1911

Mar 28

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 163.

8:25 p.m. V to VI. San Miguel Island, Santa Barbara Co. Reid, from information obtained by letter from Capt. W. G. Waters, gives intensity as V to VI, duration three seconds, direction north to south, adding that it ws felt slightly at Santa Barbara and on the island was followed by another shock two seconds later. A well built ranch house on the island rocked violently during the first shock. The Weather Bureau observer at San Miguel Island reported a sharp shock at 8:24 a.m. with a another shock half a minute later, on some unstated date in March. It may be that he inadvertently wrote morning for evening. - WB Form 1009, Reid's Card Catalog, Reid's Scrapbook 3, 119.

The Morning Press (Mar. 30,. 1911, p. 8).

EARTHQUAKE FELT ON SAN MIGUEL ISLAND. Captain W. G. Waters, who returned last night from San Miguel Island stated that on Tuesday evening at exactly 8:25 oÕclock, a severe earthquake shock was experienced, followed by another smaller one about 15 seconds after.

The ranch house, which is strongly constructed to withstand the severe winds that blow on the island, was rocked violently and windows and dishes rattled loudly. He stated that he did not think there was any damage on any of the islands, but was surprised to hear that no severe quake had been felt on the mainland.

1911

May 5

The Morning Press (May, 5, 1911, p. 1)

TRUE PREDICTION OF AN EARTHQUAKE. Santa Clara, California, May 4 - One of the most unusual earthquakes on record was felt at the college here today. It is believed to have been 4060 miles west in the Pacific Ocean. The shocks began at 3:45:25 and ended at 5:24 p.m. A most extraordinary thing is that the shocks were predicted by Prof. W. T. Foster of the Washington D.C. weather bureau to occur today. Foster based his calculations on planetary movement. (Bah! Ed.)

1911

May 10

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 163.

5:00 a.m., 5:20 a.m., and 5:40 a.m., about. Oxnard, Ventura Co. Light; third heaviest. - AP dispatch. The shock recorded on the seismograph at Santa Clara College for seven minutes, beginning at 5:49:36 a.m. Felt slightly in Los Angeles at 5:40 a.m. - AP dispatch.

The Weather Bureau observers reported the disturbance from Avalon, light, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and Claremont, in Los Angeles Co., and from Ojai in Ventura Co. -WB Form 1009.

The Morning Press (May 11, 1911, p. 5)

EARTHQUAKE IS QUITE SHARP. Early risers and light sleepers enjoyed the novelty of an earthquake at 5:40 yesterday morning. Its direction was from the southeast to the southwest, and lasted fully a minute, rattling things around but doing no damage. There are no earthquake reports from other points.

Oxnard Courier (Friday, May 12, 1911)

EARTHQUAKE FELT OVER PART OF STATE. The people of Oxnard were startled this morning by a series of three earthquake shocks. The last one came at 5:50 oÕclock and the people who had not been awakened by the other shocks were startled out of their slumbers by the rattling of the windows of their frames, a rumbling sound that resembled thunder and a sharp horizontal shaking, that lasted several seconds.

The first shock came at 4:55 oÕclock. It was very slight, but it was sufficient to awaken light sleepers and was noticed by the early risers who were up at that time. At 5:20 another shock came that was slightly more perceptible than the first and at 5:50 oÕclock a rather heavy shock came. It was sufficient to barely toll the Santa Clara Catholic Church bell. Most of the people were aroused by the noise and shaking. The movement seemed to be from northwest to southeast and was apparently entirely of a horizontal nature. Those from the east who had never felt a tremblor were somewhat frightened, but old-time CalifornianÕs have often felt disturbances more severe than this case.

LOS ANGELES TOUCHED. A telegram from Los Angeles states that the e earthquake was quite pronounced at that place, but no damage was done. Santa Paula and Ventura both report having felt a strong shock. Santa Barbara people state that the shock at that place was very slight.

The Ojai, Vol. XX, no. 16 (Saturday, May 13, 1911).

Late sleepers were suddenly and rudely awakened at 5:45 Wednesday by the most severy [sic] earthquake which has visited this section in years. According to reports the shock must have been quite local, as neither San Francisco nor LA experienced anything out of the ordinary. In Ventura the shock was good and hard and the report comes that the front wall of the Pythian Castle was cracked.

1911

Jul 1

The Morning Press (Jul. 2, 1911)

Strong earthquake in Santa Clara - felt in San Francisco and as far as Salt Lake City. (Article describes it as being peculiar because it did not follow old fault line but came from the ocean and extended eastward to "Sierras". Ed.)

1912

Sep

The Morning Press (Sep 21, 1912, p. 8)

EARTHQUAKE AT LOS ALAMOS. An earthquake was felt in the Los Alamos district Thursday evening, and the tremblor was of considerable severity. Nevertheless the disturbance appears to have been purely local and was not even felt at Los Olivos, twelve miles away.

1912

Sep 24

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 169.

Morning. San Miguel Island, Santa Barbara Co. A sharp shock with vibrations from north to south, lasting several seconds. - WB Form 1009.

1912

Dec 12

USCD, 441-1, p. 163, 1970 ed.

Near Oxnard - Two severe shocks overturned desks and scattered books at the Ocean View School. Two barns nearby were wrecked. while very marked in the country districts, they were but slightly perceptible in the city.

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 169.

VII+? Near Oxnard, Ventura Co. "Oxnard, Cal., Dec. 14. Two severe earth shocks overturned desks and scattered books about at the Ocean View school today, and wrecked two barns nearby. Although the tremors were very marked in the country districts, they were but slight perceptible in the city." - Reid's Scrapbook 3, 166.

(Note the discrepent dates between the BSSA report and that of the Daily Osnard Courier below. Ed.)

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. 6, no. 41 (Friday, Dec 13, 1912)

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS FELT AT OCEAN VIEW. Two slight, but distinct earthquake shocks were felt yesterday in the Ocean View section near this city. The shocks came early in the morning and after the first one, residents of that section state that a slight rumble in the earth could be heard before the second one, which was slightly more severe and which was particularly noted indoors.

Locally, and in sections not far from Ocean View, the tremblors were not felt, so far as could be ascertained today.

The first shock was felt at 8 oÕclock in the morning. Many families break- fasting at that time had the tables severely shaken and dishes rattled on the shelves. During the second shock, children at the Ocean View school were badly frightened and books were knocked from the shelves.

1913

May 24

1925 hrs

The Morning Press (May 25, 1913, p. 8)

TREMBLOR CAUSES NO DAMAGE. A tremblor that appears to have been confined entirely to this valley was felt at 7:25 oÕclock last evening. The movement was east to west. It was of brief duration and was the cause for many interesting conjectures. The limits of the disturbance appear to have been Carpinteria and ten miles west from Santa Barbara.

1913

Oct 20

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 170.

3:25 a.m. San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo Co.; Betteravia and Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Co. - WB Form 1009; BSSUC 1, 139, 145.

