380 THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. 



elevation of the shore at Chili, to the extent of two 

 or three yards, in consequence of an earthquake 

 which destroyed Tahuano in the Bay of Conception. 



It would be possible to multiply, very greatly, 

 examples of these upheavals of the submarine soil. 

 We have only to recall the frequent formation of new 

 islands, alluded to in a previous chapter. 



The sudden changes which actually take place in 

 the basins of seas are, in most instances, easy to 

 verify. Often they are the cause of terrible catas- 

 trophes, which affect whole populations, and leave an 

 indelible impression on the memories of those \\ho 

 witnessed or suffered \^y them. 



