June 1869 Puget Sound Earthquakes

140; 1880 8 22 1 25 P L Victoria B.C. 48 122

Milne cites the Victoria British Colonist. and says "South Vancouver Island and northwest Washington generally felt this shock. In Victoria the rumbling motion seemed to be from south to north. Plaster was cracked, loose bricks fell, and some persons ran into the street. At 9 a.m. on the same day a slight jolt was felt in Victoria. The main earthquake was felt in Saanich and Esquimalt. At Cowichan the boats were shaken but at Nanaimo the tremor was not felt. Port Townsend and Seattle, like Victoria, felt the earthquake and at Somenos there were two gun-like shocks although Somenos appears to be north of the main area of the disturbance."

A check of the Victoria British Colonist was made, but we were unable to locate the article. A review of the Oregonian and the Washington Standard found no mention of this event. Mention was found in the Seattle Daily Intelligencer, but the earthquake was not reported to have been felt in Seattle.

Puget Sound earthquakes of December 7th and 12th, 1880

160: 1882 4 30 10 40 P VI M Olympia WA 5.75 MI 47.4 122.6

During a review of original newspaper accounts of earthquakes in Washington and Oregon, we discovered an earthquake which occurred on April 30, 1882 at 10:48 PM local time (May 1, 6:48 GMT) and was widely felt in Oregon, Washington Territory, and southern Vancouver Island. It made a considerable impression on the populace although apart from a few broken chimney tops and window panes in Olympia, and crockery and glassware damage there and elsewhere, no damage was reported. An extended abstract and isoseismal map are published in 'R.S. Ludwin and A.I. Qamar, 1991, 1882 Earthquake Rediscovered, Washington Geology, V. 19, N. 2, pp. 12-13.' The intensity 5 and 6 contours for this earthquake appear very like those of the 1939 "Olympic" earthquake (1939 event was located at 47.4, 122.6 per EQ Hist. of US). This similarity of isoseismal contours suggest that the two earthquakes were of similar location and magnitude. The 1939 earthquake has been considered subcrustal, probably at a depth of 40-70 km within the subducting Juan de Fuca plate; its magnitude has been estimated at 5.75-6.2.

213; 1891 11 29 3 30 P VII RF Port Townsend WA 4000 mi2 48.11 123.4

Panes of glass were reported by Holden (1898) to have been broken in the Pysht hotel, but no mention of this was found in the Portland Oregonian or Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper reports which suggest that the shaking was most severe near Seattle, though the earthquake was also reported felt in Snohomish, around Bellingham Bay, in Port Townsend,, Tacoma, and Olympia., but not in Portland. Milne says that this event was felt only slightly in Victoria. Reports of possible landslide-generated tsunamis - waves or swells were reported in Lake Washington, and in Puget Sound both in Seattle and in Tacoma in "Tsumanis Affecting the West Coast of the United States, 1806-1992". The index for the Spokane Spokesman Review says "Great alarm felt by Coast people when quakes are felt in Sound region SR 8th D 2, 91 6:4', but we could not locate this article on the microfilm. The handwritten report from the Aberdeen weather observer describes this earthquake as "slight", while the report by weather observer Riley Hoskinson on Bainbridge Island tells of a "smart rocking". .

221: 1892 2 29 2 55 A IV M The Dalles OR 46.6 120.5

This is a sequence of foreshock, mainshock, and aftershock. The mainshock, on Feb. 29 at 2:55 AM was felt as far as Portland but was apparently strongest at Yakima and Fort Simcoe. Previous catalogs have not correctly described this sequence . Most state that this event was felt at The Dalles, where its intenstiy was reported as IV and the Oregonian reports: "Three distinct shocks of earthquake were felt here at 2:55 this morning. The vibration were north and south, and lasted about 4 seconds. A number of citizens were awakened by the shocks, and rushed into the streets in their nightclothes. In some residences the plaster was cracked and crockery rattled upon the shelves. No serious damage is reported.". The Woodward-Clyde and WPPSS catalogs have a separate entry for an event felt at Yakima, supposedly on March 5. We believe that these entries refer to the earthquake of Feb. 29. We have found a handwritten record from the weather observer at Fort Simco, in Yakima County, Washington, that reports: "Nothing special to notice except the earthquake on the morning of the 29th. It lasted about 30 seconds each shock. The middle shock was much the hardest . Windows and glassware were badly shaken and the plastering on some of the buildings was shaken off. It made a number of people sick to their stomachs.", and "3 shocks of earthquake at 2.00 - 2.55 and 3:15 AM of the 29th inst. The middle shock was the hardest . Glassware was shaken and one pane of glass broken". A similar description appears in the Spokesman Review of March 6, accounting for the erroneous date in some catalogs.