The Morning Press (Oct. 21, 1913, p. 7)

ARROYO GRANDE SHAKES. Arroyo Grande, Oct. 20 - A sharp tremblor was felt here at 3:30 this morning. The movement was severe and seemed to be parallel with the coast line, north and south. No damage is reported.

The Lompoc Record, 40th year, no. 23 (Friday, Oct. 24, 1913)

An earthquake of considerable force was felt by the majority of our people Monday morning at about 3:15. Along the coast near Pismo the quake was strongest. Paso Robles and Lompoc were extremities of the affected zone.

The Morning Press ( Oct. 24, 1913, p. 4)

SHIP TREMBLED AS QUAKE ROCKED SEA. Edward P. Morse, immigration inspector for this district, returning yesterday from Port San Luis, reports an unusual experience while aboard a ship in that harbor, Monday (Oct. 20).

The earthquake of Monday morning was followed by a lessor shock during the afternoon and Mr. Morse was on shipboard during the shake. He states the ship trembled as if suffering a chill, the sensation really being uncanny and making experienced sailors seasick.

The officers of the ship said that the shocks of the early morning were even more noticeable.

EARTHQUAKE IN TUNNEL (p. 10). The earthquake experienced here early Monday morning was much more severe in the vicinity of San Luis Obispo, where four distinct shocks were felt. It is reported that the disabled railroad tunnel near Cuesta suffered further damage on account of the shake, although the results were not serious.

Santa Maria Times, 31st year, no. 5 (Saturday, Oct 25, 1913)

EARTHQUAKE HITS SANTA MARIA. An earthquake that sent shivers through the hardiest soul and caused nervous shudders to chase up and down the spinal column of the ones who had escaped the Frisco disaster disturbed the slumbers of the Santa Maria residents at 3:25 Monday morning. It made even the heaviest slumberers sit up and wonder what next. Buildings rocked wickedly, a slight rumbling noise was heard and a sudden wind started up. Earthquakes always have a peculiar effect on people and things in general and on this occasion as on former ones there were some queer antics performed by perfectly sane folks. The zone of the disturbance it was learned extended about from Paso Robles to Carpinteria with the worst of the quake along through the Arroyo Grande valley where dishes were rattled from the pantry shelves but no real damage done.

1913

Dec 4

The Morning Press ( Friday, Dec. 5, 1913, p. 10).

LIGHT QUAKE. A light earthquake was noticed by a few persons last evening at about 6 oÕclock. It was more severe further west. at Naples, houses were shaken and windows rattled. The tremblor was traveling north and south. Goleta also felt the shake.

1914

Jun 14

The Morning Press

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. an earthquake that was quite severe in Ventura, was also felt here at 2:30 oÕclock yesterday morning. It was reported in Ventura that the tremblor was accompanied by a rumbling. The movement was from south to north.

1914

Jun 16

0252-0330 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 172.

2:52 a.m. VI. Ojai Valley, Ventura Co. M. W. Allen reported: "Was thrown half out of bed by the shock, which was a sudden violent jolt from the south, a motion characteristic of shocks very close to the origin. The intensity in Ojai was about VI." The shock was recorded at Berkeley, but not at Mount Hamilton. E. F. Davis placed the epicenter near Oxnard, about firteen miles south of Ojai. The earthquake was felt at Pasadena, Los Angeles, Co., according to the Weather Bureau. BSSUC 1, 159; WB Form 1009.

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. 2, no. 122 (Tuesday, Jun 16,1914)

EARTHQUAKE SHAKES OXNARD ENTIRE COUNTY FEELS SHOCK. SANTA PAULA ROCKED MOST. Tremblor at 2:55 am Has Southwest Movement, May be Settling of Land Toward Ocean; Rattles Windows and Dishes; Some Sleep Through it. Two earthquake shocks were felt in Oxnard this morning the first coming at 2:55 and the second about a half hour later. Light sleepers were awakened, and those who slumber more soundly are rather envious of them because they did not get to feel the shock.

The first tremble was the more severe and lasted for about 3 seconds. It was accompanied by a low grinding and ripping noise. Those who were awake enough to notice clearly say that the movement of the earth was toward the south and west.

No damage was done in Oxnard. Windows were shaken and dishes rattled. The shock was felt in Somis where it was severe enough to stop clocks.

The disturbance was heavier in Ventura than here and the telephone girls were frightened and ran from the building.

Mrs. C.M. Sickles reported from Santa Paula that the houses there actually rocked. The shock seems to have been the worst there in the county.

Camarillo residents felt the shock about the same as Oxnard.

The nightwatchman and the girls in the telephone offices felt the tremble very plainly.

C.F. Sievwright predicted a storm for June 15. This morning a lady called him up and asked why he did not predict the earthquake. He said that he neglected to mention that the storm was apt to come from below.

Earthquakes have two chief causes, settling of the earth and the escape of confined gases. The movement toward the ocean in last nights tremblor would indicate that it was settling of the alluvial formation in the Santa Clara Valley in the direction of a deep place in the ocean. A shake in the hills from another cause may have occasioned a slight slide in the valley.

The Santa Barbara Morning Press (Jun 16, 1914)

"Ojai Valley, Ventura Co. MW Allen reported: ÔWas thrown half out of bed by the shock, which was a sudden violent jolt from the south, a motion characteristic of shocks very close to the origin. The intensity in Ojai was about VI? (T&A).

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. 13, No. 290 (Jun 18, 1914).

For a seemingly pure local affair, the earthquake Tuesday morning was something unusual. It was a one of its kind and as its area only covered the territory between Oxnard and Carpinteria with Ventura occupying the main center and getting the most of it, our community has at last something to be proud of.

Santa Paula Chronicle, Vol. XXVII, no. 13 (Friday, Jun 19, 1914)

VENTURA COUNTY EXPERIENCES A SMALL "FRISCO". VENTURA JARRED UP. It is generally supposed that the newspaper know, find out and publish everything of any importance that goes on in this world, and yet the earthquake that this valley experienced at about 3 oÕclock Tuesday morning was passed by without comment by the press much to the surprise and chagrin of a great many people. And it was some quite quake, too. It seems to have been merely a local affair as neither Los Angeles nor Santa Barbara felt the least quiver.

It occurred about 3 oÕclock, went from east to west and was proceeded, a few seconds, by a roaring sound. It did no great amount of damage in Santa Paula, still the smooth surface of some of the local living rooms was marred by long cracks, clocks all over town were stopped and L.W. Corbett found a roll of linoleum had been jarred from a pile of linoleum and had unrolled and measured its length on the floor of his furniture store. In Fillmore the damage was more extensive. The front of one of the bank buildings was cracked its whole length, the residence of E. A. Case on Sespe Ave. was treated similarly and the windows were also broken; in the drug stores bottles were broken and their contents scattered, while above Sespe there is reported to have been a great landslide. DevilÕs Gate was closed by the shock, leaving capers with autos stranded above the great rocky gorge.

