Carson Valley Earthquake Anniversary—June 3, 1887
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the 1887, June 3 Carson Valley earthquake.
1887, June 3 Carson Valley Earthquake
EARTHQUAKE SUMMARY
“This was a violent earthquake in western Nevada’s history, with damaging effects spanning from Carson City to Genoa. Several buildings were likely torn down or parts rebuilt because of earthquake damage.
The earthquake began at about 2:40 to 2:47 A.M. on Friday, June 3, 1887 (PST). It was reported to have lasted from 3 to 10 seconds (in one account 30 seconds) and was preceded by a heavy rumbling sound (which is described as resembling a dead-axe freight wagon driven rapidly over frozen ground, CDI 6/7/87). There are no foreshocks reported, and only three slight shocks were reported immediately following at about 3 A.M. (Table _ lists 12 reported aftershocks from 20 days following the event). Miners coming off work from Gold Hill could plainly see the buildings of Virginia City vibrating and felt the earth moving under their feet (VEC 6/3/87). Some that were outside looked at the moon and noted that the vibration was as plainly visible to the organ of sight as it was to the sense of feeling (VEC 6/7/87). James Raycraft was rushing for a doctor in Carson City when the shock threw him face forward to the ground (MA 6/3/87). Other people on the streets of Carson City were also thrown to the ground (TE 6/4/87). There was general hysteria in Carson City, Genoa, and Virginia City, and most people vacated their premises wearing only the garments they were sleeping in. “The inhabitants of every house in town were roused from their slumbers, and few sought their beds until morning sun gave evidence that another day was granted” (TNT 6/3/87). The streets were filled with people, some badly frightened, some considerably amused, and all chattering volubly over the occurrence, with each person relating their own personal experience (MA 6/3/87). In Genoa, every man, woman, and child apparently joined together in prayers on Main Street.
The 1887 earthquake caused damage to buildings in Carson City, Genoa, Carson Valley, and to a minor extent in Virginia City. Nonstructural damage extended westward into Lake Tahoe, and into the central Sierra Nevada.”
The excerpt shown above is from page 94 of this publication:
Reevaluation of pre-1900 earthquakes in western Nevada
By Craig M. dePolo, Alan R. Ramelli, Ron H. Hess, and John G. Anderson
EARTHQUAKES IN NEVADA
Current Nevada Earthquake Activity
Nevada Seismological Laboratory
Historical Nevada Earthquake Activity
MyHazards Nevada
See Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology ArcGIS Web Application: MyHazards Nevada.
Turn on the earthquake layer (expand with the arrow to turn on the lower magnitudes).
Click on an earthquake epicenter to get the date.
Read More Here
http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/_docs/Newsletters/nl14.htm
http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/_docs/Newsletters/nl14a.htm
http://pubs.nbmg.unr.edu/Damaging-earthquakes-in-NV-p/sp037.htm
http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/Geohazards/index.html
http://pubs.nbmg.unr.edu/What-s-shakin-in-the-neighborh-p/e034.htm (road log covers Genoa fault)
http://pubs.nbmg.unr.edu/Turbulent-times-in-the-Truckee-p/e033.htm (road log covers faults in the Truckee Meadows)