1843.] Memoir on Indian Earthquakes. 1041 



of wood, a material recommended by its power of resisting the frequent 

 Earthquakes with which this place is visited. It is not improbable 

 that the Zil-Zillee-Namah, may furnish some materials for filling up 

 this long interval, but from this little more I fear can be expected than 

 a mere narrative of the effects of shocks, since more intelligence than 

 its author could have possessed is necessary to distinguish the pheno- 

 mena, which point to the causes of these convulsions. 



It is not until the year 1829, that we have any specific notice of 

 another Earthquake in the Cabool valley. This notice is a very brief 

 one by Sir A. Burnes. About six years previous to his visit to Cabool 

 in 1836-37, a very severe Earthquake had been felt at that place, and 

 he adds, that shocks happen so frequently as twice and thrice a month. 

 On one night, the 14th December 1837, he mentions that no less than 

 three shocks were experienced. 



In 1836, Mr. Vigne mentions* several shocks of Earthquakes were 

 experienced by him at Cabool, all however slight, and he adds that the 

 average number of shocks during the year is about twelve. Mr. Masson 

 alsof records the occurrence of several during his residence at the 

 capital of Affghanistan. The notices of both of those travellers are 

 however very meagre, and the shocks seem to have been so frequent, 

 as to deprive them of interest in their eyes. 



The preceding form all the information I have been able to collect 

 relative to the Earthquakes of the Cabool valley. The details are, it 

 will be observed, of a very limited character, and establish only the 

 general fact, of disturbing forces being continually in operation be- 

 neath this valley, with the additional circumstance of considerable 

 alteration of levels having been the effect of one of the shocks, that 

 namely of 1 505. It is impossible to say whether or not all the shocks 

 are local, and due to forces acting immediately under the valley of Ca- 

 bool. The whole of the tract around is said to exhibit indications of 

 volcanic action, and it is probable therefore, that many of the numerous 

 shocks may be secondary ones, having originated either to the East- 

 ward or Westward. I am indebted to Captain Hutton, Bengal Army, 

 for the following remarks on this point, which shew the general preva- 

 lence of volcanic action throughout the country around Cabool, although 

 nothing is said relative to such action within the valley itself. Captain 

 Hutton thus writes : " It was reported by some intelligent men whom I 

 met with at Candahar, that a volcano exists in the Huzzareh mountains 

 (to the westward of Cabool,) but that few are living (1840) who re- 

 member to have seen it active. The appearances of a volcanic mountain, 

 the effects, &c. were so well described, that I can hardly think they 

 were deceiving me. All Affghanistan gives indication of violent volcanic 

 action, and the country from the Kojuck range to beyond the Hel- 

 mund, may be termed a volcanic district, the mountains being usually 

 accompanied along the base by a low range of basaltic or other trap 

 rocks." 



* Vigne's Travels, p. 812. f Masson's Travel*, vol. III. p. 8. 