Some people were wondering if Mt. Lassen is in any way to blame for the matters, while others are casting anxious glances at the Hell Hole on Old South Mountain. One theory that sounds pretty plausible has been advanced both by A.W. Elliot and C.E. King. They suggest that the great amount of oil and water taken out of the bowels of the earth in this county has left a void there which of necessity must be filled, and the quake was caused by Old Mother Nature disposing of that vacuum.

Ventura County had an earthquake all its own last Tuesday morning. At five minutes before 3 oÕclock the inhabitants performed stunts of great alacrity in some homes when they were rocked and jostled in their beds by the unseen monster who got his back up under the posts and closed the DevilÕs Gate in Sespe Canyon. North of Fillmore in the Sespe Mountains was the center of the disturbance. Some are declaring that it is but a forerunner of the political disturbance to occur this fall.

1915

Jan 11

USDC, 41-1, p. 164, 1970 ed.

20:31, Los Alamos, 34 1/2 N, 120 1/2 W, int. = VIII (MM), felt area = 50,000 sq.mi. Several well-built chimneys were shaken down, in addition to a number of poorly built ones, and water pipes were pulled apart at the unions. Some building damage occurred at Lompoc. At Harris, an oil pipe 8 inches in diameter broke in several places. There were cracks, caused by lurching in the alluvial soil, and numerous small landslides in the epicentral area. The shock was felt to San Jose on the north and to Los Angeles on the SE. Perceptible duration 30 to 60 seconds. Many aftershocks for a month or more.

BSSA, Vol. 6, no. 1, p. 12.

According to A. H. Palmer (1916), the time was 2033, approximate latitude 34°23', longitude 119°40'. Intensity + VI (R.F.), one shock, 5 second duration, faint sounds, lamps swung.

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 169.

8:31 p.m. VIII. Los Alamos, Santa Barbara Co. After a field investigation Carl H. Beal concluded that the epicenter of this earthquake was two or three miles east of Los Alamos. In its epicentral region the shock was a series of hard jerks in different directions, ending with a vertical jolt. It last about a minute in the vicinity of the region. Practically every chimney in Los Alamos was damaged, and some were thrown many feet. The intensities at some of the principal places in the disturbed area were: Los Alamos VIII; Lompoc VII; Santa Maria VI to VII, Santa Barbara V; San Luis Obispo V; Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo Co., IV, Los Angeles II. There were from one to three aftershocks daily for about thirty days after the main shocks, but most of them do not seem to have been recorded. - BSSA 5, 14.

The Weather Bureau observers reported intensities as follows: Santa Barbara V, nine shocks felt (report of G. W. Russell), or VI, a single shock lasting five seconds (report of C. E. Rachford)' Ozena V and Nordhoff (Ojai), III, Ventura Co.' San Luis Obispo V, duration thirty seconds, and Paso Robles IV; Priest Valley II, Monterey Co.; Bakersfield, Kern Co., rapid rocking felt by several. _ERWB.

The shock was recorded on the University of California insturments at Berkeley and Mount Hamilton, but with considerably less energy that was the equally distant Cape Mendocino earthquake of May 6, which caused no damage. -BSSUC 1, 174, 179.

The most northerly point reporting this disturbance was San Jose, about 200 miles, and the most southerly was Los Angeles, 125 miles to the southeast. The shaken area was in excess of 50,000 square miles. - Reid's Scrapbook 3, 249, 252.

Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. 6, no. 297 (Tuesday Jan 12, 1915)

HEAVIEST QUAKE OF YEARS SHAKES THIS COAST SECTION. "Did you feel it?" referring to last nightÕs earthquake was the common greeting this morning. A temblor of several secondsÕ duration shook Oxnard and the coast from north of Santa Barbara to the Malibu range at 8:30 last night.

The phenomenon here was divided in two periods. The first was slight and caused doors and windows to rattle without decided shake of the earth. This was followed immediately by several rocking movements, so that no one could be mistaken about what had taken place.

Santa Barbara reports nine distinct shocks, and the quake was more severe there than here. The telephone girls at the central office there were startled so they ran into the street.

The only damage that has been reported from the earthquake is the settling of a brick building at Lompoc so that a large crack appeared in an outer wall.

Daily Oxnard Courier, vol. 6, no. 299 (Thursday, Jan 14, 1915)

SOMIS ITEMS. A slight earthquake was felt by the residents of Somis Monday evening about 8:30.

The Lompoc Record, 41st year, no. 34 (Friday, Jan. 15,1915, p. 1)

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK MONDAY NIGHT QUITE SEVERE. One of the hardest earthquake shocks experienced by present residents of Lompoc came Monday evening at about 8:27 oÕclock, at least that was the time out clock stopped. The shock was from the northwest to southeast and the disturbance lasted about fifteen seconds. This was followed by another shock in about fifteen minutes and there were shocks felt distinctly at 10 pm and 3 am Tuesday morning. Some parties counted eight distinct shocks during the night.

The big shock appeared to come in two installments. The first part was quite hard and when it began to subside those of our citizens who have experienced numbers of like occurrences began to smile but the second and harder shock caused countenances and anxious looks in every home.

The Royal Arch Masons were holding their meeting in the IOOF hall when the earthquake came and we are told that there was a hurried exit from the building. A few of the audience at the Movie House made their exits and some occupants of the Hotel Arthur who had retired early beat it for the street below clad in their night clothes.

The damage in this immediate vicinity was trifling and no one was hurt. In the Santa Rita section the quake was harder as was also the case several years ago when several chimneys were tumbled down there. Stoves were thrown several inches this time and at the Geo. Pyster ranch house the chimney was cracked. Dishes were thrown helter skelter and considerable loss is reported on that score.

[????] At Los Alamos the loss was very small but on the General Petroleum lease at Careaga the temblor appeared the worst. Plaster was shook... and the china and dishes were wrecked...

The local telephone exchanges were unable to answer the calls... for the hour that followed.

The old grade leading from Santa Rita to Los Alamos is reported to have suffered considerably on this side. Tons upon tons of the embankment were thrown upon the grade. Long seams an inch and one half in width were opened in the road-bed.

At Los Alamos the quake was especially severe from all reports. Almost every chimney was tumbled down or shifted out of position so we are told. The chimney at the grammar school crashed through the roof leaving an immense hole... several of the houses were badly shattered.

The Associated Oil CompanyÕs pipeline to Gaviota was broken at Bicknel, at Santa Rita and in Gaviota Canyon.

Carpinteria Valley News, Vol. 4, no. 7 (Friday, Jan. 15, 1915).

Three distinct seismic tremors were felt in the Valley last Monday evening about 8:30 oÕclock. The quake was felt all over the state but no damage was done.

Santa Maria Times, 32nd year, no. 17 (Saturday, Jan 16, 1915)

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE FELT IN THIS COUNTY. An earthquake of unusual violence took place on Monday evening at a quarter to nine, which shook the community and the area between Salinas and LA more or less severely.