259; 1896 1 3 10 12 P L VII Port Angeles WA 48.5 122.8

Holden's 1898 catalog says: "1896. January 3; Victoria, B. C. A severe shock of earthquake was felt here tonight at 10:20 o'clock. Many citizens in the public offices, believing the shock to be produced by the falling in of some large roof, or like cause, hurried to the streets.__Newspaper report. Port Angeles (Washington): at 10:30 o'clock last night two distinct shocks of earthquake were felt in this city. They were severe enough to shake the chimneys off lamps and the dishes off the shelves (VII).__Newspaper report dated January 4, 1896." However, not all accounts correspond to this severity. No account was located in the Port Angeles Democrat Leader, nor in the Anacortes American. The Islander, published in San Juan County says: "Olga Notes A severe shaking up of the earth and buildings occurred here Friday at 10:12 PM. There were three shocks lasting in all about 15 seconds. Deer Harbor -The shock of the earthquake was heard and felt by nearly everyone last Friday night. " Milne says: " An earthquake was felt strongly at Port Angeles and Turn Point Light House. In Victoria and Esquimalt it was generally felt but no damage was reported. Times."

263; 1896 4 2 3 13 A L VI RF Portland OR 1000 mi2 45.3 123.3

Felt from Portland to Salem. Although the Oregonian Index says: " broke window at McMinnville, rang bells at Dayton, Oregon City", and Townley and Allen cite theS.F. Chronicle, [April 3, 1896, p. 4.], the Oregonian article makes no mention of McMinnville. From the Oregonian: "The Earthquake Yesterday Morning Was Severe, and Lasted Ten Seconds, but Did No Damage. The earthquake of yesterday morning is said to have been one of the most severe that has been experienced in Portland in many years. It did no damage to property, but it managed to waken thousands of people from sound slumber, and caused no little alarm.... Mr. Blandford, ... was able to furnish some information about the shock. "The earthquake," he said, "occurred at 3:13 this morning, and lasted between 8 and 10 seconds. It began with a severe and quick jerky vibration, and then, after a moment's interval, the vibrations resumed with lesser force until the finally died away. ... I should say the earthquake was rather severe at first." The time at which Mr. Blandford fixes the shock was corroborated by almost everyone who thought to notice the time, though there was considerable disagreement as to the duration of the vibration, some contending that it did not take up more than five seconds. That it was a severe shock is proven by the general attention it attracted. Many were the stories told yesterday of what the earthquake had done. One young man said it wakened him, and as he looked at the wall he saw the pictures swinging to and fro and heard the shutters moving, though it was a quiet night. The unusual loudness of the rumbling which accompanied the shock was what attracted general attention, many of those who noticed the earthquake saying that it sounded like the collapse of some big brick block. One man ... said that his house rocked as if it were about to tumble. It nearly overturned a lamp standing on a table besides his bed, and twisted the nails in the woodwork. The shock was less severely felt in The Oregonian building then almost anywhere else ..."

306; 1903 9 11 3 41 P IV M 47.5 122.4

This event was well felt from Seattle to Portland and Astoria, especially on higher floors. Although there are several newspaper articles on this event, it has only been cataloged by Woodward-Clyde. It must surely be magnitude 5 or larger, and is worthy of further attention. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer states: "An earthquake was distinctly felt in Seattle ... most perceptible in the upper stories of some of the higher buildings. Several observers on the sixth floor of the Lumber Exchange were alarmed at the vibrations in that structure... One man ... counted five very distinct vibrations and estimated that they followed each other at from one to two seconds apart. The time at which the shock first appeared was sixteen minutes before 4 o,clock., the waving indulations lasting fully ten seconds. The Portland Oregonian reports the earthquake felt in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Chehalis, and Astoria, and says of Portland: "Just at 19 minutes before 4 o'clock, a tremor shook the earth. People in the high office buildings and those lying or sitting still felt it distinctly. Those walking on the street did not notice the shock... In the Meier residence at Twelfth and Clay streets, the framed pictures were seen to swing upon the walls and the building, substantial as it is, rattled all over. Here the shock lasted fully half a minute"

