond, in southern Amherst County) and 

rattled windows violently. Fences along the road 

were shaken near the Louisa County Courthouse, 

northwest of Richmond. It was described as "severe" 

at Charlottesville, about 85 km northeast of Lynchburg. Two miners were killed in a panic caused by 

the tremor at a mine near Richmond. Ref. 179

suggests a MM intensity VI at the epicenter, 

although no damage was documented. Also felt in 

the District of Columbia, Maryland, and North Carolina. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa NUT. (Ref. 38, 167, 179.)

1852. Apr. 29. Near Wytheville, Wythe 

County, Va. A severe earthquake that was observed 

over a large area threw down a chimney near 

Wytheville, in southwest Virginia, and shook down 

tops of chimneys at Buckingham Courthouse, about 

55 km south of Charlottesville. Houses were shaken 

violently at Staunton, about 65 km west of Charlottesville. A brick was shaken from a chimney as far 

south as Davie County N.C. Also felt in the District 

of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Magnitude 4.9 Mfa NUT. (Ref. 38, 55, 86, 

167, 508.)

1852. Nov. 2. Central Virginia. Chimney 

damage occurred at Buckingham, about 55 km 

south of Charlottesville. This earthquake was 

reported to be "quite strong" at Fredericksburg, 

Richmond, and Scottsville. At Scottsville, where 

every house in the village was shaken, water 

in the canal was "troubled," and boats were 

tossed to and fro. Magnitude 4.3 Mfa NUT. 

(Ref. 55, 167.)
EARTHQUAKES IN VIRGINIA 377

1875. Dec. 23 (Dec. 22). Central Virginia.

The highest intensities from this earthquake 

occurred mainly at towns near the James River 

waterfront in Goochland and Powhatan Counties, 

and in Louisa County. In Richmond (Henrico 

County), the most severe damage was sustained in 

the downtown business and residential areas adjacent to the James River or on islands in the river. 

Damage included bricks knocked from chimneys, 

fallen plaster, an overturned stove, and several broken windows. Waves "suddenly rose several feet" at 

the James River dock at Richmond, causing boats to 

"part their cables" and drift below the wharf. At 

Manakin, about 20 km west of Richmond, shingles 

were shaken from a roof and many lamps and chimneys were broken. Several small aftershocks were 

reported through Jan. 2, 1876. Felt from Baltimore, 

Md., to Greensboro, N.C., and from the Atlantic 

Coast westward to Greenbrier and White Sulphur 

Springs, W.Va. Magnitude 4.5 Mfa NUT. (Ref. 55, 

167, 365.)

1897. May 3. Southwest Virginia. This earthquake was most severe at Radford (about 65 km west 

of Roanoke), where a few chimneys were wrecked 

and plaster fell from walls. Chimneys were damaged 

at nearby Pulaski and at Roanoke. Felt in most of 

southwest Virginia and as far south as WinstonSalem, N.C. Magnitude 4.3 Mfa NUT. (Ref. 38, 55, 

167, 272, 508.)

1897. May 31. Giles County, Va. This earthquake was the largest in intensity and areal extent 

in Virginia in historical times. MM intensity VII to 

VIII extended over an elliptical area from near 

Lynchburg, Va., west to Bluefield, W.Va., and from 

Giles County south to Bristol, Term, (see fig. 60). The 

MM intensity VIII assigned to this earthquake is 

based on "many downed chimneys" and "changes in 

the flow of springs."

The shock was felt severely at Narrows, about 3 

km west of Pearisburg. Here, the surface rolled in 

an undulating motion, water in springs became 

muddy, and water in some springs ceased to flow. 

The flow of water in springs also was disturbed in 

the area of Pearisburg, about 70 km west of 

Roanoke, and Sugar Run.

The shock was strong at Pearisburg, where walls 

of old brick houses were cracked and many chimneys 

were thrown down or badly damaged. Many chimneys also were shaken down at Bedford, Pulaski, 

Radford, and Roanoke, Va., and Bristol, Tenn.; many 

chimneys were damaged at Christiansburg, Dublin, 

Floyd, Houston, Lexington, Lynchburg, Rocky Mount, 

Salem, Tazewell, and Wytheville, Va.; Charlotte, 

Oxford, Raleigh, and Winston, N.C.; Knoxville, 

Tenn.; and Bluefield, W.Va. Felt from Georgia to

Pennsylvania and from the Atlantic Coast westward 

to Indiana and Kentucky. Aftershocks continued 

through June 6, 1897. Magnitude 5.8 Mfa NUT. 

(Ref. 55, 167, 190, 525.)

1898. Feb. 5. Pulaski, Va. Bricks were thrown 

from chimneys, furniture was shifted in a few 

houses, and residents rushed into the streets at 

Pulaski, about 70 km southwest of Roanoke. Felt 

throughout southwest Virginia and south to Raleigh, 

N.C. (Ref. 38, 86, 167, 508.)

1907. Feb. 11. Near Arvonia, Buckingham 

County, Va. Chimneys were cracked at Ashby, about 

20 km southeast of Arvonia, and a window was broken at a store at Buckingham, 25 km southwest of 

Arvonia. A "terrific" shock sent people rushing outdoors at Arvonia and displaced furniture. Felt 

strongly from Powhatan to Albemarle County. (Ref. 

55, 167, 189.)

1918. Apr. 10 (Apr. 9). Luray, Page County, 

Va. In the Shenandoah Valley, at Luray, windows 

were broken and plaster was cracked severely. Ceilings of houses were cracked badly a few kilometers 

north of Luray, at Edinburg; windows were broken at 

Harrisonburg and Staunton, Va., and Washington, 

D.C. (at Georgetown University). In addition, a new 

spring formed in Page County, near Hamburg, almost 

in the middle of a road. A minor aftershock was 

reported in the area about 5 hours later. Also felt in 

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. (Ref. 38, 

55, 186, 189, 272.)

1919. Sept. 6 (Sept. 5). Near Front Royal, 

Warren County, Va. This earthquake affected towns 

mainly in Warren and Rappahannock Counties. At 

Arco, in the Blue Ridge Mountains south of Front 

Royal, chimneys were damaged, plaster fell from 

walls, and springs and streams were muddied. 

Reports from the adjacent northern part of Rappahannock County state that similar shocks were felt 

and that streams were "rendered turbid." Also felt in 

parts of Maryland and West Virginia. Several aftershocks occurred. (Ref. 55, 187, 272.)

1929. Dec. 26 (Dec. 25). Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Va. A moderate tremor at Charlottesville shook bricks from chimneys in some places. 

Also felt in other parts of Albemarle County. (Ref. 

38, 189.)

1959. Apr. 23. Giles County, Va. The earthquake was strongest in Giles County, at Eggleston 

and Pembroke. Residents there reported several 

damaged chimneys and articles shaken from shelves 

and walls. One chimney toppled at the Norfolk and 

Western Station in Eggleston. Also felt in West Virginia. Magnitude 3.8 Mfa DG. (Ref. 105, 349, 508.)

1975. Nov. 11. Southwest Virginia. Windows 

were broken in the Blacksburg area of Montgomery
378

88C 86°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

84° 82° 80° 78° 76° 74°

42°

40°

38°

36°

34°

32°

EXPLANATION 

Epicenter 

VIII Intensity 8

FIGURE 60. Isoseismal map for the Giles County, Virginia, earthquake of May 31, 1897. This map is a simplified version of figure 15 in

reference 525 of table 1.

County, and plaster was cracked at Poplar Hill (south 

of Pearisburg, in Giles County). Also felt in Pulaski 

County (Ref. 48, 349.)

1976. Sept. 13. Southwest Virginia. Bricks fell 

from chimneys and pictures fell from walls in Surry

County at Mount Airy, N.C. At the nearby town of 

Toast, N.C., cracks formed in masonry and plaster. 

The earthquake was observed in many towns in 

North Carolina and Virginia and in a few towns in 

South Carolina and West Virginia. (Ref. 49, 349.)
WASHINGTON

124° 122° 120° 118°

48°

46°

'Q

JBellingham

~©

CANADA

UNITED STATES

fjChelan

O

0

(

Mympia

O

o

0 

<a

 ©_

IcP ^

Seattle ^

0° 

UWASHINGTON

o

>

o

o

)

 FRichland

A

Portland

OREGON

100 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

O

O

O

o

o

O

Magnitude/Intensity

3.3-4.9/VI 

5.0-5.4/VI 

5.5-5.9/VII 

6.0-6.4

6.5-6.9

7.0-7.4

O

Spokane 5 

§

NJ

Earthquakes in Washington with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VT.

379
380 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

WASHINGTON

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an 

earthquake near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; <d, felt area is less than 1,000 km2. Leader (-) indicates 

information is not available]

Date

Yr

1872

1877

1880

1880

1882

1891

1891

1892

1896

1904

1906

1909

1915

1920

1923

1928

1931

1931

1932

1932

1939

1940

1941

1943

1944

1945

1946

1946

1949

1950

1954

1957

1957

1958

1958

1959

1959

1959

1960

1960

1961

1961

1961

1962

1962

1963

1964

1964

1965

1969

Mo

12

10

08

12

05

03

11

04

01

03

01

01

08

01

02

02

04

12

07

08

11

10

04

11

12

04

02

06

04

04

05

01

02

04

10

08

08

11

04

09

09

09

11

11

12

01

07

07

04

11

Da

15

12

22

13

01

08

29

17

04

17

03

11

18

24

12

02

18

31

18

06

13

27

07

29

07

29

15

23

13

14

15

26

11

12

07

04

06

23

11

10

16

17

07

06

31

24

02

14

29

10

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

0540

2153

2125

0440

0650

0340

2321

2250

0615

0420

1342

2344

1404

070916

1819

1252

0400

1525

060155

2216

07 45 54

22 29 18.0

0925

0043

0448

20 16 17.0

03 17 48.3

17 13 19

19 55 42.0

110348.0

130214.0

011606.0

17 04 57.0

22 37 11

050752

235330

034435

18 15 25

064735

15 06 32.5

03 24 55.8

15 55 55.9

012908.4

033643.6

204935.3

214311.8

17 03 42.4

155004.8

15 28 43.7

07 38 40.8

Hypocenter

Latitude 

<°)

47.9 N

45.75 N

48.0 N

47.5 N

47.0 N

47.5 N

48.0 N

47.0 N

48.5 N

48.5 N

48.5 N

49.0 N

48.5 N

48.8 N

48.8 N

47.8 N

48.75 N

47.5 N

47.75 N

47.7 N

47.5 N

47.2 N

48.3 N

48.4 N

46.9 N

47.4 N

47.400N

49.76 N

47.167N

48.0 N

48.0 N

48.333N

47.533N

48.0 N

46.7 16N

45.683N

47.8 17N

46.667N

47.567N

47.7 N

46.01 IN

46.023N

45.7 N

45.642N

47.1 N

47.6 N

47.7 N

49.0 N

47.4 N

48.516N

Longitude 

(°)

120.3 W

122.5 W

123.0 W

122.5 W

123.0 W

121.5 W

123.5 W

123.0 W

122.8 W

122.8 W

117.5 W

122.7 W

121.4 W

123.0 W

122.4 W

121.7 W

122.25 W

123.0 W

121.83 W

122.3 W

122.5 W

123.4 W

119.6 W

122.9 W

123.8 W

121.7 W

122.666W

125.34 W

122.617W

122.5 W

122.0 W

122.433W

121.066W

120.0 W

124.033W

122.267W

120.000W

121.750W

122.250W

122.7 W

122. 128 W

122.122W

122.4 W

122.588W

122.0 W

122.1 W

128.3 W

122.6 W

122.3 W

121.400W

Depth 

(km)

__

_

^__

. _

_^

__

_

018

030

070

___

^_

025

007

007

033

016

033

017

033

013

059

Ref

373

484

38

38

463

616

56

38

56

38

375

38

38

374

56

1

4

4

496

38

258

14

38

38

259

20

260

617

376

23

266

30

30

31

31

32

32

32

33

266

618

618

266

619

266

266

266

266

266

42

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

 7.00MLa SC 

 

 

_ _ 

 

 5.00MLa JLQ 

 

_ _ _ _ _

 

 5.30MLa NQT 

_ _ _

 6.00MLa NQT 

 5.60MUNQT 

 5.50MLaNQT 

 

__ . _ _ _ _^ _ _^ _

m __ ___ . . 

 4.80MLaSC 

 5.20MLaNQT 

 

 5.75MS GR 

 5.10MLa ROG 

 4.50MLa ROG 

 4.80MLa ROG 

 

 5.50MS GR 

 5.75MS GR 

 7.30MS GR 

 6.90mb ABE 6.73BL

 

 5.00ML EPB 

 5.00ML EPB 

_ _ 

 4.10ML EPB 

 3.30ML EPB 

_ __ 4.70ML EPB 

_ _ 4.40ML EPB 

_ _ 4.80ML EPB 

 3.60MD YEL 

 4.60MD YEL 

 4.80ML GW 

 5.10ML GW 

 4.50MD YEL 

 5.20ML YEL 5.20YP

_ _ 4.70MD YEL 

 4.50MD YEL 

4.9 5.50UknBRK 

4.6 _ 4.50MD YEL 

6.5 6.5 6.60UknPAS 6.7 1LB

4.3 _ 4.70ML GS 

Intensity

MM

DC

vn

VI

V

VI

V

VI

VI

V

V

VI

vn

V

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

vn

V

VI

VI

VI

vn

vn

vm

vm

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

VI

V

VI

V

VI

VI

V

VI

VI

vn

VI

VI

_

VI

vm

V

Ref

373

38

375

136

463

616

56

56

56

56

375

38

56

56

56

38

38

4

496

5

12

13

14

16

259

18

19

19

22

23

27

30

30

31

31

32

32

32

33

33

34

34

34

38

35

36

37

377

42

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

650

40

36

10

52

18

65&

78

70

__

8+

25

31

13

159#

31+

14

27+

@

130

168 &

142#

295#

67#

60

30+

10+

20

5#

2

88

3

2

41

18

28

28 &

70&

36

26

_

19

337 &

18
EARTHQUAKES IN WASHINGTON 381

WASHINGTON Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an 

earthquake near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km^. Leader (--) indicates 

information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo

1974 04

1975 04

1976 05

1976 09

1978 03

1979 03

1980 03

1980 03

1980 03

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 04

1980 05

1980 05

Da

20

23

16

08

11

11

27

30

31

01

01

01

01

02

03

03

03

04

05

06

07

07

08

09

09

10

10

11

13

14

14

15

15

16

16

17

18

18

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

27

28

29

29

30

02

03

Origin 

time <UTC)

h m s

030009.3

01 03 42.4

08 35 14.8

08 21 01.6

155211.2

14 39 32.8

220005.6

17 55 10.0

113409.8

042430.5

123046.7

08 54 25.4

23 14 38.6

093713.1

02 43 19.4

09 35 27.2

23 57 52.3

13 45 05.8

16 42 05.7

06 58 04.5

064519.2

15 05 32.7

060704.6

10 13 20.3

18 19 27.3

004415.7

14 16 15.3

23 52 00.0

08 36 18.8

06 59 22.3

134904.1

06 58 22.3

17 54 54.3

152205.6

154023.5

17 43 22.6

005340.4

211602.2

22 27 14.5

22 28 28.2

19 19 33.0

15 13 55.5

192818.8

123053.1

17 34 10.4

232027.9

07 26 21.3

03 49 33.5

04 24 30.2

06 22 38.9

05 09 02.7

13 02 29.6

050046.0

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

46.759N

47.076N

48.80 N

47.382N

47.42 N

46.45 N

46.219N

46.208N

46.210N

46.222N

46.208N

46.218N

46.206N

46.220N

46.208N

46.234N

46.232N

46.2 12N

46.230N

46.230N

46.225N

46.234N

46.2 18N

46.220N

46.20 N

46.228N

46.217N

46.222N

46.222N

46.223N

46.209N

46.2 UN

46.220N

46.225N

46.223N

46.221N

46.2 13N

46.220N

46.208N

46.226N

46.2 15N

46.113N

46.217N

46.260N

46.220N

46.257N

46.220N

46.220N

46.222N

46.232N

46.220N

46.232N

46.207N

Longitude 

<°>

121.523W

122.647W

123.36 W

123.084W

122.71 W

122.40 W

122.197W

122.183W

122.194W

122.184W

122.182W

122.175W

122.194W

122.184W

122.189W

122.173W

122.218W

122.176W

122.194W

122.194W

122.177W

122.206W

122.186W

122.154W

122.20 W

122.182W

122.177W

122.164W

122.176W

122.188W

122.190W

122.201W

122.176W

122.175W

122.167W

122.184W

122.183W

122.185W

122. 178 W

122.177W

122.185W

122.169W

122.181W

122.012W

122.185W

122.180W

122.184W

122.180W

122. 170W

122.192W

122.174W

122.196W

122.181W

Depth 

(km)

005

046

062

048

025

016

004

000

000

004

001

004

005

003

000

001

002

004

002

002

004

005

003

004

005

004

002

003

001

004

003

002

003

003

004

003

000

004

002

003

005

010

004

005

004

005

004

004

002

002

003

001

010

Ref

74

74

74

74

240

262

74

620

620

74

620

74

74

74

620

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

300

74

74

74

74

74

74

620

74

74

74

74

620

74

620

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

USGS 

nib MS

4.8

4.0

5.1

4.6

4.3

3.8

4.6

4.5

4.6

5.0

4.8

4.5

4.5

4.8

4.5

_

5.0

4.5

4.9

4.7

4.6

4.9

4.7

4.9

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.4

4.7

4.7

4.8

4.5

4.9

4.9

4.8

4.7

4.7

4.8

4.5

4.7

4.8

4.5

4.6

4.5

4.7

5.0

4.5

4.4

4.7

4.7

4.8

4.6

4.4

_

3.9

3.2

__

3.7

__

3.7

_

. 

3.8

4.5

3.8

. _

__

3.3

5.3

3.6

3.6

 .

