ML20323A140
| ML20323A140 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 10/22/2020 |
| From: | NextEra Energy Seabrook |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20323A163 | List:
|
| References | |
| SBK-L-20124 | |
| Download: ML20323A140 (135) | |
Text
SEABROOK UPDATED FSAR APPENDIX 2E HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKES IN THE SITE VICINITY The information contained in this appendix was not revised, but has been extracted from the original FSAR and is provided for historical information.
APPENDIX 2.5.2A PART I
LIST OF ISOSEISMAL MAPS DATE FIGURE NO.
1727 NOV 09 2.5.2A-l 1732 SEP 16 2.5.2A-2 1744 .JUN 14 2.5.2A-3 1755 NOV 18 2.5.2A-4 1755 NOV 22 2.5.2A-5 1761 MAR 12 2.5.2A-6 1791 MAY 06 2.5.2A-7 1810 NOV 09 2.5.2A-8 1811 DEC 16 2.5.2A-9 1814 NOV 28 2.5.2A-10 1817 OCT 05 2.5.2A-ll 1823 *JUL 23 2.5.2A-12 1846 AUG 25 2.5.2A-l3 1947 AUG 08 2.5.2A-14 1852 NOV 27 2.5.2A-15 1854 DEC 11 2.5.2A-16 1857 DEC 23 2.5.2A-17 1872 NOV 18 2.5.2A-l8 1880 MAY 12 2.5.2A-19 1882 DEC 19 2.5.2A-20 1884 AUG 10 2.5.2A-21 1884 NOV 23 2.5.2A-22 1886 SEP 01 2.5.2A-23 1891 MAY 01 2.5.2A-24 1905 JUL 15 2.5.2A-25 1905 AUG 30 2.5.2A-26 1907 OCT 16 2.5.2A-27 1918 AUG 21 2.5.2A-28 1925 JAN 07 2.5.2A-29 1925 MAR 01 2.5.2A-30 1925 OCT 09 2.5.2A-31 1926 MAR 18 2.5.2A-32 1927 MAR 09 2.5.2A-33 1929 AUG 12 2.5.2A-34 1929 NOV 18 2.5.2A-35 1931 APR 20 2.5.2A-36 1940 DEC 20/24 2.5.2A-37 1944 SEP 05 2.5.2A-38 1957 APR 26 2.5.2A-39 1963 OCT 16 2.5.2A-40 1973 JUN 15 2.5.2A-4la and b
N. y I
I I
I
J'
""0
_\ (4
- """'P'~~~S:WI<l!JA
-r
-L.'YNNIII
~ARBLEHEAD IV I j- 'weSTe~fN IV. GHAM NR NORTHAMPTON Mass. * *MEDWAY 111-111* .*..* JI-m SPRINGfiE~&\"- * * - *Rl' //1
\- *IV- '. J ~MARTHA'S VINEYARD
- ' \ Conn III-IV FELT REPORTS and PREDICTED ISOSEISMALS n.~VIIIMM)
EARTHQUAKE OF SEPT. 16, 1732 prepared by WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC Figure 2.5.2A- 2 84° SO'
\ (/
f
!rr 74"
)
73° * *:
44"+
+ .... f
{ ( N.H.
) /
J VT.
lr\
I I
(
I I
f \
N.Y.
I + t +
Estimated limitvof
( Intensity llZ(MM)
--7---:;
\ r-J
'--------~~ r.J I
I MASr I eNorlllamplon Westborough
- I ~ ~'lt-Canton
~----+--LF--
---+ -n--*L +
1 CONN. \ '{-1. )
I I
I I I I
I ;
\~ EXPLANATION
+ o
- Not felt
- Fell report ,Intensity unossiqni!d
+
V* = FeU report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If published, after:
F~ll on ~ =This report ~
- Earthquake History ofthe Western United Slates ( 1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP Lo~g~ **~ ~*Brooksll960) Qj=Smithli962)
L-.>~*--.,9.:::*'-"::::;;;;:=;:.::/Jj(§d!!:2:>i§f!:~*-* Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., (t this report, Brooks. JUNE 14, 1744
......-:::::-:: =lsoselsmal line prepared by If" - -.Estimated lsoseismal llne I
,, , '1 sp Mil<~t WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
0 ,*
1
~~!) 5h KilomeJers. FIGURE 2.5.2A-'3 From: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601) g~~k=~*~o:"sc!~~rn .Edison compaey, Pilgrim Unit 2,
CANADA r
/N.Y. *York
- ortsmouth
~W-Hampton
-\'"/--
--- -* ['
r:..r-*1 .