According to one of our local high school teachers the shock lasted 35 seconds and the vibrations seemed to travel north and south.

There was no damage done to any of our buildings here, so far as is known, but in Los Alamos several chimneys were thrown down, dishes knocked off shelves, etc. At Lompoc, it is reported that the Odd Fellows Hall had suffered a crack in the wall and other buildings, including one of the banks, were also damaged.

The Union Oil CompanyÕs pipe line and also the Associated Oil CompanyÕs lines suffered breaks. The AssociatedÕs line was broken in two places, one being at Bicknell and the other near Santa Rita.

At Santa Barbara the shock was slight and from there south was still lighter.

(see also Beal, 1915. Ed.)

1915

Aug 23

15:15

BSSA, Vol. 5, n. 3, p. 157

3:15 p.m. Hill Camp, Santa Maria Oilfield. Slight shock.

1915

Aug 31

BSSA, Vol. 5, n. 3, p. 157.

Between 1 and 2 p.m. Hill Camp, Santa Maria Oilfield. Short tremble between 1300-1400 hrs.

1915

Sep 14

BSSA, Vol. 5, n. 3, p. 157

Hill Camp, Santa Maria Oilfield. "Heavy roller" composed of 3 hard shocks of unstated duration unknown, earth trembled for 15 minutes afterward.

Santa Maria Times (Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1915)

Lompoc Shocked: A good sharp earthquake occurred at a little past midnight Tuesday night. Even the soundest slumberers were awakened by the shock.

1916

Feb 27

0526 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 7, n. 1, p. 3

34û45ÕN, 120û15ÕW, Los Alamost. One shock, no intensity given.

1916

Mar 1

1115 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 7, n. 1, p. 3

34û45"N, 120û15ÕW, 11:15 a.m. Los Alamos. One shock, no intensity given.

1916

Oct 22

1844-1854 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 190-191.

6:44 p.m. VII Tejon Pass. This shock was reported as felt from San Diego to Gresno and from Mojave to the coast, but there was considerable territory north of San Diego and south of Fresno from which the shock was not reported.

A rather complete investigation of this shock was made by J. C. Branner and Homer Hamlin, and the results of their investigations were published in The Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. (Part of their conclusions is summarized below. Ed.).

"The area over which the shock was felt by persons at rest was 27,000 square miles or more, extending from Fresno on the north to San Diego on the south, and from Mojave to the coast.

"The epicenter seems to have been near the summit of Tejon Pass, where the intensity reached VII or a little more, of the Rossi-Forel scale.

"At many places the shock was preceded by a pronounced roar like thunder or a high wind. Wherever the direction of the sound was noted it appeared to come from the epicentral region.

"The region is too thinly populated and our data are too meager to enable us to outline the area of high intensity with confidence, but the following facts seem to be fairly well established:

"The shock or shocks were produced by movement on the fault line that passes through the Tejon Pass and follows thence east-southeast along the axes of Leonas Valley and Anaverde Valley and northwestward through Cuddy Canyon and Cuddy Valley.

"The topographic evidence of the fault in the Tejon Pass is very pronounced, but there is topographic evidence of another fault that braches off from the Tejon Pass fault about a mile and a half northwest of Tejon Pass and runs east-northeast from the northwest corner of Los Angeles County, passing along the north side of Castaic Lake. The depression occupied by Castaic Lake seems to have been formed by a downthrow on the south side of this fault.

"It has been supposed that the fault through Tejon Pass was a southward prolongation of the San Andreas fault near San Francisco. The identity of these fault is far from being evident. The topography, the distribution of earthquake shocks, and the method of fracture along the fault zones all suggest a series of overlapping faults rather than one continuous fault.

Mr. Hamlin says on this subject: 'This fault is not a long continuous fracture, but rather a fault zone with numberous branches. Dropped blocks are not uncommon along this zone, some being a mile or more wide and twice as long.'

"The forms of isoseismals of this particular earthquake, however, suggest definite relations to this fault zone." - BSSA 7, 51; BSSUC 1, 276, 284.

Mr. Wood states in a letter concerning the continuity of the San Andreas fault zone, "At this later date (1938) there is no longer any doubt of this continuity, even though it may be allowed that there is oblique slicing within this zone."

It should be pointed out that the area of 27,000 square miles given by Dr. Branner does not include either Fresno or San Diego, from both of which places the shock was reported felt. The area of a circle with the distance from the epicenter to San Diego as a radius is over 90,000 square miles. The isoseismals of this shock were elongated [sic] in a northwest-southeast direction, and the area of a rather elongated [sic] ellipse which would take in Fresno and San Diego would be in excess of 50,000 square miles. Both of these areas would include much territory from which no reports of earthquake were received and some places from which negative reports were received. There is the possibility, of course, that minor shocks occurred at both Fresno and San Diego at about the same time as the major shock.

(These notes reflect the historic evolution of thinking about the continuity of the San Andreas fault, as well as the structural heterogeneity of the meisoseismal region. Ed.)

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 190.

6:54 p.m. VI. Tejon Pass. Another strong shock occurred ten minutes after the one just described, and was felt in the same general region, but not over so great an area. The greatest intensity reported by the Weather Bureau observers was V at Newhall, where the shock is described as lasting much longer than the first earthquake. A forest ranger located on Alamo Mountain, eleven miles southwest of Tejon Pass, reported that the second shock was stronger than the first, which may mean that the origin of the second shock was nearer to Alamo Mountain than that of the first disturbance. The seismographic records obtained at Berkeley and Mount Hamilton show that the second shock was the weaker of the two.

Places where the intensity was estimated as IV were Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Gray Mountain, San Bernardino Co.; Bakersfield, Kern Co.. - BSSA 7, 51; BSSUC 1, 276, 285.

Other times of reported shocks were 6:52 p.m., 7:07 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 7:409 p.m. - BSSA 7, 51; ERWB.

BSSA, Vol. 7, n. 1, p. 6.

34û35ÕN, 119û14'W, Nordhoff. Three shocks, V (R.F.) dishes rattled.

BSSA, Vol. 7, n. 1, p. 6

34û16ÕN, 119û17ÕW - Ventura. Three shocks, V (R.F.)

BSSA, Vol. 7, n. 1, p. 6

34û44ÕN, 120û16ÕW - Los Alamos. One shock, III (R.F.) 1916, Oct. 22, 18:54

BSSA, Vol. 7, n. 1, p. 6

34û23ÕN, 119û40ÕW - Santa Barbara. Two shocks, III (R.V.)

Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. X, no. 249 (Monday, Oct. 23, 1916).

EARTHQUAKE STARTLES THIS SECTION. Two earthquake shocks last evening startled the residents of Ventura County. The shocks were so severe that floors were felt to move. Dishes, windows and pictures rattled. Suspended objects continued to swing for several minutes after the shocks.

The first shock came at 6:45 oÕclock. The second was 10 minutes later and more prolonged. The motion appeared to be from north to south.

