Cascadia Catalog 1793-1930

	Cascadia Historic Earthquake Catalog, 1793-1929 Covering Washington, Oregon and Southern British Columbia Provided by: The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network About the Cascadia Historic Earthquake Catalog One-line catalog format 1793-1849 .... 1850s .... 1860s .... 1870s .... 1880s .... 1890s .... 1900s .... 1910s .... 1920s .... 1930s (not complete) .... Other Cascadia Catalogs

Individual Event Report

Event #546 - Summary, and parameter estimates with source IDs
Catalogers have long recognized that there is some confusion surrounding this earthquake. As Townley and Allen put it: "... Reports of a shock strong enough at Hood River to awaken sleepers and cause alarm, which was felt at Portland, and possibly over a considerable portion of Oregon and Washington, judging from an ambiguous press dispatch from Portland, suggest that the shock recorded at a number of seismographic stations may have originated in northern Oregon or southern Washington. The statement in the press dispatch referred to, that the shock was pronounced at Spokane and lasted ten minutes there, seems to have been a misstatement of the fact that the shock recorded for ten minutes on the seismograph there as a pronounced earthquake..." Weather observers in Astoria and Portland, OR and in Longmire and Detroit, WA reported feeling this earthquake with RF intensities of III and IV. The Astoria Evening Budget reports it as being felt in Hood River, Tacoma, Seattle, and Eastern WA. Other newspapers could be researched.
TIME							LOCATION			MAGNITUDE		MAX. INTENSITY					FELT AREA
YR	MO	DAY	HR	MIN	AM/PM	Time Type	LAT(N)	LON(W)	DEP (km)	MAG	Mag Type	Felt Plc.	Felt St.	Inten- sity	Int. Type	Felt Area	Felt Area Int.	Felt Area Units
1920	11	28	3	30	A	P	45.70	121.50				Hood River	OR	IV	MM	100000.00		mi2
TAWA - 1166							WWC - 1844		-	-		RAS - 155				REID1 - 632

Underlying Source Material

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
156	Rasmussen, Norman, 1967, Washington state earthquakes 1840 through 1965, BSSA V. 57, No. 3, pp. 463-476	1967
Transcription: 156 1920 Nov. 28 11:30 Spokane 1 felt

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
1844	Woodward Clyde Consultants, unpublished	1981	Woodward-Clyde Consultants (1981), Historical Catalog (1841-1980) for the Pacific Northwest Region, unpublished catalog prepared for the Washington Public Power Supply System. Copy provided to UW in 1993.
Transcription: 192011281130000 45700-121500W IV R 4 01

