Earthquakes In 1843 Caused Sensation

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31574, 11 January 1968, Page 5

Earthquakes In 1843 Caused Sensation

(N.Z.P.A.'ReuterJ MISSISSIPPI Research at the University of Mississippi, which will add to the world’s knowledge of earthquakes, has revealed dramatic details of earthquakes in Mississippi 124 years ago.

Earthquakes in Mississippi have not occurred frequently or forcefully enough to attract great attention, but at least two seismic disturbances

were reported in June. Interest in such phenomena has led to a study of seismic conditions in the southern part of the United States by the seismological observatory at the University of Mississippi. A member of the university’s research team unearthed stories of earthquakes, in 1843, which aroused great fear in Mississippi. They were found in some old issues of a newspaper published at Hernando, Mississippi. The newspaper articles reported “three earthquakes of varying degrees of severity at Hernando in January, February and March, 1843, when residents rushed screaming from their homes in fear of their lives.” The university seismologists call these newspaper accounts “valuable contributions” to the knowledge of earthquakes in the South. “The earthquake of January 4, 1843, was one of the biggest on record in this area and is considered the last ‘major’ one,” says Dr John Sturgul, director of the seismological observatory. The old reports included an item that “horses were brought up standing” and held the position until the earthquake ended. As citizens poured from

their house*, the cry of “Millar! Miller!" we* heard. A Mr MiUer had created an international sensation after claiming that the end of the world would occur between March 21,1843, and March 21, 1844.

The shocks reported in 1843 apparently caused no injuries or damage to property. On June 4, 1967, a "light" earthquake, and on June 29, a "floor-shaking” one occurred in the Delta region of Mississippi. Damage amounted to some shattered glass and fallen bricks and plaster, but there were no injuries. Reactions to' the 1967 tremor* were not a* fearful as those reported in 1843. Some people reported feeling “dizzy," but the strength of the shocks measured only 4.0 and 3.3 respectively on the Richter acale.