1922

Jan 17

The Morning Press, Vol. L #107 (Jan. 18, 1922)

"QUAKES ROCK COAST CITIES". ÔBig Navy Guns Roar, Series of Earthquakes Jar Many Cities in South; 18 Shocks Felt HereÕ

Los Angeles, Jan. 17 - Shocks felt in Southern California, with Los Angeles as the center, over a territory 90 miles north and south and 60 miles inland, broke window panes, cracked plaster and startled inhabitants between 7:30 and 8 oÕclock tonight. The earth vibrations were reported from San Diego to Santa Barbara, and at Riverside and San Bernardino, while the most severe effects were in Los Angeles, where frightened inhabitants in residential districts congregated in the streets.

Earth vibrations reported as far as 60 miles inland, and the disturbances in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and San Diego cannot be attributed to gunfire by the dreadnoughts of the Pacific fleet, it was announced tonight by one of the officers of Admiral E. W. EberleÕs staff.

GUNS NOT RESPONSIBLE. Four dreadnoughts of the fleet were engaging tonight in night firing. They were more than 22 miles at sea, and according to the staff officer, every precaution had been taken from previous experience and study of artillery explosive effects and concussion to hold the practice sufficiently at sea to prevent any damage resulting ashore.

"It has never been known that damage from such a gun was caused or vibration effects 60 miles inland," the staff officer said. "It would be impossible that the practice such as held tonight could have caused seven distinct shocks in rapid succession."

Nine distinct shocks were felt in Los Angeles within a period of 10 minutes, according to residents.

Santa Barbara residents joined with those of most of the towns in Southern CA last night in guessing, not without misgiving, what was going on when doors and windows in their homes began rattling.

The rattle at doors and windows was accompanied in places by a slight sensation as of an earth tremor. In other places the sensation was more pronounced. At Los Angeles, residents reported that plastering had been cracked and that in some blocks the inhabitants had been sufficiently alarmed to leave their homes and congregate in the streets.

Opinion here as to the source of the disturbance was divided. Some attributed it to earthquake shocks. A large number favored the theory that battle ships were engaged in night target practice at sea.

SEVERAL TREMORS. The tremors were felt shortly before 7:30 p.m. and, according to the testimony of several residents, particularly in Montecito, they continued far into the night. Many residents counted from three to five shocks. Others reported as many as 18. None was perceptible in the office of the Morning Press. Many persons telephoning to this office agreed that one of the tremors was much more pronounced than the others.

Reports from many points in CA added to the confusion regarding the source of the tremors. None of the seismographs in the state whose readings were available recorded an early shock last night, although the instrument at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, and that at Georgetown University, Washington, D. C., recorded severe quakes at a distance of more than 2,000 miles to the southward earlier in the day. Father Richard of the University of Santa Clara said the instrument at the observatory there recorded a quake of 30 minutes duration at 7:55 Monday evening.

FELT IN SAN BERNARDINO. while residents in the vicinity of San Bernardino, 60 miles inland, felt the disturbances distinctly, residents of the beach towns near Los Angeles declared they had felt no shocks nor heard sounds.

The biological institute at La Jolla reported that flashes as of gunfire were visible apparently between San Clemente island and San Pedro. But navy officers at Los Angeles said the battleships were too far out at sea for concussions from the big gins to be heard ashore.

18 SHOCKS COUNTED. A resident of Montecito who counted 18 distinct shocks during the night, said they came in regular intervals and that the effect was precisely like that when the battleship fleet was known to be engaged in target practice.

George Russell, local weather observer, was among those who felt the shocks. They jarred the lamp on his table, he said. He declined to align himself with either the earthquake or gunfire fractions, but added the information that there was a theory among old residents here that an earthquake was usually followed by a severe storm. And whether there was an earthquake or not, he said, his barometer was falling rapidly and that a rain might be expected within the next 10 days.

"NEW ÔQUAKEÕ DUE; FLAGSHIPÕS GUNS ROAR TODAY" By associated press released wire

Los Angeles, Jan. 17 - Big guns of the flagship California, greatest dreadnought in the Pacific, will be launched forth tomorrow in the main target practice of the new floating fortress off Los Angeles harbor, it was announced at Pacific fleet headquarters here tonight. Gun pointers throughout the fleet and navy officers are keenly interested in the event, anticipating that new naval gunnery records will be established.

It is understood that records for night firing were broken off the harbor last night when four dreadnoughts of the fleet completed this form of practice.

The Morning Press, Vol. L, No. 107 (Jan. 19, 1922).

"PROF. LAWSON SAYS CONCUSSIONS WERE PROBABLY QUAKES" Berkeley, California., Jan. 18 - Prof. A. C. Lawson, head of the department of geology at the University of CA and the man who recently announced a method for predicting earthquake shocks, said today of the Los Angeles concussions: "Unless San Pedro felt the shocks and stronger than Los Angeles, they could have not been caused by guns. From the reports I have seen it would appear more likely that local earthquakes were responsible."

 

1922

Mar 10

Parkfield, California, earthquake, March 10, 1922 on San Andreas fault

Ventura Daily Post and Daily Democrat, Vol. 21, No. 288 (Mar. 10, 1922)

"Earthquake shock felt here this morning" -- A marked earthquake shock was felt here at ??? oÕclock this morning, the tremors lasting fully a minute and were violent. The shock was felt as far north as San Luis Obispo in a moderate degree and slight tremors were felt at Los Angeles, according to advice from the city. (time of quake not given).

Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XV, no. 210 (Friday, Mar. 10, 1922).

EARTHQUAKE FELT HERE SHAKES BUILDINGS AND HOMES. Many Oxnard residents felt the earthquake early this morning which shook many houses in this section as well as Ventura and other districts. Paul Hutchinson said he thought something was loose in the attic at first. He was awakened a little after three am this morning by a noise which sounded much like a quantity of potatoes rolling from end to end of the attic. The rocking continued and Paul then knew that there was an earthquake somewhere.

Other residents said they were awakened by the shock.

J.N. Cheniss, a traveling shoe man, was here this morning and said he felt the quake at Ventura early this morning. He was sleeping on the second floor of the De Leon hotel when he was awakened by the sharp jolt. The building shook and people started getting up. He said he was too tired to rise and tried to sleep but the rocking kept him awake. He could hear other patrons of the hotel running about and many of them were in the street. Some of them, he said, did not come back for the rest of the morning.

It was thought that it was the tail end of a severe earthquake that damaged some other sections.