3.9

3.8

mfi^

3.6

3.8

3.6

4.2

Magnitude

Other Moment 

M

4.90ML

3.80ML

5.40ML

4.80ML

4.80ML

3.80ML

4.50ML

4.60MD

4.60MD

4.70ML

4.90MD

4.50ML

4.60ML

4.70ML

4.80MD

4.80mb

4.50ML

4.50ML

4.50ML

4.70ML

4.50ML

4.70ML

4.50ML

4.50ML

4.50ML

4.60ML

4.50ML

4.80ML

4.50ML

4.50ML

4.70ML

4.70MD

4.70ML

4.90ML

4.50ML

4.60ML

4.70MD

4.70ML

4.60MD

4.60ML

4.80ML

4.50ML

4.60ML

4.70ML

4.80ML

_

4.60ML

4.60ML

4.60ML

4.50ML

4.70ML

4.50ML

4.50ML

GS 

GS 

EPB 

GS 

WAS 

GS 

GS 

QAM 

QAM 

GS 

QAM 

GS 

GS 

GS 

QAM 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

QAM 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

QAM 

GS 

QAM 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

_

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

Intensity

MM Ref Felt area 

(1,000km2)

V 47 

VI 48 

VI 49 77

VI 49 20+

VI 240 20

VI 262 10

 

 

 

 

^_ _ _ _

 

 

 

 

_ _ __

 

 

 

 

_ _ _ _ __

 

 

 

 

_ _ _ __

 

 

 

 

__ __ . _

 

 

 

 

__ _ _

 

 

 

 

_ _ _ _

 

 

 

 

«_ «« .MM

 

 _

 

 

_ _ _

 

 
382 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

WASHINGTON Continued

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. &, land area only; #, land area only in the United States for an 

earthquake near a coastline; +, land area in the United States when the felt area did not extend to the coast; @, felt area is less than 1,000 km . Leader ( > indicates 

information is not available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1980 05 04 

1980 05 05

1980 05 06 

1980 05 07 

1980 05 08 

1980 05 09 

1980 05 09

1980 05 11 

1980 05 12 

1980 05 12 

1980 05 14 

1980 05 15

1980 05 16

1980 05 18

1981 02 14

1981 02 18

1989 03 05

1989 05 09

1989 12 24

Origin 

time (lire)

h m s

11 58 27.4 

054304.1

17 04 50.9 

11 09 18.0 

074846.1 

070101.3 

18 06 26.5

040018.1 

16 26 29.7 

20 33 40.7 

02 18 57.8 

11 41 34.6

123454.1

15 32 11.4

06 09 27.2

06 09 38.7

064200.6

18 28 45.5

08 45 58.9

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

46.226N 

46.2 16N

46.357N 

46.221N 

46.227N 

46.224N 

46.221N

46.220N 

46.220N 

46.25 IN 

46.224N 

46.213N

46.222N

46.214N

46.351N

47.2 14N

47.8 13N

48.230N

46.650N

Longitude 

<°>

122.183W 

122.171W

122.076W 

122.188W 

122.169W 

122.174W 

122. 170W

122.173W 

122.179W 

122.309W 

122.169W 

122.195W

122.168W

122.194W

122.238W

120.905W

123.257W

119.853W

122.116W

Depth 

(km)

002 

003

001 

001 

001 

002 

002

001 

002 

010 

002 

002

002

004

007

000

046

016

019

Ref

74 

74

74 

74 

74 

74 

74

74 

74 

74 

74 

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

Magnitude

USGS Other Moment 

mb MS M

4.6 

4.6

4.7 

4.7 

5.0 

4.8 

4.4

4.7 

4.8 

4.4 

4.6 

4.9

4.6

4.7

5.1

4.6

___

4.3

4.0 4.60ML 

3.7 4.60ML

4.2 4.70ML 

 4.60ML 

4.0 4.70ML 

 4.60ML 

3.7 4.60ML

 4.50ML 

4.4 4.90ML 

 4.60ML 

 4.50ML 

3.6 4.60ML

3.7 4.70ML

5.2 5.00ML

4.8 5.50ML

 4.20ML

 4.50MD

 4.40ML

 5.10ML

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 

GS 5.48BUR

GS 

WAS 

WAS 

WAS 

Intensity

MM

_

IV

VI

VI

V

VI

V

Ref

_

300

325

325

579

579

579

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

. _ .

349#

104&

9

22

30

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1872. Dec. 15 (Dec. 14). Near Lake Chelan, 

Wash. This earthquake evidently had a large magnitude, because it was felt from British Columbia, Canada, to Oregon and from the Pacific Ocean to 

Montana (see fig. 61). It occurred in a wilderness 

area, which in 1872 had only a few inhabitants 

local Indian tribes, trappers, traders, and military 

men. Because there were few man-made structures 

in the epicentral area near Lake Chelan, most of the 

information available is about ground effects, including huge landslides, massive fissures in the ground, 

and a 9-m-high geyser.

Extensive landslides occurred in the slide-prone 

areas of the Columbia River. One massive slide, at 

Ribbon Cliff (between Entiat and Winesap), blocked 

the Columbia River for several hours. A field reconnaissance to the Ribbon Cliff landslide area in 

August 1976 showed remnants of a large landslide 

mass along the west edge of Lake Entiat (Columbia 

River Reservoir), below Ribbon Cliffs and about 3 km 

north of Entiat. Although the most spectacular

landslides occurred in the Chelan-Wenatchee area, 

landsliding was reported throughout the Cascades.

Most of the ground fissures occurred at the east 

end of Lake Chelan in the area of the Indian camp; 

in the Chelan Landing-Chelan Falls area; on a 

mountain about 19 km west of the Indian camp area; 

on the east side of the Columbia River (where three 

springs formed); and near the top of a ridge on a hogback on the east side of the Columbia River. These 

fissures formed in several localities of differing physiographic environments. Slope failure or settlement or 

slumping in water-saturated unconsolidated sediments may have produced the fissures in areas on 

steep slopes or near bodies of water. Sulfurous water 

was emitted from the large fissures that formed in 

the Indian camp area. At Chelan Falls, "a great hole 

opened in the earth" from which water spouted as 

much as 9 m in the air. The geyser activity continued 

for several days, and, after diminishing, left permanent springs.

In the epicentral area, one log building on unconsolidated river deposits near the mouth of the 

Wenatchee River was damaged. The upper logs and 

roof of the cabin were displaced, and the kitchen was 

separated from the main building. People there were
52C

50C

48C

46C

44C

126C

EARTHQUAKES IN WASHINGTON 

122° 118° 114C

383 

110°

42° -

FIGURE 61. Isoseismal map for the central Washington earthquake of December 15, 1872. This is a simplified version of an unpublished

map by M.G. Hopper and S.T. Algermissen.

thrown to the floor; waves were observed in the 

ground; and loud detonations were heard. About 3 

km above the Ribbon Cliff slide area, the logs on 

another log cabin caved in.

Damaging intensities in Washington (MM intensity 

VT) extended on the west throughout the now densely 

populated Puget Sound basin and on the southeast to 

beyond the Hanford nuclear reactor site. The
384 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

earthquake also was reported in Idaho, Montana, 

Oregon, and Canada. Many aftershocks were 

observed in the area over the next 2 years. (Ref. 373, 

375, 518.)

1877. Oct. 12. North of Portland, Oreg. in 

Clark County, Washington. Two earthquakes were 

reported felt in northern Oregon. The first light 

shock occurred east of Portland, at Cascade Locks 

(Hood River County) at about 09 00 (local time). The 

second shock, about 5 hours later, was sufficiently 

violent at Portland to overthrow two chimneys and 

break windows. At the county jail, a stove was 

knocked from its "moorings" and thrown over. The 

second shock also was felt at Cascade Locks, Hubbard, and Marshfield (18 km southeast of Portland). 

One report indicated that the earthquake was felt on 

Puget Sound and at points down the Columbia River. 

(Ref. 38, 53, 463, 484.)

1880. Aug. 22. Puget Sound area, Washington. In Victoria, B.C., Canada, loose bricks fell and 

plaster was cracked. Also felt at Port Townsend 

and Seattle and on southern Vancouver Island. 

(Ref. 38, 375.)

1882. May 1 (Apr. 30). Near Olympia, Washington. This severe earthquake threw down two 

chimneys, broke crockery, and stopped clocks on 

southern Puget Sound, at Olympia (Thurston 

County). Large trees swayed back and forth, the 

ground moved in a wavy motion, and people were 

thrown from their feet. Also felt at Fort Canby, 

Wash., Portland, Oreg., and Victoria, B.C., Canada. 

(Ref. 56, 463.)

1891. Nov. 29. Near Port Angeles, Wash. One 

building in Seattle swayed so much that an elevator 

became jammed. On the east side of Seattle, Lake 

Washington was disturbed and the water "rolled onto 

the beach 2 feet above the mark of the highest water 

and 8 feet above the present stage." At Port 

Townsend, northwest of Seattle, residents rushed 

from buildings, and windowpanes were broken in a 

hotel at Pysht (Clallam County). Also felt in Snohomish and Bellingham Bay. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1892. Apr. 17. Near Olympia, Washington. 

The shock was described as "severe" at Olympia, but 

"sharp" in the areas a few kilometers northeast, at 

Tacoma, Wash., and at Portland, Oreg., about 175 km 

south. People rushed into the street when buildings 

began to tremble in Portland. (Ref. 38, 56.)

1906. Jan. 3. Northeast Washington. At Nelson, B.C., Canada, plaster was knocked down, articles fell from shelves, and hanging pictures were 

displaced. Two shocks were felt from the south 

boundary of Spokane County, Wash., to a point north 

of Bradshaw, B.C., Canada. (Ref. 38, 375.)

1909. Jan. 11. British Columbia-Washington 

border. This earthquake caused minor damage in 

Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The shock cracked a 

sidewalk and damaged piers slightly at Anacortes, 

cracked walls near the Canadian border at Blaine, 

and cracked plaster and twisted sidewalks at Bellingham. It was "violent" at Crescent, Dungeness, Neah 

Bay, and Port Angeles. Crockery was broken at Victoria, B.C., Canada. Felt throughout much of British 

Columbia, Canada, and as far south as Portland, 

Oreg. (Ref. 38, 56, 375.)

1920. Jan. 24. (Jan. 23). Strait of Georgia, 

Northwest Washington. Windows were broken in 

Whatcom County, at Bellingham, and several brick 

walls were cracked at Bellingham and at Anacortes, 

a few kilometers south. Some damage to houses was 

reported in Canada, on Vancouver Island, and chimneys were cracked at New Westminster. Boulders 

were shaken off Crown Mountain, near Vancouver, 

and some windows were broken in the city. (Ref. 38, 

56, 374.)

1923. Feb. 12. Near Bellingham, Whatcom 

County, Wash. Plaster cracked at Bellingham, in 

western Whatcom County. Also felt at Marietta, 

Wash., and Victoria, B.C., Canada. (Ref. 56, 375.)

1928. Feb. 2. Startup, southern Snohomish 

County, Wash. Plaster and wallpaper were cracked 

and residents were alarmed at Startup, northeast of 

Seattle. A strong shake and roaring noises were 

reported. (Ref. 1, 38.)

1931. Apr. 18 (Apr. 17). Near Bellingham, 

Whatcom County, Wash. A few bricks fell from 

chimneys at Acme (about 25 km southeast of Bellingham), and wallpaper was cracked at nearby 

Lawrence. Felt at several towns in the area, 

including Vancouver and Victoria, B.C., Canada. 

(Ref. 4, 38.)

1931. Dec. 31. Puget Sound area, Wash. At 

Lilliwaup, north of Olympia, in Mason County, a new 

concrete wall of a store was cracked and a basin 

hanging on a nail was knocked down. Articles were 

thrown from store shelves in several towns in the 

area. (Ref. 4, 38.)

1932. July 18 (July 17). Near the forks of Tolt 

River, King County, Wash. The epicenter of this 

earthquake was in the wilderness east of Seattle, 

along the western base of the Cascade Range; there 

were few inhabitants and few buildings or other 

structures for the earthquake to affect. Fissures or 

other displacements of the ground were not observed 

in this region.

Near the epicenter, on the South Fork, Tolt River, a 

tremendous detonation was heard and standing was 

almost impossible. One chimney was thrown down at
EARTHQUAKES IN WASHINGTON 385

Tolt. Some buildings were damaged north of Seattle, 

at Lowell and Everett; and windows were broken and 

standing was difficult at Farrell's Ranch, northeast of 

Seattle and about 6 km east of Duvall. At cemeteries 

in Monroe and South Everett, several vases, small 

pots, and unattached statues were toppled. Felt to 

the east as far as Coulee City and Conconully, to the 

south as far as Chehalis and Centralia, and to the 

north as far as Bellingham, Wash., and Vancouver, 

B.C., Canada. The western felt limit is unknown. 

(Ref. 375, 496.)

1932. Aug. 6. Seattle, King County, Wash. A 

strong local shock demolished a few chimneys and 

severely damaged others at Seattle. Several slight 

shocks were felt in the area through early October. 

(Ref. 5, 38.)

1939. Nov. 13 (Nov. 12). Southern Puget 

Sound area, Washington. Slight damage to chimneys, plaster, and windows occurred in towns 

throughout the area. Chimneys were twisted or 

fallen south and west of Olympia at Brooklyn, Centralia, Elma, Fairfax, and Oakville, and east of 

Tacoma at Auburn. At Tacoma, many buildings sustained cracks; some chimneys were damaged; and 

pavement was cracked. Felt north to Canada and 

south to Oregon (see fig. 62). Four small aftershocks 

occurred in the next 9 days. (Ref. 12, 38, 258.)

1941. Apr. 7. Near Okanogan, Okanogan 

County, north-central Washington. An observer 

at Mazama, Okanogan County, reported that a stove 

was displaced and furniture was overturned. MM 

intensity V was assigned to effects at three other 

towns in Okanogan County: Nespelem, Okanogan, 

and Omak. (Ref. 14, 38.)

1943. Nov. 29 (Nov. 28). Puget Sound area, 

Wash. Chimneys were cracked and furniture was 

displaced west of Anacortes, at Richardson, San Juan 

County. Also felt at several other towns in the region. 

(Ref. 16, 38, 375.)

1944. Dec. 7 (Dec. 6). Near Aberdeen, Grays 

Harbor County, Wash. At Grays Harbor Junior 

College, at Hoquiam, a large brick chimney on top of 

a building rotated about 46 cm out of alignment and 

had to be replaced. (Ref. 17, 259.)

1945. Apr. 29. Near North Bend, King 

County, Wash. At North Bend, chimneys and plaster were cracked, and dishes, windows, and the town 

water main were broken. Near North Bend, at the 

Mount Si Ranger Station, tons of rock and earth cascaded down the cliffs. Bricks were dislodged from a 

dozen or more houses in the Cle Elum area of Kittitas County. Minor damage occurred at several towns 

in the region. Felt over most of Washington and in 

western Idaho and northern Oregon. (Ref. 18, 20.)

1946. Feb. 15 (Feb. 14). Puget Sound area, 

Wash. Although property damage at Seattle generally was moderate, it was marked by a few instances 

of spectacular damage (total estimate about 

$250,000). Structures that were most severely damaged included the Sears-Roebuck Building, Fisher 

flour mills and grain elevator on Harbor Island, Fry 

& Company packing plant, Seattle Port of Embarkation Building No. 14, and Smith Tower. Several old 

brick chimneys at Tacoma broke off at the roofline, 

and about 24 m of fire wall was knocked off the 

Olympia Hotel in Olympia, southwest of Tacoma. 

Light damage occurred at several nearby towns. Also 

felt in Canada and northwest Oregon. Three small 

aftershocks occurred through Feb. 22. (Ref. 19, 260.)

1946. June 23. Strait of Georgia, B.C., Canada. Heavy damage occurred in the epicentral area. 

The Canadian Hydrographic Department reported 

the bottom of Deep Bay in the Strait of Georgia sank 

from about 3 to 25 m. A 3-m vertical ground shift 

occurred on Read Island, and ground settlements as 

much as 30.5 m were observed at other points.

In the United States, some chimneys fell at East 

Sound, San Juan County, Wash.; a concrete mill was 

damaged at Port Angeles; and buildings were damaged slightly at Northport, Port Townsend, and to 

the south as far as Olympia. At Seattle, plaster fell 

in the County-City Building, and a few bricks fell 

from the Sears-Roebuck Building. Also felt at several 

towns in Oregon. (Ref. 19, 38, 258.)

1949. Apr. 13. Puget Sound area, Wash. This 

is the largest known earthquake in the history of 

Washington. Its epicenter lies between Olympia and 

Tacoma, along the southern edge of Puget Sound. 

Property damage in Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma 

was estimated at $25 million; eight people were 

killed; and many were injured. Several structures 

were condemned, including two schools and a church 

at Centralia, south of Olympia; a junior high school 

at Auburn, northeast of Tacoma; and a library at 

Chehalis, near Centralia. School buildings in widely 

separated towns were damaged seriously. Water 

spouted from cracks that formed in the ground at 

Centralia, Longview, and Seattle. One new spring 

developed on a farm at Forest. Downed chimneys and 

walls were reported from towns throughout the area.

At Olympia, almost all large buildings were damaged to some extent, including eight structures on 

the Capitol grounds. Many chimneys and two large 

smokestacks fell. Public utilities sustained serious 

damage water and gas mains were broken, and 

electric and telegraph services were interrupted.

At Seattle, houses on filled ground were demolished, many old brick buildings were damaged, and
386 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

124° 122° 120° 118C

48C

46C

44°

FIGURE 62. Isoseismal map for the northwest Washington earthquake of November 13, 1939. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 12 and 259 of table 1.

chimneys toppled. One wooden water tank and the 

top of a radio tower collapsed.

About 50 km northeast of Olympia, at Tacoma, 

many chimneys were knocked to the ground and 

many buildings were damaged. Near Tacoma, a 

huge section of a 73-m cliff toppled into Puget Sound 

shortly after the earthquake; south of Tacoma, railroad bridges were thrown out of alignment. A 23-ton 

cable saddle was thrown from the top of the Tacoma

Narrows bridge tower, causing considerable damage. 

Also felt in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and in British 

Columbia, Canada (see fig. 63). Only one small 

aftershock occurred during the next six months. 

