Earthquakes in the United States, April-June 1977

Geological Survey

Introduction.................................................................... Bl Discussion of tables............................................................ 1 Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 1931....................................... 5 Acknowledgments................................................................. 21 References cited................................................................ 22

FIGURE 1. "Earthquake Report" form.............................................. B2

TABLE 1. Summary of U.S. earthquakes for April-June 1977:

2. Map showing standard time zones of the conterminous United States..... 4
3. Map showing standard time zones of Alaska and Hawaii.................. 5
4. Map of the earthquake epicenters in the conterminous United States for April-June 1977....................................................... 6
5. Map of earthquake epicenters in Alaska for April-June 1977............ 7
6. Map of earthquake epicenters in Hawaii for April-June 1977............ 9
7. Isoseismal map for the central California earthquake of 21 June 1977.. 18

Alabama.......................................................... 310 Alaska........................................................... 10 Arkansas......................................................... 11 California....................................................... 11 California Off the coast........................................ 12 Hawaii........................................................... 12 Idaho............................................................ 13 Nevada........................................................... 13 Ohio............................................................. 13 Oregon Off the coast............................................ 14 South Carolina................................................... 14 Texas............................................................ 14

TABLES

2. Summary of macroseismic data for U.S. earthquakes, April-June 1977:

Alabama.......................................................... B14 Alaska........................................................... 14 Arkansas......................................................... 16 California....................................................... 16 Hawaii........................................................... 18 Idaho............................................................ 20 Nevada........................................................... 20 Ohio............................................................. 20 South Carolina................................................... 21 Texas............................................................ 21 Washington....................................................... 21 Wyoming.......................................................... 21

INTRODUCTION

The earthquake information in this publication supplements that published in the NEIS (National Earthquake Information Service) publications, PDE ("Preliminary Determination of Epicenters") and "Preliminary Determination of Epicenters, Monthly Listing," to the extent of providing detailed felt and intensity data, as well as isoseismal maps for U.S. earthquakes. The purpose is to provide a complete listing of macroseismic effects of earthquakes, which can be used in risk studies, nuclear power plant site evaluations, seismicity studies, and answering inquiries by the public.

This publication contains two major sections. The first (table 1) is a tabular listing of earthquakes in chronological order by State, consisting of the following basic information: date, origin time, hypocenter, magnitude, maximum intensity, and computational source of the hypocenter. The second section consists of one map and table 2, which lists detailed intensity information. The list of earthquakes in table 1 was compiled from those located in the United States or off the coasts that were published in the PDE; from hypocenters in California above magnitude 3.0, supplied by California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, the University of California, Berkeley, and other offices of the U.S. Geological Survey; from hypocenters in Hawaii supplied by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory; and from any others that were felt or that caused damage, regardless of magnitude or availability of a hypocenter. Known or suspected explosions are also listed.

The intensities and macroseismic data were compiled from information obtained through questionnaires, from newspaper articles, and with the cooperation of other Government agencies, State institutions, local organizations, and individuals. (See "Acknowledgments" for a list of collaborators.) Figure 1 is the questionnaire in current use by the NEIS. Other versions of this questionnaire are used by State agencies, engineering firms, and other Government agencies to collect intensity data. Anyone wishing to submit felt or damage information on earthquakes

Bl for inclusion in future reports should send it to the National Earthquake Information Service, Stop 967, Box 25046, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225. Copies of the current "Earthquake Report" questionnaire can be obtained at this address.

collect macroseismic information is a questionnaire canvass using the "Earthquake Report" forms, which are mailed to postmasters in the area affected by the earthquake. The postmasters complete the forms and return them to the NEIS, where they are evaluated and an intensity value is assigned. The intensity observations are mapped and contoured by isoseismals. Isoseismal contours present a generalization of intensity data and an extrapolation of these data to regions from which there are no observations; they do not necessarily account for every individual observation.

"Earthquake Description" section of "United States Earthquakes," an annual publication, to which later data from other sources may be added for the purpose of updating and completeness. "United States Earthquakes" is published jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Data Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce.

and table 2 include the date, origin time, hypocenter (epicenter and focal depth), magnitude, intensity, and hypocenter source. The origin time and date are listed in Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) and local standard time based on the time-zone maps in figures 2 and 3. The epicenters, which were taken from those published in the PDE, or from other sources as noted, are listed here to two decimals. The accuracy of the epicenters is that claimed by the institution supplying the hypocenter and is not necessarily the accuracy indicated by the number of decimals listed. The epicenters located by the NEIS have a varying degree of accuracy, usually two-tenths of The primary method used by the NEIS to

The data in table 2 will be included in the

DISCUSSION OF TABLES

The parameters for the earthquakes in table 1 form used for evaluating the intensities of FIGURE 1. Example of the "Earthquake Report" earthquakes. A, front side.