The quake was of sufficient force to stop many clocks in Oxnard, including the big clock in the ABS factory office, a big clock in the Liddie jewelry store and another in the Palace pool hall. A clock in Ruppert & Boos stationary store also was stopped. Nearly all the clocks were stopped but a few minutes apart, being around 3:24 am.

Santa Maria Daily Times, Weekly Vol. XXXV, no. 35 (Friday, Mar. 10, 1922).

DISTURBANCE IS FELT HERE EARLY TODAY. Two shocks were felt in Santa Maria community shortly before 3:30 this morning. The first tremore (sic) was very slight but the second was severe enough to satisfy the majority of the residents. Houses rocked and dishes and windows rattled. No damage, however, was reported.

From reports from throughout the state today the shocks were felt in most every community along the coast. Reports from: SLO, Hanford 3:30, Bakersfield 3:30, Porterville (awoke entire town) 3:20, Pasadena (slight) 3:45, Los Angeles (rattled windows stopped store clocks) 3:23.

The Morning Press (Saturday, March 11, 1922)

SLIGHT TREMBLOR RATTLES HOUSES. First quiver felt shortly after 3:20 a.m. at which time many clocks stopped.

Light sleepers all over Santa Barbara and in the surrounding county were awakened early yesterday by earth tremors which shook California from the Santa Clara Valley to southern California.

Clocks in many offices, stores and homes stopped at 3:22 a.m. indicating the first shock occurred at that hour. Many persons said there were three later and lighter shocks. The seismograph at Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton near San Jose recorded the tremor which lasted 15 minutes and appeared to center 200 miles distant. The prevalent opinion was that the fault which caused the San Francisco earthquake experienced another slip.

The only effect here was the stopping of the clocks, the rattling of dishes, loose doors and windows and the jarring of a picture or two by the disturbance.

1923

Feb 25

The Morning Press, Vol. LI, No. 138 (Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1923)

WHO BACKS REPORTER ON EARTHQUAKE?

Dear City Editor: Will you accept the unsupported word of one of your most veracious reporters that there was an earthquake in Santa Barbara Sunday night?

I know it is customary in cases like this to obtain verification from several source, and I have tried to do this, but without success. The best I could do was find someone who had felt an earth tremor at midnight Saturday night, and that doesnÕt help my private earthquake at all.

Despite this lack of confirmation, however, there was an earthquake at my house between 9 and 10 oÕclock Sunday night -- or rather two of them. A dish on the dining room table teetered audibly for about 60 seconds, and during part of the time the windows rattled during the first shock. During the second, by sitting real still and concentrating on the matter, I fancied I could even feel the second. No damage resulted as far as I could discover. Signed, the Veracious Reporter

1923

May 8

The Morning Press, Vol. L, No. 197 ( May 9, 1923).

BIG GUNS FIRING CAUSE TREMORS AS EARTHQUAKES. House in the vicinity of the Montecito Country Club were shaken by what was first supposed to be a mild earthquake about 1 p.m. yesterday. Windows in a number of buildings were rattled and investigation was made by authorities to ascertain if any damage was caused by supposed tremblor. The shock was explained when no further quakes were reported from the surrounding country. Concussion from the big guns of the battle fleet at target practice of San Pedro was blamed for the disturbance - frequently has felt, it was said by the police.

In Edgerly Court also, it was reported, the disturbances were felt. In one apartment occupants reported several distinct shocks lasting for only a second each. At least one of the shocks caused the leaves of window plants to quiver visibly and persons sitting in chairs were able to feel the building tremble.

Reports from Carpinteria were of like nature, that three distinct tremors were felt and attributed to seismic disturbances.

Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XVI, no. 260 (Wednesday, May 9, 1923).

CLAIM TO HAVE FELT SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE. Did you feel the earthquake yesterday about 12:30? Several people in Oxnard said they felt a slight temblor about that time but did not think it was an earthquake. In Colonia district the doors and windows rattled in one of the ranch homes, but the residents thought a gust of wind or a blast shook the place. When reports came from Ventura today that residents in that city felt a quake about the same time it is believed that the tail end of an earthquake was felt. No reports of an earthquake in other parts of the world were received by The Courier.

1923

Jul 22

BSSA, Vol. 13, n. 3, p. 113-114; Vol. 29, n. 1, p. 229-230.

Southern California, July 22, 1923 - An earthquake rocked southern California at 11:28 pm. The main force of the shock struck San Bernardino. Thousands of dollars worth of damage was done there. The Hall of Records was badly damaged. The shock was felt from Santa Barbara to the Mexican Border. Towns at which sharp shocks were felt are LA, Long Beach, Glendale, Eagle Rock, Riverside, Monrovia, Pomona, Santa Ana, Anaheim, San Jacinto, Hemet, and Ventura.

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XVII, no. 18 (Monday, July 23, 1923).

OXNARD ROCKED BY EARTHQUAKE FOUR TEMBLORS. Earth Tremors Felt Here at 11:30. Many Sleepers Awakened. Hundreds of Oxnarders were startled at 11:30 last night by an earthquake which shook this city and was felt from Ventura to San Diego. There were four distinct shocks felt here according to those who were awake at the time. Many people were awakened by the first tremor and felt the three following.

At Oxnard the last one was the most severe and was of long duration.

No damage was reported in Ventura County.

Many people reported the quake. Many admit they first thought the noise was caused by burglars but soon found different.

Alvin Rice who lives near Oxnard said he felt four distinct quakes. He stated the third was the worst and lasted quite some time. In the Colonia district Jack Miller said many felt it.

C.A. Newcomb of Hueneme said he felt the temblor. He declared the first shock was the worst in that section. "Every nail in the house squeaked," he said "and the whole house shook."

-- felt in LA Southern Pacific depot. Everyone rushed to the street.

Felt in Hollywood.

The clock at the store room of the Edison Company on Fifth street stopped at 11:30. It was said that many other clocks were stopped by the quake. All over the neighborhood dogs barked and chickens were frightened off their roosts and there was more or less excitement.

The Morning Press, Vol. LI, No. 255 (Tuesday, July 24, 1923)

THREE HURT AS QUAKE HITS SOUTHLAND.

San Bernardino Buildings Crack, Hospital Wall Topples Over.

Auto Goes Off Cliff.

Earth Shock Felt at Many Points in Southern Part of State.

San Bernardino, July 23 - Inventory of the damage of last nightÕs earthquake, completed tonight, showed three persons injured and about $2,000 damage in the city of San Bernardino, and $2,500 in Redlands.

