CHAPTER VII 



THE INTERRUPTED CHARACTER OF EARTH MOVE- 

 MENTS: EARTHQUAKES AND SEAQUAKES 



Nature of earthquake shocks. Man's belief in the stability of 

 Mother Earth the terra firma is so inbred in his nature that 

 even a light shock of earthquake brings a rude awakening. The 

 terror which it inspires is no doubt largely to be explained by this 



FIG. 49. View of a portion of the ruins of Messina after the earthquake of 

 December 28, 1908. 



disillusionment from the most fundamental of his beliefs. Were 

 he better advised, the long periods of quiet which separate earth- 

 quakes, and not the lighter shocks which follow all grander dis- 

 turbances, would occasion him concern. 



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