PA.
I -szr-Chelmsford Boslon*W
- Marshfield
- ~*Pembroke
~lymoulh EXPLANATION o = Not felt DETAI~tf: ~EPORTING LOCALITIES ) .
- : Fell report, Intensity unassigned
'!1'*
- Felt report, Intensity, MM ~~OASTAL AREA \__
Epicenter, If published, after: g *:/5*KM." 2pM11es 'lbrm~-
ell ye earthquo *
~
- This report ~
- Earthquake History of !he United States {1973 l
~ *Brooks (1960) ~=Smith (1962) lSOSElSMAL MAP Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., EJthis report, Brooks.
=::: *lsoselsrnal line NOVEMBER 18, 1755
/ - -=Estimated lsoselsmol line prepared by o so tqo 150 Milo$ WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
~~~*~.. ~*~50\~'~'-,r:r----.,~-L-------~*
0 00 150 Kilomoters FIGURE 2.5_2A
- 4 From: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, Docket No, 50-471
o,<>
74' f ~ \
sa* 67° ~44*
t
( 73°
+ (r 1 + +
+
~ ( I ME.
p I / (j J
v 1
v\ VT. N.H. l I ( Estimated llmlt of i I !
f '"""" m<*"> ~
I '!
\
I
+43*
+ ( +
r
+
I + + + + +
I \
- '- -~---f I
I N.Y.
I I MASS. ~
I
- Northampton
\ * .m-Westborough I ...___
lll* Worcester
,----+-1 ;-- +42°
\
+ + +
L + +
I R.J. )
I CONN.
op I
I I p ~
~~~
\
/
/ p
\
~
-l-41 4
+ +
+ + +
EXPLANATION o* Not fell
- = Felt report, lnjensi!y unassigned 11*
- Fell report, lnlenslty, MM Epicenter, If published, after:
~=This report ~
- Earthquake History oflhe ISOSEISMAL MAP United Stoles ( 1973)
~=Brooks (1960) Qj *Smllh !1962) NOVEMBER 22, 1755 AFTERSHOCK Coincident locations coded by quadrant, e.g., Etthis report, Brooks.
of
......-:::::-:: ;o lsoseismal line NOVEMBER 18,1755 EARTHQUAKE
/ - -.Estimated lsoselsmal line prepared by
~ zp sp Mtle* WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
5h Kllom*l*rt
- I I I 1
o 2~ FIGURE 2.5.2A *5 from: "Historical S~ismlc1ty of Hew England" (report BE-5&7601) prepared for Boston Edison Compaey, Pilgrim Unit 2, Oocket No. 5G-471
__,/
- (.-J
~ I 44°+
74° I l
+
( N.H.
II ME.
/ I' J
VT.
I I
) I
(
\ "!
q3of
+ + +
N.Y.
~
/
MASS.
~
Woroester- m*
~
42"-r
)
I e1II*lll-Middletown
~
- m-1111:-E.Hoddom EXPLANATION
+ 0
- Not felt
- Fell report, Intensity unassigned +
V*
- Felt report, Intensity, MM
- N Epicenter, If published, alter:
~
- This report ~
- Earthquake History of the United States I 1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~*Brooks(l960) 'l1*smilh (1962)
., CoincE)Idenl locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., this report, Brooks. MAY 16, 1791
~ *lsoseismal line
/--=Estimated lscseismolline prepared by
?, , ji sp Mil.. WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
0 I is sb Kilometers FIGURE 2.5.2A*7 From: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601) g~~~=~~ ;o~~~Hon Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, 0
I (~
~ \
I 74*
44"+
I
( ( ME.
N.H.
) J/
lr\ VT.
I ~ Estimated llml~ . /
felt area T I (
I (
N.Y. II +
(t +
\ * *Hampton I ____\___
.,Dl*Amherst qJ r""~
,.-.../ Bl* wburyport
\
\........____ 4 \ rJ Haverhill-Ill * -Newbury I -"-
/ oPIIIsfleld MASS. "'
o Northampton I oWorcesler I __
\.....___
oSprlng!leld 42"t / -+--Lr-- +
/ CONN.