Slight Quake is Felt Here - Slight earthquake shocks were felt in various sections of Santa Barbara a few minutes before midnight, Sunday night, according to a check of the city and suburbs yesterday. In no case, however was the tremblor of sufficient severity to cause more than a slight trembling of houses.

Bakersfield Has Slight Tremor.

Quake Breaks Riverside Mains.

Santa Paula Chronicle, Vol. XXXV, no. 21 (Thursday, July 26, 1923)

SLIGHT TEMBLOR IS FELT HERE. Earthquake Shock Wakes Many at Eleven oÕclock Sunday Night.

STATE HOSPITAL IS HIT. San Bernardino and Redlands Center of Greatest Damage Done.

Santa Paula felt only a slight shock in the earthquake which gave all southern California a thorough shaking-up on Sunday night at eleven thirty.

The Ojai, Vol. XXXII, no. 29 (Friday, July 27, 1923)

DISTINCT QUAKE FELT BY SOME OJAI PEOPLE. There were at least a few local people who either awake from sleeping got a tremot (sic) out of the temblor that introduced a brief "shimmy dance" at 11:30 pm last Sunday night, and down San Bernardino was it attained the magnitude of a shakeup, rocking buildings to the point of considerable damage, necessitating the condemnation of at least one three story structure in that city.

In Oxnard, Ventura and Santa Barbara the shock or shocks, elicited attention and some alarm.

The vibrations were the longest ever experienced by the writer, and the house rocked perceptibly.

1923

Aug 15

1618

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 230.

4:18 p.m. Oxnard, Ventura Co. "Books thrown to floor in public library and law offices." - LA Times, Aug. 16, 1923.

1923

Nov 27

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 231.

7:50 p.m. IV. Ojai, Ventura Co. Rocking of rapid onset; duration three seconds; felt by many; could not determine direction, hence intensity probably less than V. - ERWB.

The Ojai, Vol. XXXII, no. 47 (Friday, Nov. 30, 1923)

DID YOU FEEL IT? Tuesday night at 7:46, a distinct earthquake shock was felt by many Ojai people. It was more like a sudden impact between resisting forces, than the shake-up from a temblor. Also, a heavy explosion might have caused the same effect. The shock was felt at Ventura, according to the Post, but if felt in Los Angeles the Times neglected to mention it.

1924

Dec 24

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XVIII, no. 150 (Friday, Dec. 26, 1924)

EARTHQUAKE IS SAID CAUSE OF HEAVY DAMAGE. Scores of Breaks in Pipe Lines of Santa Paula Water Company Discovered. FEW FELT TEMBLOR.

Oxnarders Thought Disturbance Caused From Winds. Hinders Irrigation. Oxnarders who thought they felt an earthquake sometime Wednesday apparently were right. While the earth temblor may have been very light here, it caused heavy damage in Santa Paula, although felt by very few who thought the disturbance was caused by strong winds.

There was some talk of an earthquake both here and in Santa Paula but it was thought little of, until Engineer Vern Freeman of the Santa Paula Water Co. reported serious damage to the water companyÕs pipe lines.

In widely separated places breaks were found in the pipe lines used for irrigation purposes near Santa Paula. There are several miles of pipe and large cracks were found in them at intervals all over the system.

The cityÕs water mains were not disturbed.

Engineer Freeman said that only an earthquake could have broken the pipes in so many places and in such widely separated spots.

Santa Paula Chronicle, Vol. II, no. 72 (Friday, Dec. 26, 1924)

BELIEVE CITY WAS VISITED BY EARTHQUAKE. Some Queer Action of Earth on Wednesday Afternoon or Night Breaks all Irrigation Pipe Lines in This Section. Was the Santa Paula section visited by an earthquake along with the high wind of Wednesday? This is the quake that Engineer Vern Freeman, in charge of the Santa Paula Water Co., Farmers Irrigation and Thermal Belt Water systems is trying to have answered. He believes that an earthquake was responsible for cracking the concrete irrigation pipe lines of the Farmers and Thermal Belt Companies.

Engineer Freeman has found that numerous cracks and resultant leaks have appeared in the canyon, Farmers and Thermal Belt pipe lines. These all occurred sometime Wednesday afternoon.

The breaks were at widely separate points and the similarity of the cracks leads Engineer Freeman to believe it was an earthquake that was responsible. No record of any earthquake has been heard here.

The Morning Press, Vol. LIII, no. 96, p. 12 (Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1924)

SANTA PAULA FEELS QUAKE. Broken Water Pipes are Laid to Disturbance of Earth. Santa Paula, Dec. 29 - An earthquake of sufficient severity to break the pipe lines of the Santa Paula Water company in various and widely separated places occurred last week. At first it was thought the freeze might have caused the damage; but the fact that water was flowing all the time through the pipes that have been wrenched apart, put an end to that theory. Engineer Vern Freeman, of the Santa Paula Water company, says that the damage was obviously caused by a quake.

Reports of a slight quake felt in other places of the country have been current. But there are several causes that can produce the effect of quite a violent tremblor and there is a good deal of skepticism about earthquake shocks unless some indubitable evidence as this is at hand.

1924

Dec 30

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 234.

4:17 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. Santa Barbara. Sharp, heavy blows. - SRC&GS; Reid's Scrapbook 4, 138.

The Morning Press, Vol. LIII, no. 97, p. 7 (Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1924,)

EARTH SHOCK WAKENS CITY. Sudden Tremblor Attributed to Earthquake; No Records Found. A violent shock, the origin of which had not been traced up to late last night, awoke Santa Barbara residents at 4:20 oÕclock yesterday morning.

From reports of the shock received yesterday the disturbance was caused by a slight earthquake.

In some homes pictures fell from the walls and dishes were broken while the shock was sufficient to awaken about 25% of those sleeping at that hour. People on the street at that time did not notice the shock.

The only earthquake recorded on the seismograph at the University of California was between 11:27:22 oÕclock and 11:29 oÕclock Monday night, according to the Associated Press.

The Ventura Daily Post, Vol. 24, No. 19 ( Dec. 31, 1924)

SANTA BARBARA HAS EARLY MORNING QUAKE. A severe earthquake rocked Santa Barbara at 4:17 am yesterday followed by a smaller one at 6:15 oÕclock.

Earthquakes of minor importance have been felt in several places, including Santa Paula, since the record of a gigantic quake was received on Sunday night.

