THE SAN ANDREAS SHAKE DOWN-THE BIG ONE OF 1857

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While digging into the San Andreas Fault and how it affects Wrightwood today, I couldn't help but venture deeper in the past into a earthquake that defines our area as it is today.

The San Andreas Fault

The Fort Tejon earthquake occurred at about 8:20 AM on January 9, 1857. The earthquake. The surface rupture originated northwest of Parkfield in Monterey County and spreaded south-eastward for over 225 miles along the San Andreas Fault to the Cajon Pass northwest of San Bernardino.

Technically, Parkfield was the epicenter of this earthquake, since it was the origin of the rupture. Fort Tejon was at the midway point of the rupture. The earthquake actually got its name because Fort Tejon was the only populated locality near the faultsuffered more damage than the rest of sparsely-populated 1857 Southern California.

Fort Tejon still exists near Lebec, in the Grapevine Canyon, which is the main route between California's central valley and Southern California.

Fort Tejon was first garrisoned by the United States Army on August 10, 1854 and was abandoned ten years later on September 11, 1864. The fort was established to protect and control the Indians who were living on the Sebastian Indian Reservation, and to protect both the Indians and white settlers from raids by warring Paiutes, Chemeheui, Mojave, and other Indian groups of the desert regions to the south east.

The Ft. Tejon Quake was considered to be a right-lateral strike-slip, meaning that the movement was to the right. In comparison to the other "great" earthquakes of historic times, the 1857 "Fort Tejon" earthquake was larger than the 1872 Owens Valley ( 7.8 ) quake, and was equally as large as, if not larger than, the 1906  "San Francisco" earthquake (7.9-8.0). The Fort Tejon Earthquake was in the vicinity of magnitude 8.0. The 1857 and 1906 quakes were both on the San Andreas Fault, although the 1906 earthquake ruptured the northern segment of the fault, from Hollister (San Benito Co.) northward, for 250 miles. Duration of shaking  for both the 1857 and 1906 quakes was estimated to be as long as two minutes along the fault.

In areas away from the fault, such as Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Santa Barbara, damage from 1857 was surprisingly light. However, not many structures existed as in present day. Think of the impact of such an earthquake in 2007!

Fort Tejon suffered considerable damage from the main shock, and it was battered by aftershocks for months and years following; both were direct consequences of the Fort's close proximity to the fault. Two large aftershocks (approximate 6.0-6.5) occurred within a week following the main shock, which were felt over much of Southern California, although aftershocks were still being felt on a weekly basis at Fort Tejon over a year later.

Scientists and sizemologists expected that if any other areas along or near the fault (i.e., Wrightwood and Palmdale) were populated back then, they would have experienced just as many aftershocks.

The following report came from the present day Southern California Earthquake Date Center of the 1857 Ft. Tejon Earthquake:

"As a result of the shaking, the current of the Kern River was turned upstream, and water ran four feet deep over its banks. The waters of Tulare Lake were thrown upon its shores, stranding fish miles from the original lake bed. The waters of the Mokelumne River were thrown upon its banks, reportedly leaving the bed dry in places. The Los Angeles River was reportedly flung out of its bed, too. Cracks appeared in the ground near San Bernardino and in the San Gabriel Valley. Some of the artesian wells in Santa Clara Valley ceased to flow, and others increased in output. New springs were formed near Santa Barbara and San Fernando."

The report continued, "Ridges (moletracks) several meters wide and over a meter high were formed in several places. In Ventura, the mission sustained considerable damage, and part of the church tower collapsed. At Fort Tejon, where shaking was greatest, damage was severe. All around southern and central California, the strong shaking caused by the 1857 shock was reported to have lasted for at least one minute, possibly two or three!"

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

(photo:The San Andreas Fault from Palmdale heading east towards Wrightwood-Palmdale Public Library-Historical Section)

What were some of the effects in the 1857 Ft. Tejon Earthquake?

Los Angeles Area-

The intensity of the earthquake within what is now metropolitan Los Angeles was not extremely high, despite heavy shaking in the vicinity of the fault. None of the adobe structures within the Los Angeles area sustained any great damage, although some structures in the San Fernando Valley were destroyed. Evidence indicated that the 1857 earthquake was associated with substantial, low-frequency, long-period waves. If the same earthquake were to occur today, these low-frequency, long-period ground motions would have the greatest impact on large structures.

Fort Tejon

"The main disturbing force of the shocks which were so widely felt on the 9th, without doubt, was in the vicinity of the Fort [Fort Tejon], and extended to an unknown distance in the Desert. The earthquake occurred on Friday morning, the 9th instant, at about the same time that it was felt here [Santa Barbara]. All the houses, with two exceptions, were thrown down or otherwise injured so as to be rendered entirely useless. The shock was preceded with a peculiar rushing or rumbling noise, and for more than a week thereafter noises somewhat resembling distant thunder were heard. Fortunately, no serious damage to life or limb occurred. Mrs. Kirkham, wife of the Quartermaster, was slightly injured. Immediately after the shock had passed, an express messenger with advises was dispatched to General Wool. All of the public works at the Fort are necessarily suspended. The damages are estimated at $50.000.

