Loma Prieta

Loma Prieta (from Spanish loma -hill, prieta -dark) is 3,790 feet (1,160 m) high and is the highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California.[3]

For the 1989 earthquake that affected the San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay regions, see 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. For the American musical ensemble, see Loma Prieta (band).
Loma Prieta Peak
Loma Prieta from the West
Highest point
Elevation3,790 ft (1,155 m)  NAVD 88[1]
Prominence3,426 ft (1,044 m)  NGVD 29[2]
Coordinates37°06′40″N 121°50′39″W [1]
Naming
English translationDark Hill
Language of nameSpanish
Geography
Loma Prieta Peak
Loma Prieta Peak
Loma Prieta Peak (the United States)
Parent rangeSanta Cruz Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Loma Prieta
Climbing
Easiest routeRoadAlexander Dallas Bache

In the 19th century, the peak was called Mount Bache, a name given in honor of Alexander Dallas Bache; the name is no longer in use.[4]

From 1976 through 1990 amateur astronomer Donald Machholz set up his telescope an average of 120 times a year on the south slope of this mountain to search for comets. From this site he discovered three new comets that bear his name, including Periodic Comet Machholz 1 96P/Machholz on May 12, 1986.

The first official West Coast Messier marathon was conducted from this site in March 1979.

The epicenter of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake was near the mountain.

From 1955 to 2005, the mountain was the longtime site for the transmitter tower of San Jose television station KNTV. In September 2005, it moved its transmitter 83 kilometres (52 mi) northwest to San Bruno Mountain after it became the Bay Area's NBC affiliate.

Loma Prieta is the tallest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains and it is common to see snow on the mountain during the winter.

  • Loma Prieta (the peak just right of center) and other nearby peaks are festooned with television broadcast towers and other communication towers, serving the Santa Clara Valley. Fog-shrouded Monterey Bay and the Monterey peninsula are visible in the background in this late-afternoon approach to San José International Airport.

See also

References
  1. "Loma Prieta Reset". NGS data sheet. U.S. National Geodetic Survey. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  2. "Loma Prieta Peak , California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  3. "Loma Prieta". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  4. Brewer, William Henry. Up and Down California in 1860-1864; The Journal of William H. Brewer: Book 2, Chapter 3 NEW ALMADEN. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
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