EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKES. 



chanced to be upon it, and leaving nothing but a yawn- 

 ing gulf, with sides nearly 

 vertical, from 300 to 400 feet 

 deep. In some instances an 

 immense quantity of water 

 was collected in the cavities, 

 and formed lakes more or less 

 considerable in magnitude, 

 some of which had no ap- 

 parent issue, while the water 

 from others iiowed. in enor- 

 mous torrents. In other cases 

 the contrary effects were mani- 

 fested, rivers and lakes sud- 

 denly disappearing as if they had sunk into the bowels of the earth. 



112. While the principal of these earthquakes upon the Italian 

 peninsula was limited to the tract between Oppida and Soriano, 

 the phenomena were propagated under the straits of Messina to 

 that city, more than half of which, with twenty-nine surrounding 

 towns and villages, was swallowed up. The bottom of the sea 

 sunk, the shores were torn by clefts, and all the ground along the 

 harbour of Messina was inclined towards the sea, sinking sud- 

 denly to the depth of some feet. The entire promontory by which 

 the entrance to the harbour was formed, was swallowed up in an 

 instant. 



113. The earthquakes which took place on the coast of Chili in 

 1822 35 37, produced effects not less remarkable. Different 

 paits of the coast from Yaldivia to Valparaiso, an extent of more 

 than 200 leagues, was manifestly raised above the water, as well 

 as several adjacent islands extending to that of Juan Fernandez. 

 The bottom of the sea, to a considerable distance, was similarly 

 affected. Upon the coasts, rocks formerly covered with water, 

 were raised eight or ten feet above the level of the sea, covered 

 Avith the shells attached to them. Rivers, which emptied them- 

 selves at different parts of the coast, and which were navigable 

 to vessels of small tonnage, became fordable. At sea, well known 

 anchorages were diminished in depth ; and various parts, where 

 vessels formerly passed safely, were now complete shoals, inacces- 

 sible to vessels except those of the lightest draught. 



114. Similar effects were manifested in India in 1819. A hill, 

 60 miles long, and 18 wide, extending from S.E. to N.W., was 

 raised in the middle of a flat country, barring the course of the 

 Indus. Further south, and in a parallel direction, the ground was 

 sunk and with it the town and fort of Sindre, which remained, how- 

 ever, standing, though half submerged. The eastern embouchure 



89 