B2 FIGURE 1. Example of the "Earthquake Report" form used for evaluating the intensities of earthquakes, ji, reverse side.

B3 FIGURE 3. Standard time zones of Alaska and Hawaii. The number in each zone shows the number

as defined by Richter (1958, p. 340), where A is the maximum trace amplitude in millimeters, written by a Wood-Anderson torsion seismometer, and log A0 is a standard value as a function of distance, where the distance is ^600 km. ML values are also calculated from other seismometers by conversion of recorded ground motion to the expected response of the torsion seismometer.

as proposed by Nuttli (1973), where A/T is expressed in micrometers per second, calculated from the vertical-component 1-second Lg waves, and D is the distance in geocentric degrees.

All of the intensity values (indicated by Roman numerals) listed in this summary were derived, using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 1931 (Wood and Neumann, 1931) shown 180C

of hours to be subtracted from Universal Coordinated Time to convert to local standard time. (Subtract 1 hour less for local daylight-saving time.)

mbLg=3.75+0.90(logD)+log(A/T) (4) 0.5°<IK40 ,

mbLg=3.30+1.66(logD)+log(A/T) 4°£DOO° , 165° 150C 135

below, from the evaluation of "Earthquake Report"

forms; from field reports by U.S. Geological Survey personnel, engineering firms, or universities; and from detailed macroseismic data communicated to the NEIS by people in the area affected by the earthquake. All earthquake reports received which contain minimal information are assigned an Intensity II. These reports are filed in the offices of the NEIS or in government archives and are available for detailed study.

MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY SCALE OF 1931

Adapted from Sieberg's Mercalli-Cancani scale, modified and condensed.

I. Not felt - or, except rarely under especially favorable circumstances. Under certain conditions, at and outside the boundary of the area in which a great shock is felt: sometimes birds, animals,

FIGURE A. Earthquake epicenters In the conterminous United States for April-June 1977, plotted from table 1.

IX. Panic general. Cracked ground conspicuously. Damage considerable in (masonry) structures built especially to withstand earthquakes: Threw out of plumb XII. Damage total practically all works of some wood-frame houses built especially to withstand earthquakes; great in substantial (masonry) buildings, some collapse in large part; or wholly shifted frame buildings off foundations, racked frames; serious to reservoirs; underground pipes sometimes broken.

X. Cracked ground, especially when loose and wet, up to widths of several inches; fissures up to a yard in width ran parallel to canal and stream banks. Landslides considerable from river banks and steep coasts. Shifted sand and mud horizontally on beaches and flat land. Changed level of water in wells. Threw water on banks of canals, lakes, rivers, etc. Damage serious to dams, dikes, embankments. Severe to well-built wooden structures and bridges, some destroyed. Developed dangerous cracks in excellent brick walls. Destroyed most masonry and frame structures, also their foundations. Bent railroad rails slightly. Tore apart, or crushed endwise, pipe lines buried in earth. Open cracks and broad wavy folds in cement pavements and asphalt road surfaces.

XI. Disturbances in ground many and widespread, varying with ground material. Broad fissures, earth slumps, and land slips in soft, wet ground. Ejected water in large amounts charged with sand and mud. Caused sea-waves ("tidal" waves) of significant magnitude. Damage severe to wood-frame structures, especially near shock centers. Great to dams, dikes, embankments often for long distances. Few, if any (masonry) structures remained standing. Destroyed large well-built bridges by the wrecking of FIGURE 6. Earthquake epicenters in Hawaii for supporting piers, or pillars. Affected yielding wooden bridges less. Bent railroad rails greatly, and thrust them endwise. Put pipe lines buried in earth completely out of service.

construction damaged greatly or destroyed. Disturbances in ground great and varied, numerous shearing cracks. Landslides, falls of rock of significant character, slumping of river banks, etc., numerous and extensive. Wrenched loose, tore off, large rock masses. Fault slips in firm rock, with notable horizontal and vertical offset displacements. Water channels, surface and underground, disturbed and modified greatly. Dammed lakes, produced waterfalls, deflected rivers, etc. Waves seen on ground surfaces (actually seen, probably, in some cases). Distorted lines of sight and level. Threw objects upward into the air.

