89 REPORT—1850. 
Brief Notices of Earthquakes in South America in 1844, 1845, 1846 and 1847. 
By Marure Hamitton, MD. 
In the preliminary part of his paper, the author mentions, that, having placed a 
mountain barometer in good condition at Tacna in 1843, it was found to be hardly 
at all affected by the ordinary earthquakes which were observed there, The pendu- 
lum of the seismometer which he employed, was of little use for ascertaining the 
direction of one earthquake shock; but the sand-glass instrument acted well. It is 
for moderate shocks that instruments of this description are required, for in violent 
convulsions, even things the most ponderous act as seismometers, and it often occurred 
at Tacna, that in shocks there considered moderate, the bell in the tower of the 
church was tolled by lateral movements. 
Whoever would devote attention to the observation of phenomena concomitant 
on earthquakes in Peru, should, in addition to other necessary instruments, have an 
efficient electrometer, if such can be obtained; also an anemometer of simple and 
delicate construction. 
On the 18th of October, 1844, the provinces of Salta Tucuman, Santiago del Estero, 
and others, were convulsed by a terribly destructive earthquake, which was felt over 
an extent of territory above 1000 miles long from N. to S., and several hundred miles 
wide. When notice of the calamity reached Tacna, I transmitted to Salta a few 
queries ; and in reply received a document, from which a translation of some para- 
graphs is here offered, This horrible earthquake happened at half-past ten p.m.; there 
is not a house in Salta which is not damaged, and many have fallen; our estate has 
suffered much, for the tanks which contained the ‘ Miel’ (cane-juice) all gave way 
during the earthquake. These tanks are subterraneous, and each of them held about 
1000 arobas, i. 6. 25,000 lbs., which burst into one another, forming a pool of miel. 
In the districts of Xuxuy and Tucuman, the earthquake happened at the same 
time as here, reducing these towns and other places to a similar state of ruin. There 
were two earthquakes or great movements; and in the suburbs of Salta, as in various 
places more distant, the earth opened and threw out quantities of water and sand of 
various colours, with explosions as if from volcanoes. During the night of the earth- 
quake, from the time of the first shock till sunrise, heavy rain fell. Prior to the 
concussion being felt, dogs began to bark, while beasts of burden and others, if 
moving, were observed to stop, and so place themselves as to prevent their falling 
by the coming movements of the ground. Also it was noted by people in Salta, that 
previous to the first great shock, there was a profound calm in the atmosphere. 
Numerous shocks which occurred at Tacna and Arica within the four years above 
noted, may be passed over without notice*, On the26th of Nov.1846,a new volcano in 
Chili appeared in action ; its first eruption was preceded by many land reports, which 
were heard over a circumference of twelve leagues. It is on one of the highest 
points of the Cordillera, that known as the ‘Cerro azue,’ blue mountain, which is 
distant thirty leagues from Talca, at which distance the sulphur thrown out from the 
voleano is smelt. Talca is about midway between the cities of Talcahuana and San- 
tiago*. 1847, Jan. 19th}: a severe earthquake was felt at Copiapo, which threw 
down a number of houses, and damaged nearly all the town; fourteen other shocks 
occurred within four hours from the first one. They were mostly vertical, and were 
considered the worst there which had happened since 1822+. The same paper of the 
26th of May, notices a violent movement of the sea in the harbour of Callao, when three 
vessels anchored near the shore were in danger of being lost, in consequence of com- 
motion in the water, a phenomenon rarely seen there. The following explanation 
was at the same time offered : ‘‘ The origin of what has been stated above was a furious 
submarine earthquake, which was felt by the captain of the American Whale Frigate 
* Acushuett,’ when distant about sixty miles W.S.W. from the island of San Lorenza, 
at 3a.m. of the 24th. The movement of the water in the bay of Callao lasted several 
hours, and the three vessels were saved from being carried on shore by assistance — 
from the English and French ships of war.”’ In that paper of the 4th of June, it is stated 
that an officer of the army had written from Ayacucha on the 10th of May, stating 
that at the town of Huancarania an earthquake had occurred which lasted four days, 
* Vide Mercury of Valparaiso of 19th January 1847. 
Tt Vide Comercio of Lima of 11th February 1847. 
