The geographical extent of
this phenomenon we cannot yet determine, except to the
northeast and east. From those quarters we have seen
both letters and newspapers dated since the 16th
inst. From these it would appear that no shock was
felt farther north in the eastern part of this state than
about 39 degrees 45 minutes. The newspapers from
Worthington and New Lisbon in 40 degrees, or upwards, are
entirely silent as to this occurrence. At Pittsburg
and Washington (Pa.) however, which are something more
than 40 degrees, it was felt, but in a slight
degree. At the latter place but one shock, it
appears, was experienced. East of the Alleghenies,
from Newark in Jersey to the Federal City, it was not
felt, and there is no probability that it occurred in any
part of the Atlantic states. In the central parts of
Kentucky it was at least as violent as at this place, and
at Louisville, 100 miles to the west; it appears to have
been even more violent.
We at first suspected that this convulsion either had its
origin under Lake Ontario, which for several reasons is
supposed to be the crater of an extinguished volcano; or
to the west, among the mountains of north Mexico and the
western confine of Louisiana, which are known to be very
high and volcanic; or in the West Indies, which are
subject to dreadful earthquakes. Report, however,
fixed the centre of convulsion among the mountains of the
Great Kenhawa and Sandy Rivers, which are spurs of the
Allegheny chain; and this appeared probable, as
inflammable air is known to issue from the ground in
several places in that region.
We now know, however, that no
disruption occurred there.
As no vibrations were felt in the Atlantic states it is
certain that Lake Ontario was not the focus, and
probable that the centre was not in the West Indies; for
they lie nearer to the middle maritime states than to
this country. There are strong reasons therefore,
to suppose that the concussion was more violent
westwardly and that the most destructive convulsions
have occurred in a region but thinly inhabited.
We are just informed, since writing the preceding, that
between the hours of 4 and 5 o’clock this morning,
another shock of the earthquake was felt by many of our
citizens. It rocked the beds gently for a few
seconds.
Z.
Tuesday morning December 31, 1811.