I I
I I
\)' EXPLANATION
+ o* Not felt
+
- Felt report, Intensity unassigned V*
- Fell report, Intensity, MM Epicenlfr, If published, afler:
~=This report ~=Earthquake History oflhe United States l1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~*Brooks{l960) qJ =Smltn(l962)
Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., E;ttnis report, Brooks. NOVEMBER 9,1810
........-::=-:: =tsoseismol line prepared by
/ - -.Estimated lsoselsmol line Miles WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
FIGURE 2.!5.2A*8 From: "Historical Seismicity of Hew England" (report BE-SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, Docket No, 50-471
GENERALIZED ISOSEISMALS DEC. 16, 1811
\
0 200 400 km Generalized isoseismal map of the earthquake of December 16. 1811 at 08~15"' GMT. MM intensity vnlues at andi\'ldual pomts are g1ven ir. Arabic numerals (see Table l for sources of information}.
The isoseisms. labeled wah Roman numerals. indicate the outer bound of the reg1on of specified intensity.
Nuttli, Otto W., 1973, The Mississippi Va11ev Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812: Intensities, Ground Motion and Magnitudes, B.S.S.A., Vol. 63, No. 1, pp. 227-248.
Figure 2.5.2A-9
\
ij+
7!*
\ I I
I I
\ I
(
I I
\
lI +
(
I I
LFl VT.
)
I I
I I
I
+
I I
MASS.
I
- Worcester.
- west Brookfield t--~ t....r--
+
I I o* Not felt EXPLANATION
- Fell report, Intensity unassigned
'll*
- Felt report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, II published, after:
ca.
- This report ~ =Earthquake History of the W United States (1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~=8rooksll960l ~=Smith (1962)
Coincident locations coded byquodronl, EARTHQUAKE OF e.q., Etthis report, Brooks. NOVEMBER 28,1814
..--::::-:::: =lsoselsmal line prepared by
/ - -=Estimated lsoselsmal line WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
vjV'-""*' 0 ~....,....._ _ ___,50 Mile*
FIGURE 2.5.2A-IO 0 25 50 Kilom*l*rs From: "Historlca1 Seismicity of New £ng1and" (report BE-SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Company, P11 grim Unit 2, Docket No. 50-471
( (
f) ~ I j I 73" 70° )
+44"hW t
I +
( { lf,}/IV
)
J 1 ME.
01'LIJ \r t()'\J I I
/ I i:l IF ) PortI )
I VT. N.H.
{
\
--7 r
~~Estimated - ;~ '\_) (
I limit of Concord-ill felt area
~ ~Bellows Falls*m Portsmouth-~~
I ( -----;
~ ~ .,Keene-liZ
-Exeter-~ I I :*
_,. / ~ t\.rattleboro-m *Amherst*B!'*.lZ ~'-',
!!~----~ 1 * ~wburyport
':0 J m-Haver~
~\iim-T~r~
lliomslown-B!' *Northfleld-B!'_ _ _
7 Deerfield-m:Greenfield-lll:
.._ A""\ ~alem
{
oPitlsfleld Concord-~!l;."i/1* n )
MASS_ Lexfnqton " Malden I
Berlin* Watertown*lll'lll: *
- Cambridge*l.lZ*V
'1 os on
/ *stoekbndge*lil'*'li
- lll:-Worces~
~ .,Y.edwoy
~-----~ -r- ~
- N*Sprlngfleld ~
' i 1r-_ +
CON:m-Ho"",l!
/R I r
/.I. ~~evidence
~~
Mlddletown0 ) ) ~
/ New L o n d o n
- m : + ' d oN "'
{ ._Gullfor~ ~ Estimated limit of L.:-/ felt area 6
- ~l];~ +
EXPLANATION o* Not felt
- Felt report, Intensity unassiqned V*
- Fell report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If published, after:
Lilt. =This report ~
- Earthquake History of the 6t *Brooks (1960)
'(D - United Stoles (1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~ =Smith (1962)
Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF
- e. 9., Etthis report, Brooks. OCTOBER 5,1817
..--:::::-=:
- Jsoselsmal line prepared by
/ - - . Eslimaled lsoseismol line ..
h 2,5 . _____3) MPes WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
o --~*-'----'-*-50 Kilometers FIGURE 2..5.2A-11 From: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, Docket No. 50-471
('
(
I Hollowell 0
/ ),
I I
(
+
~ 1 ML I
Lrl )
/ I
\
I VL
)
/
I dWindsor N.H.
