46 OLDHAM : THE CACHAR EARTHQUAKE OF IOtII JANUARY 1869. 



data on which to base accurate conclusions as to either the nature ; the 

 direction; or the force of the shocks. With the exception of the reason- 

 ing of Archdeacon Pratt from the direction of the fall of the church 

 tower in Silchar, there is scarcely a fact noticed which gives a clue to this 

 direction based upon any thing" more than conjecture or the rudest 

 observation. Even the few facts which have been stated have led to 

 erroneous conclusions, as it appears to us (the fall of the heliotroper 

 in Sherfaisip for example), and when conclusions have been attempted 

 to be drawn as to the rate of motion, the two entirely distinct and 

 separate motions of the wave itself in translation, and of the particles of 

 the mass affected by this wave, have been confounded. 



One thing*, however, remains clearly established, that a very serious 

 shock or shocks did pass through the area ; and that these were sufficient 

 to destroy, or partially to injure, the most permanent buildings in parts of 

 the area affected, and did result in certain very marked and serious 

 disturbances of the surface of the earth. It was then the task set before 

 me to see how far from these results it would be possible to reason back 

 to the nature, position of origin, and force of this great wave or waves. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE EAETH FISSURES AND SAND CEATERS AND THEIR ORIGIN. 



By far the most remarkable result known of this earthquake was 

 the production of great fissures in the surface of the country, and 

 the sinking of the ground over a very large area. This phenomenon 

 was not confined to any special locality, but has been found to extend 

 for many miles, showing a varying degree of intensity. 



Almost immediately on entering the Soorma River the fissures in the 

 banks became noticeable, and they gradually increased in intensity in 

 proceeding up the river. These fissures were entirely confined to the 

 newer alluvial deposits, what are called by the people of the district the 

 bhurli lands, or ' filled in' lands ; no trace of them being visible in the 

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