311; 1904 3 16 8 20 P V M 50000 km 5.3 MI 47.8 123

This earthquake is listed in all catalogs, and well supported by newspaper articles. It appears that is was felt most strongly in the Puget lowland from Seattle to Belllingham. Townley and Allen cite a report of extreme intensities and flooding on the Olympic Peninsula, but no evidence has been found to support this. The location, magnitude and felt area cited here are from the Ph.D. Thesis of G.C. Rogers. From the Port Townsend Daily Leader: " Victoria, March 16.--Special--An earthquake shock was felt here slightly at about 8:20 o'clock this evening. A great many were not aware of it, but the majority seem to have noticed a slight shock. There was nothing worth, remarking about. Port Angeles, March 16.--Special--At 8:20 o'clock this evening an earthquake shock was generally felt throughout this city but it was not heavy. It was noted however, by everyone. Seattle, March 16.--Special--Two severe vibrations were felt here about 8:19 this evening lasting for several seconds. During the time buildings were shaken and windows and lamps swayed as if they had been taken hold of and shaken. The shock was the strongest felt in this city in many years and caused a great deal of excitement. People rushed from buildings into the streets and in places amounted almost to a panic. It is thought that no damage resulted to property although it is impossible to tell at this time. Leland, March 16.--Special--A heavy earthquake shock was felt here this evening at twenty minutes past eight o'clock, the vibrations lasting several seconds, and during the time rattled things in a lively manner. Everett, March 16.--Special--An earthquake shock was felt here tonight at a few minutes past eight o'clock. It was generally noticed. Snohomish, March 16.--Special--At 8:20 o'clock tonight earthquake shocks were felt in this city. The intensity was not great but the tremors were remarked on by everyone. Bellingham, March 16.--Special--Nothing in the nature of an earthquake shock was felt here this evening. North Yakima, March 16.--Special--This city has experienced nothing in the nature of earthquake tremblings tonight. Portland, March 16.--There has been no earthquake shock noted here today or tonight. It would seem that Port Townsend to Seattle is the direct track of the shock felt here last evening and that between these places it was perhaps the most severely felt."

From the Oregonian: "Caused Panic at Bellingham. -Bellingham, Wash., March 16.-- A heavy earthquake shock was felt here tonight at 8 o'clock. Pictures were shaken from the wall, dishes broken and clocks stopped. The shock was severe enough to cause many to rush from their houses into the streets."

From the Kitsap County Herald (Poulsbo): "A slight shock of earthquake was felt Wednesday evening about o'clock. Some did not notice it but some claim it was quite hard."

Milne says: " In Victoria clocks were stopped, but no serious damage was reported. The tremor was not felt at Nanaimo."

353; 1909 1 11 3 50 P L VII M Northwestern WA 150000 km 6 MI 48.7 122.8

This is a well documented, large and significant event. At least a half-dozen newspaper articles are included in the data base. Early estimates of the felt area varied; Townley and Allen (1939) said "of the order of one hundred thousand square miles", while Bradford (1939) estimated "25,000 square miles or more". The estimate of 25,000 square miles is repeated in "Earthquake History of the United States" (1973). Garry Rogers (1983) used 150,000 square km (about 47,000 square miles) in his calculation of magnitude, and he states: " Felt reports from newspapers limit this epicentre to the San Juan Islands region where several instances of damage occurred. Felt information also clearly shows that the size of the isoseismal maps is between that for the 1965 Seattle earthquake and the 1976 Gulf Islands earthquake (Figure 7). The magnitude is about 6 according to Toppozada's (1975) felt area relationship. Lack of aftershocks and lack of higher intensities in the epicentral region suggest this event belongs to the deeper suite of earthquakes. This event is significant because it points out that large earthquakes in the deeper suite can also occur north of Puget Sound." The preferred values designated "MISC" are from G. Rogers.

