The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-21
ARE MOST
SEVERE RECORDED
THERE Since 1925
Center in Nevada But Ramifica-
and California
tons Are Felt in Utah
DAMAGE CLOCKS, WINDOWS
Tall Buildings at Sacramento,
(, CAL, Sway; Shocks Con-
r tinue for Hour
DAMAGE CLOCKS, WINDOWS

San Francisco, Dec. 2l.-(R)-A
strong earthquake shook virtually the
entire western United States, embrace
ing about q fifth of the nation, Tues
day night. Seismologists said 1t was
the most severe in the area since 1925.
No serious damage was reported
from the series of shocks which began
at 1910 p. M, (P. S. To and continu-
ed with diminishing intensity until
11:15 o'clock. The quake conferred in
Nevada where windows were shatter-
ed.
Clocks were stopped in cities as Wild
ly separated as Salt Lake City, Utah,
and Fresno, Calf. Chandeliers sway
ed, pictures were thrown awry and
some crockery broken.
At 1910 p. m, western America,
bounded roughly by the Canadian and
Mexican borders and extending from
the Pacific coast to Salt Lake City,
Utah, and beyond, trembled under
the series of shocks. Needles were
hurled from seismographs in Spo-
kane, WASH. Berkeley, Calf, and at
the University of Santa Clara In San
Jose, Calf.
Phone Calls Begin
Minutes later newspapers In the
srea were subjected to hundreds OF
telephone calls asking the source OF
the shocks. Most of the queries came
from persons reporting swaying chan
deliers or stopped clocks. Rumors OF
severe damage in remote areas was
quickly investigated and discredited.
Seismologists agreed the quake CEN
tered in Nevada, where several minor
tremblors have been recorded in the
last few years. Professor Perry By
erly of the University of California,
computed the epicenter or seismic ver-
tical as probably somewhere in Ne
vada." Seisrologists at the University
of Santa Clara agreed.
The pens on the recording instru-
ment at the University of California
at Berkeley were thrown clear from
the drum at 1910 p. m, and were
replaced seven minutes later when an
other shock threw them back into
position. Professor Byerly said the
record of his instrument was compar-
able to that of 1925 when the major
part of Santa Barbara, Calf, was de-
stroyed by an earthquake.
Reports from Reno, Ely, Gerlach
and Austin, Nevada, indicated the
shocks were severe but no damage
except broken windows was known to
have been caused to buildings. Of
ficials Of the Western Pacific and
Southern Pacific railroads. operating
lines through Nevada, said there had
been no interruption in train service
for any damage to roadbeds or rolling
stock. Residents at Gerlach denied
reports water tower in that town
had been RACED.
Tall Structure Sways
At Sacramento, Calf, police on duty
In the state capitol building said the
structure swayed and creaked. The
tallest building in the city, q 16-story
office building, swayed noticeably.
Many persons in office buildings, ho-
tells and apartments rushed to the
streets.
The shocks were comparatively
light in San Francisco but were felt
distinctly. In the interior California
valleys, many communities, including
Sonora, Fresno and Modesto, reported
distinct tremors. Cities as far south
as Long Beach and Los Angeles said
the earthquake was distinctly felt but
caused no damage. .'ft..t'
Motorists In Salt Lake City said that
during the shock it seemed as though
their machines were being pushed
over. ~