Jacob Sechinger has a 400 day clock in his residence. The first shock stopped it. The clock was started again and was stopped by the second tremor.

Residents in the country called up the Home telephone central to learn certainly if there had been an earthquake.

W.S. Sabiers was sitting in his automobile in the yard of his ranch. The car was standing north and south and the force of the tremblor moved the car back and forth about three inches. Looses objects in the house were rattled.

A.C. Diener was in his store at the time of the quake and the shocks felt like a big explosion under the cement floor.

Mrs. R.M. Henderson was quite frightened by the rattling of the doors, windows and objects about the room, while Mr. Henderson in an adjoining room did not notice the quake.

Ventura Daily Post (Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1916).

EARTHQUAKE VISITS VENTURA FOR SUNDAY NIGHT CALL WITH THREE DISTINCT SHOCKS

The Quake Extended up and Down the Coast, but Reports Indicate No Damage Was Done.

From Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo the most vigorous temblor experienced on the coast for several years took place Sunday night, the first shock occurring at 6:46 o'clock and two successive shocks at 6:55.

The first two were vigorous and houses rocked. No damage was done, however, and the phenomenon was accomplished by no unusual disturbances, so far as have been reported, except for some rocks slides in the Frazier Mountain district.

The old timers foretold at the time of the quake that it would be followed by clearing weather, if it went according to precedent, and sure enough the sun shone warm and bright yesterday morning and kept it up throughout the day.

1916

Dec 1

1453 hrs

UCSD, 41-1, p. 164, 1970 ed.

Avila, 35N, 121W, int. = VII (MM). Landslide covered railroad tracks in canyon nearby. Smokestacks of refinery building tumbled over.

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 192.

2:53 p.m. VII. Avila, San Luis Obispo Co. Considerable glass broken and goods in stores thrown from shelves. A landslide covered the railroad tracks two miles north of Avila, in Dairy Canyon. "Disturbance of waters in the Bay of San Luis Obispo." "The plaster in the several cottages occurpied by the employees of the Union Oil Company's refinery was jarred loose . . . while some of the smokestacks on the refinery buildsing were toppled over." "At 2:50 o'clock . . . four heave shocks of earthquake were felt in this city (San Luis Obispo) . . . There was no damage resulting in this city except that one of the bricks in the building occupied by Ray Howell fell out of the wall, which astonished some of the customers . . ." "At Port San Luis the shock was severe . . ."

The shock was reported as of intensity III, east to west, at Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Co. - San Luis Obispo Morning Tribune, San Luis Obispo Evening Telegram, ERWB; BSSUC 1, 279, 288; BSSA 7, 38.

1917

Jan. 31

2118 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 8, n. 1, p. 3

34û58ÕN, 120û28ÕW. Santa Maria. Two shocks, IV (R.F.) 10 second duration.

"Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County. Two shocks, abrupt bumping, east to west, lasting not even over ten seconds, and felt by several - ERWB." (T&A).

The Lompoc Record, 43rd year, no. 37 (Friday, Feb. 2, 1917)

QUAKE WEDNESDAY NIGHT. A vigorous little earthquake occurred Wednesday evening at about 9:15 oÕclock. The quake lasted several seconds and was strong enough that few escaped detecting it.

1917

Apr 5

1100 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 8, n. 1, p. 3

Lompoc, III (R.F); Santa Rita, IV (R.F.) Windows rattled in Santa Rita.

BSSA, Vol. 7, no. 21

Santa Rita, Santa Barbara County. "Houses rattled and creaked and a few pans were thrown from a wall; generally felt. Also felt by a few persons in Lompoc, eight miles to the west of Santa Rita.

1917

Apr 12

2003 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 194.

7:59 p.m. V to VI. Santa Barbara Channel Region. The earthquake was felt in Santa Barbara as a very hard and abrupt shake; no damage was done in that city. Along the coast wouth and east of Santa Barbara as far as Ventura the intensity seemed to remain between V and VI. The intensity was also estimated at the same degree on Santa Cruz Island. A. C. Mattei investigated the shock and drew isoseismals placing the epicenter in the Santa Barbara Channel. It was felt over an area of about 8,000 square miles.

BSSA, Vol. 8, n. 1, p. 38.

34û23ÕN, 119û40ÕW. Santa Barbara; felt Santa Barbara (VI, R.F.), Ventura (IV, R.F.), Oxnard (V, R.F.), Nordhoff (V, R.F.). Concrete tower cracked in Nordhoff, dishes rattled in Oxnard, "most severe in years" in Santa Barbara.

Historical Writings, Edwin M. Sheridan

Santa Barbara, Ventura, Ojai; fairly strong shock.

The Morning Press (Friday, Apr 13, 1917)

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK CONFINED TO SECTION. The most severe earthquake shock in recent years was felt here at 8 oÕclock last night. No damage was reported. The tremblor seems to have been somewhat local, confined to this stretch of coast. Outside of Ventura and Oxnard no other points reported any disturbance. It was felt a distance up the coast.

The Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. 16, No. 165 (Apr 13, 1917)

People in Ventura and throughout the country felt sharp quake last night at 8 oÕclock.

1917

Apr 20

0225 hrs

BSSA 29, no. 1, p. 194.

10:59 p.m. IV to V. Santa Barbara Channel. Epicenter apparently in the same place as that of April 12, 1917, but intensity about one degree less. At several places the shock was proceeded by a roaring noise. Nearly everywhere it started with a gentle trembling motion, becoming more severe at the last, ending with a bumping, jerking motion, generally felt described as a vertical drop. Perceptible over an area of perhaps 4,000 sq. mi.

The Morning Press

Ventura, California - An earthquake shock severe enough to awaken persons asleep, was felt here late tonight.

The Morning Press (Saturday, Apr 21, 1917, p. 10).

TWO SHOCKS COME LATE AT NIGHT. Two distinct earthquake shocks were felt in Santa Barbara a minute before 11 oÕclock last night. Like the one of Thursday night last week, the disturbance seems to have been confined entirely to this section.

Ventura Daily Post and Daily Democrat, Vo. 16, No. 171 (Saturday, Apr 21, 1917).

A slight earthquake shock was felt here shortly before 11:00 last night.

(For a complete account of these two SB Channel earthquakes the reader is referred to Mattei, 1917, BSSA Vol. 7, no. 2, p. 61. Ed.)

1917

Jul 26

0050 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 194.

12:31 a.m. V. Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Co. Rapid rocking, followed by two trembles; motion east to west; awakened many; considered most vigorous shock since 1906; duration about fifteen seconds; furniture moved. Reported also from Los Olivos in the same county; duration twenty-five seconds; trembling motion; roaring sounds; intensity IV. At San Luis Obispo the shock was felt by many, which means it awakened many and was stronger than the intensity II reported by the observer there; abrupt bumping; southeast to northwest; duration two seconds. - BSSA 7, 117; BSSUC 1, 305, 317. ERWB.

