“Earthquakes”
Date
2-14-1812
Newspaper
Frankfort American Republic
Page and Column
Page 2 Column 3
Newspaper Location
Frankfort, Kentucky
Serial Number
192
Abstract
Felt report of the February 7, 1812 earthquake at Frankfort, Kentucky, combined with an analysis of damage and speculation on its cause. Good notation of aftershocks for the event. Notes 2 aftershocks on February 8 that were “of considerable force” the first at (:00 p.m. and the other at 11:00 p.m. Another aftershock was noted on February 14, 1812 “between break of day and sunrise” that was “sensibly felt” and noted that there had been “inferior tremors” between the 7th and the 14th. Notes damage to chimneys and some “gable ends’ having fallen. Also the cracking of walls. Notes that damage was more at the Falls of the Ohio and Maysville. The rest of the article is an analysis of the cause of the earthquakes incorporating the John C. Edwards account and other sources. Notes that if the earthquakes had not been divided that ‘Besides the immediate neighborhood of the explosion, half the buildings in the country would probably have been prostrated.”
Transcript
EARTHQUAKES. In our paper of the 7th instant we noticed, an Earthquake, more violent and of greater duration than any of the preceding. On the night following there were two other shocks, of considerable force, and agitation: the first about nine, the other about eleven o'clock P. M. and this morning between break of day, and sun-rise, there was an other very sensibly felt; besides many inferior tremors; experienced in the interim. In point of actual injury, but little has occurred; some bricks thrown from the tops of chimneys, part of one or two gable-ends of houses thrown down, and some small cracks in a few walls, seem to complete the list at this place. From the Falls of Ohio, and Maysville, we have had information since Friday, from which it appears, that injuries of the above kinds have been produced at those places, in greater numbers and extent, than at this place. In perusing the accounts of these awful explosions from the bowels of the earth, which have yet reached us, it appears, that their effects, and the attendant circumstances, of noise, fire, and vapor, have been much greater, and more alarming, on the Mississippi, at, and in the neighbourhood of, New Madrid, than elsewhere; except in the country surrounding Ashville, North Carolina; and especially at the warm springs, Tennessee. Where, from the phenomina stated to have taken place the explosion of the 16th December must have actually been made. That from a cause which had been some time torturing the mountains with ruefull pains, they uttered groans, more horrible. Circumstances are related which, indicate internal local fire; others, electrick explosions It is stated that a dreadful noise was heard at intervals in the adjacent mountains, for some hours before the shocks, that fire flashed from the sides of the mountains, with a noise from the sides of the mountains, with a noise like that which proceeds from the electrick battery, immensely multiplied. That after the shocks of that morning, a stream of warm water was discovered to be rushing from a fissure which had been opened for the explosion, whose temperature was 140 degrees of Farrenheit's Thermometer. Future accounts, will doubtless throw the evidence of many facts on this awful state of the globe. For, whether the Comet has had any influence in rousing these mighty cases into action, or not; we are sure of their activity-and that until their energy be exhausted, they will continue active. What may not be the effect, we have no data upon which to hazard a prediction. We can but deem it fortunate, that the explosions, are so greatly divided; for in that proportion, are the effects diminished, without augmenting the cause. As we can readily conceive, that had all the shocks, which have taken place, been condensed in one, or even divided into two. The most melancholy and tremendous consequences would have followed. Besides the disrupture of the fire of the earth in the immediate neighbourhood of the explosion, half the building in the country would probably have been prostrated. "Thus heaven tempers the storm to the shrone lamb." If the cause of these Earthquakes be the emission of electrick matter from the bowels of the earth, they will cease when the atmosphere becomes saturated, and it is hoped, without any material injury to any part of the country. If one, or more, fires in the bowels of the earth be the cause, the shocks may be repeated until there shall be opened a free discharge for the stream, or purified air thereby generated, through an ample crater; or the heat entirely subside. In the case of a crater, serious injury may ensue, to the adjacent country by the discharge of lava. February 11th, 1812.
Recommended Citation
"“Earthquakes”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 185.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/185