San Ardo, a short distance from San Luis Obispo, received a jolt Saturday night and several other disturbances were felt in that locality.

The brunt of the shock is believed to have occurred in Japan, which reported severe but not disastrous tremblors yesterday.

1925

Jan 28

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 234.

9:30 a.m. V. Ojai, Ventura Co. Two shocks, felt by many. SRC&GS.

Santa Paula Chronicle, Vol. II, no. 100 (Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1925)

QUAKE ROCKS TOWNS OF COUNTY; OJAI FEELS MOST. Ojai had a real earthquake scare this morning. Buildings rocked and plaster was cracked and fell while the populace ran into the street as two shocks occurred at about 9:30 am.

Here in Santa Paula, no one in the downtown district could be found who had felt the quake, but in the residence district some housewives reported that their dishes had rattled. One woman said it made her ill.

Ventura Free Press (Thursday, Jan. 29, 1925 )

Tremor Shakes Entire County; Ojai Worst Hit.

Ojai bore the brunt of the quake which hit here yesterday morning at 9:34 oÕclock, according to reports from there today.

The shock caused many clocks to stop running, and was felt all over the valley. Out buildings of light construction on the farms near Ojai danced around and quivered, while considerable damage was done in grocery stores by glass jars being hurled from the shelves.

The worst damage was caused to the Arcade, which was torn a way a little, it is understood.

Plaster was cracked and fell while the populace of Ojai ran into the street. There were two shocks there - only one here.

A new crack appeared in the old city hall building, but other than that no damage could be learned here.

At the Limonieria, two shocks were reported but no damage done.

In Santa Paula, the business district did not feel the tremor, but housewives reported that dishes had rattled.

One woman declared that the tremor made her ill.

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XVIII, no. 178 (Thursday, Jan. 29, 1925)

Earthquake is Felt Throughout County; Felt Most at Ojai. It was reported here yesterday that an earthquake had been felt in Camarillo yesterday morning but at the time the report was discredited, it being said that the fleet was firing big guns off the coast. Later reports, however, show that Ventura County received quite a jar about 9 oÕclock am. yesterday.

The earth tremor was felt strongly at Camarillo. Mrs. C.J. Daily who happened to be in the upstairs part of the large Daily home said she heard a perfume bottle rattling on the bureau in her bedroom. She looked up and saw the bottle moving. Then the house started to saw [sic], windows rattled, and the door shook. No one else was in the house at the time and although Mrs. Daily thought it was an earthquake she was not sure, for firing of large guns on battleships at sea was often felt at Camarillo.

The quake was very slight at Oxnard, very few persons noticing it. At Ventura the temblor was of sufficient force to cause a large crack in the old city hall building.

At the Limoneria ranch company in Santa Paula two shocks were felt but no damage was done.

In Santa Paula, like Oxnard, no one in the down-town district seemed to notice the temblor. housewives reported that dishes and windows rattled.

In Ojai the shock was quite severe.

Carpinteria Herald, Vol. 5, no. 12 (Thursday, Jan. 29, 1925)

Slight Tremor. Carpinterians experienced a slight earthquake tremor yesterday morning slightly after 9:30 oÕclock. The shake lasted but a few seconds, but was the heaviest that has been felt for some time.

The Ojai, Vol. XXXIV, no. 3 (Friday, Jan. 30, 1925)

QUAKE SHAKES BUILDINGS AND SCATTERS POPULACE. Wednesday morning at 9:35 by the Boyd ClubÕs big clock (when it stopped ticking) this city was visited by a terrific temblor that turned things topsy turvy; terrifying denizens; causing buildings to teeter-totter and the earth to tremble by a hidden force as powerful as exploding dynamite.

In the business section nearly every living soul -- and some nearly dead from fright -- rushed into the street with the greatest haste ever exercised in all their lives before, but with all that titanic burst of speed, the agitation of mother earth had ceased before the curb was reached by the bosses and employees, who absorbed all the agitation necessary after the quake quit.

The vibrations were east to west, and there were two distinct shocks, only a fraction of a second apart, the first a quick jolt, and then a regular humdinger, tug-oÕ-war, forward and back movement that pulled the populace to its feet, and caused hearts to sik [sic] below the waistband.

Bottled and canned goods were thrown from the shelves of the three grocery stores but the entire loss slight -- not over $50.

The attendants at the post office, feared that the tower was toppling, but they kept their posts, and that bit of beautiful architecture stood the strain without the appearance of a flaw.

A chimney was beheaded at the C.V. Miller home, and a window shattered at the Grammar school.

The Boyd Club was shaken like a reed in a heavy gale, and cracked and creaked loudly, and the clock stopped exactly at 9:35.

From various reports, reaching here from LA and the north, it is evident that the force of the disturbance was centered here.

In LA it was not felt and the shock was slight at Oxnard and Ventura.

1925

29 Jun

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, EARTHQUAKE OF JUNE, 29, 1925 (M = 6.3)

The Santa Barbara earthquake of June 29 was the first earthquake in California since 1906 to cause significant damage and casualties in an urbanized area. The Richter magnitude scale was not developed until 1935, but a subsequent comparison of records shows that the magnitude of the main shock of 1925 was approximately 6.3. It was recorded by seismographs at Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton and at Santa Clara College, both near San Jose in northern California, and in the central and eastern U.S. and Europe. The combined records are inadequate, however, to fix the epicenter of the earthquake any more precisely than "in the Santa Barbara Channel area" (C. Richter, pers. comm., 1968). Intensities as high as VIII on the Modified Mercalli scale were assigned to the Goleta - Santa Barbara - Carpinteria area (Isoseismal Map). The onshore felt area was in excess of 260,000 sq. mi. The earthquake was widely reported and photographed. The Santa Barbara newspaper accounts are understandably voluminous and are not fully reproduced here for that reason. Aftershocks were especially numerous, and are also not fully cataloged here, but see BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 235 -240 for many of them. Ed.

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 235.

6:42 a.m. IX. Santa Barbara - This strong destructive local earthquake practically destroyed the business section of Santa Barbara, many of the buildings being poorly constructed from the standpoint of surviving strong shaking, and was of intensity VII or VIII along the coast from a point east of Santa Barbara almost to Point Concepcion and northwest to beyond Los Alamos, with a suggestion in the intensity pattern that the faults in the Los Alamos-Los Olivos region may have participated in some manner in the shock, in addition to the faults nearer Santa Barbara, which were chiefly responsible.