BSSA, Vol. 7, n. 3, p. 117

Los Olivos. One shock, began gradually, trembling motion of 20-25 seconds duration. Felt generally by persons at rest, accompanied by rumbling sound. Int. est. III - IV (R.F.) Time given as 00:31. Felt San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria (V, R.F.) where it moved furniture.

BSSA, v. 8, n. 1, p. 5).

Mr. Roy E. Collom, Santa Maria: "Had impression of short foreknowledge of unusual event which might have been due to sound... retired at 10:30 pm, was unable to sleep continuously because of feeling of depression and was awake at time of shock. This was the next and most vigorous shock I have felt since 1906. Talked to several people this morning (July 26); all were awakened by the shock, and forever has Franciscans have ____ (?) impression, relative to vigor as the writer.

Lompoc Record, 44th year, no. 3 (Friday, Jul. 27,1917)

EARTHQUAKE. Windows and doors rattled and buildings were as unsteady as a ferry boat on ÔFrisco bay for a few seconds yesterday morning at a few minutes after the arrival of a new day. It was a little seismic disturbance, termplr [sic] or earthquake, and lasted sooner [sic] than it takes to tell about it.

Santa Maria Times, 33rd year, no. 12 (Saturday, 1917, July 28, 1917)

An earthquake of unusual intensity shook this valley at 12:30 on Thursday morning. The shock lasted about 40 seconds and seemed to travel from north to south. According to reports it was a local quake as it was not felt in Santa Barbara nor any of the towns north of here.

1918

Apr 21

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 201.

2:32 p.m. IX to X. San Jacinto, Riverside Co. This was the most severe shock in California between April 1906 and January 31, 1922. It resulted from a movement of the San Jacinto fault, the disturbance being most intense for a distance of ten miles along that feature, from a mile northwest of San Jacinto to a point some nine or more miles southeast of that city. The ground was cracked in many places in the region of the faulted zone, but ther was no surface evidence of movement of the walls of the fracture.

Area affected : The shock was felt in various places in western Arizona, and to the northwest as far as Los Olivos (III) in Santa Barbara Co., Taft in Kern Co., and Fresno.

Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XII, no. 93 (Monday, Apr. 22, 1918)

EARTHQUAKE ALARMS, NO DAMAGE HERE. All the thrills of a big earthquake without any of the loss of life, suffering or property damage were given to residents of Oxnard and vicinity Sunday afternoon by the temblor covering southern California. The consensus of opinion here is that the quake lasted over a minute.

The earthquake waves apparently moved from southeast to northwest here. This is attested by the sensations of people who watched the movement, and also by the swinging of the lamps suspended on long cords in the billiard halls.

Many persons thought at first that they had been taken with a sudden spell of dizziness when the shocks began. The waves of the quake produced a rocking sensation which caused many to feel nausea.

Houses which had not been shaken by wind creaked and trembled in the earthquake to the alarm of the occupants.

One woman was stooping picking flowers when the quake began. She was much annoted for a moment that her hand did not reach the flowers as she intended to do.

One man was freezing ice cream and the freezer flowed across the floor as he attempted to move away to turn it more easily

Several people thought the tremors came from a train until the shaking was too violent. When they realized what was happening most of them ran out doors.

Two men were playing billiards at the ABS club rooms. Each accused the other of shaking the table. Then with the realization that the walls were shaking they raced from the rooms, almost tobogganing down the stairs.

Drivers of autos on the paved highway experienced difficulty in holding their cars on the road during the earthquake. Some autoists felt the shock and thought for a moment that something had gone wrong with the machinery of the car. (Most motorists????) however, did not feel the shocks.

Members of the big picnic party at the orchard ranch in the Canejo felt the shock. Some of them could see the waves in the ground.

Santa Paula Chronicle, Vol. XXX, no. 5 (Apr 25, 1918)

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS VISITED BY EARTHQUAKE. Although Santa Paula is about 160 miles distant from the center of the earthquake which visited southern California at 3:30 pm, Sunday last, the shock was distinctly felt here. There was, however, no damage of any nature, indeed many persons, even those within doors, knew nothing of the quake.

While the most severe shocks and greatest damage were done at Hemet and San Jacinto which are 87 and 90 miles, respectively, from Los Angeles, other places felt severe shocks. Among these were Pasadena, Pomona, San Bernardino, Riverside, Redlands, Santa Ana, San Pedro, Santa Monica and Corona.

The tremor was attributed by A.W. Pugh, observer temporarily in charge of the weather bureau in Los Angeles to volcanic origin.

"San Jacinto Peak is known to be of volcanic origin", he said, "and according to best writers, the theory that earthquakes are due to seepage of sea water into the earth, with a consequent explosion of steam, would seem to apply to SundayÕs earthquake." (Utter nonsense. Mt. San Jacinto is not volcanic, and earthquakes have other causes. Ed.)

There were nine separate tremblors over a period of thirty hours beginning Sunday at 3:32 pm.

The Ojai, Vol. XXVIII, no. 14 (Friday, Apr 26, 1918)

Various sections of Ventura County felt the earthquake Sunday afternoon that did approximately $300,000 damage in Hemet and San Jacinto. The quake was of short duration in the Ojai, being noticed by only a few of out residents. Picnic parties at Foster Park felt the shock. Parties from the Matilija section report that the quake was not felt there. No particular damage was done in the county so far as we have been able to learn.

1918

May 24

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 205.

8 p.m. II. Simi, Ventura Counties. "Felt by those at rest."

1918

Dec 14

0200 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 8, n. 1, p. 7

2 a.m. San Miguel Island. IV (R.F.). One shock.

The Morning Press (Jan. 9, 1919, p. 10).

THIS IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF EARTHQUAKE THAT SHOCK THINGS IN Ô57. Today is the anniversary of one of the most severe earthquakes in the history of California. This great tremblor took place Jan. 9, 1857, and, according to the historians of that day, "the earth did quake".

The region of the disturbance extended from Point Conception to Los Angeles, and numerous towns were severely damaged.

The initial shock was felt at 8:10 in the morning; the second about 40 minutes later. It began gradually and increased in violence until the earth was heaving like the waves of the sea. People fled from their houses and some fell on their knees, praying for mercy. Rivers were thrown from their beds and in Santa Barbara water was shipped out of a well by the vibrations, though prior to the quake it had been four feet from the surface of the ground.

At Santa Cruz the bluffs were loosened and parts of them fell with a crash.

The water in the Mission reservoir was shaken until it slopped out and ran away in a considerable stream. At the Hot Springs great rocks were loosened from the mountains and cast into the valley. The belfry of the San Buenaventura mission was damaged and a part of the roof fell. The lighthouse at Point Conception was badly damaged.

Santa Barbara continued to feel the vibrations until midnight.

1919

Jan 25

1429 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 208.