I ~ ID*I2:* Bellows Falls f'oConcord I I + ( +43" 0 Keene
/'----- -~-
I
/ I I MASS,
\
I Northampton Worcester0 0
Estimate limit of )...
felt area ~* '
I CONN, I
I I
"'t;:,~!ucket
+ +41° EXPLANATION o = Not felt
- Fell reporl,lntensify unassigned v* = Felt report I Intensity, MM e
Epicenter, If published, after:
=This report ~=Earthquake History of the
'iB =Smith United States ( 1973)
~ =Brooks{l960) (1962)
ISOSEISMAL MAP EARTHQUAKE OF EJ Coincidenl locations coded by quadrant, e.g., this report, Brooks. JULY 23, 1823
.........:::=:- *lsoseismat line prepared by
/--=Estimated lsoseismalline Mll*s WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
FIGURE 2.5.2A-12 From: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, Oocket No. 50-471
I (~
~ \ I
) (
14.
\
44"+
+~
( T
-I-( ~
t\ ,,,.j/
~.H.
I
- Plymouth
- Center Harbor n I
.}(, \
/J I
~*Meriden I Plomfleld
\
Estimated limit of ) *Gilmanton I ('"*"....
felt area ~ ~ *m-Cioremont I
f *l!Z:*Canterbury
- llf-lll'*Concord
- Allentown ~over J (t
- Deerfield ortsmouth I +. + +
N, Y I 13
- M*Keene
- Amherst h
/*
I
- \ rotteboro ,....../----..I"'"Su-Newburypor!
\_____,._[~--- .,N*Nos~j ~
/ *
;;&-Lowell JZ*ir*Wilminglon loucesler I
- Greenfield Buckland \ *
- I I
- lll-Whately MASS. .foncord
- Amherst I
"m*llZ*Norlhompton Newton*
- Worcester
- Westborough I
'-------- - ; - 7_.r--
/
.:W:*Ilr*Sprlngfield
*::.:--......~-
- Ill-Millbury
\
CONN.
/
I I \:"'"""-
I J
)>
\ d7A t1" EXPLANATION
+ 0
- Not felt
- Fell report, Intensity unassigned +
V* = Felt report, Intensity, MM Epicenler,lf published, after:
~
- This report ~
- Earthquake Histor1 of the United States (1973)
~=Brooks 11960) 'i& =Smith 11962) ISOSEISMAL MAP
- IJ* -;; ~ . *~Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF D" ~~ e.g.,Etthisrepori,Brooks. AUGUST 25, 1846
.........::::-:
- lsoselsmal line
/ - -.Estimated lsoseismal line prepared by WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
FIGURE 2.5.2A-13 FrCK~~:
c:~:ie~o:o~~mon Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601) 2,
(
)
(
?q=
f\ ~
+ I I
~
I
/
VT, N.H.
I (
I I (
(
r I + +
0 Keene
\
--~ ------
I I
I MASS.
I I __
\_
I I CONN, I
I I
I
)
+ +41° EXPLANATION o = Not felt
- = Fell r<lport,lntenslly unassigned
'll* =Felt report, Intensity, MM Eplcenter,lf published, after:
C.= This rePOrt ~ = Earthquake History of the IJ.) United States (1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~=Brooks (1960) ~=Smith U96Zl Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE 0 F e.g., Etthis report, Brooks. AUGUST 8, 1847
........-:::=-: = lsoseismol line prepared by
/ - -.Estimated lsoselsmal line 2" sp Mites WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
~_,L-r--J.,.-~.-,---~--'* FIGURE 2..5.2A-14 6 is sb Kiiomet*n From: "Historical Se1sm1clty of Hew England" (report BE-SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, Docket No, 50-471
I (~
fl \
I ! ?f.
( ( N.H.
ME.
) J/
Lr\ VT.
I I )/
I ( ~
I ( ~*
~,
t ortsmoulh*llt-\
- ittery Pt.
I ( I '::;. '
+ + .::::a,*llZ'* reenland I Manchestero + W NY ~
I
-~- ----~ _]\---:Lowell Nashua0 r
j *Ha~hill
-Gloucester I
oFitchbur<;~ Wenho,._
Bever!
j MASS. "-.rbum I Boston I oWorcester I'-----
42Qt
/. ---+- -L.r--- - - ------+-- --,___ ----. +
I CONN.