Magnitude 6.5 Ms ABE, 7.1 Ukn PAS, 7.0 Ms GR, 

6.5 ML KJ. (Ref. 22, 38, 376, 460, 533.)

1950. Apr. 14. Near Langley, Island County, 

Wash. Plaster cracked and fell and small objects 

overturned at Langley. A few cracks formed in
124C 122C

EARTHQUAKES IN WASHINGTON 

120° 118°

387

116C 114C

FIGURE 63. Isoseismal map for the Puget Sound, Washington, earthquake of April 13, 1949. Isoseismals are based on intensity

estimates from data listed in references 22 and 259 of table 1.

plaster northwest of Langley, at Port Townsend, and 

pendulum clocks stopped. Felt over a small area of 

northwest Washington. (Ref. 23, 38, 375.)

1954. May 15. Near Lake Stevens, Snohomish 

County, Wash. A moderate earthquake was felt 

throughout northwest Washington. Small cracks

formed in walls at Belfair (northwest Mason County) 

and Lake Stevens; plaster cracked at Seattle (King 

County), and dishes broke at Skykomish (northeast 

King County). (Ref. 27, 38, 266.)

1957. Jan. 26 (Jan. 25). Northwest Washington. This earthquake was strongest at Clear Lake
388 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

(southeast of Bellingham, in Skagit County), where 

plaster cracked and fell at a school and a knickknack 

shelf was displaced. Felt over most of northwest 

Washington. (Ref. 30, 38.)

1957. Feb. 11. Near North Bend, King 

County, Wash. One chimney was cracked and knickknacks fell at Fall City; plaster was damaged at 

North Bend and Snoqualmie. Observers over a small 

area of northwest Washington reported this earthquake. (Ref. 30.)

1958. Apr. 12. North-central Washington. 

Windows and dishes were broken in some houses at 

Chelan and at Pateros and Winthrop, north of 

Chelan in Okanogan County. Rocks fell on roadways 

near Chelan. Moderate to loud earth noises were 

heard in most areas. (Ref. 31, 38.)

1958. Oct. 7 (Oct. 6). Willapa Bay, Pacific 

County, Wash. At a motel in Tokeland (at the north 

end of Willapa Bay), several cracks formed in a patio. 

Felt over a small area of Grays Harbor and Pacific 

Counties in western Washington. (Ref. 31, 38.)

1959. Aug. 6 (Aug. 5). Near Chelan, Wash. 

This minor shock, which was observed over most of 

the State, caused slight damage in a few towns. At 

Chelan, about 180 km east of Seattle, bricks and part 

of a chimney fell; at Orondo, southwest of Chelan, 

chimneys were cracked; and at nearby Waterville, 

chimneys were cracked and bricks fell from several 

buildings. Rocks slid down the steep hills near 

Chelan and Waterville. (Ref. 32, 38.)

1960. Apr. 11 (Apr. 10). Near Seattle, King 

County, Wash. At Seattle, a concrete wall was 

cracked and a wood retaining wall was damaged. 

Felt over a small area, mainly in western King 

County. (Ref. 33, 38.)

1960. Sept. 10. Puget Sound area, Washington. A light earthquake cracked many concrete floors 

and walls in Bremerton, west of Seattle, and caused 

considerable plaster damage in Seattle. Felt over 

most of northwest Washington. (Ref. 33, 38, 266.)

1961. Sept. 17. Clark County, Washington 

near the Oregon-Washington border. Slight damage occurred at a few towns along the Columbia 

River. In southern Skamania County, chimneys and 

concrete foundations cracked at Stevenson, and an 

old house shifted about 2.5 cm on its foundation at 

North Bonneville. At Latourell Falls, Oreg., a few 

cracks formed in a concrete-block foundation. Felt 

over a small area of southwest Washington and 

northwest Oregon. (Ref. 34, 38, 266, 618.)

1961. Nov. 7 (Nov. 6). Clark County, Washington near the north Oregon-Washington border. 

Minor damage occurred in the Portland, Oreg., area. 

Part of a chimney fell and interior lights were broken

at Portland; a concrete-block foundation of a service 

station was damaged at Glenwood, west of Portland; 

and windows were broken at Vernonia, north of Glenwood. Felt over a large area of southwest Washington 

and northwest Oregon. (Ref. 34, 38, 266.)

1962. Nov. 6 (Nov. 5). Clark County, Washington near the Oregon-Washington border. At 

Portland, Oreg., many chimneys were cracked 

severely, shaken down, or broken off. Tile ceilings 

were downed in several buildings; large cracks 

formed in walls; and plaster was knocked to the floor. 

Minor damage, consisting mainly of cracked plaster 

and chimneys and broken windows, occurred in many 

towns in both Oregon and Washington. Felt over a 

large area of southwest Washington and northwest 

Oregon. Magnitude 5 1/4-5 1/2 Ukn PAL, 4.9 MD 

YP. (Ref.35, 38, 266, 619.)

1962. Dec. 31. Near Berkley, Pierce County, 

Wash. Residents in several towns (mainly in Pierce 

County) reported cracks in chimneys and plaster. 

Chimneys were cracked southeast of Tacoma, at Orting and Wilkeson, and walls were cracked at Buckley. Several rocks fell from a cut bank onto the road 

near Buckley. Cracks in chimneys also were 

reported in northern Yakima County, at Naches. 

(Ref. 35, 38, 266.)

1963. Jan. 24. Near Maple Valley, King 

County, Wash. At Maple Valley and Tacoma, cracks 

formed in plaster and walls and objects fell to the 

floor. Felt in many towns in western Washington. 

(Ref. 36, 38, 266.)

1964. July 14. Near Bellingham, Whatcom 

County, Wash. Slight damage, consisting mainly of 

cracks in plaster and walls, occurred at Bellingham, 

Custer, Nooksack, and Sumas. At Lumni Island, 

southwest of Bellingham, a fireplace chimney was 

split and mortar fell to the floor. In British Columbia, Canada, plaster cracked and fell at Abbotsford, 

and a ceiling cracked at White Rock. Loud earth 

noises were heard in several areas. Magnitude 3.7 

MS NUT. (Ref. 37, 38, 263, 266.)

1965. Apr. 29. Puget Sound area, Wash. This 

was the second largest earthquake in the history of 

Washington. It caused about $12.5 million in property damage and killed seven people. This shock 

was characterized by a rather large area of MM 

intensity VII and small pockets of MM intensity 

VIII in Seattle and suburbs and southeast of Seattle, in Issaquah. Pockets of high earthquake intensity, as typified by damage such as fallen chimneys, 

almost always were associated with variations in 

the local geology.

Chimneys were damaged extensively in West 

Seattle, and two schools were damaged severely. The
EARTHQUAKES IN WASHINGTON 389

Roof of house in Seattle, Washington, damaged by the April 29, 1965, earthquake. 

(Photograph from the National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA.)

low-lying and filled areas along the Duwamish River 

and its mouth settled, causing considerable building 

damage. Harbor Island, at the mouth of the Duwamish River, was severely damaged. Slumping 

occurred along a steep slope near Admiral Way. A 

brick garage partly collapsed at Issaquah; one school 

was damaged extensively; and chimneys in the area 

sustained heavy damage. Many instances of parapet 

and gable failure occurred. Damage to utilities in 

the area was not severe.

In general, damage patterns repeated those 

observed in the April 1949 shock, although the 1949 

event was more destructive. Buildings apparently 

damaged in 1949 often sustained additional damage 

in 1965. An example is the Alki Beach section of 

West Seattle, where almost every chimney was 

knocked down in 1965. Similar damage occurred 

there in the 1949 earthquake.

Buildings having unreinforced brick-bearing walls 

with sand-lime mortar were damaged most severely. 

Multistory buildings, however, generally had slight or 

no damage. Performance of wood frame dwellings

almost always was excellent, and, where damage 

occurred, it was confined mainly to cracks in plaster 

or to failure of unreinforced brick chimneys at or 

above the roofline. Also felt in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and in British Columbia, Canada. Little aftershock activity was observed. Magnitude 6.2 m^ NUT, 

6.4 MS NUT. (Ref. 38, 75, 263, 266, 377, 533.)

1975. Apr. 23 (Apr. 22). Puget Sound area, 

Wash. Slight damage occurred at Sumner, a few km 

east of Tacoma in Pierce County, where tar on a roof 

was cracked. Felt throughout the southern Puget 

Sound area. (Ref. 38, 48, 74.)

1976. May 16. Vancouver Island region, Canada. Minor damage occurred at Deming, Whatcom 

County, Wash., and Lake Cowichan and Victoria, 

B.C. At Deming, cracks formed in plaster and drywall; at Victoria, one chimney was damaged; and at 

Lake Cowichan, a water line was broken. Felt over a 

large area of British Columbia and northwest 

Washington. (Ref. 38, 49, 74.)

1976. Sept. 8. Puget Sound area, Washington. 

Broken glassware and other minor damage were
390 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

reported at Tacoma, in Pierce County. Felt throughout the Puget Sound area. (Ref. 38, 49, 74.)

1978. Mar. 11. Puget Sound area, Wash. This 

minor earthquake cracked a rock-and-mortar wall at 

Crystal Mountain Ski Resort (in Mount Rainier 

National Park) and displaced open roof beams 1-2 

cm. Felt over a moderate area of northwest Washington. (Ref. 38, 240.)

1979. Mar. 11. Southwest Washington. Minor 

damage in Cowlitz County, at Ariel, included cracks 

in chimneys, exterior cinder-block walls, brick walls, 

and sidewalks. A few windows were cracked at Castle Rock, northwest of Ariel. Felt over a small area 

of southwest Washington and northern Oregon. 

Magnitude 3.8 ML GS. (Ref. 38, 262.)

1980. May 18. Mount St. Helens, Wash., 

earthquake and volcanic eruption. An earthquake occurred at 15 32 UTC, only seconds before 

the explosion that began the eruption of Mount St. 

Helens volcano. This eruption and blast blew off the 

top of the volcano, reducing its elevation by 396 m, 

killed 31 people, and caused an estimated property 

damage of between $0.5 billion and $2 billion. About 

53 earthquakes having magnitudes larger than 4.5 

were located near Mount St. Helens before the main 

event and eruption. No earthquakes having magnitudes higher than 4.5 were located following the 

eruption. The sound from the explosion and the 

vibratory effects from the earthquake were inseparable, resulting in a felt area that was based on both 

(Ref. 74, 300, 609.)

1981. Feb. 14 (Feb. 13). Southwest Washington. Several towns in the area reported cracks in

foundations, plaster, drywall, and windows. Damage 

to chimneys (broken at roofline, twisted, cracked) 

occurred in Lewis County, at Mossyrock (near the 

epicenter); in Pierce County, at Graham and 

Kapowsin; and at Grays River, in Wahkiakum 

County (west of the epicenter). In Cowlitz County, 

about 50 km southwest of the epicenter, sidewalks 

were cracked at Ariel, and plaster fell at Hazel Dell. 

Felt over a large area of western Washington and 

northwest Oregon. Several aftershocks were 

observed in the area. Magnitude 5.2 MD WAS. (Ref. 

74, 325.)

1981. Feb. 18 (Feb. 17). Central Washington.

Bricks fell from chimneys in the Cle Elum area of 

Kittitas County. Hairline cracks in drywall as well 

as broken windows were reported at Puyallup, about 

100 km west of the epicenter, near Tacoma. Minor 

damage to plaster, drywall, windows, and glassware 

was reported from several towns in the Cle Elum 

area. A sharp crack or explosive-like sound was 

reported by some residents. Magnitude 4.2 MD WAS. 

(Ref. 74, 325.)

1989. May 9. Near Okanogan, Wash. This 

earthquake cracked chimneys, walls, and plaster at 

Okanogan, about 180 km northwest of Spokane. 

Objects fell from shelves and tables in several 

towns in north-central Washington. Felt in northern 

Okanogan County near the United States-Canadian 

border, west to Chelan County, south to Grant 

County, and east to Ferry and Lincoln Counties. 

(Ref. 74, 579.)
WEST VIRGINIA

82°

100 KILOMETERS

PENNSYLVANIA

Clarksburg

WEST VIRGINIA

Charleston

VIRGINIA

EXPLANATION

Magnitude

o 4-6

38

Earthquake in West Virginia with a magnitude > 4.5 and intensity > VI.

391
392 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

WEST VIRGINIA

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. Leader ( ) indicates information is not available]

Origin Hypocenter

Date time(UTC) Latitude Longitude

Yr Mo Da h m s (°) (°)

Depth Ref 

(km)

Magnitude

USQS Other 

nib MS

Intensity

Moment MM Ref 

M

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

1969 11 20 01 00 09.3 37.449N 80.932W 003 349 4.3 4.60Mn GB 4.53HRN VI 42 300

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are denned in 

table 2.]

1969. Nov. 20 (Nov. 19). Southern West Virginia. Minor damage occurred in Giles County, Va., 

at Glen Lyn and Rich Creek, and at three towns in 

southern West Virginia. At Glen Lyn, a few bricks 

were knocked from a chimney, windows were broken, 

and plaster was broken from most of the walls in an

old house. At Rich Creek, plaster cracked and fell 

and windows were broken. A cornice reportedly was 

shaken from one building in Henry County, at Collinsville, Va. Windows also were broken in southern 

Mercer County, WVa., at Lerona, Oakvale, and 

Elgood. Felt over all or parts of nine States: Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, 

South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Magnitude 4.7 Mfa NUT, 4.54 M JOH. (Ref. 

38, 263, 42, 349, 353, 508.)
WYOMING

1 10° 108° 106° 104°

44°

42°

ackson

O

Lander* 

O

Rock Springs

MONTANA

 Sheridan

WYOMING

Q

Casper

o

Cheyenne

c/5

§

s

tn td

00

40° UTAH COLORADO

100 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

Magnitude/intensity

O 4.5-4.9/VI ._

~ O 5.0-5.4/VI

Q 5.5-5.9

(~) 6.0-6.4 

^\ 6.5-6.9

Earthquakes in Wyoming with magnitudes > 4.5 or intensity > VI.

393
394 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

WYOMING

[See table 1 for hypocenter and intensity references and table 2 for definitions of magnitude source codes. @. felt area is less than 1,000 km2 . Leader (-) indicates inforniiitinn is not

available]

Date

Yr Mo Da

1897 11 14

1925 11 18

1930 06 12

1932 01 26

1936 01 15

1959 08 18

1959 08 18

1959 08 18

1959 08 18

1959 08 19

1959 08 19

1963 03 08

1963 09 24

1973 03 30

1973 03 31

1974 06 09

1974 08 30

1974 10 22

1975 06 30

1975 06 30

1975 06 30

1975 06 30

1975 06 30

1976 12 08

1976 12 09

1976 12 19

1980 02 22

1983 02 06

1983 12 20

1984 05 29

1984 09 08

1984 10 18

1984 11 03

1985 09 07

Origin 

time (UTC)

h m s

1330

0145

0915

1013

0440

07 56 16.8

08 41 47.5

110348.1

152605.9

04 04 01.7

19 43 47.2

08 35 48.9

063552.1

003256.1

203331.8

005042.4

164158.8

084307.1

184757.1

18 54 12.7

19 00 27.4

19 56 33.7

202056.6

144059.1

22 36 23.7

17 10 15.6

10 18 27.7

202516.5

22 52 23.7

20 18 29.6

005931.1

153022.0

093008.4

03 47 29.2

Hypocenter

Latitude 

(°)

42.9 N

44.4 N

42.6 N

43.5 N

44.0 N

44.699N

44.854N

44.7 19N

44.721N

44.648N

44.756N

44.8 N

44.9 N

44.34 N

44.35 N

44.77 N

44.63 N

44.74 N

44.68 N

44.68 N

44.77 N

44.71 N

44.69 N

44.76 N

44.77 N

44.77 N

44.81 N

44.571N

43.294N

44.134N

44.138N

42.3 17N

42.534N

43.156N

Longitude 

(°)

106.3 W

107.5 W

111.0 W

110.7 W

111.0 W

110.705W

111.049W

110.850W

110.87 1W

110.840W

110.960W

110.2 W

111.0 W

110.34 W

110.41 W

110.97 W

110.73 W

110.81 W

110.61 W

110.62 W

110.72 W

110.52 W

110.59 W

110.79 W

110.80 W

110.80 W

110.90 W

110.643W

110.767W

106.099W

106. HOW

105.735W

108.919W

110.724W

Depth 

(km)

_

_

005

005

005

005

005

005

033

033

001

001

005

000

005

003

002

005

005

005

005

005

005

000

005

005

015

015

022

005

005

Ref

38

280

3

5

38

576

576

576

576

576

576

266

266

307

307

307

307

47

307

307

48

48

48

49

49

49

308

360

360

522

522

522

522

371

USGS 

rrib MS

_

_

___

_

_

_

3.8

4.7

4.6

5.1

___

4.5

4.6

4.6

5.6

5.1

4.7

4.9

5.5

4.5

4.9

4.5

4.7

4.5

5.0

5.1

5.4

5.0

__

^ _

_

5.9

_

. _

5.1

4.1

Magnitude

Other Moment 

M

_ _

 

 

 

 

6.50UknBRK 

6.00UknBRK 

5.60UknBRK 

6.50UknPAS 6.28DSR

6.00UknBRK 5.98DOR

S.OOUknBRK 

 

 

4.60MD GM 

4.70MD GM 

4.90ML GS 

4.50ML GS 

 

4.80Mt GS 

6.40ML GS 

5.30ML GS 

4.50ML GS 

4.60ML GS 

4.60ML GS 

5.10ML GS 

4.50ML GS 

4.70ML GS 

4.50ML GS 

 

4.80Mn GDW 

5.00Mn GDW 4.94JOH

5.50Mn GDW 

4.50Mn GDW 

4.60ML GS 

Intensity

MM

VI

V

VI

VI

VI

Felt

VI

Felt

Felt

V

Felt

VI

V

Felt

Felt

n

V

IV

vn

m

V

V

V

IV

V

IV

V

V

VI

VI

V

Ref

38

280

3

279

38

32

32

32

32

38

32

36

36

46

46

47

47

47

48

48

49

49

49

300

360

360

370

370

370

370

371

Felt area 

(1,000km2)

_ _

30

3

3

_

___

@

50

5

17

@

5

56

68

287

15

22

[Reference (Ref.) numbers given in parentheses at the end of 

each description refer to sources of data in table 1. Magnitude 

values are described in the Introduction, and codes are defined in 

table 2.]

