_Effects produced in springs, wells, fumaroles, &c._—Springs also are
often affected by earthquakes. Sometimes the character of their waters
change; those which were pure become muddy, whilst those which were hot
have their temperature altered.
Sometimes springs have been dried up, whilst at other times new springs
have been formed.
This latter was the case in New England (October 27, 1727). In some
places springs were formed, whilst at other places they were either
entirely or partly dried up.[59]
At and near Lisbon, in 1755, some fountains became muddy, others
decreased, others increased, and others dried up. At Montreux, Aigle,
and other places, springs became turbid.
The baths at Toplitz, in Bohemia, which were discovered in
A.D. 762, were seriously affected by the same earthquake.
Previous to the earthquake it is said that they had always given a
constant supply of hot water. At this time, however, the chief spring
sent up vast quantities of water and ran over. One hour before this
it had grown turbid and flowed muddy. After this it stopped for about
one minute, but recommenced to flow with prodigious violence, driving
before it considerable quantities of reddish ochre. Finally, it settled
back to its original clear state and flowed as before.[60]
In 1855, at the earthquake of Wallis, many new springs burst forth, and
some of these in Nicolai Thale were so rich in iron that they quickly
formed a deposit of ochre.
At the time of the Belluno earthquake (June 29, 1873), a hot spring, La
Vena d’Oro, suddenly became red.[61]
The following examples of like changes are taken from the writings of
Fuchs.[62]
In 1738 the hot springs of St. Euphema rose considerably in their
temperature.
During the earthquake of October, 1848, the hot springs of Ardebil,
which usually had a temperature of from 44° to 46° C., rose so high
that their temperature was sufficient to cause scalding.
At the time of the earthquake of Wallis, in 1855, the temperature of
hot springs rose 7°, and the quantity of water increased three times.
During the earthquake of 1835 in Chili, the springs of Cauquenes fell
from 118° to 92° F. Subsequently, however, they again rose.
Fumaroles are similarly disturbed. Thus, at the time of the earthquakes
of Martinique (September, 1875), the fumaroles there showed an abnormal
activity.[63]
Wells often appear to be acted upon in the same manner as springs.
At the time of the California earthquake (April, 1855), the level of
the water in certain wells was raised ten to twelve feet.
A consequence of the earthquake at Neufchâtel, in 1749, was to fill
some of the wells with mud.[64] At Constantinople, on September 2,
1754, wells became dry.[65]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account