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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



SKETCH MAP OF SICILY AND SOUTH ITALY 



The National Geographic Society has sent Mr Charles W. Wright, of the U, S. Geological 

 Survey, to Sicily to study the earthquake which wrought such havoc around Messina and 

 Reggio. Mr Wright's report will be published in an early number of this Magazine. 



This most terrible earthquake in the history of the world was apparently caused by the 

 gradual sinking which is taking place in a small area, about 75 miles in diameter, which in- 

 cludes the strait of Messina, the northeastern tip of Sicily, and the toe of Italy. This small 

 area is a remnant of the ancient Tyrrhenian crust block, and has been periodically settling for 

 ages. The earthquakes will recur until this remnant has disappeared. 