1897. Nov. 14. Casper, Natrona County, Wyo.

The northeast corner of the Grand Central Hotel at 

Casper sustained a 5- to 10-cm-wide crack that 

extended from the third to the first floor. The ceiling 

in the hotel lobby also was cracked. An almost deafening noise preceded the shaking. (Ref. 38, 359.)

1930. June 12. Grover, northern Lincoln 

County, Wyo. A minor earthquake cracked a brick

building in Grover and a concrete swimming pool 

north of Grover. Cracks also formed in plaster, and 

clocks stopped running. Slight aftershocks continued 

until Nov. 16, 1930. (Ref. 3.)

1932. Jan. 26. Western Wyoming. At Jackson, 

in southern Teton County, an earthquake cracked 

floors and foundations, broke plaster, and tore wallpaper. Slight damage also occurred in the nearby 

towns of Grovont, Kelly, and Moran. One light foreshock was observed in the area on Jan. 25, and 

several minor aftershocks occurred through Jan. 28. 

(Ref. 5, 38, 279.)
EARTHQUAKES IN WYOMING 395

Rockslide on Virginia Cascade Road in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, caused by the earthquake of June 30, 1975.

1936. Jan. 15 (Jan. 14). Yellowstone National 

Park, Wyo. An earthquake caused extensive cracks 

in two chimneys at the south entrance to the park, in 

northwest Wyoming. (Ref. 9, 38.)

1959. Aug. 18, 08 41 UTC. Yellowstone 

National Park, Wyo. An aftershock of the August 

17, 1959, earthquake at Hegben Lake, Mont., broke a 

chimney at the Old Faithful Ranger Station in northwest Wyoming. Also felt at Fairfield, Idaho. (Ref. 32, 

38, 576.)

1963. Mar. 8. Yellowstone National Park, 

Wyo. At the winter caretaker' s house in Canyon, 

large cracks separated the walls and ceilings in several rooms, and plaster cracked and fell. Aftershocks 

continued until Mar. 12. (Ref. 36, 266.)

1975. June 30. Yellowstone National Park, 

Wyo. This widely felt earthquake downed one chimney in the park at Norris Junction and formed cracks 

90 m long in a parking lot. Rockfalls and landslides 

closed or hindered traffic on many roads in the park. 

Two new geysers formed; the Gibbon River was muddied; and the earth settled and cracked in the backcountry. Several aftershocks occurred through early 

July. Also felt in Montana, Idaho, South Dakota, 

Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, and Washington. Magnitude 6.1 Ukn BRK (Ref. 38, 48, 307.)

1984. Oct. 18. Eastern Wyoming. Although this 

earthquake was felt over a large part of eight States 

(see fig. 64), only minor property damage occurred. The 

damage was characterized by cracked chimneys and
396

110°

SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED) 

108° 106° 104° 102° 100°

46

44'

42° ---

FIGURE 64. Isoseismal map for the eastern Wyoming earthquake of October 18, 1984. This is a simplified version of figure 28 in

reference 370 of table 1.

foundations and cracked brick and cinder-block walls 

at several towns, including Casper, Douglas, Guernsey, 

Hanna, Lusk, McFadden, Medicine Bow, Rock River, 

and Shirley Basin. Underground pipes were broken in 

Natrona County, at Casper, and in Carbon County, at 

Shirley Basin, about 40 km south of Casper. In

addition, slight damage was reported at a few towns 

in Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

An unusual report of structural damage to two 

five-story buildings was received from Golden, Colo., 

about 300 km south of the epicenter. This damage, 

which consisted of foundation failure, cracks in walls,
EARTHQUAKES IN WYOMING 397

and a gas leak, may not have been caused by the 

earthquake. Felt in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, 

Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Magnitude 5.5 ML GS, 5.3 Mn TUL. (Ref. 370, 487, 522.) 

1984. Nov. 3. Western Wyoming. At Lander, 

Fremont County, 50 buildings sustained cracks in

walls, foundations, and windows; and glass was broken at the local hospital. About 30 km south of 

Lander, at South Pass City, cracks in windows and 

damage to glassware occurred, and residents had difficulty walking and standing. Magnitude 4.9 ML BU, 

5.1 ML GS. (Ref. 370, 522.)

TABLES 1-3
400 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publicationsj

1. Heck, N.H., and Bodle, R.R., 1930, United States earthquakes 1928: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 483, 28 p.

2. Heck, N.H., and Bodle, R.R., 1931, United States earthquakes 1929: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 511, 55 p.

3. Neumann, Frank, and Bodle, R.R., 1932, United States earthquakes 1930: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 539, 

25 p.

4. Neumann, Frank, 1932, United States earthquakes 1931: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 553, 26 p.

5. Neumann, Frank, 1934, United States earthquakes 1932: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 563, 21 p.

6. Neumann, Frank, 1935, United States earthquakes 1933: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 579, 82 p.

7. Neumann, Frank, 1936, United States earthquakes 1934: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 593, 99 p.

8. Neumann, Frank, 1937, United States earthquakes 1935: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 600, 90 p.

9. Neumann, Frank, 1938, United States earthquakes 1936: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 610, 45 p.

10. Neumann, Frank, 1940, United States earthquakes 1937: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 619, 55 p.

11. Neumann, Frank, 1940, United States earthquakes 1938: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 629, 59 p.

12. Bodle, R.R., 1941, United States earthquakes 1939: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 637, 69 p.

13. Neumann, Frank, 1942, United States earthquakes 1940: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 647, 74 p.

14. Neumann, Frank, 1943, United States earthquakes 1941: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 655, 41 p.

15. Bodle, R.R., 1944, United States earthquakes 1942: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 662, 44 p.

16. Bodle, R.R., 1945, United States earthquakes 1943: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 672, 47 p.

17. Bodle, R.R., 1946, United States earthquakes 1944: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 682, 43 p.

18. Bodle, R.R., and Murphy, L.M., 1947, United States earthquakes 1945: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 699, 38 p.

19. Bodle, R.R., and Murphy, L.M., 1948, United States earthquakes 1946: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 714, 48 p.

20. Murphy, L.M., 1950, United States earthquakes 1947: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 730, 62 p.

21. Murphy, L.M., and Ulrich, F.P., 1951, United States earthquakes 1948: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 746, 50 p.

22. Murphy, L.M., and Ulrich, F.P., 1951, United States earthquakes 1949: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 748, 64 p.

23. Murphy, L.M., and Ulrich, F.P., 1952, United States earthquakes 1950: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 755, 47 p.

24. Murphy, L.M., and Cloud, W.K., 1953, United States earthquakes 1951: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 762, 50 p.

25. Murphy, L.M., and Cloud, W.K., 1954, United States earthquakes 1952: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 773, 112 p.

26. Murphy, L.M., and Cloud, W.K., 1955, United States earthquakes 1953: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 785, 51 p,

27. Murphy, L.M., and Cloud, W.K., 1956, United States earthquakes 1954: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Serial 793, 110 p.

28. Murphy, L.M., and Cloud, W.K., 1957, United States earthquakes 1955: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 83 p.

29. Brazee, R.J., and Cloud, W.K., 1958, United States earthquakes 1956: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 78 p.

30. Brazee, R.J., and Cloud, W.K., 1959, United States earthquakes 1957: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 108 p.

31. Brazee, R.J., and Cloud, W.K., 1960, United States earthquakes 1958: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 76 p.

32. Eppley, R.A., and Cloud, W.K., 1961, United States earthquakes 1959: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 115 p.

33. Talley, H.C., and Cloud, W.K., 1962, United States earthquakes 1960: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 90 p.

34. Lander, J.F., and Cloud, W.K., 1963, United States earthquakes 1961: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 106 p.

35. Lander, J.F., and Cloud, W.K., 1964, United States earthquakes 1962: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 114 p.

36. Cloud, W.K., and von Hake, C.A., 1965, United States earthquakes 1963: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 69 p.

37. von Hake, C.A., and Cloud, W.K., 1966, United States earthquakes 1964: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 91 p.

38. Coffman, J.L., von Hake, C.A., and Stover, C.W., 1982, Earthquake history of the United States: U.S. National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Geological Survey, Publication No. 41-1, revised edition, [through 19801, 258 p.

39. Coffman, J.L., and Stover, C.W., 1979, United States earthquakes 1977: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration and U.S. Geological Survey, 81 p.

40. von Hake, C.A., and Cloud, W.K., 1969, United States earthquakes 1967: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 90 p.

41. Coffman, J.L., and Cloud, W.K., 1970, United States earthquakes 1968: U.S. Environmental Science Services 

Administration, 111 p.

42. von Hake, C.A., and Cloud, W.K., 1971, United States earthquakes 1969: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 80 p.

43. Coffman, J.L., and von Hake, C.A., 1972, United States earthquakes 1970: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 81 p.

44. Coffman, J.L., and von Hake, C.A., 1973, United States earthquakes 1971: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 174 p.

45. Coffman, J.L., and von Hake, C.A., 1974, United States earthquakes 1972: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 119 p.

46. Coffman, J.L., von Hake, C.A., Spence, W., Carver, D.L., Covington, PA., Dunphy, G.J., Irby, W.L., Person, W.J., and Stover, 

C.W., 1975, United States earthquakes 1973: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. 

Geological Survey, 112 p.

47. Coffman, J.L., and Stover, C.W., 1976, United States earthquakes 1974: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration and U.S. Geological Survey, 135 p.
TABLES 1-3 401 

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

48. Coffinan, J.L., and Stover, C.W., 1977, United States earthquakes 1975: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration and U.S. Geological Survey, 136 p.

49. Coffinan, J.L., and Stover, C.W., 1978, United States earthquakes 1976: U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration and U.S. Geological Survey, 94 p.

52. Williams, J.S., and Tapper, M.S., 1953, Earthquake history of Utah, 1850 to 1949: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 43, no. 3, p. 191-218.

53. Berg, J.W., and Baker, C.D., 1963, Oregon earthquakes, 1841 through 1958: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

53, no. 1, p. 95-108.

54. Slemmons, D.B., Jones, A.E., and Gimlett, J.I., 1965, Catalog of Nevada earthquakes, 1852-1960: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 55, no. 2, p. 519-565.

55. MacCarthy, G.R., 1964, A descriptive list of Virginia earthquakes through 1960: Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society Journal, 

v. 80, no. 2, p. 94-114.

56. Townley, S.D., and Alien, M.W., 1939, Descriptive catalog of earthquakes of the Pacific Coast of the United States, 1769 to 

1928: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 29, no. 1, p. 1-297.

59. Brigham, W.T., 1871, Historical notes on the earthquakes of New England, 1638-1869: Memoirs Boston Society of Natural 

History, v. 2., p. 1-28.

60. Bradley, E.A., and Bennett, T.J., 1965, Earthquake history of Ohio: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 55, no. 4,

p. 745-752. 

63. Merriam, D.G., 1956, History of earthquakes in Kansas: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 46, no. 2, p.

87-96.

67. Moneymaker, B.C., 1957, Earthquakes in Tennessee and nearby sections of neighboring States 1901 to 1925: Tennessee 

Academy of Science Journal, v. 32, no. 2, p. 91-105.

68. Moneymaker, B.C., 1958, Earthquakes in Tennessee and nearby sections of neighboring States 1926 to 1950: Tennessee 

Academy of Science Journal, v. 33, no. 3, p. 224-239.

71. MacCarthy, G.R., 1957, An annotated list of the North Carolina earthquakes: Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society Journal, v. 

73, no. 1, p. 84-100.

72. U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Abstracts of earthquake reports for the United States, 1967 through 1973.

74. U.S. Geological Survey, Preliminary determination of epicenters report and monthly listing, January 1961-1989 [formerly 

by U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, U.S. Environmental Science Services Administration, and U.S. National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration].

75. von Hake, C.A., and Cloud, W.K., 1967, United States earthquakes 1965: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 91 p.

76. Smith, W.E.T., 1962, Earthquakes of Eastern Canada and adjacent areas, 1534-1927: Publications of the Dominion 

Observatory, Ottawa, v. 26, no. 5, p. 271-301.

77. Smith, W.E.T., 1966, Earthquakes of Eastern Canada and adjacent areas, 1928-1959: Publications of the Dominion 

Observatory, Ottawa, v. 32, no. 3, p. 87-121.

78. Weston Geophysical Research, Inc., Weston, Mass., 1976, Historical seismicity of New England, prepared for Boston Edison

Company, Preliminary Safety Analysis Report, Docket No. 50-471, 641 p.

81. von Hake, C.A., and Cloud, W.K., 1968, United States earthquakes 1966: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 110 p. 

84. Woollard, G.P., 1968, A catalogue of earthquakes in the United States prior to 1925 based on unpublished data compiled by

Harry Fielding Reid and unpublished sources prior to 1930: Hawaii Institute of Geophysics, University of Hawaii,

Data Report No. 10, 163 p. 

86. Bollinger, G.A., 1975, A catalogue of Southeastern United States earthquakes 1754 through 1974: Virginia Polytechnic

Institute and State University, Department of Geological Sciences, Research Bulletin 101, 68 p. 

96. Taber, S., 1914, Seismic activity in the Atlantic coastal plain near Charleston, South Carolina: Seismological Society of

America Bulletin, v. 4, no. 3, p. 108-160. 

99. Dumas, D.B., Dorman, J.H., and Latham, G.V., 1980, A reevaluation of the August 16, 1931 Texas earthquake:

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 70, no. 4, p. 1171-1180. 

101. Campbell, R.L., 1975, Historical sketches of colonial Florida: A facsimile reproduction of the 1892 edition, A University of

Florida Book, The University of Florida Press, Gainsville, Fla. 

105. Docekal, Jerry, 1970, Earthquakes of the stable interior, with emphasis on the midcontinent, v. 2: Lincoln, Neb.,

University of Nebraska, Ph.D. dissertation, [available from Ann Arbor, Mich., University Microfilms Ltd.], 332 p. 

109. Heinrich, R.R., 1941, A contribution to the seismic history of Missouri: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 31,

no. 3, p. 187-224.

113. Nuttli, O.W., 1974, Magnitude-recurrence relation for central Mississippi valley earthquakes: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 64, no. 4, p. 1189-1207.

114. Nuttli, O.W., 1973, The Mississippi valley earthquakes of 1811 and 1812: Intensities, ground motion, and magnitudes:

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 63, no. 1, p. 227-248. 

116. Varma, M.M., 1975, Seismicity of the eastern half of the United States (exclusive of New England): Bloomington, Ind.,

University of Indiana, Ph.D. dissertation, 176 p.
402 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

121. Wood, H.O., 1955, The 1857 earthquake in California: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 45, no. 1, p. 47-68. 

124. Sellards, E.H., 1932, The Valentine, Texas, earthquake: The University of Texas Bulletin 3201, Contributions to Geology,

p. 113-137. 

126. Chiburis, E.F., 1979, Seismicity, recurrence rates, and the regionalization of the Northeast United States and adjacent

Southeastern Canada: Weston, Mass., Weston Observatory, [for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission], NUREG/

CR-2309, 76 p. 

129. Fryxell, F.M., 1940, The earthquakes of 1934 and 1935 in northwestern Illinois and adjacent parts of Iowa: Seismological

Society of America Bulletin, v. 30, no. 3, p. 213-218. 

132. Moneymaker, B.C., 1972, Earthquakes in Tennessee and nearby sections of neighboring States, 1951-1970: Tennessee

Academy of Science Journal, v. 47, no. 4, p. 124-132.

134. Rockwood, C.G., 1880, Notices of recent earthquakes: American Journal of Science, v. 19, no. 112, p. 295-299.

135. Taber, Stephen, 1915, Earthquakes in South Carolina during 1914: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 5, no. 2, 

p. 96-99.

136. Rockwood, C.G., 1881, Notices of recent American earthquakes: American Journal of Science, v. 21, no. 123, p. 198-202.

140. Dutton, C.E., 1889, The Charleston earthquake of August 31, 1886, in Ninth Annual Report of the United States 

Geological Survey to the Secretary of the Interior 1887-1888, p. 209-628.

141. Pomeroy, P.W., and Fakundiny, R.H., 1976, Unpublished list of earthquakes used to compile the Seismic Activity and

Geologic Structure in New York and Adjacent Areas map, New York State Museum and Science Service Map and Chart 

Series Number 27, 2 sheets.

142. Philadelphia Electric Company, 1970, Preliminary Safety Analysis Report, Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Public Documents Room, p. 25-36.

143. Fuller, M.L., 1912, The New Madrid earthquake: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 494, 119 p.

145. Shaler, N.S., 1869, Earthquakes of the Western United States: Atlantic Monthly, v. 24, no. 15, p. 549-659.

149. Bradford, D.C., and Dahm, C.G., 1935, The Rodney, Missouri, earthquake of August 20, 1934: Seismological Society of

America Bulletin, v. 25, no. 2, p. 154-160. 

155. MacCarthy, G.R., and Sinha, E.Z., 1958, North Carolina earthquakes 1957: Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society Journal, v.

74, no. 2, p. 117-121. 

159. Collins, R.H., 1874, History of Kentucky: By the late Lewis Collins (revised): Collins and Co., v. 1, 683 p.

162. Taber, Stephen, 1913, The South Carolina earthquake of January 1, 1913: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 3, 

p. 6-13.

163. Bollinger, G.A., 1972, Historical and recent seismic activity in South Carolina: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, 

v. 62, no. 3, p. 851-864.

167. Hopper, M.G., and Bollinger, G.A., 1971, The earthquake history of Virginia 1774-1900: Blacksburg, Va., Virginia 

Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Geological Sciences, 87 p.

168. Willson, F.F., 1926, The Montana earthquake of June 27, 1925, damage in Gallatin County: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 16, no. 3, p. 164-169.

173. Nuttli, O.W, and Herrmann, R.B., 1978, Credible earthquakes for the Central United States, state-of-the-art for 

assessing earthquake hazards in the United States: U.S. Army, Chief of Engineers Report 12, p. 1-99.