April-June 1977, plotted from table 1.

!!.* S.'IM iii

in

"ii ii

ii

in

11.9 06 09 10 20 44.9 29.0 03 01 123.90 W. 123.04 W. 118.55 W.

3.9 33N 5.3 4.7

33N 4l2 '. 4.2 4.6

3^9 I

... 33N 33N 5.6 6.0

4.*4 III 4.0

3.6 4.1 4.0 33N 4.7 4.5 4.5 4.2 4.6

4.6 4.2 33N 4.4 4.7

33N 33N 4.0 33N

Bll 06 01 02.2 19 16 27.6 05 32 00.1 10 45 49.9 09 54 02.7 15 35 33.4 06 59 10.5 19 43 33.8 22 40 31.7 23 44 59.1 23 46 05.5 04 03 25.8 08 05 54.9 00 28 19.7 23 17 55.0 08 22 00.9 16 16 37.9 21 17 02.9 16 40 24.2 01 40 34.4 20 57 07.5 01 14 22.0 14 18 20.5 03 17 44.9 03 19 36.9 01 56 33.6 04 37 03.1 19 38 48.4 23 31 58.2 18 33 00.1 02 43 06.9 15 29 15.0 04 03 58.5 07 12 51.5 12 46 40.7

... *iv "ii

ii ...

III

00.2 15 00 06.3 16 57 00.1 15 00 00.1 17 00 36.4 09 25 32.0 14 08 55.4 04 59 155.26 W. 155.08 W. 155.22 W. 155.97 W. 155.30 W. 155.19 W. 155.23 W. 155.32 W. 155.25 W. 155.36 W. 155.19 W. 155.76 W. 155.15 W. 156.90 W. 155.22 W. 155.23 W. 155.10 W. 155.10 W. 155.10 W. 155.84 W. 155.96 W. 155.42 W. 155.11 W. 156.60 W. 155.11 W. 156.00 W. 154.93 W. 155.08 W. 155.19 W. 155.94 W. 156.02 W. 155.18 W. 155.13 W. 155.12 W. 155.50 W. 155.11 W. 156.10 W. 156.10 W. 155.25 W.

114.42 W. 111.41 W. 111.11 W. 111.43 W. 111.48 W.

116.06 W. 116.06 W. 116.03 W. 116.05 W. 115.47 W. 116.23 W. 115.26 W. 8 4.8

Ill

iff ... ... in ii in iff in ... ... ... ... ii

in in in

in ... ... ...

APR. 9 APR. 11 APR. 22 APR. 22 APR. 22 APR. 22 APR. 23 JUNE 25

4 May (G) Southwestern Alabama Origin time: 02 00 22.9 Epicenter: 31.98 N., 88.42 W. Depth: 5 km Magnitude: 3.6 mbLg(S) The last earthquake located in this area

Intensity V;

Intensity IV;

occurred on October 23, 1976 in southeastern Mississippi (See Minsch and others, 1978). 44.23 N. 42.53 N. 44.23 N. 44.25 N. 44.22 N. 44.25 N. 42.00 N. 41.98 N.

31.90 N. 33.06 N.

44.75 N. 44.71 N. NEAR NORRIS 128.93 W. 126.22 W. 129.38 W. 129.27 W. 129.39 W. 129.28 W. 126.74 W. 126.67 W.

TEXAS 103.08 W. 100.75 W.

WYOMING 110.82 W. 110.88 W. 4.3 ... G APR. 9 05 A.M. PST 4.7 ... G APR. 10 07 P.M. PST 5.0 4.7 G APR. 21 10 P.M. PST 5.2 4.7 G APR. 22 00 A.M. PST 4.7 ... G APR. 22 00 A.M. PST 4.5 ... G APR. 22 00 A.M. PST 4.8 ... G APR. 23 09 A.M. PST 4.7 4.0 G JUNE 25 11 A.M. PST

12 April (G) Kenai Peninsula, Alaska 3.3G 4.0G

3.9G 2 . 9A V G ... G

III G ...

G IV APR. JUNE

APR. APR. JUNE 03 A.M. CST 05 P.M. CST

04 P.M. MST 09 P.M. MST 04 A.M. MST 23 April Central Alaska Origin time: 17 59 Epicenter: Not located. Depth: None computed .-^ Magnitude: None computed. Intensity II; Fairbanks (M).