360; 1909 12 30 4 23 P P IV M Portland OR 45.53 122.6

First cataloged by Berg and Baker, and based on the Oregonian account: "Earth Trembles Twice --'Gravitational Attraction is McNulty's Theory' -- Some Say Buildings Swayed, Others Believe They Bounced and Dishes Rattled Two slight earth tremors were felt in Portland at 4:23 PM yesterday. The intensity of the shocks was not great enough to do damage. Residents in various sections of the city reported that they were somewhat alarmed by the consecutive tremors. The compass of the disturbances was confined to Portland and its suburbs in the Willamette Valley. Reports from Ashland, Marshfield, Salem, Astonia, and Baker City, Or., and Hoquiam, Wash., were that no disturbances were felt at those points.... The shocks were felt with greater force by the occupants of the upper lofts of downtown office buildings. A few seconds intervened between the tremors. The second was more forceful and continued several seconds. Many who were observant of the phenomena asserted that the buildings swayed to and fro. Others averted that the buildings "bounced" upward and downward. Occupants of dwellings on Portland Heights apparently felt the vibration keenly. Dishes clattered on shelves and the staid countenances of family relatives that adorned the walls of the homes responded to the antics of Mother Earth."

393; 1914 9 5 1 35 A V RF Puget Sound WA 1000 mi2 47 123

The felt area of this event is likely to be quite a bit larger than the 1000 square miles given in 'Earthquake History of the United States' The BSSA says: "Olympia, Washington. - The following is quoted from the Olympia Recorder of September 5, 1914: 'Olympia and this part of the state was soundly jolted and jarred at 1:35 this morning by an earthquake shock. First sensation was a tremor or vibration, then came a sharp and severe jolt and rocking motion that jarred the houses, making loose articles rattle, many report. Within two mintes after the shock the telephone central here was getting reports. The quake was felt in Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, and other points. No report was received here today as to the seismograph records at the university in Seattle.'" The Oregonian reports that the earthquake was felt in Portland at 2 AM, and that two shocks, at 1 and 2 AM were generally felt in Castle Rock, Washington.

411; 1916 1 1 4 52 P P V M Puget Sound WA 12000 mi2 47.33 122.3

Catalogs refer to the reports of weather observers in Seattle (RF IV), Silverton, Sumner (RF IV), and Olympia (RF IV). Olympia reported 3 shocks, Sumner 2, the others 1. Durations reported ranged from 1-5 sec. Buildings shook, windows rattled. Newspapers have not been checked.

457; 1920 1 23 11 9 P P VII M Northwestern WA 70000 km 5.5 MI 48.6 123

Felt in Chilliwack,Vancouver,Victoria, Bellingham, Anacortes, Blaine, Port Angeles, Friday Harbor, Everett, and Seattle.This earthquake broke windows and cracked walls. It is well-documented and well-cataloged. A lengthy note to the BSSA from F. Napier Denison, the seismologist at Victoria, summarizes the effects at Victoria. The location, felt area, and magnitude given here were taken from the dissertation of Garry Rogers. The data base includes a half- dozen reports from weather observers, and a half-dozen newspaper articles.

577; 1928 2 9 3 4 A L IV M Alberni B.C. 120000 km 5.8 MI 48.5 125

Listed in several catalogs. The felt area and magnitude listed above are from the 1983 dissertation of Garry Rogers. 'Earthquake History of the US (1973) says "Vancouver Island, B.C. Strong. Fairly strong at Tatoosh Island; loud roar. Felt at Port Townsend, Wash." Milne says: "The Victoria seismograph indicates an epicentre about 100 miles northwest of the city. Alberni, Bamfield, and Pachena Point felt the tremor most severely. At Alberni it was like a loud report, and near Bamfield small tidal waves were reported. Vancouver and Nanaimo reported the tremor as very slight. It was also felt at Abbotsford, Duncan, Cowichan, Victoria, Port Renfrew, Tatoosh and Destruction Islands. The epicentre was probably in the region of the Alberni canal. D, Prov." No newspapers have been researched.