THE WORLD'S MOST CRUEL EARTHQUAKE 



373 



time, regardless of results, such as dump- 

 ing it directly into lakes and rivers. This 

 has been a short-sighted policy from the 

 fact that large expenditures have been 

 entered into in the way of sewers, which 

 will necessarily have to be readjusted in 

 order to conform to sanitary laws now 

 being passed requiring the treatment of 

 sewage before discharging it into rivers 

 or lakes. 



The city of Baltimore is showing the 

 same progressive spirit in handling this 

 great sanitary problem that she has 

 shown in many other enterprises of 

 world-wide interest, causing cities all 

 over the world to send committees and 

 engineers to study the plans and methods 

 of prosecuting the work, which in mag- 

 nitude, character, and rapidity of execu- 

 tion stands unequaled. 



THE WORLD'S MOST CRUEL EARTHQUAKE 



By Charles W. Wright 



Of the United States Geological Survey 



Mr Wright was sent to the region of the recent Sicilian earthquake by the 

 National Geographic Society to make such study and investigations as a zveek's 

 stay at Messina and Reggio would permit. 



A N earthquake such as the recent 



/\ one at Messina is a catastrophe 

 X of the first magnitude. It will 



be recorded in history as one of the 

 world's greatest disasters, though viewed 

 geologically it represents a sudden dis- 

 placement of probably only a few inches 

 in the earth's crust and is of less impor- 

 tance than other earthquakes during the 

 last decade. 



As a geologist I have always had a 

 desire to witness the results of an earth- 

 quake, if not at the time of occurrence, 

 then directly afterward, so as to see not 

 only the geologic changes, but the vast 

 destruction to the surrounding country, 

 as well as its effect on the inhabitants. 

 So the opportunity to visit Messina 

 through the courtesy of the Board of 

 Managers of the National Geographic 

 Society was gladly accepted. 



I reached Sicily the middle of Feb- 

 ruary and spent a week there. No ac- 

 commodations being available in Messina, 

 it was necessary to go to Taormina, just 

 an hour's ride by train, and a remarkable 

 contrast it was to leave the dust and 

 desolation of the fallen city at sundown 

 for the most glorious garden spot in all 

 Italy. 



Before discussing the disaster, how- 

 ever, let us first glance through our 

 Baedeker to learn something of the cities 

 and their population ; also of the indus- 

 tries and commerce of this part of the 

 Mediterranean. 



Those who have been fortunate enough 

 to visit the north of Sicily will remember 

 the indescribable charm and fascination 

 of that entire section. Towering peaks 

 rise from each side of the straits of Mes- 

 sina to elevations of 4,000 to 6,000 feet, 

 and dissecting their gradual sloping sides 

 are canyon-like valleys which broaden 

 into wide flats at tide water. On these 

 gravel flats, or benches, above sea-level 

 the cities of Messina and Reggio are situ- 

 ated, and higher up the valleys many vil- 

 lages are scattered. In these valleys and 

 on the flanks of the hills orchards of 

 lemons, oranges, and pomegranates are 

 cultivated ; also almond trees and vine- 

 yards, which, when in blossom, refresh 

 the whole land with their fragrance. 



MESSINA is the: best harbor oe itaey 



Messina, now known to the whole 

 world, is a large seaport town in the 

 northeast corner of Sicily. The approach 

 by steamer is of remarkable beauty, the 