174. DuBois, S.M., and Wilson, F.W, 1978, A revised and augmented list of earthquake intensities for Kansas, 1867-1977: 

Kansas Geological Survey, Lawrence, Kans., The University of Kansas, Environmental Geology Series 2, 56 p.

179. MacCarthy, G.R., 1958, A note on the Virginia earthquake of 1833: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 48, no. 2, 

p. 177-180.

186. Watson, T.L., 1918, The Virginia earthquake of April 9, 1918: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 8, no. 4, 

p. 105-116.

187. Watson, T.L., 1919, Earthquake in Warren and Rappahannock Counties, Virginia, September 5, 1919: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 9, no. 4, p. 128-134.

189. Bollinger, G.A., and Hopper, M.G., 1972, The earthquake history of Virginia 1900-1970: Blacksburg, Va., Virginia 

Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Geological Sciences, 85 p.

190. Pakiser, L.C., 1976, Review of intensity of Giles County 1897 earthquake: U.S. Geological Survey unpublished

memorandum. 

194. Berkey, C.P., 1945, A geological study of the Massena-Cornwall earthquake of September 5, 1944, and its bearing on the

proposed St. Lawrence River Project: United States Engineer Office, Corp of Engineers, New York, p. 1-18. 

201. Armbruster, J.G., and Seeber, Leonardo, 1987, The 23 April Martic earthquake and the Lancaster seismic zone in eastern

Pennsylvania: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 77, no. 3, p. 877-890. 

208. Byerly, Perry, 1926, The Montana earthquake of June 28, 1925, G.M.C.T.: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v.

16, no. 4, p. 209-265. 

211. Rockwood, C.G., 1876, Notices of recent American earthquakes no. 6: American Journal of Science, v. 12, third series,

p. 25-30.
TABLES 1-3 403 

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USOS publications]

214. Gordon, D.W., 1988, Revised instrumental hypocenters and correlation of earthquake locations and tectonics in the

Central United States: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1364, 69p. 

218. U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Seismological Reports, July 1924 through December 1927. 

228. Miller, H.J., 1956, The Oklahoma earthquake of April 9, 1952: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 46, no. 4, p.

269-279. 

234. Cook, K.L., and Smith, R.B., 1967, Seismicity in Utah, 1850 through June 1965: Seismological Society of America

Bulletin, v. 57, no. 4, p. 689-718.

237. Lawson, J.E., Luza, K.V., DuBois, R.L., and Foster, PH., 1979, Inventory, detection, and catalog of Oklahoma earthquakes: 

Oklahoma Geological Survey, [text to accompany Map GM-19], 15 p.

238. Seismological Society Of America, 1952, Seismological Notes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 42, no. 3, p.

271-281. 

240. Stover, C.W., and von Hake, C.A., 1980, United States earthquakes 1978: U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 112 p. 

249. Qamar, A.I., and Stickney, M.C., 1983, Montana earthquakes 1869-1979: Butte, Mont., Montana School of Mines,

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Memoir No. 51, 79 p. 

255. Holden, E.S., 1898, A catalogue of earthquakes on the Pacific Coast 1769 to 1897: Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections

No. 1087, 253 p.

257. Reid, H.F., 1911, Remarkable earthquakes in central New Mexico in 1906 and 1907: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 1, no. 1, p. 10-16.

258. Gutenberg, Beno, and Richter, C.F., 1954, Seismicity of the Earth and associated phenomena: New York, Hafner 

Publishing Company, Inc., 310 p.

259. U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Abstracts of earthquake reports for the Pacific Coast and the Western mountain region, 

January 1, 1934, to December 31, 1966, and 1933 abstracts from the San Francisco office, U.S. Department of 

Commerce.

260. Stover, C.W., 1990, U.S. Geological Survey, recomputed hypocenters (unpublished data).

261. Sanford, A.R., Olsen, H.N., and Jaksha, L.H., 1981, Earthquakes in New Mexico, 1849-1977: New Mexico Bureau of 

Mines and Mineral Resources Circular 171, 20 p.

262. Stover, C.W., and von Hake, C.A., 1981, United States earthquakes 1979: U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 170 p.

264. Hernnann, R.B., Dewey, J.W., and Park, Sam-Kuen, 1980, The Dulce, New Mexico, earthquake of 23 January 1966: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 70, no. 6, p. 2171-2183.

265. International Seismological Summary, 1913-1963, Kew Observatory, Kew, England.

266. U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Seismological Bulletin MSI 1 through MSI 316, January 1934 through May 1967.

269. Hammond, J.F., 1966, A surgeon's report on Socorro, N. Mex., 1852: Santa Fe Stagecoach Press, 47 p.

270. Northrop, S.A., Unpublished notes, newspaper clippings, and questionnaires, New Mexico University, Albuquerque, N. 

Mex.

272. Monthly Weather Review, July 1891 to June 1924, v. 19 to 68, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.

273. Hadsell, F.A., 1968, History of earthquake activity in Colorado: in Geophysical and geological studies of the relationship 

between the Denver earthquakes and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal well, Colorado School of Mines Quarterly, v. 63, no. 

1, p. 57-72.

274. Hernnann, R.B., Park, Sam-Kuen, and Wang, Chien-Ying, 1981, The Denver earthquakes of 1967-1968: Seismological

Society of America Bulletin, v. 71, no. 3, p. 731-745. 

277. Taggart, James, and Baldwin, Frank, 1982, Earthquake sequence of 1938-1939 in Mogollen Mountains, New Mexico:

New Mexico Geology, v. 4, no. 4, p. 49-52.

279. Fryxell, Fritiof, 1933, Earthquake shocks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 23, no. 

4, p. 167-168.

280. Pardee, J.T., 1927, Earthquake in the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming, November 17, 1925: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 17, no. 3, p. 129-136.

281. Tocher, Don, 1962, The Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake of August 17, 1959, MST: Seismological Society of America

Bulletin, v. 52, no. 2, p. 153-162. 

283. Dames and Moore, 1981, Geologic and seismologic investigations for Rocky Flats Plant, report prepared for U.S.

Department of Energy, v. 1, chapter 8.0, p. 8.0-1 to 8.0-18.

288. Bollinger, G.A., and Visvanathan, T.R., 1977, The Seismicity of South Carolina prior to 1886: U.S. Geological Survey 

Professional Paper 1028-C, p. 33-42.

289. Visvanathan, T.R., 1980, Earthquakes in South Carolina 1698-1975: South Carolina Geological Survey Bulletin 40, 61 p. 

292. Hileman, J.A., Alien, C.R., and Nordquist, J.M., 1973, Seismicity of the southern California region, 1 January 1932 to 31 

December 1972: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, 395 p.
404 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

294. Seismological Society of America, 1951, Seismological Notes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 41, p. 243-254 

and p. 389-404.

298. Arabasz, W.J., Smith, R.B., and Richins, W.D., 1979, Earthquake studies in Utah, 1850 to 1978: University of Utah, 

Department of Geology and Geophysics, 552 p.

299. Bulletin of the International Seismological Centre, 1964 to 1989, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom.

300. Stover, C.W., and von Hake, C.A., 1982, United States earthquakes 1980: U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 182 p.

301. Nuttli, O.W., 1979, Seismicity of the Central United States, Geology in the siting of nuclear power plants: Geological 

Society of America, Reviews in Engineering Geology, v. 4, p. 67-107.

302. Street, R.L., 1980, The southern Illinois earthquake of September 27, 1981: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

70, no. 3, p. 915-920.

307. Pitt, A.M., 1980, Catalog of earthquakes in the Yellowstone Park-Hebgen Lake region from November 1972 to December 

1975: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-2006, 32 p.

308. Pitt, A.M., 1982, Catalog of earthquakes in the Yellowstone Park-Hebgen Lake region from January 1980 to September 

1981: U.S. Geological Survey, unpublished data.

310. Ryall, Alan, 1962, The Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake of August 18, 1959: P-waves: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 52, no. 2, p. 235-271.

311. Pack, F.J., 1921, The Elsinore earthquakes in central Utah, September 29 and October 1, 1921: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 11, no. 3, p. 155-165.

312. Pardee, J.T., 1927, The Montana earthquake of June 27, 1925, in Shorter contributions to general geology 1926: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 147, p. 7-23.

314. Jefferson, Thomas, 1774, Unpublished memorandum book for 1774: Massachusetts Historical Society.

315. Jones, A.E., 1975, Recording of earthquakes at Reno, 1916-1951: Reno, University of Nevada, Mackay School of 

MinesNevada Bureau of Mines, Seismological Laboratory Bulletin, 199 p.

316. Scott, H.W., 1936, The Montana earthquakes of 1935: Butte, Mont., Montana School of Mines, Montana Bureau of Mines 

and Geology Memoir No. 16, 57 p.

317. Dewey, J.W., and Gordon, D.W., 1988, U.S. Geological Survey, unpublished data.

319. Carver, David, Richins, W.D., and Langer, C.J., 1983, Details of the aftershock process following the 30 September 1977, 

Unita Basin, Utah, earthquake: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 73, no. 2, p. 435-448.

324. Bolt, B.A., and Miller, R.D., 1975, Catalogue of earthquakes in northern California and adjoining areas, 1 January 

1910-31 December 1972: Berkeley, Calif., University of California, Seismographic Stations, 567 p.

325. Stover, C.W., 1984, United States earthquakes 1981: U.S. Geological Survey Special Publication, 136 p.

326. Frantti, G.E., 1983, Seismicity investigations of the southern Lake Superior Precambrian Province, [for the U.S. Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission], 59 p.

327. Jones, J.C., 1915, The Pleasant Valley, Nevada, earthquake of October 2, 1915: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, 

v. 5, no. 4, p. 190-205.

328. Slemmons, D.B., Steinbrugge, K.V., Tocher, Don, Oakeshott, G.B., and Granella, V.P., 1959, Wonder, Nevada, earthquake

of 1903: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 49, no. 3, p. 251-265. 

330. Nuttli, O.W., 1987, The effects of earthquakes in the Central United States: Central United States Earthquake

Consortium, Monograph Series, v. 1, 33 p.

335. Callaghan, Eugene, and Gianella, V.P., 1935, The earthquake of January 30, 1934, at Excelsior Mountains, Nevada: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 25, no. 2, p. 161-168.

336. Sleep, N.H., 1981, The events of February 4, 1883, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois: Seismological Society of America, 

Eastern Section, Earthquake Notes, v. 52, no. 4, p. 3-9.

338. Couch, Richard, Victor, Linda, Keeling, Kenneth, 1974, Coastal and offshore earthquakes of the Pacific Northwest between 

39° and 49° 10 N. latitude and 123° and 131° W. longitude: Corvallis, Oregon State University, School of 

Oceanography, 67 p.

339. Sibol, M.S., and Bollinger, G.A., 1984, Hypocenter listing from Southeastern U.S. seismic network bulletins no. 1-12:

Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Southeastern U.S. Seismic Network Bulletin, no. 12A, 

44 p.

340. Herrmann, R.B., Langston, C.A., and Zollweg, J.E., 1982, The Sharpsburg, Kentucky, earthquake of 27 July 1980: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 72, no. 4, p. 1219-1239.

341. Richins, W.D., Arabaz, W.J., Hathaway, G.M., McPherson, Erwin, Oehmich, P.J., and Sells, L.L., 1984, Earthquake data 

for the Utah region, January 1, 1981 to December 31, 1983: Salt Lake City, University of Utah, Seismograph Stations, 

111 p.

342. Carlson, S.M., 1984, Investigations of recent and historical Seismicity in east Texas: The University of Texas at Austin, 

Master of Arts thesis, 197 p.
TABLES 1-3 405 

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

343. DuBois, S.M., Smith A.W., Nye, N.K., and Nowak, T.A., Jr., 1982, Arizona earthquakes, 1776-1980: Tucson, University of 

Arizona, Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology, State of Arizona, Bulletin 193, 456 p.

345. Street, Ronald, 1982, A contribution to the documentation of the 1811-1812 Mississippi valley earthquake sequence: 

Seismological Society of America, Eastern Section, Earthquake Notes, v. 53, no. 2, p. 39-51.

349. Dewey, J.W., and Gordon, D.W., 1984, Map showing recomputed hypocenters of earthquakes in the Eastern and Central 

United States and adjacent Canada, 1925-1980: U.S. Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1699, 

[pamphlet], 39 p.

350. Stover, C.W., 1985, United States earthquakes 1982: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1655, 142 p.

353. Barstow, N.L., Brill, K.G., Nuttli, O.W., and Pomeroy, P.W., 1981, An approach to seismic zonation for siting nuclear

electric power generating facilities in the Eastern United States: Roundout Associates, Inc., Stone Ridge, N.J., [for U.S. 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission], NUCREG/CR-1577, 315 p.

354. Dewey, J.W., 1987, Instrumental seismicity of central Idaho: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 77, no. 3, p. 

819-836.

355. Hutton, L.K., Alien, C.R., and Johnson, C.E., 1985, Seismicity of southern California; Earthquakes of ML 3.0 and greater, 

1975 through 1983: California Institute of Technology, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences Contribution No. 

4207, 142 p.

356. Gianella, V.P., and Callaghan, Eugene, 1934, The Cedar Mountain, Nevada, earthquake of December 20, 1932: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 24, no. 4, p. 345-384.

357. Tocher, Don, 1956, Earthquakes off the North Pacific Coast of the United States: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin: v. 46, no. 3, p. 165-173.

358. Romney, Carl, 1957, Seismic waves from the Dixie Valley-Fairview Peak earthquakes: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 47, no. 4, p. 301-319.

359. Mokler, A.J., 1923, History of Natrona County, Wyoming, 1888-1922: Chicago, Lakeside Press, R.R. Donnelley and Sons 

Company, p. 72-74.

360. Stover, C.W., 1986, United States earthquakes 1983: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1698, 197 p.

364. Davis, S.D., 1985, Investigations of natural and induced seismicity in the Texas Panhandle: The University of Texas at 

Austin, Master of Arts thesis, 230 p.

365. Oaks, S.D., and Bollinger, G.A., 1986, The epicenter of the info 5, December 22, 1875, Virginia earthquake: New findings 

from documentary sources: Earthquake Notes, Eastern Section, Seismological Society of America, v. 57, no. 3, p. 65-75.

366. Street, R.L., Couch, D., and Konkler, J., 1986, The Charleston, Missouri earthquake of October 31, 1895: Earthquake 

Notes, Eastern Section, Seismological Society of America, v. 57, no. 2, p. 41-51.

368. Toppozada, T.R., Real, C.R., and Parke, D.L., 1981, Preparation of isoseismal maps and summaries of reported effects for 

pre-1900 California earthquakes: California Division of Mines and Geology, Open-File Report 81-11SAC, 182 p.

369. Street, R.L., 1989, Personal communication, letter dated July 5, 1989, and copies of press reports from 1884 newspapers.

370. Stover, C.W., 1988, United States earthquakes 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1862, 284 p.

371. Stover, C.W., and Brewer, L.R., 1990, United States earthquakes 1985: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1954, 170 p.

373. Hopper, M.G., Algermissen, S.T., Perkins, D.M., Brockman, S.R., and Arnold, E.P., 1988, The December 14, 1872, 

earthquake in the Pacific Northwest: U.S. Geological Survey unpublished data.

374. Seismological Society of America, 1920, Seismological notes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 10, no. 1, p. 

45-50.

375. Milne, W.G., 1956, Seismic activity in Canada, west of the 113th meridian 1841-1951: Publication of the Dominion 

Observatory, Ottawa, v. 18, no. 7, p. 119-146.

376. Nuttli, O.W., 1952, The western Washington earthquake of April 13, 1949: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

42, no. 1, p. 21-28.

377. Algermissen, S.T., Harding, S.T., Steinbrugge, K.V., and Cloud, W.K., 1965, The Puget Sound, Washington, earthquake of 

April 29, 1965: U.S. Department of Commerce, Coast and Geodetic Survey, 51 p.

378. Bolt, Bruce A., 1968, The focus of the 1906 California earthquake: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 58, no. 1, 

p. 451-471.

379. Agnew, D.C., and Sieh, K.E., 1978, A documentary study of the felt effects of the great California earthquake of 1857: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 68, no. 6, p. 1717-1729.

380. Toppozada, T.R., Parke, D.L., and Higgins, C.T., 1978, Seismicity of California 1900-1931: California Division of Mines 

and Geology, Special Report 135, 39 p.

381. Toppozada, T.R., Parke, D.L., Jensen, Laurel, and Campbell, Gordon, 1982, Areas damaged by California earthquakes 

1900-1949: California Division of Mines and Geology, Open File Report 82-17SAC, 65 p.

382. Richter, C.F., 1958, Elementary seismology: San Francisco and London, WH. Freeman and Company, 768 p.

383. Beal, C.H., 1915, The earthquake in the Imperial Valley, California, June 22, 1915: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 5, no. 3, p. 130-149.
406 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

384. Townley, S.D., 1918, The San Jacinto earthquake of April 21, 1918: Seismological Society of American Bulletin, v. 8, no. 

2-3, p. 45-62.

385. Taber, Stephen, 1920, The Inglewood earthquake in southern California, June 21, 1920: Seismological Society of 

American Bulletin, v. 10, no. 3, p. 129-145.

386. Taber, Stephen, 1921, The Los Angeles earthquakes of July 1920: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 11, no. 1, 

p. 63-79.

388. Laughlin, Homer, Arnold, Ralph, Kew, W.S.W., 1923r Southern California earthquake of July 22, 1923: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 13, no. 3, p. 105-106.

389. Willis, Bailey, 1925, A study of the Santa Barbara earthquake of June 29, 1925: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 15, no. 4, p. 255-278.

390. Byerly, Perry, 1927, The Idria (California) earthquake of July 25, 1926: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

17, no. 4, p. 203-206.

391. Mitchell, G.D., 1928, The Santa Cruz earthquakes of October 1926: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 18, no. 3, 

p. 153-213.

392. Byerly, Perry, 1930, The California earthquake of November 4, 1927: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 20, no. 

2, p. 53-66.

393. Dyk, Karl, 1936, The California earthquake of April 15, 1928: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 26, no. 3, p. 

239-244.

394. Wood, H.O., and Richter, C.F., 1931, Recent earthquakes near Whittier, California: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 21, no. 3, p. 183-203.