[The entire publication BSSA Vol. 15, no. 4 deals with the Santa Barbara earthquake of 1925. BSSA Vol. 17, no. 1 contains article entitled, "The Earthquake at Santa Barbara, California, as it Affected the Railroad of the Southern Pacific Company." by W.H. Kirkbride.]

The shock caused a few deaths and several million dollars of damage in Santa Barbara. It was felt feebly at Watsonville, Santa Cruz Co., on the northwest; was rather strong, probably about intensity IV, at Mojave, Kern Co., on the east, and at Santa Ana, Orange Co., to the southeast, according to press reports. This outlines an area on land of about 50,000 square miles as the region over which the shock probably was perceptible, and the total area, land and sea, probably shaken with intensity II must have been about 100,000 square miles.

The shock was recorded seismographically over most of the earth, and was followed by more widely recorded aftershocks than has been usual with California shocks of this type.

The Ventura County Star, Vol. 1, No. 13 ( June 29, 1925)

QUAKE ROCKS VENTURA; NO BIG DAMAGE

Women and children fled from their homes early this morning when four separate and distinct earthquake tremblors shook this city for several minutes.

The tremblors are said to be the most violent to visit Ventura in years.

Chimneys were torn from roofs; plate glass windows were broken; bottles and canned groceries in downtown grocery stores were thrown to the floor. Drugs and medical preparations were strewn about drug store floors.

VenturaÕs only salvation from probable complete destruction was the fact that the earthquake was gradual and not violent, according to pioneers here.

The old mission was probably hit the hardest of any structure in the city. The walls were cracked in many places and plaster knocked from its walls. The bell tower was almost knocked from the roof.

Inspector Bert Johnson reported that many chimneys were knocked off the roofs of various residences throughout the city. He said there was no other noticeable damage to property. Several bricks were knocked out of archway windows and a chimney was knocked loose at the De Leon hotel.

Landslides were caused in the Avenue oil well district but as far as could be learned no serious damages resulted. Many workmen fled from large derrecks, according to those who were at the wells. The castings probably saved any damages that might have occurred to the wells according to various officials of the various companies.

(The Santa Barbara Damage is also extensively covered. Ed.)

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XVIII, no. 306 (Monday, June 29, 1925)

Oxnard was rocked for several seconds at 6:45 am. This was the first and longest quake. It was a long steady role [sic] gaining in intensity toward the end.

People who were asleep had time to get up, upt [sic] on scant clothing and get outside before the shaking stopped. Then for several seconds after light fixtures, mirrors, pictures and other things swayed.

Another shock was felt a minute or two later, then another and another. But these were less severe.

At 6:55 there was another severe temblor and residents made another dash for the open. To many it felt at first as though this was worse than the first. Dishes were shaken from many shelves in Oxnard, according to reports and some glasses were broken in one or two places it was reported. In one or two places plaster was cracked in ceilings. It is likely that there was some damage done in several places that has not yet been reported.

Roy Whitman, who is at present living with his family in Ojai, said the earthquake was quite severe there. The quakes seemed to be circular in motion, he said, as he noticed the huge oaks of the Ojai moving and the foliage moving as if the entire tree had been twisted around.

-- Also felt in Hanford (San Joaquin Valley): slight San Luis Obispo: slight Santa Ana, Corona, San Bernardino: slight

Santa Paula Chronicle ( June 29, 1925)

No damage in Santa Paula. Clocks stopped. Series of shocks felt.

Santa Maria Daily Times, Weekly Vol. XLIII, no. 7 (Monday, June 29, 1925)

Santa Maria Escapes With Light Shocks. A few cracked chimneys and brick walls comprised the total damage to Santa Maria from the earth tremors which rocked this community this morning at about 6:45 oÕclock. Guadalupe, Orcutt, Betteravia, Nipomo and other nearby towns report quakes of brief duration at the same time but no damage.

A series of slight tremors followed the shock which stopped a number of Western Union and other clocks in Santa Maria at 6:44 this am morning. The most severe shock probably lasted a quarter of a minute, with slight tremors continuing for several minutes. Slight shocks were also felt here about 8:30.

Chimneys of several local residences are reported cracked and the plaster on the walls of the Masonic temple was shattered to some extent.

June 30, 1925: Two slight earth shocks are reported to have been felt in Santa Maria at early hours this morning. No damage was done and a majority of the inhabitants were unaware of their visit until the information was announced this morning.

Carpinteria Herald, Vol. 5, no. 39 (Thursday, July 2, 1925)

The greatest disaster that has befallen this section of the county since the advent of the white man here, came early Monday morning when the earth began to rock about 6:40 oÕclock and continued to rock intermittently for about 10 minutes. When the third temblor had subsided the Town Hall building was in ruins and every building in the valley was damaged to some extent.

The first tremor came without warning and found the greatest portion of the residents in bed. Before the first tremor had subsided everyone was in the street. Except to get their clothing, food and bedding, few returned to the houses until the following day and then only as long as necessary. While it was felt that the greater danger has passed with the big quake Monday morning, the earth trembled almost incessantly all day with intermittence sharp shocks which was most trying on the nerves, so that when night came a great many preferred to remain outdoors. One sharp shock did come at 1:20 am and another at 4:30 oÕclock, but they served only to awaken sleepers and did little damage.

The most serious damage done in Carpinteria was the wrecking of the Town Hall building. While the building is standing, it is so badly damaged, it may have to be razed and rebuilt. The north and the south walls were almost severed so that it is hard to determine what holds it intact. The condition of the building is such that no one should enter it unless it is absolutely necessary.

The Smith building on the corner of 7th and Linden was badly damaged but not beyond repair. The front was almost torn off and several bricks from the southwest corner fell off, but it is thought it can be anchored to the rest of the building at no great expense.

More description of damaged buildings.

Nearly every chimney toppled... The greater portion of residences here are well built frame structures which were elastic enough to withstand the numerous twists and turns they were subjected with little damage.

Solves Water problem - While the earthquake gave us a terrible fright and shook our nerves and buildings, it apparently solved one of our vexatious problems - the water problem - for a time at least. Since the quake all mountain streams increased form [sic] 20 to 30 inches and wells that were supposed to be dry are now producing.

The Ojai, Vol. XXXIV, no. 25 (Friday, July 3, 1925)

On Monday morning at 6:40 as reckonedand [sic] indicated by several clocks that suddenly ceased their pendulum beat of time at that exact hour, Ojai was rocked by seismic disturbances that startled all either asleep or awake into an unusual early morning activity, coupled in many instances with great alarm and consternation.