I j
I j
~
\
p
/ft EXPLANATION
+ o =Not felt
""- (':.sv- * = Felt rep6rt,lntenslty unassigned +
~~ v-
- Felt report, Intensity, MM
- Epicenter, If published, after:
~ =Thiueport ~
- Earthquoke Hi$1ory of the q, =Smith (1962)
United Slates ( 1973)
~*Brook$(1960) ISOSElSMAL MAP
- ~ ~ Coincident locolions coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF
~ e.Q., Etthls report, Brooks. NOV!;MBER 27,1852.
.........::::-= *lsoseismol line prepared by
/ - -.Estimated lsosei11mal line WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
FIGURE 2.5.2A-15 Fr001: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601) g~~e:~e~ :o~~mon Edison company, Pilgrim unit 2, 0
I
.-./ I
\ (_J 1 I
~
\
! I I
) I 74° 44"-t
+
~ ( I ML
) / I lr\ J I ~ 0 Laconia Soco0
(
I I OConcord
\
f + ( + ~anchesler N.Y. I (
- L____--~---
0 Lowell 1
I MASS.
I I
~---+---u---
{ CONN.
I I
I I
\) EXPLANATION o = Not fell
- = Felt report, Intensity unossiqned +
'll* =Fell report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If published, after:
~=This repart ~
- Earthquake History ofthe United States 0973) lSOSEISMAL MAP
~ *!lrooks(l960) Q1 =Smith (1962)
Coincident locations coded by quod ron!, EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., E) this report, Brooks. DECEMBER II , 1854
.......-::::-:: =lsoselsmal line
/ - - . Eslimated lsoseismol line prepared by of-r_,_,_-+.,.....,--'-_25~__-,-_ _ _ _...J5o Mil ..
WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
50 Kilomtlen FIGURE 2.5.2A*I6 0 2S Frll!ll: "Historical Se1smicity of New England" {repart BE*SG760l) prepared for Boston Edison CD!llpany, Pilgrim Unit 2, Docket No. S0--471
74°
+
l I
66" 67*
72° 71* sa* t t
+ t 7Cf
+
69*
+ -r
(
f
~"'---
)
(
)
\
\J
---~-~~
+ + +
(
I 0 N.Anson 0 Bongor I
\ ) 0 aurlington --
Waterville*
ME.
\
(
+
f
+
\
+ +
&\
VT.
N.Y.
I I
I
+ o
- Not fell EXPLANATION
+ +
+ + 1 **
- Fell report, Intensity unassigned ye
- Felt report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If published, after: .
.:=.*This report ~*EorthquokeHistory of the Ql United States 0973) ISOSEISMAL MAP Ei!i=Brooks!l960) Q1 =Smith (1962)
Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., Etthis report, Brooks *. DECEMBER 23, 1857 MASS. .........:::::: =lsoselsmal line prepared by
/ - - . Esllmaled lsoseismol line 0 * ' ,
- 2jl 5p Mlies WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC b' 1 1 1 2~ ~~ Kllomolers FIGURE 2.5.2A-17 Fr1111: "Historical Setsmlc!ty of New England" (report BE-SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Cotnpa!\Y, Pilgrim Unit Z, Docket No. 50-471
Ij+11* 70*
+45"
( \
(
I I
\l 0 Burlington
/
\ ME.
I I
) +
(
I Lr\ 0 Rulland I
VT.
I I + +43° I
I I
I MASS.
I L~
/ -+- t_r--
J I o =Not felt EXPLANATION
- = Felt report, Intensity unassigned I 7* =Felt report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If published, after:
~
- This report ~=Earthquake History oflhe United States {1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~
- Brooks (1960) ~
- Smith ( 1962)
EARTHQUAKE OF EJ Coincident locations coded by quadrant, e.g,, this report, Brooks. NOVEMBER 18,1872
~* lsoseismal line prepared by
/--*Estimated lsoselsmol line WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
ol->.....,_...,.._,....,_,__zoJ.._--r---___:50 MII**
o 25 :10 Kllomel*rs FIGURE 2.5.2A-18 From: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601)
~~k!~"~/o~ ~~~i"" Edison Company, Pilgrim unit 2, 0
I (~
~) +""
\
(?f. I 70"
+
(
+
(
ME.
N.H.
) J/
lr\ VT.
I )
I {
I (' Estimot ed line of felt area "'\
I + t + Manchester 0 ...J.--
N.Y. I ( ;:;:.,rimock ~om~
I ,Yil...,"'Y*
- \____--~-- --fNashua o
Haverhrl;*nc.
