HOW THREE HISTORICAL EVENTS IMPACTED SOCIETY AND SHAPED GEOLOGIC POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT IN CALIFORNIA: THE GOLD RUSH, THE LOS ANGELES OIL BOOM AND THE GREAT ALASKAN EARTHQUAKE

Looking back in time, certain historical events have had profound impacts in shaping society’s view of the importance of geology on the economic growth and development. In California, three events stand out above all others: the Gold Rush of the mid-1850s, the Los Angeles Oil Boom of the 1890s, and the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964.

The Gold Rush of 1849 spurred immense interest in the geological riches of the state being reflected in the conduct of several geological reconnaissances. In 1860, the California Geological Survey was established to identify and quantify the state’s resources, and seek opportunities for economic growth. Several issues and perceived lack of focus on the interests of the Legislature confronted the new survey which effectively operated until 1872. Displeasure by the Legislature resulted in its termination, with the State deferring the thought of another geological survey until 1880.

The second event was the discovery of the Los Angeles oil field by Edward Doheny, Sr. and Charles Canfield in 1892. This discovery would soon lead to other fields being discovered throughout the Los Angeles Basin, which became the largest oil-producing area not only in California but the world during the latter 19^th Century. Doheny also created a market for oil by convincing A.T. & S.F. Railway to convert their locomotive engines from coal-burning to oil-burning – the harbinger of a new era of petroleum-fueled transportation. Benjamin Silliman, Jr. in 1864 predicted that oil would eventually surpass gold in value to the state, and by 1907 this became reality. Restructuring of state government began in 1915 and by 1929 the focus would be on geologic mapping and development of the state’s mineral resources.

The third big event came in 1965 following the Great Alaskan “Good Friday” Earthquake of 1964. Emphasis shifted to geologic hazards and addressing the environmental impacts of California’s mining legacy. Programs established included the Strong Motion Instrumentation Program (1971), Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (1971), Hospital Safety Act (1972), Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (1975) and Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (1991). These new programs reflect on California’s complex geology, large amounts of federally managed lands, high mineralization, potential for geologic hazards, and urban growth had on California’s economy, land use, and public safety.