The vibrating influence was tenacious -- the like of which having never been experienced by the oldest resident of the Valley. The torture of agony and fear was soon lessened with the realizing sense that deathÕs fingers had slipped their hold, but alarm was not entirely abated before other vibrations succeeded the first with alarming force, giving rise to a quick mental conjecture as to what was to follow from the unseen master of all things material.

But after the two heavy shocks there came the more unnoticeable caperings of little quakes that only served to slightly increase heart pulsation and strain nerve tensions, in a few cases, almost to the limit of hysteria.

Other than a good scare and shaking, Ojai escaped damage. Shelves of grocery stores were disturbed without loss, and toilet articles in pyramidal display in BoardmanÕs window took a tumble.

It was soon learned that Ventura, Santa Paula, Oxnard and Los Angeles, with other cities and towns along the way, had been in the path of the temblors, but there had been no loss of life and no property damage.

But with the word that no point north of Ventura could be reached, there was grave apprehension, many calling to mind the great San Francisco disaster of 1906.

Then came the report from the Free Press office in Ventura that Santa Barbara had been hit hard, and with each succeeding report the Channel City horror grew in magnitude, until the awful visitation was verified by those arriving from the scene of ruin, death and desolation.

And in that tragedy, Ojai narrowly escaped having a part, as J.J. Burke was in the path of danger, so eminent, that for a moment escape seemed impossible, and our townsman felt that for him the end was at hand, and he mentally said goodbye Burke and farewell to the world. His time had not come - fate ruling otherwise. He was a guest at the Neal, a concrete structure, on State Street, not far from the S.P. Depot.

He had risen early and was at the ClerkÕs desk conversing with the night clerk, when there was a mighty upheaval, and he saw the side wall moving from them, and the sound of crashing cement was in his ears, as he turned, with the thought "this is the end - goodbye Burke" - he rushed for the street with a sort of a blind tuition, followed by the clerk.

But the upper walls, where lurked death, did not fall, and our good citizen was spared to future usefulness.

No less exciting was the experience of Contractor Adams, now fulfilling a sewer contract in this city.

He was at the Hotel Barbara, still sleeping, and when the first shock came he was nearly hurled from the bed, and the next instant was at the window to determine the cause of the sudden commotion. He heard the crash of shattered timbers and witnessed a rain of falling brick and concrete, realizing then fully what calamity had befallen the city. He turned for his clothing, when the second upheaval added to the bedlam of sound, and half attired he rushed down the stairs to the rear of the hotel. The door would not yield. Going back to his room on the second floor with his fist crashed out the window screen, and as he was about to leap through the opening, the thought that he would be crushed by falling walls flashed through his mind, and turning he ran down the stairs and reached the street, half dazed by the confusion. (Next few lines are unreadable). ...a man accosted him and reported that Los Angeles was in ruins and "thousands killed". That was his home city - and his family was there. With a terror and apprehension beyond words, he ran from his informant to gain further news. Communication was cut off both by phone and telegraph. Securing his car he made a wild run to Ventura, and reaching his family by phone, gave his wife the first knowledge that a quake had occurred in Los Angeles or anywhere else. Her slumbers had not been disturbed, and she was happily unconscious of the danger that had encompassed the head of the household.

Through the columns of the Ventura Star, Jacques DÕArmund, business manager of the Santa Barbara Press, who was in and about the ruined district immediately following the disaster, tells the following graphic story:

"This morning Santa Barbara awoke early to the feel of sultry weather. Residents in all sections bestirred themselves and prepared to resume the humdrum of routine after the week end. In the dozen big hotels of the city employees of kitchen and dining room scurried to and fro preparing breakfast for an army of tourists, in shops and stores porters prepared to open for the dayÕs business.

Suddenly the earth shivered. Not a heavy tremor nor the usual vertical motion accompanying severe shakes. It was startling, nothing more.

The whole earth rose and seemed to shake itself with the motion of a spaniel fresh from the water.

And a minute later, State Street, the principal business avenue of the city, was a mass of ruins and wreckage, at least 15 or more persons were dead and property owners had suffered losses estimated at from $25,000,00 (?) and up.

That was at 6:45 oÕclock. Within the next half hour additional shocks running an entire scale of severity at 25 in number, had increased the property loss and driven virtually every resident of Santa Barbara from home to the open air.

From Sola Street south to the ocean front a total of approximately 40 buildings were either demolished or so badly wrecked that rebuilding will be necessary.

The San Marcos building at Anapamu and State streets was almost entirely demolished.

One wing of the four-story structure, completed less than two years ago, lies flat on the ground. The State Street frontage is one-half demolished and in the wreckage are believed to be bodies of several employees of the Strling (sic) Drug Company.

The Arlington Hotel, CaliforniaÕs first great tourist hotel, and famous on two continents, is a wreck.

The entire front section of the hostelry crashed to the ground, scores of guests barely escaping with their lives.

Other large buildings wrecked were the public library, one of the most beautiful in the state; the First National Bank; the Trinity Church; the First Congretional Church; the Hotel Carillo (first two floors); the Clock Building; the Edgerley Court Apartments; the W.F. Higby Automotive building; the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows; the New Hotel California, finished less than a month ago, and a large number of others.

Immediately after the first shock, all electric power and gas mains were shut off. Traffic came to a standstill and special police and naval reserves took charge of the downtown situation. A search of the wreckage for bodies was begun with huge wrecking machines and tractors dragging the debris from the streets.

The first efforts of the salvage crews were hampered by the crowds of curious who flocked to the stricken zone, before the Granada Theatre, an 8-story structure which survived the tremblor, thousands gathered to watch the workmen. Recurring shocks soon sent them scurrying to a place of safety, however, and when the big building began to rock above their heads there was a general scampering in all directions.

Scores of heroism came out of the first shocks. "Art" Hensling, well known as a semi-professional baseball player was standing with a companion before a produce store on Ortega Street when the first blow came. The front of the building caved in on the pair, seriously injuring them.

A small Mexican boy was passing, and the lad, with superhuman efforts, and with shock following shock, almost continuously, stayed with his work of rescue until he had freed both pinioned men from their perilous positions.

The $5,000,000 city reservoir of Gibraltar dam escaped the force of the quake and stands apparently undamaged, but the Sheffield storage reservoir just above the Old Mission, broke and its rushing waters inundated a large section of the city in the lower part of town.

