Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Volume III, 1863-1867Various
Science
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Volume III, 1863-1867
Various
California Academy of Sciences -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
March 5th.—A severe shock of earthquake at San Francisco at
8h. 49m. M. The first wave had a north and south direction
and continued 1¾ seconds; nearly 1¾ seconds elapsed before
the second shock, which was at 8h. 49m. 3s., and continued 1½
seconds. The second shock was rotatory; the pendulum swinging
north and south from the first shock, began and continued to
describe a short oval or nearly a circle from the effects of
the second shock, and continued thus for more than half an
hour, until stopped and brought to rest. Magnetism was not
suspended in this earthquake, nor any other that has occurred
since my instrument was suspended. These observations were made
at the height of twenty feet four inches from the ground. The
total of time included in the shock was nearly five seconds.
The farthest point south to which I have been able to trace
its effects is the Mission San Juan, and north to Sacramento,
a distance inclusive of 177 miles. In an easterly direction
we have not traced it east of Stockton, about 60 miles. It
was felt at Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Gilroys, south of San
Francisco, and at Santa Rosa and Petaluma to the north.
Since the above was in type, advices have been received from
Visalia. At that locality the shock was very smart. The first
shock took place at 8h. 45m. M., being four minutes earlier
than that at San Francisco. This gives for the entire distance,
north and south (over which the earthquake extended), 257
miles. This extent of latitude, and the almost simultaneous
period of time at which it was observed along the entire line
of distance so far as heard from, leads to the conclusion that
its probable centre was south of San Francisco and nearly in
the same longitude. From the violence of its action I feel
inclined to the belief that its centre was in the neighborhood
of San José, for all accounts agree in this one point, that
more turbulence of the earth’s surface occurred in this region
during its continuance than at any other place yet known. At
Visalia the first shock was a mere tremor, but was followed by
an undulatory movement when the second shock occurred, which
was some three or four seconds later. This wave moved in an
east and west direction at that place.
REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 21ST, 1864.
Dr. Trask in the Chair.
Eleven members present.
Messrs. J. G. Kellogg and Jacob Deidesheimer were elected resident
members.
Resolutions were passed in memory of the Rev. T. Starr King, late a
member of the Academy, and a copy directed to be forwarded to the family
of the deceased.
Donation to the Library: “Descriptions of New Species of Tropical
American Birds,” by Geo. N. Lawrence, extracted from the Annals of the
New York Lyceum, by the author.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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