THE LONE PINE EARTHQUAKE

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12484, 21 April 1906, Page 10

THE LONE PINE EARTHQUAKE

A FEARFUL SCENE

The earthquake in California of 20th March, 1872, known as tho Lone Pino earthquake, was of a most destructive character. About 2.30 a.m. the inhabitants of Lone Pine were awakened By a loud explosion, followed by a terrible upheaval and shaking of the earth from south to north. In an instant the whole town was in ruins, not a building being left standing. The scene which ensued beggared description ; screams, and groans rent tho air in all directions. Nearly the whole populace of the town, says a paper ot that date, was buried beneath tho ruins; cries for help and screams of pain from the wounded filled the air, while from tlie ruins those who had escaped were calling for help to rescue fathers, brothers, wives, and children in a manner agonising to hear. The first shock was followed in quick succession by three others. Over three hundred distinct shocks were felt between halfpast two and sunrise; in fact, the earth was in constant 6hake and tremble for over three hours. A chasm was opened extending thirty-fivo miles down the valley, ranging from three inches to forty feet in width. Rocks were torn from their places and rolled down into the valley. Over six hundred distinct shocks wero felt within fifty-eight hours after the first. Up to Wednesday morning fully one thousand distinct shocks were felt. At Tibbetts's branch, fifteen miles above Independence, about forty acres of ground sunk about 6even feet below the surface of the surrounding country. Big Owens lake rose four feet sine© the first shock. Owen river ran over its banks, depositing shoals of fish on the shore after it receded. For a distance of three or four miles through Lone Pine the earth cracked; one side remained stationary, wh ; le the other sank seven or eight feet, leaving a wall of earth extending over three miles in length where formerly was a level plain. Innumerable crackß were made throughout the valley. Kern and Owens rivers turned and ran -upstream for several minutes, leaving their beds dry, and finally returned with largely increased volumes of water. Some of tbe shocks were preceded by deafening reports, a? though the mountains were being rent in two; others were accompanied by a low continuous rumble, as of a train of cars running underground.