1835. 



EARTHQUAKE AT CONCEPCION. 



403 



cepcion, from the sea-coast, towards the interior : and in the 

 minds of old inhabitants, well acquainted with the climate 

 of Concepcion, some surprise was excited by so unusual and 

 simultaneous a change in the habits of those birds,* no signs 

 of an approaching storm being visible, nor any expected at 

 that season. About eleven, the southerly breeze-f- freshened up 

 as usual — the sky was clear, and almost cloudless. At forty mi- 

 nutes after eleven,J a shock of an earthquake was felt, slightly 

 at first, but increasing rapidly. During the first half minute, 

 many persons remained in their houses ; but then tlie convul- 

 sive movements were so strong, that the alarm became general, 

 and they all rushed into open spaces for safety. The horrid 

 motion increased ; people could hardly stand ; buildings waved 

 and tottered — suddenly an avfful overpowering shock caused 

 universal destruction — and in less than six seconds the city was 

 in ruins. The stunning noise of falling houses ; the horrible 

 cracking of the earth, which opened and shut rapidly and 

 repeatedly in numerous places ; § the desperate heart-rending 

 oiitcries of the people ; the stifling heat ; the blinding, smother- 

 ing clouds of dust ; the utter helplessness and confusion ; and 

 the extreme horror and alarm, can neither be described nor 

 fully imagined. 



This fatal convulsion took place about a minute and a 

 half or two minutes after the first shock ; and it lasted for 

 nearly two minutes, with equal violence. During this time no 

 one could stand unsupported ; people clung to each other, 

 to trees, or to posts. Some threw themselves on the ground ; 

 but there the motion was so violent that they were obliged to 

 stretch out their arms on each side, to prevent being tossed over 

 and over. The poultry flew about screaming wildly. Horses 

 and other animals were greatly frightened, standing with their 

 legs spread out, and their heads down, trembling excessively. 



After the most violent shock ceased, the clouds of dust which 



* Chiefly gulls. f Sea-breeze. 



X Mean time. Equation=14 m. subtractive from mean time. 

 § The direction of these cracks was not uniform, though generally 

 south-east and north-west. 



2 D 2 