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
2182	Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America	1920	V. 10, p. 317
Transcription: Seattle, Washington, November 28 and 29, 1920. - An earthquake of sufficient intensity to rattle dishes and furniture was felt at various places in the state of Washington and northern Oregon at 3:30 a.m., November 28, 1920, The shock was recorded on the seismographs of the University of Washington at Seattle and on the Gonzales University at Spokane. According to the newspaper account Professor Landes of Seattle estimated that the center of the shock was 200 miles east of Seattle. Another shock, apparently of more distant origin, was recorded at Seattle beginning at 12:10 a.m. November 29th.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
1996	Unknown, UC Berkeley	1923	UC Berkeley Seismograph Station Clippings Collection
Transcription: [Comment RSL 9/3/95 - This article appears to correspond to an earthquake on 11/28/1920, although the article was filed on the 1923 page of the UCB scrapbooks] EARTHQUAKES IN NORTHWEST FELT OVER WIDE ZONE Portland, Ore., Nov. 29. - The extent of yesterday morning's earthquake, said to have been the most severe ever felt in the Pacific Northwest, grows with reports coming in this morning from points as far east as Spokane and northern Idaho. Portland was in the path of the temblor, but apparently was reached only by the outer waves of the earth disturbance, as the quake was comparatively slight here. Spokane endured a thirty-second temblor, while Seattle felt a series of shocks that grew in violence. No serious damage has been reported. The seismograph at the University of Washington recorded the most violent quake since 1906, when the instrument was installed. Dean Henry Landes, in charge of the seismograph, stated that he believed the disturbance to have centered about 200 miles from Seattle. The duration was recorded as ten minutes at the University of Washington. The quake is reported to have been violent at Hood River, Ore., on the Columbia river. Washington, Nov. 29. -- An earthquake shock of moderate intensity was recorded on the seismograph at Georgetown University. The shock began at 3:19 AM and continued until 4 AM, and it was estimated that the disturbance was 5100 miles from Washington, probably in South America. Spokane, Nov. 29. -- Slight earth tremors, centered 100 to 150 miles southwest of Spokane, were recorded by the seismograph at Gonzaga University early today, it was reported by the Observer. He said the shocks started at 12:07 and continued at interval until 12:23 AM.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
395	Byerly, Perry, 1952, Pacific Coast Earthquakes, Condon Lecture, pp. 33-38	1952	U.W. Library, N979 B991p, Special Collections)
Transcription: 1920, November 28 Northern Oregon and southern Washington. Turner, from instrumental data, located the origin of a shock at this time off the northwestern shore of Vancouver Island.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
632	Reid, unpub., Scrapbook and Cardfile, on microfilm at USGS in Menlo Park
Transcription: Northern Oregon PST 3:30 am 28 Nov, 1920 GMT 11h 30m IV (?) Bull SSA,X,317; SB IV, 115; Georgetown Desp; MWR Recorded at Seattle and Gonzales Univ, Berkley. Felt also in E Washington. Felt from Portland to Spokane, probably sensible on area of 80,000 to 100,000 sq. mi. Central probably near Hood River, OR. An earthquake reported from Portland, OR, early Nov 26 is evidently the same as that of Nov 28 with the date wrong.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
1166	Townley, S. D. and M. W. Allen, 1939, Descriptive Catalog of Earthquakes of the Pacific Coast of the United States 1769-1928, Chap. III Earthquakes in Washington, 1883-1928, BSSA, V. 29, No. 1, pp. 259-268	1939
Transcription: 1920 November 28. 3:30 a.m. Southern Washington and northern Oregon. Location of source uncertain; may have been either in Washington or in Oregon; Turner placed it off northern Vancouver Island; highest intensity reported V at Hood River, Oregon, makes this questionable. See Oregon list.-MWR, 48, 681; BSSA, 10, 317; Reid's Scrapbook, 4, 115.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
540	Townley, S.D. and M.W. Allen, 1939, Descriptive Catalog of earthquakes of the Pacific Coast of the United States 1769 to 1928, Chapter II, Earthquakes in Oregon--1846-1928, BSSA, V. 29, No. 1, pp. 253-258.	1939
Transcription: 1920 November 28. 3:30 a.m. Northern Oregon and southern Washington. Turner, from instrumental data, located the origin of a shock at this time off the northwestern shore of Vancouver Island. Reports of a shock strong enough at Hood River to awaken sleepers and cause alarm, which was felt at Portland, and possibly over a considerable portion of Oregon and Washington, judging from an ambiguous press dispatch from Portland, suggest that the shock recorded at a number of seismographic stations may have originated in northern Oregon or southern Washington. The statement in the press dispatch referred to, that the shock was pronounced at Spokane and lasted ten minutes there, seems to have been a misstatement of the fact that the shock recorded for ten minutes on the seismograph there as a pronounced earthquake.-CE 1918-1924, BAAS; Reid's Scrapbook, 4, 115; BSSA, 10, 317; MWR, 48, 681.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
2275	Monthly Weather Review	1920	V. 48, p. 740
Transcription: Date: November 28, 1920 Time (Greenwich Civil): 11:45 Location: Astoria, Oregon Latitude (deg., min.): 46 10 Longitude (deg.,min.): 123 50 RF Intensity: 4 Number of Shocks: 1 Duration (sec.): Sounds: Remarks: felt by several Observer:C.C. Rosenberg