Bro*ro~~~O:.
Georgetown*Ill~)
/
Billericae
\ *m:-.lll*Acton I
MASS.
Boston I
I~--~+- - l J ___ - - -----+~--...-------. +
I CONN.
I l
I I
\) EXPLANATION
+ o ~Not felt
+
- Felt reporl,lntensily unassigned
'!£*
- Feltrepor1,1nlensity, MM (1;
Epicenter, If published, after:
~=This report ~=Earthquake History ofthe United Slates (1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~ *Brooks (1960) 'l1 =Smith ( 1962 J "c~* ~ . -~Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF 0
" :::;t;;:;;J:/J:!§~::?:?e~ e.g., Ejthla report, Brooks. MAY 12, 1880
---==-=: = lsoseismal line prepared by
/ - -*Estima!ed lsoselsmol llne 0 25 SO Mil .. WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
FIGURE 2.5.2A-19 0 25 50 Kilom*l*ro From: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601}
prepared for Boston Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, Docket No. 50-471
\ (~***
/ ~ I
?4" 44'+
I +3* /~2* l 70'
( ( I ME.
N* H* /"' Es~~ated limn llof
)
VT. J /
~tarea
- M*Ivln Vlllogo \
lr\ (
0 ellr*:~~~~VIIIoqe)\'
I "\.
Ltbooon /
- I
) Laconia 1
I f
I{ am-Canterbury Rochesler~'{r \
\
- Pi11sfleld
(
l { Conco~:~nloiol< Ro~;,':;;: \So. Berwi k I
I
- Hillsboro Newmarket-III*
+ ) + '-...,. allr*Manchester P~tsmouth N.Y. f ( - -:;;~
I
\_____
- - - - - - - ~OWtllr J
\.'\ 0 Nashua I
I MASS.
I II __
'~......____
- t - - L F _ _ __
+
I CONN.
I I
I I
~
\ + o
- Not fell EXPLANATION
- Fell report, Intensity unassigned
+
'!1'*
- Felt report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, It published, after:
~ *This report ~*EarthquokeHislory of the United Stoles ( 1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
_ ~ ~ ~=Brooks(l960) ~*Smith(i962l EARTHQUAKE OF o
~\1*
~*
~
e.g., Et Coincident localionscodedbyquadrant, this report, Brooks. DECEMBER 19, 1882
..........::::: =l$oselsma1 line prepared by
/ - -.Estimated lsoselsmoL line j, . . . . ry sp Mil.. WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
0 ' ' ts sb Kilometers FIGURE 2.5.2A*20 From: "Historical Seismicity of Hew England" {report BE-SG7601) b~k=~*~.:os~~7f'" Edison C0111pany, Pilgrim Un1t 2,
Au..s.10.1U-4 Rockwood, C. G., J~., "Notices of Recent American Earthquak es",
Amer. Jour. Sci., V. 29, pp. 425-437.
Figure 2.5.2A-21
I
\ I I
f
\
I
?4' \ 70" 44"-f
+ +
ME.
( N.H. \
) VT. \
lf\ oRutlond I
I oloconio I
I
.:m*m:*WI'hster (
12:'ll*Peno.!'!:tts~field
~f(
'1\brner-ID-Ill"e ............. \
Dovosville*lll"e I '\...
Alstead .sctoondldooocordok*M*m:~ J&*!l*Concord 1 I
{r
- Morlow /!ll*He;ker I
- Gilsum ~&~Antrim .,Raymond *
+ ) el2:-3ulll'i0n +* *Jll*Bennlngton
- eFremont 1bExeter I l*
1 N.Y. elll"*Keene*Horrisville Ill-Manchester
- Marlboro Swansey
- m-Peterboro ~
- WesfporleRiz:l~~rey r-J I\..._
--~-~
Wmchester
- __ .:_i--J elll*lll*New lpswoch elll*N h I1 Esllmated felt area limit~
-- " MASS.
' eHolden I ""*worcester I Springfield 1'------ ----
0 42"t + - c_r-- - - --*---:,---~-----"-* -----...,
I CONN.
I I
I I
\) /fiJ EXPLANATION I?"
