Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1881 — Earthquakes. [ARTICLE]

Earthquakes.

Asa rule—not without exceptions, perhaps—their greatest power and most destructive effects are exercised upon the more recent, superficial and incoherent formations—clays,tertiary marls and the like, so that buildings upon alluvial plains, liver deltas, and so forth, are more thoroughly shattered than those on rock or solid strata. The Calabrian convulsion nad its full swing upon deep marls, clays, and sand-beds of slight consistency; that of Ischia was upon deep clays. Independent of the site; the power of resistance in buildings depends, of course, on the strength, goodness, and massiveness of the masonry to resist overthrow. The Quay at Lisbon, which was swallowed up, together with thousands who had sought refuge upon it, in a chasm that opened in the'bed of the. Tagus. leaving no trace behind, was built upon alluvial soil, while the upper, parts of the town, standing upon basalt and limestone, remained unipjured. Two gentlemen were discussing an acquaintance, one praising and the other sneering at him. “He is like a safety pin,” the first said; “he never looses his head.” “And for the same reason,” retorted the other; “he has pope to lose.”