Volltext Seite (XML)
volcano of St. Vincent broke out during the great earthquake that destroyed Caraccas in 1812. Innu merable other instances of the same connexions might be produced; but I shall only add to these, that, on the night in which Lima and Callao were destroyed, four new volcanoes broke out in the Andes. The great depth at which the causes of earthquakes are situated, is proved by all these phenomena, as well as by the great distance to which the effects of the Lisbon earthquake, and of others, extended. The earthquake of Lima was felt at a distance of four hundred and fifty leagues at sea. These facts comprise all which it is necessary to say on the Theory of Earthquakes; since it thus rests on the same foundation as that of volcanoes, whatever this may be. Yet some phenomena of this nature which have occurred, are still difficult of explanation ; either from their peculiar nature, or from their being- unattended by eruptions in any part of the world. The late earthquake in the East Indies overturned two spots of ground at no great distance, leaving an interval of absolute rest between them. Small shocks of earthquakes are also not unfrequent in many places, even in Britain ; and Loch Earn in Scotland has, for many years past, been noted for the frequent recur rence of these commotions. Whatever their diffe rences may arise from, or wherever these effects may take place, it is probable that the same general cause applies to all, and that this solid earth on which we tread is only the surface of an abyss, in which exten sive operations, unknown to us but by these their effects, are in a state of constant action ; ready at any time to produce the most tremendous revolutions, from accessary causes with the nature of which we are equally unacquainted.