395. Richter, C.F., 1935, An instrumental earthquake magnitude scale: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 25, no. 1, 

p. 1-32.

396. Gutenberg, B., Richter, C.F., and Wood, H.O., 1932, The earthquake in Santa Monica Bay, California, on August 30, 1930: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 22, no. 2, p. 138-154.

397. Wood, H.O., 1933, Preliminary report on the Long Beach earthquake: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 23, no. 

2, p. 43-56.

398. McEvilly, T.V., Bakun, W.H., and Casady, K.B., 1967, The Parkfield, California, earthquake of 1966: Seismological Society 

of America Bulletin, v. 57, no. 6, p. 1221-1244.

399. Cloud, W.K., Hill, D.M., Huffinan, M.E., Jennings, C.W, McEvilly, T.V., Nason, R.D., Steinbrugge, K.V., Tocher, D., Unger, 

J.D., and Youd, T.L., 1970, The Santa Rosa earthquakes of October 1969: California Division of Mines and Geology, 

Mineral Information Service, v. 23, no. 3, 63 p.

400. Alien, C.R., Hanks, T.C., and Whitcomb, J.H., 1973, San Fernando earthquake: Seismological studies and their tectonic 

implications, in San Fernando, California, earthquake of February 9, 1971: U.S. Department of Commerce, v. Ill, p. 

13-21.

401. Bulletin of the Seismographic Stations, 1973 to 1989, University of California-Berkeley.

402. Fuis, G.S., Friedman, M.E., and Hileman, J.A., 1977, Preliminary catalog of earthquakes in southern California, July 

1974-September 1976: U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 77-181, 107 p.

403. Reid, H.F., 1912, List of strong shocks in the United States and dependencies, in Report of the eightieth meeting of the 

British Association for the Advancement of Science, Seismological Investigations, p. 41-45.

404. Gutenberg, Beno, 1956, Great earthquakes 1896-1903: Transactions American Geophysical Union, v. 37, no. 5, p. 608-614.

405. Lyman, S.J., and family, An unpublished record of earthquakes felt at Hilo, Hawaii, from June 1833 to June 1916.

406. Wood, H.O., 1914, On the earthquakes of 1868 in Hawaii: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 4, no. 4, p. 

169-203.

407. Rockwood, C.G., 1882, Notes on American earthquakes no. 11: American Journal of Science, v. 23, 3rd series, no. 

133-138, p. 257-161.

408. The Volcano Letter, No. 1-No. 529, 1925-1955, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Volcano House, Hawaii.

409. Seismological Society of America, 1952, Seismological notes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 42, no. 1, p. 

95-108.

410. Seismological Society of America, 1954, Seismological notes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 44, no. 3, p. 

529-542.

411. Koyanagi, R.Y., Krivoy, H.L., and Okamura, A.T., 1966, The 1962 Kaoiki, Hawaii, earthquake and its aftershocks: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 56, no. 6, p. 1317-1335.

412. Abe, Katsuyuki, and Noguchi, Shkfichi, 1983, Revision of magnitudes of large shallow earthquakes, 1897-1912: Physics 

of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, v. 33, p. 1-11.

413. Horner, R.B., and Hasegawa, H.S., 1978, The seismotectonics of southern Saskatchewan: Canadian Journal of Earth 

Sciences, p. 1341-1355.

414. Beal, C.H., 1914, The earthquake in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, November 8, 1914: Seismological Society of

America Bulletin, v. 4, no. 4, p. 215-219. 

417. Weekly Report and Weekly Bulletin of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, July 1913-December 1924, Honolulu, Hawaii.
TABLES 1-3 407 

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418. Koyanagi, R.Y., 1988, Unpublished list of Hawaiian earthquakes, U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, 

Hawaii.

419. MacDonald, G.A., and Wentworth, C.K., 1952, The Kona earthquake of August, 21, 1951, and its aftershocks: University 

of Hawaii, Pacific Science, v. 6, no. 4, p. 269-287.

420. Tarr, R.S., and Martin, Lawrence, 1912, Earthquakes at Yakutat Bay, Alaska, in September 1899: U.S. Geological Survey 

Professional Paper 69, 135 p.

421. Cox, B.C., 1986, The Oahu earthquake of June 1948, associated shocks, and the hypothetical Diamond Head fault: 

University of Hawaii, Environmental Center, SR:0036, 32 p.

422. Cox, B.C., 1985, The Lanai earthquake of February 1871: University of Hawaii, Environmental Center, SR:0034, 50 p.

423. Cox, B.C., 1986, Earthquakes felt on Oahu, Hawaii, and their intensities: University of Hawaii, Environmental Center, 

SR:0038, 120 p.

424. Stover, C.W., Reagor, E.G., and Wetmiller, R.J., 1980, Intensities and isoseismal map for the St. Elias earthquake of 

February 28, 1979: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 70, no. 5, p. 1635-1649.

425. Abe, Katsuyuki, 1983, Determination of magnitude for large shallow earthquakes 1898-1917: Physics of the Earth and 

Planetary Interiors, v. 32, p. 45-59.

426. Milne, John, 1912, Seismological investigations, List of earthquakes 1899-1903 inclusive, in Report of the eightieth 

Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Seismological Investigations, p. 57-65.

427. Taggart, J.N., 1986, Unpublished list of earthquakes in Alaska, U.S. Geological Survey, Benver, Colo.

428. Abe, Katsuyuki, 1981, Magnitudes of large shallow earthquakes from 1904 to 1980: Physics of the Earth and Planetary

Interiors, v. 27, p. 72-92. 

432. Sykes, L.R., 1971, Aftershock zones of great earthquakes, seismicity gaps, and earthquake prediction for Alaska and the

Aleutians: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 76, no. 32, p. 8021-8041.

434. Seismological Society of America, 1923, Seismological notes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 13, no. 2, p. 82.

435. Seismological Society of America, 1927, Seismological notes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 17, no. 3, p. 

193-200.

436. Ball, W.H., 1870, Alaska and its resources: London, Sampson, Lawson, and Marston, 627 p.

437. Fenner, C.N., 1925, Earth movements accompanying the Katmai eruption: The Journal of Geology, v. 33, no. 1, p. 116-139.

438. Steinbrugge, K.V., and Cloud, W.K., 1962, Epicentral intensities and damage in the Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake of

August 17, 1959: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 52, no. 2, p. 181-234. 

440. Kirkham, R.M., and Rogers, W.P., 1986, An interpretation of the November 7, 1882, Colorado earthquakes: Colorado

Geological Survey, Open-File Report 86-8, 36 p.

442. Bavis, E.F., 1915, The earthquakes of October 7, 1915, in central California: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

5, no. 4, p. 230-235.

443. Berea Advertiser, April 13, 1900, Berea, Ohio.

444. LaCroix, A.V., 1980, A short note on Cryoseisms: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, Eastern Section, Earthquake 

Notes, v. 51, no. 1, p. 15-20.

445. Monthly Bulletin of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, February 1918-July 1929, Honolulu, Hawaii.

446. Weekly New Mexican, May 4, 1869, Sante Fe, N. Mex.

447. Tobin, B.G., and Sykes, L.R., 1966, Relationship of hypocenters of earthquakes to the geology of Alaska: Journal of 

Geophysical Research, v. 71, no. 6, p. 1659-1667.

448. Tobin, B.G., and Sykes, L.R., 1968, Seismicity and tectonics of the northeast Pacific Ocean: Journal of Geophysical 

Research, v. 73, no. 12, p. 3821-3845.

449. Rothe, J.P, 1969, The seismicity of the Earth, 1953-1965: Paris, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural 

Organization (UNESCO), 336 p.

450. Rankin, B.W., ed., 1977, Studies related to the Charleston, South Carolina, earthquake of 1886 A preliminary report: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1028, 204 p.

451. Sherburne, R.W., Algermissen, S.T., and Harding, S.T., 1969, The hypocenter, origin time, and magnitude of the Prince 

William Sound earthquake of March 28, 1964, in Leipold, L.E., ed., The Prince William Sound, Alaska, earthquake of 

1964 and aftershocks: U.S. Bepartment of Commerce, Coast and Geodetic Survey, p. 49-69.

452. Cloud, W.K., and Knudsen, C.F., 1967, The Fairbanks, Alaska, earthquakes of June 21, 1967: U.S. Bepartment of

Commerce, Environmental Science Services Administration, Preliminary Engineering Seismological Report, p. 33-60.

453. Tilling, R.I., Koyanagi, R.Y., Lipman, P.W., Lockwood, J.P, Moore, J.G., and Swanson, B.W, 1976, Earthquake and related 

catastrophic events, Island of Hawaii, November 29, 1975: A preliminary report: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 740, 

33p.

454. Engdahl, E.R., 1977, Amchitka data file, 1969-1973 from seismicity and plate subduction in the central Aleutians, in 

Island arcs, deep sea trenches and back-arc basins: Maurice Ewing Series, v. 1, p. 259-271.

455. Stephens C.B., Lahr, J.C., Fogleman, K.A., and Horner, R.B., 1980, The St. Elias, Alaska, earthquake of February 28, 

1979: Regional recording of aftershocks and short-term, preearthquake seismicity: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 70, no. 5, p. 1607-1633.
408 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

456. Davies, J., Sykes, L., House, L., and Jacob, K, 1981, Shumagin seismic gap, Alaska Peninsula: History of great

earthquakes, tectonic setting, and evidence for high seismic potential: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 86, no. B5, 

p. 3821-3855.

457. Ryall, A., VanWormer, J.D., and Jones, A.E., 1968, Triggering of microearthquakes by earth tides, and other features of 

the Truckee, California, earthquake sequence of September 1966: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 58, no. 

1, p. 215-248.

458. Stiermann, D.J., and Ellsworth, W.L., 1976, Aftershocks of the February 21, 1973, Point Mugu, California, earthquakes: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 66, no. 6, p. 1931-1952.

459. Abdypoor, Gladees, and Bischke, R.E., 1982, Earthquakes felt in the State of Pennsylvania; with emphasis on earthquakes 

felt in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas: Philadelphia, Temple University, Department of Geology 

unpublished manuscript, 351 p.

461. Balderman, M.A., Johnson, C.A., Miller, D.G., and Schmidt, D.L., 1978, The 1852 Fort Yuma earthquake: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 68, no. 3, p. 699-709.

463. Monthly Weather Review, Annual report of the Chief Signal Officer to the Secretary of War, June 1872 to June 1891, v. 

119, U.S. War Department, Washington, D.C.

464. Unger, J.D., and Ward, P.L., 1979, A large, deep Hawaiian earthquake The Honomu, Hawaii, event of April 26, 1973: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 69, no. 6, p. 1771-1781.

465. Qamar, A., and Hawley, B., 1979, Seismic activity near the Three Forks Basin, Montana: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 69, no. 6, p. 1917-1929.

466. Bolt, B.A., McEvilly, T.V., and Uhrhammer, R.A., 1981, The Livermore Valley, California, sequence of January 1980: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 71, no. 2, p. 451-^63.

467. Evans, D.G., and McEvilly, T.V., 1982, A note on relocating the 1963 Watsonville earthquakes: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 72, no. 4, p. 1309-1316.

468. Corbett, E.J., and Johnson, C.E., 1982, The Santa Barbara, California, earthquake of 13 August 1978: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 72, no. 6, p. 2201-2226.

470. Wong, I.G., Cash, D.J., and Jaksha, L.H., 1984, The Crownpoint. New Mexico, earthquakes of 1976 and 1977: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 74, no. 6, p. 2435-2449.

471. Sbar, M.L., and DuBois, S.M., 1984, Attenutation of intensity for the 1887 Northern Sonora, Mexico, earthquake: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 74, no. 6, p. 2613-2628.

472. Webb, T.H., and Kanamori, Hiroo, 1985, Earthquake focal mechanisms in the Eastern Transverse Ranges and San

Emigdio Mountains, southern California and evidence for a regional decollement: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 75, no. 3, p. 737-757.

473. Gupta, I.N., and Nuttli, O.W, 1976, Spatial attenuation of intensities for Central U.S. earthquakes: Seismological Society 

of America Bulletin, v. 66, no. 3, p. 743-751.

474. Hauksson, Egill, and Saldivar, G.V, 1986, The 1930 Santa Monica and the 1979 Malibu, California, earthquakes: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 76, no. 6, p. 1542-1559.

475. Aburto, A.A., Savage, M.K., DePolo, D.M., and Delaplain, D.A., 1988, Bulletin of the Seismological Laboratory, January 

1983 to May 1984: Reno, Nevada, University of Nevada-Reno, McKay School of Mines, 74 p.

476. Dehlinger, Peter, and Bolt, B.A., 1987, Earthquakes and associated tectonics in a part of coastal central California: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 77, no. 6, p. 2056-2073.

477. Boyd, T.M., and Lerner-Lam, A.L., 1988, Spatial distribution of turn-of-the-century seismicity along the Alaska-Aleutian 

arc: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 78, no. 2, p. 636-650.

479. Engdahl, E.R., Billington, S., and Kisslinger, C., 1989, Teleseismically recorded seismicity before and after the May 7, 

1986, Andreanof Islands, Alaska, earthquake: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 94, no. Bll, p. 15,48115,498.

480. Nowroozi, A.A., 1973, Seismicity of the Mendocino Escarpment and the aftershock sequence of June 26, 1968: Ocean 

seismic measurements: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 63, no. 2, p. 441 456.

481. MacDonald, G.A., and Wentworth, C.K., 1954, Hawaiian volcanoes during 1951: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 996-D, 

216 p.

482. MacDonald, G.A., and Eaton, J.P., 1964, Hawaiian volcanoes during 1955: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1171, p. 139.

483. Armbruster, J.G., and Scharnberger, C.K., 1986, Lancaster earthquakes, in Journal of the Lancaster County Historical 

Society, v. 90, no. 2, p. 78-86.

484. Thenhaus, PC., 1978, A study of the October 12, 1877 Oregon earthquakes: U.S. Geologcial Survey Open-File Report 

78-234, 17 p.

485. Landsberg, H., 1938, The Clover Creek earthquake of July 15, 1938: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 28, no. 

4, p. 237-241.

487. Kirkham, R.M., and Rogers, W.P., 1985, Colorado earthquake data and interpretations 1867 to 1985: Colorado Geological 

Survey Bulletin 46, 106 p.

488. Oaks, S.D., and Kirkham, R.M., 1986, Results of a search for felt reports for selected Colorado earthquakes: Colorado 

Geological Survey Information Series 23, 89 p.
TABLES 1-3 409 

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

489. Stover, C.W., 1989, Reassigned intensities based on a review of the earthquake questionnaires collected by the Hawaiian 

Volcano Observatory, Hawaii.

490. Gordon, D.W., Bennett, T.J., Herrmann, R.B., and Rogers, A.M., 1970, The south-central Illinois earthquake of November 

9, 1968: Macroseismic studies: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 60, no. 3, p. 953-971.

491. Seismological Society of America, 1917, Seismological notes, Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 7, no. 4, p. 

138-142.

492. Seismological Society of America, 1916, The earthquake at Volcano Lake, Mexico, November 20, 1915: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 6, no. 2-3, p. 181-184.

493. Wood, H.O., 1916, California earthquakes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 6, no. 2-3, p. 55-180.

494. Rockwood, C.G., 1888, Notes on American earthquakes: American Journal of Science, v. 35, 3rd series, p. 110.

495. Woodward-Clyde Consultants, 1980, Seismological review of the July 16, 1936, Milton-Freewater earthquake source 

region: San Francisco, Calif., Contract No. 52028 C.O.ll, Task No. WCC 1 for Washington Public Power Supply. 

System, 58 p.

496. Bradford, D.C., and Waters, A.C., 1934, The Tolt River earthquake and its bearing on the structure of the Cascade 

Ranges: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, V. 24, no. 1, p. 51-62.

497. MacDonald, Bernard, 1918, Remarks on the Sonora earthquake its behavior at Tepic, Sonora, etc.: Seismological Society 

of America Bulletin, v. 8, no. 1, p. 74-78.

498. The News, Cambridge, Idaho, May 19, 1916, and June 2, 1916.

499. Rogers, W.P., and Kirkham, R.M., 1986, Contributions to Colorado seismicity and tectonics A 1986 update: Colorado 

Geological Survey Special Publication 28, p. 122-132.

500. Wyss, Max, and Koyanagi, R.Y., in press, Isoseismal maps, macroseismic epicenters and estimated magnitudes of 

historical earthquakes in the Hawaiian Islands, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin.

501. Rojahn, C., and Morrill, B. J., 1977, The Island of Hawaii earthquakes of November 29, 1975: Strong-motion data and 

damage reconnaissance report: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 67, no. 2, p. 493-515.

502. Brasch, F.E., 1916, An earthquake in New England during the colonial period (1755): Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 6, no. 1, p. 26-42.

503. Engle, H.M., 1936, The Montana earthquakes of October 1935: Structural lessons: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 26, no. 2, p. 99-109.

504. Witkind, I.J., Myers, W.B., Hadley, J.B., Hamilton, W, and Fraser, G.D., 1962, Geologic features of the earthquake at 

Hebgen Lake, Montana, August 17, 1959: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 52, no. 2, p. 163-180.

505. Slemmons, D.B., 1957, Geological effects of the Dixie Valley-Fairview Peak, Nevada, earthquake of December 16, 1954: 

Seismological Society of American Bulletin, v. 47, no, 4, p. 353-375.

506. Devlin, J.J., Langguth, L.C., and Arringdale, R.L., 1942, Macroseismic study of the New Hampshire earthquakes of 

December 1940: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 32, no. 2, p. 67-73.

508. Reinbold, D.J., and Johnston, A.C., 1987, Historical seismicity in the southern Appalachian seismic zone: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 87^433, 858 p.

509. Westland, A.J., and Heinrich, R.R., 1940, A macroseismic study of the Ohio earthquakes of March 1937: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 30, no. 3, p. 251-160.

510. Brown, B.H., 1937, The State-line earthquake at Milton and Walla Walla: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

27, no. 3, p. 205-209.

511. Haar, L.C., Fletcher, J.B., and Mueller, C.S., 1984, The 1982 Enola, Arkansas, swarm and scaling of ground motion in the 

Eastern United States: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 74, no. 6, p. 2463-2482.