Up until this afternoon few people of the city remained indoors. Scenes remindful of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 could be seen on all sides. On every lawn, breakfast was being served on tables hastily set, but few were partaking of the food.

The shutting off of electricity and gas plants made hot food at a premium. Bursting water mains cut off most of the water supply, and there were few cups of hot coffee in the city.

Among the list of the dead from the quake are:

Dr. H.L. Angell, dentist, of Santa Barbara.

Miss Carter, Arlington Hotel maid.

Bertram Hancock, Los Angeles clubman, son of A. Allan Hancock.

James H. Hazzard, merchant of Santa Barbara.

Nicholas Latheua, restaurant owner of Santa Barbara.

William Matthews, official of International Lathers Union.

Maranio Ministido, laborer.

Mrs. Charles R. Perkins, widow of the late vice president of the C.B. & Q. Railway.

Charles Perkins, Jr., her son.

D. Santor, garage mechanic, Santa Barbara.

Patrick Shea, gardener of St. AnthonyÕs Seminary, Santa Barbara.

James Starborn, restaurant worker, Santa Barbara.

A Priest at the Old Mission.

The list of injured include: G.A. Hancock, Dr. Henry Hensey, Ruth Allen, H.T. Crowin, Louis J. Deiner, William Renwick, John Gired, Leo Stewark of Lompoc, Mrs. H. Best, H. de la Gadillo, A.R. Hensling, Mrs. Ethel Deiner, Frank Rexroat, George Miller, Hernando Chavez, Mrs. J. Knudson, William McElroy.

The business district the full length of State Street from San Marcos building south to the water front is a mass of ruins, and will all have to be rebuilt.

The property damage loss is estimated at $25,000,000.

It is reported that the earthquake insurance on destroyed property in the Channel City totals $1,500,000.

Many of the fine homes of the higher elevations about the city were damaged to a greater or lesser extent.

Ventura seems to have got the force of the shock more severely than Ojai and according to the Post considerable minor damage was done, the most important being mentioned.

RESORTS UNSCATHED. Nearby resorts suffered no quake damage was the good news that came from Matilija, Wheelers and Sopers. The shocks were felt and there was a scattering among the rocks, but no slides occurred, although the upper reaches of the mountains sides were outlined through heavy dust clouds at some points. The Camp Girls, at Matilija, had their early morning dreams broken in upon, but the visitation was quite calmly accepted as one of the experiences of camp life.

At Oxnard, Frank Inglis, just prior to the first disturbance, left his home to go down town. As he approached his car "Miss Lizzie" seemed to back away from him in a sort of shimmie act. He rubbed a hand over his eyes to determine whether he was awake or dreaming and as he moved forward and placed a foot on the running board, the family Ford shied away from him as the second shock agitated the wheels - then Frank knew what had happened.

California Division of Mines

City water gauges recorded several hundred seismic events associated with earthquakes. Foreshocks began at least as early as 0327 local time, followed by the main shock at 0643. (By the morning of July 5, 264 aftershocks were recorded, and they continued into Sept. Regrettably, no systematic records were kept of the after- shocks, so that a complete recording is lacking. The contemporary newspaper accounts contain comments only about notable aftershocks. Ed.)

1925

Jun 30

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XVIII, no. 307 (Tuesday, June 30, 1925:)

Additional Quakes Are Felt Here During Early Morning Hours. Following on the heels of the disastrous Santa Barbara temblor, there have been a number of smaller earthquakes in that vicinity several of which were felt here. Last night several light tremors were reported.

At 1:20 this morning there was a noticeable quake that awakened light sleepers in Oxnard. It lasted for several seconds and many people got out of bed. Lights were seen in scores of homes. A large number of Oxnarders reported that light fixtures were swaying when they turned on the lights.

Light tremors were felt at 3:30 and 5:30 according to many Oxnarders.

It was reported that another quake was felt during the morning.

-- Georgetown Prof. says epicenter was way out in the Pacific.

1925

Jul 3

The Ventura County Star, Vol. 1, No. 17 ( July 3, 1925)

THREE TREMORS DO SLIGHT HARM. Ventura is shaken by quakes; more cracks in mission -- three separate tremors occurring at 8:43, 10:20 and 10:45 am, the second being the most severe, rocked Ventura today and sent people hurrying into the streets. No serious damage was reported from any of the tremblors.

Additional cracks are noticeable in the Old Mission and some more plaster was knocked from the walls of the historic landmark.

The brick walls separating the American Bakery at 714 Main Street and the Sanitary Market were slightly parted.

The I. O. O. F. building, occupied by the postoffice on the ground floor, shook like a cradle, according to those who were in the office at the time.

The Daily Oxnard Courier (Friday, July 3, 1925)

Mentions SB, Ventura aftershocks, none said felt in Oxnard.

BSSA, vol. 15, n. 3, p. 242.

Santa Barbara, CA - Three distinct shocks were felt in Santa Barbara on July 3rd, according to reports received from there; there were aftershocks from the severe earthquake of June 29th.

The Lompoc Record (Friday, July 3, 1925)

(Describes damage done to Santa Barbara; has short reference to a series of quakes in Santa Maria but says nothing about damage or occurrence in Lompoc. Ed.)

Santa Barbara Daily News (Saturday July 4, 1925:)

OIL FISSURES OPEN IN OCEAN AND COVER SEA. Boat Returning from Islands Reports Film of Petroleum Spread for Miles in the Channel off Santa Barbara. Gaping oil fissures crisscross the channel between Santa Barbara and the channel islands since the great quake of last Monday have been pouring their oil contents into the sea, according to W.H. Schuyler of Oak Park, who has just returned from FryÕs Harbor.

"We were on Santa Cruz island when the quake started," said Mr. Schuyler, "and at first supposed the noise we heard was a schooner coming in. Then the ground began to roll and rocks to tumble from the cliffs.

"The yacht Dreamer lay in the bay. She has a radio and after a time the men aboard came over and told us their radio had caught news that Santa Barbara had been destroyed by an earthquake.

"We started across the channel and ran into oil spread like a heavy film on the surface of the sea for miles, and oil bubbling from the seaÕs bottom. In some places in the channel there always have been some traces of oil, but in all my experience with the channel I have never seen such a spread of oil over the surface of the sea as we went through on our was hurrying back from the islands to Santa Barbara."

Mr. Schuyler states that the islands suffered no damage from the quake, and that while rocks rolled into the sea from the cliffs he believes most of these were about ready to roll down when the quake struck the island.