2:29 p.m. V. Tejon Pass. Intensity greatest at Rose Station, just north of Tejon Pass, where small objects were overturned. Intensity III to IV at Ojai, Ventura Co., Bakersfield and Maricopa, Kern Co., weakly perceptible at Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Voltaire. Shaken area about 10,000 square miles. - BSSA 9, 25; ERWB.

BSSA, Vol. 10, n. 1, p. 5

Ojai (?), V (R.F.). Felt Bakersfield (IV), Gorman (IV), LA (II), Maricopa (III), Rose Station (IV), Santa Barbara (II).

1919

Feb 16

0757 hrs

USDC 41-1, 1982 ed., p. 165

South of Maricopa, 35N, 119W, VII (MM), felt area 30,000 square miles. Buildings cracked at Maricopa and Grapevine, oil tank split at Belridge, and landslides occurred at Lebec.

BSSA, Vol. 9, no. 1, p. 27, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 209.

Felt Los Olivos - "light", felt generally by persons at rest. Santa Barbara - "light". Fillmore. At Belridge, a 55,000 bbl steel tank, containing about 52,000 bbl of oil, was split and entirely destroyed. The oil was thrown high enough in the air to splash over about half the top of an adjoining tank 30 feet distant. Intensities Los Olivos, Santa Barbara Co., III to IV; Saticoy, Ventura Co., IV to V; Ojai, Ventura Co., V.

Historical Writings, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol. 5, page 113.

Los Angeles to Bakersfield and the northwest to San Luis Obispo; moderate shocks.

Santa Paula Chronicle, Vol. XXX, no. 48 ( Thursday, Feb. 20, 1919)

SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE SUNDAY. A modest and gentle, really a lady-like earthquake visited southern California at 7:55 Sunday morning. While the shock was plainly felt in all parts of this end of the State, no damage was done. The direction of the vibrations - seemed to be north to south. The quake lasted almost one minute.

The Ojai, Vol. XXIX, no. 5 (Friday, Feb. 21, 1919)

SMALL EARTHQUAKE JARS OJAIANS. A sharp earthquake was felt here at about 7:48 oÕclock last Sunday morning, but aside from that peculiar creepy feelinÕ they put into oneÕs bones no damage came from it.

The quake had its own distinction here, in that it was just one stiff, sharp bump, with neither a forewarning nor a follow-up vibration.

The editor at THE OJAI had just stepped into his office and was in the act of inspecting his linotype machine when it made a jump sidewise like a startled mule. At the same instant the building denoted a bump as though some fellow had come head on with an automobile. Others who were on the side wall under the arcade ran into the street as a matter of safety in case more "shocks" were to follow.

The quake was felt pretty much the same degree throughout this, Santa Barbara and LA counties, but with no damage anywhere.

Our sidekicker, George Conklin, who is stopping at the Hermatige ranch, reports that the "bump" jarred several large rack [sic] loose from their moorings on the high hills to the north of the Hermatige ranch, which came rolling down the canyon side at a terrific pace, starting others as wey [sic] went.

From late reports the center of the "shake" of terrestial disturbance, was in the Cuyama Valley, where the shock was severest. J.C. Reyes, the veteran forest ranger, phoned his brother-in-law, A.B. Wilderson, at the Hermitage ranch, that the quake seemed to lift the very hills and sent powerful thrills throughout the valley. Adobe houses were shaken and cracked open in spots, and every home felt the force of the temblor.

Santa Maria Times, Vol. XXXVII, no. 41 (Saturday, Feb. 22, 1919)

From MondayÕs Daily: A rather severe earthquake was felt in Santa Maria yesterday morning. The shock occurred about 8 oÕclock.

1919

Aug 26

Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XIII, no. 73 (Tuesday, Aug 26, 1919).

EARTHQUAKE FELT IN EARLY MORNING. There was an earthquake this morning. Did you feel it -- at 5:15 oÕclock.

There was one big quake, from north to south and then several smaller ones in quick succession. They made a noise similiar to the rumble of a train. Some thot [sic] it was a train they heard. Then they remembered the strike and knew better. Windows rattled, houses creaked and swayed, but no damage has been reported.

The weather today, and for several days past, being warm and close, is regarded as regular earthquake weather in this section, and hence the earthquake occurred true to form, or expectation.

BSSA, Vol. 9, n. 3, p. 87

Santa Barbara, California. At 5:12 am and again at 8 am on Aug. 26th an earthquake was generally felt by persons at rest at Santa Barbara, California. The second shock was the more violent. It was abrupt and bumping, caused some swaying of buildings and lasted about five seconds. Some persons report having heard a rumbling sound preceding the shock. The wharf swayed violently, and shortly thereafter a great many fish leaped from the water, some of them falling into the skiffs tied in the water near the wharf. No damage was done. What seems to have been the same shock was felt at Saticoy, in Ventura County, just before 8 am and lasting two or three seconds. It was observed only by a few persons at rest. Time at 120th meridian 0412 and 0700. Recorded at Berkeley and Mount Hamilton.

felt SLO (III, R.F.), SB )III, R.F.), Ojai (III, R.F.) 0700 felt SB (V, R.F.), Saticoy (III, R.F.) (BSSA, v. 10, n. 1, p. 7).

The Morning Press ( Aug. 27, 1919, p. 1)

TWO EARTH SHOCKS VISIT SANTA BARBARA. At 5:12 yesterday morning and again at 8 oÕclock Santa Barbara was visited by two of the most severe earthquake shocks she has experienced in many years.

There was no damage done, although everyone was awakened from their slumber when the first shock came, which lasted about ten seconds. Many rushed to the streets but it was soon over and everybody happy.

The Ojai, Vol. XXIX, no. 32 (Friday, Aug. 29, 1919)

DID YOU FEEL IT? BELIEVE ME, I DID! Did you feel the shock of the sharp quake that hit this section with a suddenness that stopped clocks at 5 am Monday morning?

Believe me, I did, and from the direction from whence [sic] it came, west by south, I though [sic] for an instant that either the milk manÕs [sic] in Lizzie or Boyd HenryÕs Marion was trying to get into bed with me by coming in thru the wall of the house.

Anyway, I was so uncertain as to what had just disturbed by [sic] "beauty sleep" that I immediately and then and there got out of bed and make [sic] a complete survey of not only myself but the house and surroundings. Not that I was at all frightened, for I wasnÕt, but just to assure myself I was awake and still "all there".

My wife, who is a very light sleeper didnÕt even hear it, let along [sic] feeling it, so this is why I ask if any of you did, for I wanted to make sure that I was awake the hour stated.

Later: We was right. It was a small quake all right, all right!

Since putting the above in type we not only have it from reliable sources that one did, in a miniature form, pay this valley a visit, but beyond his "feelin" presence, no harm was did or done. We will now retire and finish our nap.

1920

Jan 30

BSSA, Vol. 11, n. 1, p. 8-9; 29, n.1, p. 214.

