. After earthquake and fire . lling chimneys. Recognizing that it was an earth-quake, one expected it to cease every moment, but after amovement of less violence, the horrible shaking began again,with greater intensity, until it seemed that the house mustcollapse bodily. To those who were unwilling observers ofthe phenomenon, it seemed as if the house were being shakenmuch as a terrier shakes a rat, with a final wrench that prom-ised to make an end—but it was succeeded by a gradual de-crease of the vibration. This feeling of a wrench, that is, oftorsional strain, was emphasized in some of the
. After earthquake and fire . lling chimneys. Recognizing that it was an earth-quake, one expected it to cease every moment, but after amovement of less violence, the horrible shaking began again,with greater intensity, until it seemed that the house mustcollapse bodily. To those who were unwilling observers ofthe phenomenon, it seemed as if the house were being shakenmuch as a terrier shakes a rat, with a final wrench that prom-ised to make an end—but it was succeeded by a gradual de-crease of the vibration. This feeling of a wrench, that is, oftorsional strain, was emphasized in some of the taller build-ings and it was due probably to the crossing of two sets ofvibrations. In regard to other evidence, it is too early tocollect accurate data. In San Francisco the street-car trackson Market street retained their alignment fairly well, but theroadway was depressed fully four feet. Market street is pavedwith cobbles; where there was an asphalt pavement in thelower parts of town below Montgomery street, the roadway. 25 AFTER EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE. was buckled so as to make tents, and in other spots there weredepressions several feet below the normal level. Southward,along the San Francisco peninsula, the shock was particu-larly severe and, it is stated, actual fissures, five to seven feetwide, traversed the surface of the ground. Palo Alto felt thisand, in consequence, the buildings of Stanford Universitysuccumbed. When a scientific investigation is made, as itshould be made, either by the State or the proper departmentof the National Government, it will be found, we believe, thatone fact stands out prominently, namely, that the earthquakewas destructive in the City mainly from Montgomery streetdown—eastward—to the water-front. This area is madeland; the original shore followed an irregular line that coin-cides roughly with Montgomery street. By means of pilesand filling, the City has encroached upon the shallows of theBay. Visitors to San Francisco will have notic
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