114 EARTHQUAKES. 



Along the line of the road beyond the Angostura, 'there were scarcely any visible effects ; 

 and although the inhabitants of Kancagua say that the shock was extremely severe, there were 

 only a few small crevices in the higher walls. If not exhausted to the northward of the gorge, 

 the strength of the earth-storm had evidently passed to the westward of it, a supposition to 

 which neither examination nor inquiry lent their support. The mountains had arrested the 

 progress of the great earth-wave, and the re-action of its generating power was plainly 

 exhibited on the alluvial stratum of the deep terrestrial bay. 



Travellers from as far south as Talca stated that the shock had been quite moderate at that 

 city, and none had given it a thought beyond the Cachapual, except for its unusual length. 

 Nearly all of them, however, as did those north of the Angostura, believed that its origin had 

 been to the southward. Whilst at Eancagua, a violent rain-storm commenced on the morning 

 of the 5th, preceded by excessive thunder and lightning. This was a widely extended storm, 

 reaching from latitude 33 to latitude 40. 



As nothing farther was to be gained in a southerly direction, I returned to Santiago, and two 

 days afterwards crossed the axis of the earth- wave in the direction of Valparaiso, though without 

 obtaining many new facts to relate. The disturbance had certainly been greater at Curacavi 

 and Casablanca than at the capital and port, much property having been so injured that it was 

 necessary to tear it down. Repairs were out of the question,, for the walls were no longer stable. 

 One crack in the earth, west of Casablanca, at the surface, was still nearly three inches wide, 

 and about 20.0 yards long. Its general direction was W.N.W. and E.S.E. The same fact 

 was observed on the Almendral as had been remarked near the Angostura ; objects were 

 thrown from tables and shelves in every imaginable direction, as though each vibration was 

 from a different quarter. No special agitation was observed at the surface of the sea, nor did 

 any great wave follow to wash away prostrate buildings, of which some forty were level 

 with the ground. One of the papers stated that a lead line thrown overboard at the time from 

 the U S. frigate Raritan, was so buried in the sand that it could only be extracted with great 

 difficulty ; but this, like many of the wonderful stories told of earthquakes, should probably be 

 received "cum grano salis;" else we must conclude that the ships, being unable to heave them up, 

 probably left their anchors in the bay when about to sail. There was no indication whatever that 

 the shores of the bay had been raised either by the great shock or the multitude of smaller ones 

 continuing throughout the succeeding fortnight. I examined the rock shores closely during 

 several tides, but could find no unprotected memento. 



Mr. R. Budge, F. R. Gr. S., considers* the motion to have been westward, because water in 

 basins, jugs, &c. , spilt over the east side ; clocks whose pendulums vibrated east and west stopped, 

 while those beating north and south did not ; walls standing east and west were cracked in every 

 wav particularly lengthways, and vessels at sea felt it at an hour corresponding to the differ- 

 ence of longitude. He supposes the phenomenon to have been subject to instantaneous cessa- 

 tions, and says that it turned round things on their base instead of throwing them down at an 

 angle of 20, showing a circular motion for at least an instant. I shall have something to say 

 presently respecting the two vessels which felt the shock at sea. He goes on to remark : "I 

 have experienced at this place (Valparaiso) three ruinous earthquakes that of 1822_, which I 

 passed in the house until the back fell, that of 1829, and the present. On the last occasion the 

 barometer and thermometer indicated nothing, nor .was there the least warning of any description; 

 but, as invariably occurs after a heavy shock, we had_, on the third day after, a shower of twelve 

 hours' rain, for which I had already prepared, aware of its being the consequence, happen what- 

 ever season it may. I conceive also that I have felt less relaxed than before it. I cannot 

 understand all these things, unless electricity be the agent ; while the atmosphere must be affected 

 in some way to shower down rain at seasons when, under ordinary circumstances, it does not 

 fall. * * * * On that occasion (1822) the sea in the bay of Valparaiso retired considera- 



* Report of British Association, 1851. 



