THE TIDAL WAVE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XI, Issue 2936, 18 May 1877, Page 2

THE TIDAL WAVE.

An explanation of last Friday's tidal phenomena apparently is furnished, by the brief telegraphic announcement of the destruction of Iquique by an earthquake. This supports the hypothesis we suggested on the day the tidal disturbances occurred, viz., that they were caused by volcanic phenomena similar to those which produced the tidal wave of August, 18G8. On that occasion, as will be remembered, fearful earthquakes devastated the West Coast of South America, and destioyed this same place which we now learn has been destroyed again. Iquique is a small port town in the Peruvian Republic, its geographical position being latitude 20 degi ees 1 4 minutes S. ; longitude, 70 degrees 26 minutes W. The population is estimated at from 2000 to 3000. Its exports are chiefly saltpetre, nitrate of soda,ancl guano, the last being obtained from some small islands in the vicinity, which apparently bear the same name, and one of which was completely, aud we believe permanently, submerged by the great convulsion of 186^. Assuming that the ocean wave travelled with the same velocity as in IBGB, and judging from the time the wave was actually recorded as hiving reached Sydney —none of the New Zealand accounts being authentic or definite in this respect — Dr. Hector calculates that the earthquake would have occurred at Iquique about 5 p.m. on the 9th inst., allowing for die difference of time. Until, however, some further particulars shall be received, no theories can be formed which would be more trustworthy than mere conjectured hypotheses. — Post.