1855.
The following is the record of earthquakes for this year, in the State of California, with the date and hour of the day at which they were observed:
Jan. 13th, 18h. 30m.—A smart shock occurred at San Benito and San Miguel. It was felt at San Luis Obispo.
Jan. 24th, 22h.—A heavy shock of earthquake was felt at Downieville, which lasted seven seconds.
This earthquake was quite severe at Gibsonville on the north, at Forrest City, Minnesota, in Sierra County, and at Orleans Flat, Eureka, in Nevada County, at Georgetown and Nashville in El Dorado County on the south, and at Keystone Ranch, in Yuba County, on the west. The entire distance north and south affected was ninety-four miles, and in a westerly line, thirty miles. The shock was preceded by a deep rumbling, and the rushing sound of wind in the distance. It shook buildings severely. A large pinnacle of rocks on the summit of the Downieville Buttes was thrown down, and some of the large fragments reached the south branch of the North Yuba, at the base of the mountain.
Feb 5th, 22h.—A light shock was felt at Wolf Creek and the north-east part of Nevada County.
April 7th, 18h.—A light shock was felt at Gibb’s Ferry, Trinity County, and was experienced as far north as Callahan’s Ranch, at the head of Scott’s Valley, Siskiyou County.
June 25th, 14h.—A smart shock was felt at Santa Barbara, and extended northward as far as the valley of Santa Maria. This shock was cotemporaneous with one that occurred in Switzerland.
July 10th, 9h. 30m.—A light shock was felt in Georgetown, El Dorado County, which lasted about four seconds.