The Ventura County Star, Vol. 1, No. 18 ( July 6, 1925)

264 TREMORS IN THE PAST WEEK -- three more earth tremors on Sunday and a total of 27 recorded Sat. at the recording thermometer of Southern CA Gas Co. in Santa Barbara, brought the total number of tremors, including the two terrific ones last Monday, to 264 for the week. Each tremor was distinctly recorded on the charts of this thermometer.

The Daily Oxnard Courier ( July 6, 1925)

La Cumbre Peak has been constantly quivering since the quake Monday morning.

Santa Barbara, July 6 - A total of 279 earth tremors have rocked this city since before 7 am Monday morning. One extremely faint at 3 am July 6.

The Daily Oxnard Courier ( July 8, 1925)

No further tremors in SB

Carpinteria Herald ( July 9, 1925)

Reports occasional sharp shocks.

The Lompoc Record (Friday, July 10, 1925)

WATER LEVEL RAISES AFTER RECENT QUAKE. The earthquake increased the water supply all over Lompoc valley and ranchers who have irrigation outfits have reported in several instances that the water level has raised considerably... The quake made a big difference in the water supply.

Santa Barbara News Press ( Aug. 7, 1925)

Flow of water from the Santa Ynez River has increased measurably ever since the earthquake, according to a tabulation of gauge readings compiled yesterday by D.M. McDonald, observer at the cityÕs Lompoc station. On June 27, two days before the quake, the highest reading on the gauge was 0.66, denoting that the water was that deep in feet. A week later the average depth of the flow had increased to 0.72 feet, and has remained at approximately that level ever since. Experts explain the increase is due to the fact that the tremor opened up heretofore hidden seams and springs that now pour water into the river. An increased quantity of lime has been discovered in the water.

 

1925

Jul 24

The Daily Oxnard Courier (Friday, July 24, 1925).

2 QUAKES FELT IN VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA. Shortly before noon (11:50) slight, of slow movement, no damage, not felt in Oxnard.

Two earth tremors were felt in Santa Barbara and Ventura shortly before noon today. No damage was reported. According to Venturans who were in the court house at the time of the quakes were distinctly felt and the big building rocked. The first tremblor was felt at 11:50 am. Another followed immediately afterward. The quakes were described as slight and of slow movement.

According to the city editor of the Santa Barbara Daily News the quakes were felt in that city but were very slight. No damage was reported.

No reports of the quake being felt here were reported to The Courier.

1925

Aug 12

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 237.

10:45 a.m. Ojai and Ventura. Although the Coast Survey gives intensity V at Ventura and III at Ojai, the descriptions seem to indicate the highest intensity at Ojai, where the shock was an abrupt bumping, felt by many. A press dispatch said dishes rattled at Ventura.

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XIX, no. 35 (Wednesday, Aug. 12, 1925).

Quake Felt Here and Along Coast to Santa Barbara. Did you feel the jolt shortly before 11 oÕclock this morning? Many here said it was an earthquake and according to reports from Ventura later today, it must have been. While it was felt only slightly here Ventura received a real temblor that lasted about a minute.

Santa Paula Chronicle, Vol. II, no. 265.

A slight earthquake shock was felt here at about 11 oÕclock this morning. It is said it was quite severe in Ventura and Santa Barbara, opening new cracks in buildings.

BSSA, vol. 15, n. 3, p. 243 ( Aug. 1, 1925).

Santa Barbara, California - Five light shocks were felt in Santa Barbara on the night of Aug. 12-13. The strongest of these took place a few minutes before 3:00 am. No damage was reported.

1925

Aug 16

BSSA, vol. 15, n. 3, p. 243.

Ventura, California - An earthquake of sufficient intensity to rattle dishes was reported to have occurred in Ventura at 10:45 am on Aug. 16. No damage was done.

1925

Sep 6

The Morning Press, Sect. 2, p. 1 (Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1925).

TWO LIGHT SHOCKS ARE FELT SUNDAY. Two slight earthquake shocks, the first that have been generally noticed in the past few weeks, occurred Sunday, one at 10:50 oÕclock and the other at about 8:30 oÕclock that evening.

1925

Oct 9

BSSA, vol. 15, n. 4, p. 334 ( Oct. 9, 1925)

Santa Barbara, California - Santa Barbara felt a very slight earthquake shock at 1:30 pm on Oct. 9th. It was merely a "readjustment movement" from the severe shock of June 29th, and was comparable in intensity to the vibration produced by the Pacific fleetÕs firing off San Pedro.

1925

Oct 22

The Morning Press, Sect. 1, p. 2 (Thursday, Oct. 22, 1925)

An article about an earthquake in Los Angeles, also mentions one felt "yesterday morning" (Oct. 21) at 11:30. The only description of it given was that it was slight. Ed.

1925

Oct 30

BSSA, vol. 15, n. 4, p. 335 ( Oct. 30, 1925)

Santa Barbara, California - A sharp earthquake was felt in Santa Barbara and Ventura at 5:30 on the morning of Oct. 30th, according to an Associated Press dispatch. The shock was of several secondsÕ duration, but no damage was reported. A very light shock was also felt at 1:45 am on the same date.

The Daily Oxnard Courier, Vol. XIX, no. 101 (Friday, Oct. 30, 1925)

Quake Felt in Santa Barbara and in Oxnard. A slight earthquake was felt here at 5:30 am today. It was of minor violence and did no damage. The quake was felt in Ventura and also in Oxnard. It lasted a minute in Ventura and awoke light sleepers.

The Morning Press, Sect. 1, p. 1 (Friday, Oct. 30, 1925)

SLIGHT SHOCK FELT. a slight earth tremor was felt throughout the city shortly before 3 oÕclock this morning but no damage resulted.

The Ventura County Star, Vol. 1, No. 117 ( Oct. 30, 1925)

The heaviest tremblor in several months rocked Ventura at 5:30 this morning. The shake continued for 12 minutes, but no damage was done. From Santa Barbara came reports of a severe shake, which frightened many people. No damage to property was reported. Coming with sufficient severity to arouse many who were sleeping, they were sufficiently awake to be positive of the nature of the disturbance.

The Morning Press, Sect. 2, p. 2 (Sunday, Nov. 1, 1925)

QUAKE IS FELT IN LOS ALAMOS. Los Alamos, Oct. 31 - A distinct earthquake shock was felt here at 5 am yesterday.