December 21, 1812 Southern California Tsunami - Santa Barbara Narrative
Passage from Lander, et al. (1993) (quoting Trask (1856)):
"The sea was observed to recede from the shore during the continuance of the
shocks, and left the harbor dry for a considerable distance, when it returned in
five or six heavy rollers, which overflowed the plain on which Santa Barbara is
built. The inhabitants saw the recession of the sea, and being aware of the
danger on its return, fled to the adjoining hills near the town to escape the
probable deluge.
... The sea, on its return flowed inland little more than half a mile, and
reached the lower part of town, doing but a trifling damage, destroying three
small adobe buildings."
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