+ o = Not felt +
- = Fell report, Intensity unassigned
'lrt
- Felt report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If published, alter:
~
- Tllis report l!!£l* Earthquake History oflhe United Slates (1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~"Brooks (1960) 'it)
- Smlfh (1962)
- (/;* ~ ~ Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF 0
1:>* ~~ e.g.,E)thisreport,Broo ks. NOVEMBER 23, 1884
..........:::-: *lsoseismal line
/--.Estimated lsoseismal line prepared by o , 2ji sp Mil" WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
J l 1
2e. sb KiJQmtters FIGURE 2.5.2A-22 Fr0111: "H1storlcal Sdsm1dty of New England" (report BE*SG7601) prepared for Boston Ed1son Company, Pllgr1m Un1t 2, Docket Ho. 50-471
REINTERPRETATION OF THE INTENSITY DATA 25 80" 75" JS'
-c-*-*----**
4:1' l..:l:-
(
"" 0 35'
- v G u L F 0 F M f X I c 0 25' 0 2:Xi 4QO MILES 200 400 KilOMETERS
- ( :::v* L;"
.-Isoseismal* map of the Eastern United States contoured to show the broad regional patterns of *the reported intensities for the 1886 Charleston earthquake. Contoured intensity levels nre shown in Roman numerals.
"Studies Related to the Charleston, South Carolina, Earthquake of 1886-A Preliminary Report". Geological Survey Professional Paper 1028, U.S.G.S., Washington, D.C.,
1977.
Figure 2.5.2A-23
- -.. 72°
--~
J
\ )
I
( \ \
\\ ~ \
J .-/'/J Berlin 0 \
\ ( ~) 0 Liltleton
\
ME.
I f ~
1 f 1
) + (+
~ ( l I ~nover I j __.1..-- felt area (Estimated limit of I
if\
0 Lebonon \
I VT.
~ L t
/I I
N.H. e~onio eBelmont \
( .m*Sunapee (nn I Co"looco*"*m*...,. *m:-Can~~r~wer Gilman~
I' \ " - -- .,.~.,...,. \ l I
I I +
ri I \m*llZ*Keene
+ ......". * ...--**"' \.
\
\ +43° I \ ,_---....
\..._
- - ---\..________
-~
SolemDepot*nr.J.,.-_1 \
Noshuo*lll*
~
"-.,_ *Lowell -.r--
I ............ *Burlington I
'- Woburn*lll* ~loneho MASS.
"""" Winchester~ *lf*d I
t---+
I
-:r-rL I R.I. l
+
I o = No! fell EXPLANATION
- = F.elt report,lnlenslty unassigned I I
'Jl* =Felt report, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If published, after:
f
~=This report ~=Earthquake History oflhe United Stoles (1973) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~ *Brooks 11960) ~=Smith ( 1962)
Coincident locations coded by quod ron!, EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., EJ this report, Brooks. MAY I, 1891
...-:::=:::: *lsoseismol line
/ - -=Esllmoted lsoselsmolline prepared by WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
of-'r-'r-.-L-.--'-r--'---25L--.---__Jso Mnos 0 25 50 Kllomoten FIGURE 2.5.2A*24 Fran: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG7601)
~~~=~*~o:"~o~mon Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2,
/
I
\
74°
+ 71*
t r 70'
+
69°
+
se*
+
67°
+
66" t
~
/
J
(
oMilllnocke!
,r~__,(\))
;--,------,T---v \' ) 1/
+
J!Z*Nor!h Anson
- Guilford
+
OldTown._
.*~radley Orono
+
+
I Madison*Ifl* *m*Ili*Cornvllle
//
Bangor*lll'*lr,Brewer I
I
- Skowhegan I\ \~ *Formin9lon
- lll'*Smlthfleld ME.
) /'~'%\
..m*m*Watervilte Belfast*
/ ;,_._,. i
- ! lim -~
+
+ +
Pownet~m;.
Grey*~* .
} + VT. + N.H.
N.Y.
if\ Lebarlno I Gorham-Ili*lr*
/ { \ } Soco-.m'*l!