23 April (G) Kenai Peninsula, Alaska Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity II;

27 April (G) Central Alaska Origin time: 13 29 08.4 Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity II;

5 May (G) Central Alaska Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity III; College, Fairbanks,

11 May (G) Central Alaska Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity IV Intensity III; Kashwitna. Intensity II; Anchorage, Wasilla.

12 May Northern Alaska Origin time: 15 08 Epicenter: Not located. Depth: None computed. Magnitude: None computed. Intensity III; Wiseman (loud roaring sound heard from a northerly direction).

25 May (G) Northern Alaska Origin time: 18 06 34.1 Epicenter: 67.38 N., 150.30 W. Depth: 126 km Magnitude: None computed. Intensity III; Wiseman (roaring sound heard coming from the north, lasted about 6 30 May (G) Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

21 57 20.6 2 June (G) Southern Alaska 60.27 N., 151.14 W, 80 km None c omput ed. Fairbanks.

62.29 N., 150.97 W, 38 km 3.1 ML(M) Gold Creek.

00 22 38.3 64.84 N., 148.36 W, 9 km 3.7 ML(M) Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude:

Intensity IV;

Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity II;

Origin time: 16 29 46.3 Epicenter: 61.31 N., 150.33 W. Depth: 67 km 15 16 01.6 52.43 N., 169.71 W. Normal 5.6 mb, 6.0 MS, 6.0 MS(B), 6.0 MS(P) Nikolski.

18 40 26.6 60.89 N., 149.69 W. 42 km None computed. Anchorage, Palmer, Potter, 14 June (P) Southern California Origin time: 01 56 33.6 Epicenter: 34.02 N., 118.32 W. Depth: 5 km Magnitude: 2.7 ML Intensity II; Culver City, Glendale, downtown Los Angeles.

17 June (P) Baja California, Mexico Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity III; San Diego.

17 June (B) Northern California Origin time: 19 38 48.4 Epicenter: 38.18 N., 121.93 W. Depth: 22 km Magnitude: 3.5 ML 21 June (B) Central California

Santa Monica.

18 42 47.6 32.05 N., 117.33 W. 6 km 3.3 ML

B17 Origin time: 02 43 06.9 Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: This earthquake was felt over an area of approximately 15,700 sq km (fig. 7).

Intensity VI; El Granada (plaster and dry wall cracked), French Camp (sidewalks cracked slightly). Intensity V; Houses trembled, people were frightened, and small objects moved at most of the places listed below: Alameda, Alamo, Arnold, Big Oak Flat, Banta, Belmont, Ben Lomond, Berkeley, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Boulder Creek, Burlingame, Castro Valley, Colma, Concord, Crockett, Daly City, Danville, Davenport, Diablo, East Stockton, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Farmington, Felton, Foster City, Fremont, Half Moon Bay, Hathaway Pines, Hayward, Hercules (a few windows cracked), Lafayette, Larkspur, Livermore, Los Gatos, Manteca, Martinez, Millbrae, Mill Valley, Modesto, Moraga, Moss Beach, Mountain Ranch, Mountain View, Mount Eden, Newark, Novato, Oakland, Olema, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Pinole, Pioneer, Pleasanton, Port Costa, Redwood City, Ross, Saint Helena, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Santa Clara, Sonora, South San Francisco, Stinson Beach, Stockton, Sunol, Sunset, Tiburon, Tracy, Union City, Vallejo, Valley Springs, Vernalis, Vineburg, Walnut Creek, Walnut Grove, West Menlo Park, Wilseyville. Intensity IV; Bolinas, Byron, Forest Knolls, Glencoe, Greenbrae, La Honda, Loma Mar, Milpitas, Orinda, Railroad Flat, San Gregorio, Vallecito, Woodacre. Intensity III; Clayton, Courtland, Elk Grove, Elmira, Holt, Point Reyes Station, Rodeo. Intensity II; Angels Camp, Antioch, Patterson, Portola Valley, Ryde, Salida, Santa Cruz. 37.65 N. 121.64 W. 10 km 4.7 mb(G), 3.5 MS(G), 4.6 ML 22 April (H) Island of Hawaii Origin time: 19 44 00.0 Epicenter: 19.32 N., 155.26 W. Depth: 9 km Magnitude: 4.0 ML Intensity IV; Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Intensity III; Kamuela (H), Kona (H), Waimea (press report).

