A Thompson Studios photo of Mount Lassen prior to the 1914 eruption.
CONTINUOUS EARTHQUAKES
Seismic Earthquakes Render Susanville Anything but Terra Firma
August 1st, 1889
Slight earthquake shocks have been so continuous at Susanville in the Sierra Nevadas that the people have become accustomed to the constant trembling of the earth that they pay no attention to it.
Susanville lies on a high mountain walled valley directly east of Lassen Butte, an extinct volcano 10,600 feet high. From its summit no less than forty extinct craters can be seen.
Cinder Cone, which rises 600 feet above the level of the plateau, was in eruption in 1850. Two prospectors visited it, and they found Lake Salfatra, eight miles south of Cinder Cone, a centre of volcanic forces.
The lake was a mass of boiling water and mud, and from it vast columns of flames shot up at intervals. Timber in the vicinity was on fire.
Within two years there has seemed renewed activity in the internal fire, and the present shocks point to the possibility of another great volcanic outburst which will find vent through some of the craters.
We are always looking for new pictures to preserve and share in our historical photo collection and we would love to see yours.Your picture will be added to our digital archive for future use and we will make sure you receive credit whenever possible. Email your contribution along with your name and a short description of what you’ve sent to webxtra@susanvillestuff.com. A digital copy of every submission will also be donated to the Lassen Historical Society for preservation in their files.
Visit SusanvilleStuff.com - The Internet Home of All Things Susanville Today - The Internet Home of All Things Susanville