I I( .;.~**'; -_ ~~:'""'"' m I
"7Ifl-lr-
\ \ .:m:*Concord \ York rr . .m-7. :;~e::Smouth EXPLANATION +43°
+ + + ** o =Not felt
+
I +
/ m*Monchesler
~ -1 ** =Felt report, Intensity unassigned
'!PI
- Felt reporl, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If publrnhed, after:
I
\.__ \ \ r-1,-/ ~=This report ~ =Eortllquoi<<!Hislory of the
--~---\_.N"*"?-J United Slates ( 1973)
~=Brooks (1960) QJ =Smith (1962) ISOSEISMAL MAP EARTHQUAKE OF Et Coincident locations coded by quadran!,
I1 0 Lowell e.Q., !his report, Brooks *. JULY 15., 1905
...--::::-:: *lsoseismal line MASS. /'--=Estimated lsoseismolline prepared by y . *' I 't I '1 I :p Mil .. WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC 0 25 50 K llometor< FIGURE 2.5.2A-25 From: "Historical Seismicity of New England (report BE-SG760l)
~:~*~o:os~~j~on Edison Compan,y, Pilgrim Un1 t 2,
I
\ (~ l
~) +3* I
\ \
I ME.
z ( OWentworlh N.H. \
)
(j\ VT. J / \
I ~ olaconlo I (
I I oConeotd N.Y.
I f
+
(
~ +
K ~
I
~ 0 Nashuo
--~Lowell r
J oHaverhiU I
I MASS.
I I
- 1. -+--L.r---- +
1 CONN.
I I
I l
\;> &I'.
EXPLANATION
~
o
- Not fell
- Felt report, Intensity unassigned +
Y*
- Felt report, Intensity, MM Eplcenter,lf published, after:
~ =This report ~=Earthquake History of the United States(1973)
ISOSEISMAL MAP S.*erooks(I9S0l Q1 =Smith ( 1962)
Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF e.q., E) this report, Brooks. AUc;3UST 30, 1905
.........::::-= *lsoselsmal line prepared by
/ - -.Estimated lsoseismal line
.,.....:,.__..,_2f~.-_,_._ _ _--..l:sp Mltu WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
0
°1-l..,.,.....,_...,,,._
1 4;.1 1
50 Kllomt1~r~
FIGURE 2.5.2A-26 Fr001: "Historical Seismicity of Hew England" (report BE-SG7601) b~~k!~e~/o~~mon Edison Company, P11gr1m Unit z,
\ (f I
I ~ I I I i To*
t -I-( ( N.H. I ME.
) / \
J VT.
lr\ I I \ 0 Laconia I
{
I Rocheste~
I Estimated limit of fell area
'I I \
N.Y.
I f
+ (t 0 Keene
+ ,.Manchester
__L
~;;:m I
.......'.\___
\ londonderry*IIl* ,.l!l*Derriy L_ L. Methu;~:~*r .*
I
~lham*lll....-k' *Bradfo
--- ~ .,.
- JIIl*ll-Lowrenc Pe ll-.wt Dracut~ N.Ando~r ppere * *7 -lowell II Chelmsford -l;'ll * *Tewksbury
~llenca*:!r
- MASS. ......... - .
I r----+-
I I
--z._r--- - - -----=..---...,___ --**---.
CONN.
+
I I
I I
/
\ +
ISOSEISMAL MAP EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 16,1907 prepared by WEST ON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
FIGURE 2.5.2A-27 From: "Historical Seismicity of new England" (report BE*SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Company, P11 grim Un1t 2, Docket No. 50-471
/
I
\
4f>*
72"
+ 71" f 70° 69° ss*
1
+ + + +
//
CANADA J
/
I l
0':) MAINE
~~__!\~}
) I
zt5*+-- { I + +
,j)ldiown 1\ ~ Estimated limit of fell area) .- _
0 Madison 0 Bangor Y _.. eFcrmington
~
VT.
\ / .rr-Rumford \\
.-/; \ / ~m~.s~~::ray 1 I I / I J // /
( -J ParisHiii(Por.sl*
Jll*JuckfieWJ 1
0 Augusla
~QIIoweli
~
lZ!*S.Pons
'!il*Norwoy aterford-Il7..: *nr-Hebron I OjfoC:-JSE.., ,/ lli.-:IiZ-LeWls!on I
l
'f1 _,;uburn
~
(
Horrison-,-V 44"f- +
/
Bridgton*
em-E.Broe~J
/L':m-M~chanic Falls I+
II p
0 1\
N.H.
l,,~m:-lll~
("
Ca~ Elizabeth
\ l§anford l
\
EXPLANATION o
- Not felt
- Felt report, Intensity unassigned + + +
"l*
- Felt reporl, Intensity, MM Epicenter, If published, after:
C. =This report ~
- Earthquake History of the W United Slates (1973 l ISOSEISMAL MAP
~ *Brooks (1960) ~
- