“On Thursday last...”

Date

1-30-1812

Newspaper

Augusta Herald

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 1

Newspaper Location

Augusta, Georgia

Serial Number

749

Abstract

Felt report at Augusta Georgia for the January 23, 1812 earthquake. Notes that two shocks occurred between 8 and 9 am on January 23, 1812. Another on occurred on January 24, 1812 at 11 o'clock pm. The account also mentions that flashes of light were noticed during the December 16, 1811 earthquakes. Very thoughtful account.

Transcript

On Thursday last, two shocks of an earthquake quickly succeeding each other were felt in this place between the hours of 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning-one of then nearly equalled, and some persons thought exceeded, in violence, the one experienced here on the 16th of last month-another slight shock was felt the night following at about 11 o-clock-the one on Thursday we perceive by the papers was felt also in Savannah, and in Carolina. The reiterated occurrence of this remarkable and truly alarming phenomenon, is well worthy the attention of serious and reflecting minds. That it is a prelude to some interesting event we have little doubt-to be prepared for this, whatever it may be, will be the part both of wisdom and prudence. Those whose hopes and comfortable prospects have heretofore been wholly circumscribed by temporal boundaries, would do well to be dingent in their endeavours to secure a habitation, which neither the shaking or dissolution of this globe could possibly effect. At about the time of the shock here last month, two flashes of light, somewhat resembling lightning, were observed by several persons-this we did not at that time notice, because as the appearance was confined to few persons we thought there might have been some mistake about it, but in several accounts which we have seen of the concussion, we perceive that mention is also made of the flashes of light, so that not doubt of their having appeared can exist. This circumstance might perhaps indicate, that the concussion of the earth was produced by the agitation of some volcanic matter within its bosom, and that the flashes of light were but a portion of inflammable vapor, forced above the surface of the earth, by the motion of volcanic matter, not yet in a state for a complete eruption. Should such prove to be the fact, a tremendous bursting forth of a volcano somewhere in the southern part of the continent, may perhaps, at no very distant period occur.

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