26 April (H) Island of Hawaii Origin time: 04 20 53.0 Epicenter: 19.34 N., 155.23 W. Depth: 9 km Magnitude: 3.5 ML Intensity III; Hawaii Volcanoes National

2 May (H) Island of Hawaii Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity IV;

Intensity III; Hilo (H), Papaikou (H),

4 May (H) Island of Hawaii Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity III; Ahualoa (H), Waimea (H)

12 May (H) Island of Hawaii Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity III; Papaikou (H).

14 May (H) Island of Hawaii Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity II;

15 May (H) Island of Hawaii Origin time: 07 27 13.1 Hawaii Continued Hawaii-Continued

(H), Hilo (H), Volcano.

Park (H), Kurtistown (H), Mountain View (H).

Kamuela (H)

Pepeekeo (H). 18 May (H) Island of Hawaii

30 May (H) Island of Hawaii

18 54 05.4 20.08 N., 155.36 W. 8 km 3.7 ML Ahualoa (H), Honokaa (H),

14 22 58.1 20.24 N., 155.76 W, 34 km 3.1 ML

09 11 06.3 19.31 N., 155.22 W, 10 km 3.1 ML

15 35 10.8 19.34 N., 155.23 W. 9 km 3.0 ML Volcano (H).

15 June (H) Island of Hawaii

B19 4 June (H) Island of Hawaii

6 June (H) Island of Hawaii

6 June (H) Island of Hawaii

7 June (H) Island of Hawaii Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity III! Intensity II:

Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity III; Captain Cook (H).

Origin time: 11 42 52.6 Epicenter: 19.42 N., 154.93 W. Depth: 8 km Magnitude: 3.1 ML Intensity III; Pahoa (H).

Origin time: 09 42 18.7 Epicenter: 19.37 N., 155.08 W. Depth: 8 km Magnitude: 4.8 nb, 4.8 ML(H) Intensity V; Captain Cook, Hilo, Honokaa, Honomu, Keaau, Kurtistown, Mountain View, Pahala, Pahoa, Papaaloa, Pepeekeo. Intensity IV; Ookala.

Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity III; Pepeekeo (H), Volcano (H)

Origin time: Epicenter: Depth: Magnitude: Intensity III; Kona (H). Intensity II; Keokea (H).

Origin time: 01 22 00.8 Epicenter: 19.33N., 155.18 W. Depth: 10 km Magnitude: 3.1 ML Intensity III; Hilo (H). Intensity II; Papaikou (H), Pepeekeo (H), Volcano (H). 19.38 N., 155.10 W, 8 km 3.2 ML Hilo (H). Pepeekeo (H).

20 46 43.1 19.51 N., 155.84 W, 10 km 3.3 ML

20 58 37.7 19.33 N., 155.19 W 10 km 3.4 ML

07 14 18.9 19.52 N., 155.94 W. 10 km 3.0 ML of Hawaii Depth: 13 45 21 19.34 N. , 155. 11 W. 9 km " at 37° IV: III: 1286 of burial 594 m. II:

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

WASHINGTON: Robert S. Crosson, Geophysics Gutenberg, B. and Richter, C. F., 1956, Magnitude

Acknowledgment is also given to B. B. Poppe for Simon, R. B., 1978, Earthquakes in the United aid in editing the manuscript and drafting the States, October-December 1976, U.S. isoseismal maps, and to Paula Smith for preparing Geological Survey Circular 766-D (in press), the computerized manuscript. Nuttli, 0. W., 1973, Seismic wave attenuation and

REFERENCES CITED Richter, C. F., 1958, Elementary seismology: San

Bath, Markus, 1966, Earthquake energy and Inc., 768 p.

magnitude, in Physics and chemistry of the Wood>H . ' 0 and Neuman F 1931 Modified Earth, Volume 7: Oxford and New York, '^^ Intensi scale of l^l! Bulletin Pergamon Press, p. 115-165. of the Seismological Society of America, v. Fuis, G. S., Johnson, C. E., and Jenkins, D. J., 21 nQ> ^ 277-283.

1978, Preliminary catalog of earthquakes in ' * ' Aggarwal, Lamont-Doherty southern California, October 1976-September Geological Observatory, Columbia 1977: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File University, Palisades. Report 78-672, 84 p.

Program, University of and energy of earthquakes: Annali di Washington, Seattle. Geofisica, v. 9, no. 1, p. 1-15. Minsch, J. H., Stover, C. W., Person, W. J., and magnitude relations for eastern North America: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 78, no. 5, p. 876-885.

Francisco, Calif., W. H. Freeman and Co.,

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