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
1017	U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 1973, Earthquake History of the United States, V. 41-1, revised ed., pp. 89-96	1973
Transcription: 1920. November 28. Spokane, Wash., region. Fairly strong and widely felt shocks in Wahsington and Oregon, apparently centering somewhere near Spokane; continued on 29th.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
2270	Monthly Weather Review	1920	V. 48, p. 681
Transcription: Date: November 28, 1920 Time (Greenwich Civil): 11:43 Location: Portland, Oregon Latitude (deg., min.): 45 30 Longitude (deg.,min.): 122 40 RF Intensity: 3 Number of Shocks: 1 Duration (sec.): 3 Sounds: None Remarks: Felt by many Observer: F.D. Young

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
2271	Monthly Weather Review	1920	V. 48, p. 681
Transcription: Date: November 28, 1920 Time (Greenwich Civil): 11:33 Location: Longmire, Wash Latitude (deg., min.): 46 50 Longitude (deg.,min.): 121 50 RF Intensity: 4 Number of Shocks: 1 Duration (sec.): 35 Sounds: Rumbling Remarks:Felt at Paradise Inn Observer: J.B. Flett

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
2272	Monthly Weather Review	1920	V. 48, p. 681
Transcription: Date: November 28, 1920 Time (Greenwich Civil): 11:40 Location: Detroit, Wash. Latitude (deg., min.): 47 20 Longitude (deg.,min.): 122 50 RF Intensity: 3 Number of Shocks: 2 Duration (sec.): 10 Sounds: None Remarks:Felt by one Observer: W.O. Eckert

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
155	Rasmussen, Norman, 1967, Washington state earthquakes 1840 through 1965, BSSA V. 57, No. 3, pp. 463-476	1967
Transcription: 155 1920 Nov. 28 11:30 Hood River IV 4

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
2091	Astoria Evening Budget	1920	Monday, Nov. 29, 1920, p. 1. c .6. Reference provided by Bruce Berney, Director, Astoria Public Library, in a letter dated 12/6/1990
Transcription: Earth Tremor Jars Northwest; Astoria Notices Tiny Quake -- Light Sleepers Awakened by Temblor Sunday Morning Report Occurrences -- Portland, Hood River, and Spokane Visited -- Disturbance reported throughout Nation as Centering on the Pacific Country Light-sleeping Astorians felt the jar and quiver of another earth tremor sometime after 3 o'clock Sunday morning, the hour at which the shock was felt in varying intensities throughout the northwest country. The temblor, for it cannot be glorified by the name of an earthquake, was markedly milder than its predecessor of a few weeks ago and caused no reported damage in this locality. Theo. Siverson, janitor at the city hall, who resides on Forty-fifth street, states that both he and his wife were awakened by the shock which shook doors and rattled windows but did no damage. Mr Siverson also states that other people residing in the neighborhood report feeling the temblor distinctly, while it is also ascertained from reports made by Deputy Sheriff Spicer and other residents of the west end of town that the shock was also felt there. PORTLAND, Nov. 29 -- What was designated by J.W. Daniels, professor at the Hill Military academy, as a slight temblor, jarred the city just after 3 o'clock yesterday morning. This visitation was said to have been lighter than the one which was recorded here about a month ago and which was felt at that time by many people. Professor Daniels, who was awakened, says that such visitations are caused by the heated condition of the earth's interior, the pressure rising to a point which results in a jar to the outer crust. Temblor Not Dangerous "These disturbances are known as temblors, not earthquakes, and are of little consequence,". explained Professor Daniel. "This one was very slight, although it awakened me. There was not to exceed two seconds of tremor and it was so slight it did not even rattle dishes in my home, as did the last one before it. Shock Awakens Hood River HOOD RIVER, Or., Nov. 29 - An earthquake broke the rest of Hood River Valley residents shortly before 4 o'clock this morning. Miles Carter, east side orchardist, felt the temblor, which aroused members of his family. He says it lasted about 30 seconds. The tremor began with a violent shaking of the windows at the Carter house and the earth's undulations gradually subsided. Man Thrown From Bed SPOKANE, Wash., Nov 28 -- A large part of eastern Washington was given a slight jar at 3:33 o'clock this morning according to A.M. Jung, who is in charge of the Seismograph at Gonzaga university. The earth shock was so slight that of the half million people in the region affected only a hundred or a few more will know of it until they read the news in the papers. Tacoma Has Fair Shock TACOMA, Nov. 28 -- A distinct earthquake shock estimated by those who were awakened by it at 3:30 o'clock this morning to have lasted 10 to 30 seconds, was felt generally over the city.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
1460	Milne, W.G., 1956, Seismic Activity in Canada, west of the 113th meridian 1841-1951: Canada Dominion Obs. Pub., V. 18, No. 7, pp. 119-146	1957
Transcription: 1920 NOVEMBER 28. 3:30 a.m. phi = 50.0 degrees N; lambda = 128.0 degrees W. ISS. This epicentre may be in error for the tremor was felt in southern Washington, and in northern Oregon.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
958	U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 1973, Earthquake History of the United States, V. 41-1, revised ed., pp. 89-96	1973
Transcription: Nov. 28 03:30 Spokane, Wash., region - - - - 3-10

