192 KEPORT— 1897. 



are probably no longer correct. Off the shore, in a distance of 3 miles, 

 there is a depth of 200 fathoms, indicating a slope of 1 in 15, whilst at 

 distances of 10 miles from shore, over a length of 1 mile, slopes of 1 in 3 

 may be found. 



We have evidently here many instances of recent change in sub-oceanic 

 form, and at the same time illustrations of conditions where considerable 

 instability might be expected, and cable interruptions might therefore 

 frequently occur. It will be noted, by reference to the map, that the 

 position of fractures which have taken place are grouped near to the base 

 of these steep slopes, and in this respect follow the rule of similar occur- 

 rences in the North Atlantic. 



The following is a list of certain interruptions which have taken 

 place off the coasts under consideration : — 



La Lihcrtad — Salina Cruz. — November 25, 1890. 



Panama — San Juan del Sur. — .June 4, 1889* ; July 31, 1889*. 



Sta. Elena — Bvenaventura. — This section is laid off the mouth of the river 

 Esmeralda, at which point many breaks have occurred. Lat. 58' 20" JS., long-. 

 79° 41' 25" W. August 30, 1890; January 25,1891*; February 13,1892; Decem- 

 ber 5, 1893* ; December 6, 1893* ; December 14, 1893* ; December 20, 1893.* 



Paita {Peru)— Sta. Elena {Ec-nadnr). — This section passes Talara point, where 

 many breaks have occurred. Lat. 4° 29' S., long. 81° 17' W. September 1892,- 

 May 19, 1883 ; September 3, 1886 ; May 15, 1889* ; March 31, 1891* ; April 9, 1891* ; 

 May 14, 1892*. 



MoUendo — Chorillos {Peru'). — This section crosses the gully oflE Pescadores point, 

 lat. 16° 24' S., long. 73° 18' W. February 23, 1884 ; March 24, 1884 ; April .'>, 

 1884; June 13, 1884; January 30, 1886; August 13, 1886; August 16, 1887; 

 March 25, 1887 ; December 10, 1887, supposed to have been broken by an earth- 

 quake ; December 11, 1888 ; February 21, 1890 ; March 15, 1890 ; March 30, 1891* ; 

 June 4, 1895* ; October 16, 1892*, supposed to have been broken by an earthquake. 



Arica — MoUendo. — May 9, 1S77, by an earthquake; July 15, 1887; before 

 June 24, 1891 ; August 13, 1891 ; June 6, 1895*, shore end broken by waves. 



Iquiqiie — Arica. — May 9, 1877, by earthquake; May 7, 1878, by an earthquake; 

 June 12, 1895*, shore end broken by waves. 



Colder a — Antofagasta. — July 7, 1886. 



Valparaiso, Serena. — July 26, 1877; August 15. 1880, by earthquake; July 8, 

 1885 ; before August 19, 1891. July 4, 1895*, by landslide or earthquake. 



The unfelt earthquakes which were noted in or near Europe were as 

 follows : — 



.Tanuary 25, 1891, 5-Olh. A small disturbance was recorded at Teneriffe. 



March 26, 1891, 13-6h. to 14-8h. There was an earthquake of moderate 

 intensity noted in Teneriffe. 



May 15, 1892. At 2-9h. at Strassburg, and at 3-7h. at Nicolaiew, there was a 

 feeble shock. It is, however, possible that this earthquake may have had its origin 

 at Stavanger, in Norway. 



October 13, 1892. At 1707h., and October 17, at ll-88h, at Stra.ssburg. 



December 16, 1893. At Charkow at 13h. 13m. there was a strong disturbance. 



June 4, 1895. At Padova at i8h. 23m., large disturbance. 



July 5, 1895, 5h. 32m. At Padova, origin evidently at a great distance. 



Whether these seven unfelt movements recorded on the eastern side 

 of the Atlantic were connected with seismic disturbances on the western 

 side of South America leading to cable interruptions, it is impossible to 

 speak with confidence until we know the hours at which these interrup- 

 tions took place. In the meanwhile, all that we can say is, that it is 

 worthy of note that out of fourteen cable interruptions, seven of them 

 took place about the times when delicately suspended instruments in or 

 near Europe were set in motion. Six interruptions took place when 