Santa Barbara was the center of unusual seismicity on the afternoon of Jan. 30th. Between 3:30 pm and 5:07 pm seven distinct earthquakes were felt, each consisting of but one shock. All were of light intensity, varying from II to III in the Rossi-Forel scale. They were distinctly felt along the waterfront of the city, but not on the hills on which a portion of the residence section of the city is built. No earthquakes were felt that day by the correspondent residing on San Miguel Island, which is across the Santa Barbara Channel from the mainland.

Times of Eqs: 1530 (III, RF), 1533 (II), 1535 (II), 1538 (II), 1700 (III), 1703 (III), 1707 (III). (p. 12)

Santa Barbara Morning Press, v. 48, n. 131 (Saturday, Jan. 31, 1920)

"HEARD ABOUT TOWN" Residents about the city yesterday afternoon reported a number of slight earthquake shocks. Windows were shaken, but no damage was done.

1920

Jun 21

1920 Inglewood, California, earthquake

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 216.

6:48 p.m. VIII to IX. Inglewood, Los Angeles Co.

Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XIV, no. 14 (Tuesday June 22, 1920)

EARTHQUAKE DOES MUCH DAMAGE BUT NOT IN OXNARD. Another earthquake was felt in Oxnard last night, a few minutes before 7 oÕclock, when chandeliers swung and buildings creaked in a few instances. The earthquake was very light here and only a few people felt it. -- more severe in Inglewood. Swarm felt from 6:48 pm June 21 till 12:35 June 22.

Santa Paula Chronicle (Thursday, June 24, 1920)

Inglewood earthquake; The temblor was not felt at all in Santa Paula.

 

1920

Dec 5 and 6

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 281

3:58 a.m. V+? Santa Barbara County Mountains? At Santa Barbara nearly all awakened; duration ten seconds; southeast to northwest; rocking, intensity V. General awakening of sleepers at Lompoc, Santa Barbara Co. At Ojai, Ventura Co., an abrupt trembling awakened many; intensity given as V. The shock was felt at Maricopa, Kern Co., as an abrupt trembling which rattled doors and windows, lasted ten seconds, and was noticed by many. A report from Los Alamos, Santa Barbara Co., of a "long" shock at 3:55 a.m. on December 4 evidently refers to this shock. The time reported at Los Angeles was 3:48 a.m., December 5

This shock recorded instrumentally both at Berkeley and at Mount Hamilton. The time is taken from the seismograms. BSSUC 2, 5, 11.

BSSA, Vol. 10, n. 4, p. 317

Mr. Chas. R. Fletcher reports two shocks which were felt in Los Angeles, the first at 0348 on Dec. 5 and the second at 12:27 am on Dec. 6, each of them about four seconds duration. The first was sufficiently severe to make the timber of buildings creak. It was also felt in Santa Barbara.

Dec. 5: Felt Maricopa (IV, RF), Ojai (V, RF), Santa Barbara (V, RF), time given as 0403.

Mr. Edward J. Porteous reports having felt an earthquake at White Hills, 4.6 miles south of Lompoc on Dec. 5 at 3:59 am. There was a general awakening of those asleep at Lompoc and White Hills, but no damage was reported. There were three shocks of four, six and three seconds duration. The time given for this shock is eleven minutes later than reported by Mr. Fletcher as having been felt in Los Angeles.

Dec. 6: Given as SLO - no time, int. = III R.F.

The Morning Press, Vol. 49, no. 82 ( Dec. 7, 1920)

SUNDAY QUAKE CAUSES FOLKS TO RISE EARLY. A short sharp earthquake shortly before 4 oÕclock Sunday morning awoke residents of Santa Barbara. The shaking of houses rattled dishes and doors, stopped clocks and brought many people to the streets. Plaster was cracked on the walls of some houses in the city. F. P. Stewart, plumbing inspector, said yesterday that no reports had been made at his office of damage done.

Several people when aroused, hurriedly dressed and went out into the streets. One woman was observed walking down the middle of State Street asking pedestrians if they were not excited.

At San Luis Obispo and Ventura and for some distance south the tremblor was reported to have been as severe as it was in this city. It is reported that it was not felt at all in San Francisco. Santa Barbara people who were in Los Angeles Sunday night said they felt a brief but sharp quake there about 12:30 a.m. Apparently no damage was done and no mention of it appeared in the morning papers reaching this place.

Ventura Daily Post and Daily Democrat, Vol. 20, No. 234 ( Dec. 7, 1920)

Shook down stovepipe at Ranch on Santa Ana.

Ventura experienced a sharp earthquake extending for several seconds about 4:00 Sunday morning.

The quake was much stronger apparently in the Santa Ana country than it was in Ventura, for according to J. P. Gray, one of the prominent ranchers there, it was so violent as to shake down a stovepipe.

Santa Paula Chronicle, Vol. XXXII, no. 38 (Thursday, Dec. 9, 1920)

EARTHQUAKE AND RAIN IN SMALL QUANTITIES. A couple of slight shocks of earthquake were felt here Sunday night, the last one, coming early Monday morning, being quite severe, but doing no damage at all. Santa Paula does not seem to get anything, even earthquakes, in large amounts this season.

The Ojai (Friday, Dec. 12, 1920)

(date is probably incorrect because previous paper is dated Fri. Dec. 3, 1920 and the earthquake described is probably that of Sunday, Dec. 5, 1920. Ed.).

DID YOU FEEL IT? THAT QUAKE SUNDAY MORNING. A very pronounced quake rocked the earth and the buildings thereon in this section at about 4 am last Sunday morning, and woke up the majority of the populace hereabouts from their "beauty sleep" with a suddenness that left no doubt as to the cause.

It was one of those jerky or bumpy kind, and while it lasted for a very few seconds it was stiff enough for all practical purposes and as surreptitious as any one could desire.

From general reports the affair was what can be termed a local one, and appears to have had its center over in Santa Ana to the west of Ojai. At least it was not felt beyond Santa Barbara, where it was exceedingly light, and at Ventura, where but a few were awakened by its detonations. It was strong enough in the Santa Ana to topple a chimney off the J.P. Gray residence.

There was no damage of any kind in Ojai, not even to the stopping of the town clock, which is usually one of the first things noticed in such occurrences.

1920

Dec 29

The Morning Press, Vol. 49, no. 100 (Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1920)

"SOUTH HEARS OF QUAKE HERE" ÔLos Angeles Newspapers Receive Rumors That Santa Barbara was Shaken by tremblorÕ Did you feel an earthquake last night? Up to the hour of going to press no one could be located in the city who had felt one or imagined he felt one, but shortly before 9:00 p.m. Los Angeles heard rumors that there had been a quake here. A few moments later all of the newspapers and press agencies had their Santa Barbara correspondents on the telephone inquiring anxiously as to the extent of the damages, and when they might expect the story.

Where the story originated could not be ascertained. Newspapermen, both at Santa Maria and Ventura denied the earthquake shocks had been felt there.

At the office of Los Angeles newspapers it was said that the rumor had come to them over the telephone. They professed not to know whom the message had come from.