EARTHQUAKES ON THE PACIFIC COAST 



179 



On Putah Creek, half a mile west of Winters, a phenomenon was 

 witnessed by a yonng man named Fred Willis, who was riding 

 past at the time of the big- shake. There seemed to be an explo- 

 sion, and the water was thrown from the creek to a distance of 

 20 feet on either bank. Then followed a hissing sound as of 

 gas escaping. At daylight several fissures were found in the bed 

 of the creek and in the roadway and fields adjoining. On each 

 side of the creek where the explosion took place the banks caved 

 in, the landslides being 75 feet in length and 12 feet deep. 



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Fig. .5.— Tlie re-ion al.ec-ted by the sli. c s <>t April 19, 1892. 



Such as were enabled to .see tlie sky tlirougii split roofs after the 

 big shock passed staie t at the lit-avt lis were livid with fire, and 

 when they reaclifd the slftH't there seemed to be a ha/e in the 

 atmosphere, wliile ochjrs oC siil|)hiir were distinctly discernible. 

 The people of Winters are extremely jjositive on these points. 