512. Eickelberg, E.W, 1936, Review of earthquakes for the past year: Seismological Society of America, Eastern Section, 

Earthquake Notes, v. 8, nos. 1-2, p. 95.

513. Gordon, C.H., 1913, Earthquakes in east Tennessee: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 3 p. 191-194.

514. Rockwood, C.G., 1865, Notes on American earthquakes: American Journal of Science and Arts, v. 40, 2nd series, p. 

362-366.

515. Kisslinger, J.B., 1983, Some volcanoes, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes in the former Russian America: Pacific 

Northwest Quarterly, v. 74, no. 2, p. 59-68.

516. Cox, D.C., 1984, Probable Aleutian source of the tsunami observed in August 1872 in Hawaii, Oregon, and California: 

Science of Tsunami Hazards, The International Journal of the Tsunami Society, v. 2, no. 2, p. 79-94.

517. Lawson, A.C., 1908, The California earthquake of April 18, 1906: Report of the State Investigation Commission, Carnegie 

Institution of Washington, v. 1, 451 p.

518. Rockwood, C.G., 1885, Notes on American earthquakes: American Journal of Science, 3rd series, v. 29, p. 425-437.

520. Kisslinger, J.B., 1980, Unpublished translations of Russian reports from the Alaskan regions.

521. Ellsworth, W.L., 1990, Earthquake history, 1769-1989, in R.E. Wallace, ed., The San Andreas fault system: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 1515, p. 153-187.

522. Gordon, D.W, 1989, Personal communication, U.S. Geological Survey.
410 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

523. Alien, M.W., 1925, Some remarks concerning Pacific Coast earthquakes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 15, 

no. 2, p. 135-136.

524. Westland, A.J., S.J., and Heinrich, R.R., 1940, A macroseismic study of the Ohio earthquakes of March 1937: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 30, no. 3, p. 251-260.

525. Law Engineering Testing Company, 1975, Report on evaluation of intensity of Giles County, Virginia, earthquake of May 

31, 1897: Marietta, Ga., Law Engineering Testing Company and Burns and Roe, Inc., 94 p.

526. Bollinger, G.A., 1977, Reinterpretation of the intensity data for the 1886 Charleston, South Carolina, earthquake, in 

Studies related to the Charleston, South Carolina, earthquake of 1886A preliminary report: U.S. Geological Survey 

Professional Paper 1028, p. 17-32.

527. Hopper, M.G., and Algermissen, S.T., 1980, An evaluation of the effects of the October 31, 1895, Charleston, Missouri, 

earthquake: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-778, 44 p.

528. Espinosa, A.F., Brockman, S.R., and Michael, J.A., 1986, Modified Mercalli intensity distribution for the most significant 

earthquakes in Alaska 1899-1981: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 86-0203, map, scale 1:12,500,000.

529. Street, R.L., and Green, R.F., 1984, The historical seismicity of Central United States, 1811-1928: University of Kentucky 

Research Foundation, U.S. Geological Survey Contract No. 14-08-0001, 550 p.

530. Huber, W.L., 1930, San Francisco earthquakes of 1865 and 1868: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 20, no. 4, p. 

261-272.

531. Bateman, P.C., 1961, Willard D. Johnson and the strike-slip component of fault movement in the Owens Valley, 

California, earthquake of 1872: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 51, no. 4, p. 483-493.

532. Legg, Mark, and Agnew, D.C., 1979, The 1862 earthquake in San Diego, in Earthquakes and other perils: Geological 

Society of America Field Trip Guidebook, p. 139-141.

533. Coffinan, J.L., 1969, Earthquake investigations in the United States: U.S. Department of Commerce, ESSA, Coast and 

Geodetic Survey Special Publication No. 282 [revised 1969 edition], p. 51-52.

534. Branner, J.C., 1917, The Tejon Pass earthquake of October 22, 1916: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 7, no. 9, 

p. 51-60.

535. Blackweider, Eliot, 1929, A recent earthquake in the Sierra Nevada: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 19, no. 

1, p. 52-53.

536. Byerly, Perry, and Wilson, J.T., 1935, The central California earthquakes of May 16, 1933, and June 7, 1934: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 25, no. 3, p. 223-246.

537. Palmer, A.H., 1921, California earthquakes during 1920: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 11, no. 1, p. 9-10.

539. Kemnitzer, L.E., 1924, The Salinas earthquake of December 27, 1924: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 14, 

no. 4, p. 230-232.

540. Byerly, Perry, 1925, Notes on the intensity of the Santa Barbara earthquake between Santa Barbara and San Luis 

Obispo: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 15, no. 1, p. 279-281.

541. Dewell, H.D., and Willis, B., 1925, Earthquake damage to buildings: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 15, 

no. 4, p. 282-304.

542. Kirkbride, W.H., 1927, The earthquake at Santa Barbara, California, June 29, 1925, as it affected the railroad of the 

Southern Pacific Company: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 17, no. 1, p. 1-7.

543. Byerly, Perry, 1927, The Eureka (California) earthquake of August 20, 1927: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

17, no. 4, p. 213-217.

544. Sparks, N.R., 1936, The Eureka earthquake of June 6, 1932: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 26, no. 1, p. 

13-18.

545. Wood, H.O., 1937, The Terwilliger Valley earthquake of March 25, 1937: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 27, 

no. 4, p. 305-312.

546. Sylvester, A., 1979, Earthquake damage in Imperial Valley, California, May 18, 1940, as reported by T.A. Clark: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 69, no. 2, p. 547-568.

547. Trifunac, M., and Brune, Jim, 1970, Complexity of energy release during the Imperial Valley, California, earthquake of 

1940: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 60, no. 1, p. 137-160.

548. Richter, C.F., Alien, C.R., and Nordquist, J.M., 1958, The Desert Hot Springs earthquakes and their tectonic environment: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 48, no. 4, p. 315-337.

549. Steinbrugge, K.V., and Moran, D.F., 1954, An engineering study of the southern California earthquake of July 21, 1952, 

and aftershocks: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 44, no. 2B, p. 199-462.

550. Steinbrugge, K.V., and Moran, D.F., 1957, An engineering study of the Eureka, California, earthquake of December 21, 

1954: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 47, no. 1, p. 129-153.

551. Cloud, W.K., 1967, Intensity map and structural damage, Parkfield, California, earthquake of June 27, 1966: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 57, no. 6, p. 1161-1178.

552. Cloud, W.K., and Scott, N.H., 1968, The Borrego Mountain, California, earthquake of 9 April 1968, A preliminary 

engineering seismology report: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 58, no. 3, p. 1187-1191.

553. Murphy, L.M. (scientific coordinator), 1973, San Fernando, California, earthquake of February 9, 1971: Washington, D.C., 

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, v. 13.
TABLES 1-3 411 

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

554. Clark, M.M., 1972, Surface rupture along the Coyote Creek fault, in The Borrego Mountain earthquake of April 9, 1968: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 787, p. 55-86.

555. Kachadorian, R., Yerkes, R.F., and Waananen, A.O., 1967, Effects of the Truckee, California, earthquake of September 12, 

1966: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 537, 14 p.

556. Westaway, Rob, and Smith, R.B., 1989, Source parameters of the Cache Valley (Logan), Utah, earthquake of 30 August 

1962: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 79, no. 5, p. 1410-1425.

557. Hopper, M.G., ed., 1985, Estimation of earthquake effects associated with large earthquakes in the New Madrid seismic 

zone: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 85-457, 186 p.

558. McKeown, F.A., and Pakiser, L.C., eds., 1982, Investigations of the New Madrid, Missouri, earthquake region: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 1236, 201 p.

559. Seismological Society of America, 1934, Seismological notes, Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 24, no. 2, p. 329.

560. Seismological Society of America, 1950, Seismological notes, Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 40, no. 4, p. 314.

561. Seismological Society of America, 1951, Seismological notes, Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 41, no. 1, p. 

63-80.

562. Stover, C.W., and Brewer, L.R., in press, United States earthquakes 1986: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin.

563. Seismological Society of America, 1952, Seismological notes, Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 42, no. 1, p. 

100-106.

564. Seismological Society of America, 1956, Seismological notes, Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 46, no.2, p. 150.

565. Sharp, R.V., 1976, Surface faulting in Imperial Valley during the earthquake swarm of January-February 1975: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 66, no. 4, p. 1145-1154.

566. Clark, M.M., Sharp, R.V, Castle, R.O., and Harsh, P.W., 1976, Surface faulting near Lake Oroville, California, in August 

1975: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 66, no. 1, p. 1101-1110.

567. Hansen, Gladys, and Condon, Emmet, 1989, Denial of disaster, the untold story and photographs of the San Francisco 

earthquake and fire of 1906: San Francisco, Cameron and Company, 160 p.

569. Nuttli, O.W., 1983, Average seismic source-parameter relations for mid-plate earthquakes: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 73, no. 2, p. 519-535.

570. Coan, T., 1869, Notes on the recent volcanic disturbances of Hawaii: American Journal of Science, 2nd series, v. 47, nos. 

139, 140, 141, p. 89-98.

571. Nason, Robert, 1980, Damage in San Mateo County, California, in the earthquake of 18 April 1906: U.S. Geological 

Survey Open-File Report 80-176, 51 p.

572. Nason, Robert, 1980, Damage in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, California, caused by the earthquake of 18 April 

1906: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-1076, 66 p.

573. Nason, Robert, 1982, Damage in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, in the earthquake of 18 April 1906: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 82-63, 46 p.

574. Stover, C.W., Reagor, B.G., Baldwin, F.W., and Brewer, L.R., 1990, Preliminary isoseismal map for the Santa Cruz (Loma 

Prieta), California, earthquake of October 18, 1989, UTC: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-18, 24 p.

575. Steinbrugge, K.V., and Moran, D.F., 1956, Damage caused by the earthquakes of July 6 and August 23, 1954: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 46, no. 1, p. 15-33.

576. Dewey, J.W., 1990, Unpublished data, U.S. Geological Survey.

577. Stover, C.W., 1992, Unpublished intensity data for 1987, U.S. Geological Survey.

578. Stover, C.W., 1992, Unpublished intensity data for 1988, U.S. Geological Survey.

579. Stover, C.W., 1992, Unpublished intensity data for 1989, U.S. Geological Survey.

580. Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, 1988, The Whittier Narrows earthquake of October 1, 1987: Earthquake 

Spectra, v. 4, nos. 12, 409 p.

581. Hauksson, E., Jones, L.M., Davis, T.L., Hutton, K, Brady, G.A., Reasenberg, PA., Michael, A.J., Yerkes, R.F., Williams, P., 

Reagor, G., Stover, C.W., Bent, A.L., Shakal, A.K., Etheredge, E., Porcella, R.L., Bufe, C.G., Johnston, M.J.S., and 

Cranswick E., 1988, The 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, California: Science, 

v. 239, p. 1409-1412.

582. Hauksson, E., and Jones, L.M., 1989, The 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake sequence in Los Angeles, southern 

California, Seismological and tectonic analysis: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 94, no. B7, p. 9579-9589.

583. Langer, C.J., Powers, PS., Johnston, A.C., and Bollinger, G.A., 1987, The Olney, Illinois, earthquake of 10 June 1987, A 

preliminary report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 87-623, p. 1-23.

584. Valley Sentinel, Portsmouth, Ohio, Wednesday, May 22, 1901, v. 6, p. 1.

587. Seismological Society of America, 1989, Special issue on the Elmore Ranch and Superstition Hills, California, earthquakes 

of 24 November 1987: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 79, no. 2, 550 p.

588. Finch, M.O., 1988, Damage to irrigation facilities in Imperial Valley, in California Geology: California Division of Mines 

and Geology, v. 41, no. 4, p. 85-90.

589. Wallace, R.E., 1984, Fault scarps formed during the earthquakes of October 2, 1915, in Pleasant Valley, Nevada, and some 

tectonic implications, in Faulting related to the 1915 earthquakes in Pleasant Valley, Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey 

Professional Paper 1274-A, p. A1-A33.
412 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 1. Hypocenter and intensity references Continued

[Please note that numbers in this table are not sequential because these references were selected from a master list compiled for other USGS publications]

590. Case, W.F., 1988, Geologic effects of the 14 and 18 August 1988, earthquakes in Emery County, Utah: Utah Geological and 

Mineral Survey, Survey Notes, v. 22, no. 1 and 2, p. 8-15.

591. Silliman, B., and Dana, J.D., 1868, Earthquake in western New York, Vermont, and lower Canada: American Journal of 

Science and Arts, v. 45, nos. 133, 134, 135, p. 135.

592. Reagor, Glen, and Brewer, L.R., 1987, Preliminary isoseismal map and intensity distribution for the southeastern Illinois 

earthquake of June 10, 1987: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 87-578, 3 p.

593. Rymer, M.J., and Ellsworth, W.L., eds., 1990, The Coalinga, California, earthquake of May 2, 1983: U.S. Geological Survey 

Professional Paper 1487, 417 p.

594. Benuska, Lee (technical ed.), 1990, Loma Prieta earthquake reconnaissance report, in Earthquake Spectra: Earthquake 

Engineering Research Institute, Supplement to v. 6, 448 p.

595. Astanek, A., Bertero, V.V., Bolt, B.A., Mahin, S.A., Moehle, J.P., and Seed, R.B., 1989, Preliminary report on the

seismological and engineering aspects of the October 17, 1989, Santa Cruz (Loma Prieta), earthquake: University of 

California at Berkeley, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, Report No. UCB/EERC-89/14, 58 p.

596. U.S. Geological Survey, 1990, The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake: An anticipated event: Science, v. 247, p. 286-293.

597. Given, D.D., Hutton, L.K., and Jones, L.M., 1987, The southern California network bulletin, July-December 1986: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 87-448, p. 24-27.

598. Given, D.D., Wald, L.A., Jones, L.M., and Hutton, L.K., 1989, The southern California network bulletin, July-December 

1987: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 89-323, p. A1-A6.

599. Sherburne, R.W., 1981, Seismology program: California Geology, v. 34, no. 1, p. 3-6.

600. Taber, Stephen, 1916, The earthquake in the southern Appalachians, February 21, 1916: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 6, no. 4, p. 218-226.

601. Meehan, J., Hart, E., and Schiff, A., 1988, Superstition Hills earthquake November 23 and 24, 1987, Imperial County, 

California: Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Newsletter, v. 22, no. 2, p. 1-8.

602. Wald, L.A., Given, D.D., Mori, J., Jones, L.M., and Hutton, L.K., 1990, The southern California network bulletin, 

January-December 1988: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-499, 45 p.

603. Wald, L.A., Given, D.D., Jones, L.M., and Hutton, L.K., 1990, The southern California network bulletin, JanuaryDecember 1989: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 90-483, 22 p.

605. Retsel, Frank, Torrance, W.T., and Weaver, H.F., 1954, Report on investigation of an earth's disturbance at Wilkes-Barre, 

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines, Region 8, appendix 1, p. 2.5-33 to 2.5-43.

606. Housner, G.W., and Thiel, C.C., Jr., 1990, Competing against time: Report of the Governor's Board of Inquiry on the 1989 

Loma Prieta earthquake: Earthquake Spectra, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, v. 6, no. 4, p. 681-711.

607. Plafker, G., and Galloway, J.P., eds., 1989, Lessons learned from the Lome Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 

1989: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1045, 48 p.

608. Stein, R.S., and Bucknam, R.C., eds., 1985, Proceedings of Workshop XXVIII, on the Borah Peak, Idaho, earthquake, 

volume A: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 85-290, 686 p.

609. Lipman, P.W, and Mullineaux, D.R., 1981 (1982), The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington: U.S. Geological 

Survey Professional Paper 1250, 844 p.

610. Lander, J.F, and Lockridge, PA., 1989, United States Tsunamis (including United States Possessions) 1690-1988: U.S. 

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Publication 41-2, 265 p.

611. Steinbrugge, K.V., 1967, Introduction to the earthquake engineering of the 1964 Prince William Sound, Alaska,

earthquake, in The Prince William Sound, Alaska earthquake of 1964 and aftershocks: U.S. Department of Commerce, 

NOAA, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Publication 10-3, v. 2, part A, p. 1-6.

612. Toppozada, T.R., and Wong, I.G., 1990, M > 5.5 earthquakes within 100 km of Parkfield, California [abs.], Seismological 

Society of America, Eastern Section, Seismological Research Letters, v. 61, no. 1, p. 42.

613. Toppozada, T.R., and Cramer, C.H., 1978, Ukiah earthquake, 25 March 1978, Seismicity possibly induced by Lake 

Mendocino: California Geology, v. 31, no. 12, p. 275-281.

615. Perrine, C.D., 1899, Earthquakes in California in 1898: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 161, 29 p.

616. Johnson, T.E., Ludwin, R.S., and Qamar, A.I., in press, The central Cascades earthquake of March 7, 1891: Washington 

Geology.

617. Rogers, G.C., and Hasegawa, H.S., 1978, A second look at the British Columbia earthuake of June 23, 1946: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 68, no. 3, p. 653-675.

618. Grant, W.C., and Weaver, C.S., 1986, Earthquakes near Swift Reservoir, Washington, 1958-1963: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 76, no. 6, p. 1573-1587.

619. Yelin, T.S., and Patton, H.J., 1991, Seismotectonics of the Portland, Oregon, region: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 81, no. 1, p. 109-130.

620. Qamar, A., Rathburn, A., Ludwin, R., Crosson, R.S., and Malone, S.D., 1986, Earthquake hypocenters in Washington and 

Northern Oregon 1980: Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources, Information Circular 82, 64 p.
TABLES 1-3 413 

TABLE 2. Magnitude references

AAM University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.

ABE Abe, Katsuyuki, 1981, Magnitude of large shallow earthquakes from 1904 to 1980: Physics of 

the Earth and Planetary Interiors, v. 27, p. 72-92.

AB1 Abe, Katsuyuki, and Noguchi, Shin'ichi, 1983, Determination of magnitude for large shallow 

earthquakes, 1898-1917: Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, v. 32, p. 45-59.

AB2 Abe, Katsuyuki, and Noguchi, Shin'ichi, 1983, Revision of magnitudes of large shallow 

earthquakes, 1897-1912: Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, v. 33, p. 1-11.