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
787	Reid, unpub., Scrapbook and Cardfile, on microfilm at USGS in Menlo Park
Transcription: E WA PST 3:30 am 28 Nov, 1920 IV (?) -Bull SSA, X, 37; SB, IX, 115 Recorded at Seattle & Gonzales Univ. Felt also in N Oregon. See Oregon card.

Source ID	Publication	Pub Date	Pub Details
7113	Pacific County Historical Society and Museum “Columbia River Chronology Historical Dates” www.pacificcohistory.org/columbia.htm
Transcription: EARTHQUAKE EVENTS LISTED IN THE FOLLOWING WEB PAGE Pacific County Historical Society and Museum “Columbia River Chronology Historical Dates” www.pacificcohistory.org/columbia.htm Note: Citations are given for each entry but bibliography is not available at this time per discussion with Pacific County Historical Society. [SW WASHINGTON EARTHQUAKES] December 2, 1841 earthquake near Ft Vancouver Washington (Wong and Bott p 128) December 23, 1854 tsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 121) December 24, 1854 tsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 121) April 3, 1868 tsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 122) August 14, 1868 tsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 123) August 23, 1872 teletsunami recorded at Astoria (Lander p 24, 47) October 12, 1877 earthquake tremors felt in Astoria oscillating from east to west (Daily Astorian October 13, 1877 p 1) December 12, 1880 2 earthquakes shocks felt (Daily Astorian [Dec?] 14, 1880 p 3; Algermissen and Harding) April 30, 1882 Severe tremors (Daily Astorian May 2, 1882 p 3) Daily Astorian May 3, 1882 p 3 mentions that earthquake was felt in Westport and Ft Canby about 10:30 pm [on] April 30. Daily Astorian May 4, 1882 tells that 3 shocks vibrated from SW to NE on April 30. March 27, 1884 earthquake felt in Hoquiam (Workman p 38) November 30, 1891 slight earthquake on Grays Harbor (Workman p 49) February 2, 1892 earthquake in Astoria (Bott and Wong p 118) February 26, 1895 earthquake hits Astoria (Daily Morning Astorian p 4) August 6, 1899 earthquake hits Astoria (Astoria Daily Budget August 8, 1899 p 4) November 20, 1899 tidal wave at Shoalwater Bay (Astoria Daily Budget November 20, 1899 p 4) September 12, 1903 quake hits city (Astoria Daily Budget p 4) March 16, 1904 Earthquake felt along Washington Coast and in Aberdeen, Hoquiam (Lander p 59, 127 not mentioned in Astoria newspapers) March 30, 1904 possible tsunami off Washington coast caused flooding (Lander p 19 not mentioned in Astoria newspapers) January 11, 1909 Grays Harbor Earthquake (Workman p 68) November 9, 1920 earthquake hits Astoria (Astoria Budget p 1) November 29, 1920 slight earthquake hits Astoria (Astoria Budget p 1)