"At the 'Mill,' some twelve miles west of Tejon, the shock was very heavy. It tore up large trees and twisted off branches, threw people on the ground, and when over, caused a general stampede for the Fort, upon the supposition, we suppose, that that place was 'safe as any.' and that 'misery loves company.' One mile and a half this side [southwest] of the Fort a lady was badly hurt. When the shock was first felt, she ran out of the house and crept under a cart for safety. A limb of a tree standing close by, fell down directly across the cart, which it crushed to pieces, injuring her severely. Mr. Gale, whose dwelling was situated about the same distance from the Fort, experienced a severe injury during his exertions to rescue his children from the ruins of his falling house. At Reed's Rancho, six miles from Tejon on the Los Angeles trail, the wife of Mr. Reed's vaquero was killed. A beam fell in the house on her head, killing her instantly. "A large rent in the earth was traced by Mr. Warner a distance of eight leagues [about 40 kilometers]. When on the high ground by Elizabeth Lake it could still be discerned running in an easterly direction towards the Colorado river. This rent was in some places five to 10 yards wide, the earth at times filling it up like ploughed furrows; at others the ground stood apart, leaving a deep fissure. Its course was in a straight direction, across valleys, through lakes and over hills, without regard to inequality or condition of surface. On either side, the ground had been more or less disturbed for a long distance."

Account by Mr. Warner, published in the Santa Barbara Gazette, January 22, 1857

City of Los Angeles

"In another instant, the fearful cry of 'earthquake' issued from every mouth---then a rush, shouting and screaming, such as may well be conceived, but cannot be described. At the hotels, the breakfast tables were instantly deserted; people wildly rushed to the streets, tripping and tumbling over each other in their hurry and dismay---in some cases, blocking up the door, so as to prevent egress for the moment. Many, used to indulge in a comfortable snooze on a morning, were unceremoniously turned out of their comfortable quarters, in anticipation of having the roof about their ears before they could make their exit. These took no thought of their toilet---but gallantly gave their linen to the breeze, in hopes of bringing up in safe quarters. One gentleman, who, in his hurry, mistook his window for a door. was seen running along the roof of an adobe building, thinking, should it fall, it was better to be on top of it, than it on top of him. Another, enjoying the luxury of a bath, stood the rocking for some time, but at last was compelled to evacuate the premises, and rush to the yard, where to his horror a number of ladies had also sought refuge and were seeking consolation in prayer. Whether from the shock to his feelings, or the shock of the earthquake, he was immediately brought prone to the earth, when he managed to creep under cover, unobserved. . . ."

Los Angeles Star, January 17, 1857

Area of San Bernardino

"One pleasant morning I was searching through garden paths for roses I heard a far off smothered, rumbling sound, that I scarcely noticed, for I thought I was growing dizzy, and not understanding why I should feel so, I started for the house. As I stepped across a narrow stream, the opposite bank seemed first to recede from me, then instantly to heave upward against my feet. As this threw me from my equilibrium, the water emptied out on either bank, and hearing an Indian's voice in loud supplication. I turned and saw our Lothario on his knees, the ground rising and falling in billows around him. At the same instant I saw my parents and sisters clinging to large trees, whose branches lashed the ground, birds flew irregularly through the air shrieking, horses screamed, cattle fell bellowing on their knees, even the domestic feathered tribe were filled with consternation. Voices of all creatures, the rattling of household articles, the cracking of boards, the falling of bricks, the splashing of water in wells, the falling of rocks in the mountains and the artillery-like voice of the earthquake, and even that awful sound of the earth rending open---all at once, all within a few seconds, with the skies darkened and the earth rising and falling beneath the feet---were the work of an earthquake. It passed---we rejoined each other, thankful that life was spared, and looked around with trembling. upon the scene, where utmost terror had reigned."

Reminiscence by Augusta J. Crocheron, 1885

(Wallace Creek Interpretive Trail, a Geologic tour of The San Andreas Fault)

 

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"Frid. 9th of Jan. It was quite fair for the season. At ten minutes or a qr. past 8 o'clock A.M., we were visited with a shock of an earthquake which lasted as near as I could judge about 3 or 4 minutes.

I arose from the breakfast table and went to the kitchen to take another cake in order to finish my meal, got the cakes in my hand when suddenly I felt a dizzyness [sic] in my head, which was succeeded by a sick and nauseous feeling at my stomach. I concluded I had already eaten more than was for my interest and put the cakes in my pocket. I began to stagger and reel like a drunken person, and caught hold of a chair and sat down. By this time I discovered that everything was moving around me, my chair jostled forward and back. I put both hands to my head, and exclaimed Lord have mercy upon us. I arose and went to the door, and discovered bro. McGary, and family out of the house, meditating upon the wonderful phenomena. As I passed the pool of water, between our houses I discovered it was much agitated. I went over there as I was alone at home, Mr. C. having just before left to go to Col. Jackson's, and Alma had gone for a team to get wood. It was the first earthquake of any importance that I have ever witnessed. It caused a sensation similar to seasickness, which I found remained with me sometime after the shock passed away. Some minutes after it was over a certain rumbling sound could be distinctly heard in a northerly directing [sic] resembling distant canon or like the waves of the seas dashing against a rocky shore."

Diary of Caroline Barnes Crosby, San Bernardino, January 9, 1857

"One morning in the month of November, 1857, l started out on horseback in company with an old Englishman, my nearest neighbor, to search for some horses of ours that had strayed away. We shaped our course to skirt the shores of Tulare Lake, between what is known as Cross Creek and Kings River. At this time Tulare Lake was a very large sheet of water, about one hundred miles in length by thirty miles in width at its widest place. For a couple of miles from the shore, the waters in the shallows were covered with burnt tules and other refuse matter unfit for use for man or beast, until a distance of two miles from the shore was reached.

We knew that our horses would not drink from the lake, but there were sloughs and holes of water in depressions outside of the lake, where the water was clear and fit for use.

To one of these water-holes, which was surrounded by a fringe of tall willows, we directed our course in order to look for tracks of our missing stock. As several of them were shod, we knew if we found the shod tracks that we were on the right trail.

There was a keen frost, and when we reached the water-hole a thin film of ice was seen upon the water. l dismounted and led my horse by the bridle, and walked to the edge of the water. Just as l reached it, the ground seemed to be violently swayed from east to west. The water splashed up to my knees; the trees whipped about, and limbs fell on and all around me. I was affected by a fearful nausea, my horse snorted and in terror struggled violently to get away from me, but l hung to him, having as great a fear as he had himself. Of course, all this occupied but a few seconds, but it seemed a long time to me. The lake commenced to roar like the ocean in a storm, and, staggering and bewildered, I vaulted into the saddle and my terrified horse started, as eager as I was to get out of the vicinity. I found my friend, who had not dismounted, almost in a state of collapse. He eagerly inquired, while our horses were on the run and the lake was roaring behind us, "What is this?" I replied, "An earthquake! Put the steel to your horse and let us get out of this!" and we ran at the top of our speed for about five miles.

We observed several hundred antelopes in a state of the wildest confusion and terror. They ran hither and thither, creating a great dust, stumbling and falling over each other in mortal fear. It is their habit at this season of the year, while rearing their young, to congregate in great numbers for mutual protection from coyotes and other vermin; the males also herding in bands by themselves until the new grass starts.

We returned the next day and found that the lake had run up on the land for about three miles. Fish were stranded in every direction and could have been gathered by the wagon-load. The air was olive with buzzards and vultures eager for the feast, but the earth had acquired its normal condition.

We can only imagine what the consequences would have been if a great city had stood upon the eastern shore of the lake."

J. M. Barker, age 25, Kings Kiver

(California Geology, August 1972, Vol. 25, No. 8 ).

"In the beginning of 1857 , we had a more serious earthquake than any in recent years. At half-past eight o'clock on the morning of January 9th, a tremor shook the earth from North to South; the first shocks being light, the quake grew in power until houses were deserted, men, women and children sought refuge in the streets, and horses and cattle broke loose in wild alarm. For perhaps two, or two and a half minutes, the temblor continued and much damage was done. Los Angeles felt the disturbance far less than many other places, although five to six shocks were noted and twenty times during the week people were frightened from their homes; at Temple's rancho and at Fort Tejon great rents were opened in the earth and then closed again, piling up a heap or dune of finely.powdered stone and dirt. Large trees were uprooted and hurled down the hillsides; and tumbling after them went the cattle. Many officers, including Colonel B. L. Beall--well known in Los Angeles social circles--barely escaped from the barracks with their lives; and until the cracked adobes could be repaired, officers and soldiers lived in tents. It was at this time, too, that a so-called tidal wave almost engulfed the Sea Bird , plying between San Pedro and San Francisco, as she was entering the Golden Gate. Under the splendid seamanship of Captain Salisbury Haley, however, his little ship weathered the wave, and he was able later to report her awful experience to the scientific world."

Sixty years in Southern California, 1853-1913, The reminiscences of Harris Newmark

THE END? FOR THE 1857 FT TEJON EARTHQUAKE THE STORY DOES END, BUT EARTHQUAKES WILL ALWAYS DOMINATE THE LANDSCAPE OF THIS STATE.