Three days adrift

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Celebrating life in the West

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How big was the 1906 earthquake?

Levels of magnitude quoted for the 1906 San Francisco earthquake vary from the low sevens to the high eights. Which is correct? That's difficult to pin down, in part because data for the 1906 earthquake are often poor because of the relatively unsophisticated technology of the period and also because most of the few stations in existence back then were not in optimum locations. Two recent studies — one consolidating measurements taken at almost 100 observatories around the world and the other examining ground deformation caused by the quake — have put the disaster at magnitude 7.7 to 7.9.

SOURCE: U.S. Geological Survey

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Sunset's 1906 Emergency Edition

Unable to print a full magazine after the fire, Sunset editors and publishers published a special 8-page message. Download a reprint here.

In a greeting from the publishers, the magazine wrote:

"To all Sunset's Friends, Patrons, and Subscribers, -- Greeting: This is to announce that by reason of the recent destruction by fire of the Sunset Magazine offices on April 18th, this Emergency Edition will be the only issue of the magazine for the month of May.

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... At the time of the fire the May issue was on the presses. Everything was destroyed except the mailing list, a few manuscripts and contract records. The priceless stock of drawing, photographs and engravings was burned ...

"In this one day the accumulation and accomplishment of years were swept away. The fire spread over only about one-sixth of San Francisco's total area, but destroyed all the central business portion of the city and a large residence district. Business blocks, factories, palatial homes, modern hotels, apartment and lodging houses disappeared.

"In this one day all class distinctions were leveled. And then here the great Lesson of Love was taught, and the best that is in Humankind rose above all pride of place and possessions. That was the flower that blossomed amid the city's ruins, and for it Glory be. The men and the women and the children forgot all personal loss, forgot their own sorrow in giving joy and comfort, coffee and buns and blankets, smiles and sturdy words of brave sympathy and of glad promise..."

For a reprint of the complete booklet, click here.

Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer to access this file. If you don't already have Acrobat Reader, you may click here to download it for free.

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