156 REPORT— 1897. 



Nearly all these disturbances were only felt in the northern part of 

 Nippon. Thirty-three were noted in Awomori, 26 were recorded in 

 Tokio, 15 in Fukushima, 10 in Kofu, 7 in Yamagata, and 2 in Sakai. 

 The two shocks recorded at Hikone, which is 450 miles distant from 

 Miyako, were probably of local origin. The fact that the Miyako earth- 

 quakes were only sufficient to disturb seismographs in North Japan, whilst 

 the effect of one at least of the series was recorded in Europe, indicates 

 that the origin of these movements was far from land. Had it been a few 

 hundred miles still farther off shore it seems likely that ordinary seismo- 

 graphs, recording on smoked-glass surfaces, would have failed to have 

 given any indications that submarine disturbances had taken place. We 

 have, therefore, here an illustration of the necessity of using horizontal 

 pendulums with photographic recording apparatus, or the equivalent of 

 such instruments, if we desire to study sub-oceanic movements or the 

 effects produced by earthquakes which have originated at great distances. 



Sea-waves. — Coast of Rikuzen and Rikuchu (Home Department 

 Report). — First high water at 8.25 p.m. Altogether ten large waves, the 

 first three being at intervals of six minutes. 



Miyako. — First high water, 8.20 p.m. Sea retreated about 7.15 p.m. ; 

 sea rose about 8.0 and 8.7 p.m. This last tide or wave rose 15 feet, and 

 people and houses were carried away. The tide I'ose six times. 



Tawoi mura. — Sea retreated 1,800 feet. 



Hakodate (Yesso). — Tides rose and fell from 10 p.m. on the 15th until 

 10 A.M. on the 16th. At 4 p.m. on the 16th quiet was restored. 



Mororan (Yesso). — High tide at 8 p.m. 



TokacJii and Moyori (Yesso). — At 11 p.m. the tide was 10 feet lower 

 than usual. It rose four or five times to heights of 60 or 100 feet. 



Kinkazan. — Tide gauge showed changes of 7 or 8 feet. 



Bonin Ids. — Tide rose 3 or 4 feet. 



Hawaii. — In fourteen hours fourteen tides were noticed, commencing 

 at 7.38 P.M. 



Sotcnds. — Sounds like thunder or the report of a heavy gun were heard 

 at many places, at Miyako before 8 p.m. ; at Kitsugawa, in Miyagi 

 Ken ; at Tokachi and Moyori, in Yesso, &c. 



Unusual Set of Ocean Currents. — Sweeping up the eastern coast of 

 Japan is the great Black Stream, or Kuro Siwo, the strength of which, 

 as indicated by the distance to which it is felt and its position with 

 regard to the coast, is subject to seasonal variation. Along the inundated 

 coast a warm current is felt from spring to autumn, whilst during the 

 winter months the same shores experience a current that is cold. In 

 1896, spring passed, and yet the cold water hugged the shore, and the 

 fishermen seeking bonito had to go farther than usual from land until 

 they reached warmer waters. 



Origin of the Disturbance. — Because the village of Taoi was destroyed 

 by two great waves, one coming from the south and the other from the 

 north, it has been assumed that at a distance of from five to eight miles 

 off the village a submarine landslip had taken place, and the waters rushed 

 inwards towards the scene of dislocation. Because places along 150 or 

 200 miles of the coast on which Taoi is situated were inundated at about 

 the same time, as Professor Kochibe points out, it is clear that the origin 

 of the convulsion was at a very much greater distance from the land than 

 that just indicated. 



Because the sea-waves were preceded by earthquakes it is evident 



