1Q54 Memoir on Indian Earthquakes. [No. 144. 



I am unable to determine." These may possibly be the mere local 

 action, but they are interesting as maintaining, the analogy between 

 Nepaul and the other valleys of the lateral Himalayan Tract, where 

 like phenomena have been found to prevail. Perhaps they may be 

 similar in character to the burning ground of Cashmere. 



E. Earthquakes of the Valley of Assam. 



Although Earthquakes would seem to be by no means unusual oc- 

 currences in the valley of Assam, it is not until the year 1842 that any 

 have been actually recorded; or if otherwise, notices of them have 

 hitherto escaped me. Two shocks which may be traced to the valley, 

 are noted in my Register for 1842, the first on the 23rd, the second 

 on the 29th October, and these form the only primary shocks observed, 

 the others by which the valley was affected during that year being 

 evidently secondary ones, emanating from other points. 



The indications of powerful volcanic action throughout Assam are 

 numerous. The Kasya Hills on the South-west, present some of the 

 most remarkable phenomena of upheavement to be found perhaps in 

 the world : coal is found elevated to a height of 4,300 feet above the 

 level of the sea, on the summit of a mountain at Chirra Poonjee, accom- 

 panied by a series of rocks precisely similar to those associated with 

 the coal at the base of the same hill ; at the same place, a fossil Beach 

 was discovered by Dr. McClelland, the precise height of which I do 

 not at this moment recollect, but think it was about 1,500, or 2,000 

 feet ; igneous rocks are so largely distributed in such positions, as to 

 indicate their having been the causes of the upheavements in question. 

 In the Naga Hills on the South and South-east, hot springs occur, 

 the temperature of one of which was found to be 1 10J° by Lieutenant 

 Bigge, (J. A. S. Vol. X. p. 132); throughout the valley similar springs 

 with others of petroleum and naptha are numerous, all indicating a 

 tract where volcanic forces are now in operation, and whence Earth- 

 quakes may consequently be expected to emanate. I am not acquaint- 

 ed with the physical structure of the Singhpo and Mishmee Hills on 

 the Eastward, but I have little doubt similar volcanic indications would 

 be found there as elsewhere, as from this quarter it is the impression 

 throughout the province, shocks most commonly proceed.* 



The record of the Earthquakes of the lateral Himalayan Tract is 

 now completed, and in order to exhibit a general view of the whole, I 

 have compiled the following Table : — 



* I regret much that the following details of Earthquakes in Assam, should not have 

 reached me in time to be included in the body of this memoir. 1 am indebted for 

 them to Major Jenkins, Governor General's Agent in Assam, Mr. Masters, and to Mr. 

 Piddington, by whom a copy of Capt. Hannay's memorandum was forwarded to me. 

 I have combined the whole of the materials received, and formed from them a general 

 list of Assam Earthquakes, omitting those however of 1843, as the Register for that 

 year is not yet prepared. 



The earliest is recorded by Capt. Hannay as having occurred on the 14th January 

 1839. It was felt at Suddeah, and its direction was, so far as could be ascertained, from 

 S. W. to N. E. Some days of heavy rain in the valley, and snow in the mountains, 

 preceded it. 



3d June, 1839.— An Earthquake experienced at Suddeah on this date, apparently 

 from South to North. Severe storms with a N. E. wind. Burrampooter high, and the 



weather 



