4 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY 



The less direct, and eventually more harmful, effect 

 of the prediction was the dissemination of the dire 

 report throughout all parts of our country and the 

 world ; an effect which must, of necessity, be perman- 

 ently damaging. 



The author of these fearsome predictions is a scien- 

 tific man of standing but in my opinion he has, in this 

 instance, done more to discredit science in the minds 

 of the people of this vicinity than any other incident 

 in recent years. Also, in extending the torch of alarm 

 to interested business he has exceeded the province 

 of a scientific man and an educator. 



It is my object in this report to refute his inconsid- 

 erate, inaccurate and damaging prophecies. I will 

 show that there is absolutely no foundation for the 

 prediction, either in the laws of nature or the scientific 

 data of this region. And above all I will establish 

 the fact that the whole structure of his prediction is 

 built upon premises which have been disproved and 

 retracted by their creators. 



It is my sincere desire that the data herein pre- 

 sented will overtake and cancel the unjust consequences 

 of misinformation. 



NATURE OF PREDICTIONS 



The following quotation of statements made by Dr. 

 Willis will make clear the nature of his prophecies. 



"Indications are that we may anticipate a grave, far- 

 reaching quake in Southern California." 



"A great shock may come soon or within a decade, 

 or not until after more than a decade." 



"The indications are that we have to expect a deep- 

 seated, more far-reaching earthquake in Southern 