AB3 Abe, Katsuyuki, 1984, Complements to "Magnitudes of large shallow earthquakes from 1904 to 

1980:" Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, v. 34. p. 17-23.

ADK Adak Observatory, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Adak Island, 

Aleutian Islands, Alaska.

AND Ando, Masataka, 1979, The Hawaii earthquake of November 29, 1975: Low dip angle due to 

forceful injection of magma: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 84. no. B13, p. 7616-7626.

ARC Archuleta, R.J., Cranswick, E., Mueller, C., and Spudich. P.. 1982, Source parameters of the

1980 Mammoth Lakes, California; earthquake sequence: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 

87, no. B6, p. 4595-4607.

AS Armbruster, J.C., and Seeber. Leonardo, 1987. The 23 April 1984 Martic earthquake and the 

Lancaster seismic zone in eastern Pennsylvania: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

77, no. 3, p. 877-890.

BAK Bakun, W.H., 1984, Seismic moments, local magnitudes, and coda-duration magnitudes for 

earthquakes in central California: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 74, no. 2,

p. 439-458.

BAR Barstow, N.L., Brill, K.G., Nuttli. O.W., and Pomeroy, P.W., 1981, An approach to seismic 

zonation for siting nuclear electric power generating facilities in the Eastern United States: 

Stone Ridge, N.J., Roundout Associates, Inc., report prepared for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission, NUCREG/CR-1577, 315 p.

BAS Basham, P.W., Weichert. D.H., and Berry, M.J.. 1979, Regional assessment of seismic risk in 

Eastern Canada: Seismological Society of America, v. 69, no. 5, p. 1567-1602.

BL Baker, G.E., and Langston, C.A., 1987, Source parameters of the 1949 magnitude 7.1 South

Puget Sound, Washington, earthquake as determined from long-period body waves and strong 

ground motions: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 77, no. 5, p. 1530-1557.

BLA Seismological Observatory, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va. 

BLT Bolt, B.A., 1978, The local magnitude ML of the Kern County earthquake of July 21, 1952: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 68, no. 2. p. 513-515.

BMU Bolt, B.A., McEvilly, T.V., and Uhrhammer, R.A., 1981, The Livermore Valley,

California, sequence of January 1980: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 71, 

no. 2, p. 451-463.

BOL Bollinger, G.A., 1986, Historical seismicity of South Carolina [abs.]: Seismological Society of 

America, Eastern Section, Earthquake Notes, v. 57, no. 1. p. 15-16.

EOT Bolt, B.A., 1984, The magnitude of the Hebgen Lake 1959 and Idaho 1983 earthquakes [abs.]: 

Seismological Society of America, Eastern Section, Earthquakes Notes, v. 55, no. 1, p. 13.

BRK Seismographic Stations, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. 

BU Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Butte, Mont.

BUR Burger, R. W., and Langston, C.A., 1985, Source mechanism of the May 18,1980, Mount St.

Helens eruption from regional surface waves: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 90, no. B9, 

p. 7653-7664.

CAR Carlson, S.M., 1984, Investigations of recent and historical seismicity in east Texas: The 

University of Texas at Austin, Master of Arts thesis, 197 p.

CDL Carver, D., Richins, W.D., and Langer, C.J., 1983, Details of the aftershock process following 

the 30 September 1977 Uinta Basin, Utah, earthquakes: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 73, no. 2, p. 435-448.

CFR Richter, C.F., 1958, Elementary Seismology: San Francisco, W.H. Freeman and Company, 

768 p.

CON University of Connecticut seismograph station. Groton, Conn.

COX Cox, D.C.. 1985, The Lanai earthquake of February 1871: Environmental Center,University of 

Hawaii, SR:0034, 50 p.

CWR California Department of Water Resources, Sacramento, Calif.

DDA Duda, S.J., 1965, Secular seismic energy release in the Circum-Pacific Belt: Tectonophysics, v. 

2, no. 5, p. 409^52.
414 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 2. Magnitude references Continued

DG Dewey, J. W.. and Gordon, D. W., 1984, Map showing recomputed hypocenters of earthquakes in 

the Eastern and Central United States and adjacent Canada, 1925-1980: U.S. Geological 

Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1699, [pamphlet], 39 p.

DMG California Division of Mines and Geology, Sacramento, Calif, [see ref. 368,380,381 in table 1 ].

DOR Doser, D.I., 1989, Source parameters of Montana earthquakes (1925-1964) and tectonic

deformation in the northern intermountain seismic belt: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 79, no. 1, p. 31-50.

DOS Doser, D.I., and Smith, R.B., 1982, Seismic moment rates in the Utah region: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 72, no. 2, p. 525-551.

DSR Doser, D.I., 1985, Source parameters and faulting processes of the 1959 Hebgen Lake, Montana, 

earthquake sequence: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 90, no. B6, p. 4537-4555.

DW Dewey, J.W., 1987, Instrumental seismicity of central Idaho: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 77, no. 3, p. 819-836.

EBE Eberhart-Phillips. D., Richardson, R.M., Sbar, M.L.. and Herrmann, R.B., 1981. Analysis of the 

4 February 1976 Chino Valley, Arizona, earthquake: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 71, no. 3, p. 787-801.

ED Ekstrom, G., and Dziewonski, A.M.. 1985. Centroid-moment tensor solutions for 35

earthquakes in Western North America (1977-1983): Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 75, no. 1, p. 23-39.

ELL Ellsworth, W.L, 1990, Historical seismicity, in Wallace. R.E., ed., The San Andreas fault system: 

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1515, p 153-181.

EPB Seismological Service, Geological Survey of Canada [formerly Earth Physics Branch], Ottawa, 

Ont., Canada.

ESM Ebel, J.E., Somerville, P.G., and Mclver, J.D., 1986, A study of the source parameters of some 

large earthquakes of northeastern North America: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 91, no. 

B8, p. 8231-8247.

FRK Frankel, Arthur, 1984, Source parameters of the ML about 5 earthquake near Anza, California, 

and a comparison with an Imperial Valley aftershock: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 74, no. 5, p. 1509-1527.

GB Bollinger, G.A., 1979, Attenuation of the Lo phase and the determination of Mb in the

Southeastern United States: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 69, no. 1, p. 45-63. 

GDW Gordon, D.W., 1990, U.S. Geological Survey unpublished data. 

GM U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, Calif.

GOL Geophysical Observatory, Colorado School of Mines, Golden. Colo. 

GP U.S. Geological Survey, Pasadena, Calif.

GR Gutenberg, Beno, and Richter, C.F., 1954, Seismicity of the Earth and associated phenomena: 

New York, Hafner Publishing Inc., 310 p.

GS U.S. Geological Survey. Golden, Colo.

GT Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga.

HAV Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

HB Hartzell, S.H., and Brune, J.N., 1979, The Horse Canyon earthquake of August 2,1975 two 

stage stress-release processs in a strike-slip earthquake: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 69, no. 4, p. 1161-1173.

HBK Hart, R.S., Butler, R., and Kanamori, H., 1977, Surface-wave constraints on the August 1,1975, 

Oroville earthquake: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 67, no. 1, p. 1-7.

HOP Herrmann, R.B.. Dewey. J.W., and Park. S-K.. 1980, The Dulce, New Mexico, earthquake of 23 

January 1966: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 70, no. 6, p. 2171-2183.

HER Herrmann, R.B., Park, S-K., and Wang, C-Y., 1981, The Denver earthquakes of 1967-1968: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 71, no. 3, p. 731-745.

HH Heaton, T.H., and Helmberger, D.V., 1978, Predictability of strong ground motion in the

Imperial Valley: Modeling the M 4.9, November 4,1976, Brawley earthquake: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 68, no. 1, p. 31-48.

HHT Hanks, T.C., Hileman, J.A., and Thatcher, W., 1975, Seismic moments of the larger

earthquakes of the southern California region: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

86,p. 1131-1139.
TABLES 1-3 415 

TABLE 2. Magnitude references Continued

HK Hanks, T.C., and Kanamori, H., 1979, A moment magnitude scale: Journal of Geophysical 

Research, v. 84, no. B5, p. 2348-2350.

HLS Hasegawa, H.W., Lahr, J.C., and Stephens, C.D., 1980, Fault parameters of the St. Elias, 

Alaska, earthquake of February 28,1979: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

70, no. 5, p. 1651-1660.

HRM Hermann, R.B., 1986, Surface-wave studies of some South Carolina earthquakes: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 76, no. 1, p. 111-121.

HRN Hermann, R.B., 1979, Surface wave focal mechanisms for Eastern North America earthquakes 

with tectonic implications: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 84, no. B7, p. 3543-3552.

HRR Hermann, R.B., Langston, C.A., and Zollweg, J.E., 1982, The Sharpsburg, Kentucky, earthquake 

of 27 July 1980: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 72, no. 4, p. 1219-1239.

HVO Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii.

ISC Bulletin of the International Seismological Centre, 1954-1989, Newbury, Berkshire, United 

Kingdom.

JDH Jordan, J.N., Dunphy, G.J., and Harding, ST., 1967. The Fairbanks, Alaska, earthquakes of June 

21, 1967: U.S. Department of Commerce, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Preliminary 

Seismological Report, p. 1-33.

JLM Jones, F.B., Long, L.T., and McKee, J.H., 1977, Study of the attenuation and azimuthal

dependence of seismic wave propagation in the Southeastern United States: Seismological 

Society of America Bulletin, v. 67, no. 6, p. 1503-1513.

JLQ Johnson, T.E., Ludwin, R.S., and Qamar, A.I., in press, The central Cascades earthquake of 

March?, 1891: Washington Geology.

JM Johnson, L.R., and McEvilly, T.V., 1974, Near-field observations and source parameters of 

central California earthquakes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 64, no. 6, p. 

1855-1886.

JOH Johnston, A.C., in press. The stable-continental-region earthquake data base, in Coppersmith, 

K.J., and others, eds., Methods for assessing maximum earthquakes in the Central and Eastern 

United States: Palo Alto, Calif., Electric Power Research Institute Project RP-2556-12.

JON Jones, A.E., 1975, Recording of earthquakes at Reno, 1916-1951: Seismological

Laboratory Bulletin, Mackay School of Mines-Nevada Bureau of Mines, University of 

Nevada-Reno, 199 p.

KA Kanamori, Hiroo, and Anderson, D.L., 1975, Theoretical basis of some empirical relations in 

seismology: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 65, no. 5, p. 1073-1095.

KAN Kanamori, Hiroo, 1977, The energy release in great earthquakes: Journal of Geophysical 

Research, v. 82, no. 20, p. 2981-2987.

KIR Kiruna Seismograph Station, University of Uppsala, Sweden.

KJ Kanamori, Hiroo, and Jennings, P.C., 1978, Determination of local magnitude, ML, from

strong-motion accelerograms: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 68, no. 2, p.

471-185. 

KRK Kirkham, R.M., and Rogers, W.P., 1986, An interpretation of the November 7,1882, Colorado,

earthquake: Colorado Geological Survey, Open-File Report 86-8, 36 p.

LB Langston, C.A., and Blum, D.E.. 1977, The April 29, 1965, Puget Sound earthquake and the

crustal and upper mantle structure of western Washington: Seismological Society of America 

Bulletin, v. 67, no. 3, p. 693-711.

MAT Matsushiro Seismological Observatory, Japan Meteorological Agency, Matsushiro, Japan.

MH Mori, Juim, and Hartzell, Stephen, 1990, Source inversion of the 1988 Upland, California, 

earthquake Determination of a fault plane for a small event: Seismological Society of 

America Bulletin, v. 80, no. 3, p. 507-518.

MMT Montana College of Mineral Sciences and Technology, Butte, Mont.

MOS Institute of Physics of the Earth of the U.S.S.R., Moscow.

MSO University of Montana, Missoula, Mont.

NLI Nuttli, O.W., 1983, Average seismic source-parameter relations for mid-plate earthquakes: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 73, no. 2, p. 519-535.

NMI New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, N. Mex.

NQT Noson, L.L., Qamar, A., and Thorsen, G.W., 1988, Washington State earthquake hazards: 

Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources, Information Circular 85, p. 22.

NS Natali, S.G., and Sbar, M.L., 1982, Seismicity in the epicentral region of the 1887

northeastern Sonoran earthquake, Mexico: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

72, no. l,p. 181-196.
416 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 2. Magnitude references Continued

NTI Nuttli, O.W., 1974, Magnitude-recurrence relation for central Mississippi valley earthquakes: 

Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 64, no. 4, p. 1189-1207.

NTL Nuttli, O.W., 1987, The effects of earthquakes in the Central United States: Central United States 

Earthquake Consortium, Monograph Series, v. 1, 33 p.

NTT Nuttli, O.W., 1979, Seismicity of the Central United States, geology in the siting of

nuclear power plants: Geological Society of America, Reviews in Engineering Geology, 

v. 4, p. 67-107.

NU Nuttli, O.W., 1973, The Mississippi valley earthquakes of 1811 and 1812: Intensities, ground 

motion, and magnitudes: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 63, no. 1, p. 227-248.

NUT Nuttli, O.W., Bollinger, G.A., and Griffiths, D.W., 1979, On the relation between Modified

Mercalli intensity and body-wave magnitude: Seismological Society of America Bulletin, v. 

69, no. 3, p. 893-909.

PAL Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, N.Y. 

PAS Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif.

PMR Alaska Tsunami Warning Center, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

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PT Plafker, G., and Thatcher, W., 1982, Geological and geophysical evaluation of the great

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QAM Qamar, A., Rathburn, A., Ludwin R.. Crosson, R.S., and Malone, S.D., 1986, Earthquake

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REN Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, Nev.

RIC Richter, C.F., 1935, An instrumental earthquake magnitude scale: Seismological Society of 

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RK Ruff, Larry, Kanamori, Hiroo, and Sykes, Lynn, 1985, The 1957 great Aleutian earthquake 

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ROG Rogers, G.C., 1983, Seismotectonics of British Columbia: University of British Columbia, 

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ROT Rome, J.P., 1969, The seismicity of the Earth: Paris, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and 

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SAN Sanford, A.R., and Toppozada, T.R., 1974, Seismicity of proposed waste disposal site in

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143,15 p.

SAW Scholz, C.H., Aviles, C.A., and Wesnousky, S.G., 1986, Scaling differences between large

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SC Stover, C.W., and Coffman, J.L., This publication.

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SET Street, R.L., 1989, Personal communication, letter dated July 5, 1989.

SG Street, R.L., and Green, R.F., 1984, The historical seismicity of Central United States, 

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SJG Slemmons, D.B., Jones, A.E., and Gimlet, J.I., 1965, Catalog of Nevada earthquakes, 

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SLM Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Mo.

SOM Somerville, P.O., McLaren, J.P., LaFevre, L.V., Berger, R.W., and Helmberger, H.V., 1987, 

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TABLES 1-3 417 

TABLE 2. Magnitude references Continued

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UH University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.

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418 SEISMICITY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1568-1989 (REVISED)

TABLE 3. Deaths from earthquakes in the United States

Date Earthquake locality No. of deaths

December 16, 1811-February 7, 1812.......................Northeast Arkansas-New Madrid. Missouri..................................................Several

Decembers, 1812......................................................San Juan Capistrano, California.......................................................................40

December 21, 1812....................................................Santa Barbara, California...................................................................................!

January 9, 1857..........................................................Fort Tejon, California........................................................................................!

April 3, 1868..............................................................Hawaii Island, Hawaii (landslides 31, tsunami 46) .............^....................77

October 21, 1868........................................................Hayward. California.........................................................................................30

March 26, 1872 ..........................................................Owens Valley, California.................................................................................27

May 10, 1877 .............................................................Hawaii Island, Hawaii........................................................................................5

September 1, 1886 .....................................................Charleston. South Carolina..............................................................................60

April 19, 1892............................................................Vacaville, California..........................................................................................!

December 25. 1899 ....................................................San Jacinto, California...............................................................»......................6

April 18, 1906............................................................San Francisco, California (earthquake and fire) ...............................about 3,000

June 23. 1915.............................................................Imperial Valley, California................................................................................6

April 21, 1918............................................................San Jacinto. California.......................................................................................!

June 29, 1925.............................................................Santa Barbara, California.................................................................................l3

June 29, 1926.............................................................Santa Barbara, California...................................................................................!

June 6, 1932...............................................................Eureka, California..............................................................................................!

March 11, 1933..........................................................Long Beach, California..............................................................................-.! 15

October 19. 1935........................................................He!ena, Montana................................................................................................2

October 31. !935........................................................Helena, Montana................................................................................................2

May 19, 1940.............................................................Imperial Valley, California................................................................................9

April 1, 1946..............................................................Aleutian Islands, Alaska

(tsunami 159 Hawaii, 5 Alaska, 1 California) ............................................165

April 13, 1949............................................................Puget Sound. Washington..........................................................w......................8

July 21, 1952..............................................................Kern County, California...................................................................................!2

August 22, !952.........................................................Kern County, California.....................................................................................2

December 21, 1954....................................................Eureka, California..............................................................................................!

October 24. !955........................................................Concord, California............................................................................................!

March 22,1957..........................................................Daly City. California..........................................................................................1

July 10, 1958..............................................................Southeasre^

August 18, 1959.........................................................Hebgen Lake, Montana....................................................................................28

May 21, 1960.............................................................Chile, South America (tsunami in Hawaii)......................................................61

March 28, 1964..........................................................Prince William Sound. Alaska

(tsunami 98 Alaska, 11 California, 1 Oregon:

earthquake 15 Alaska)................................................................................. 125

April 29, 1965............................................................Seattle, Washington ...........................................................................................7

October2. 1969..........................................................SantaRosa. California......................................,................................................!

February 9,1971 ........................................................San Fernando, California.................................................................................65

November 29, 1975....................................................Hawaii Island, Hawaii........................................................................................2

October 28, 1983........................................................Borah Peak, Idaho..............................................................................................2

October 1, 1987..........................................................Los Angeles-Whittier, California......................................................................8

October4, !987..........................................................Los Angeles-Whittier, California......................................................................!

Augusts, 1989...........................................................Santa Cruz County, California...........................................................................!

October 18. 19S9........................................................SantaCruzCountv, California.........................................................................63

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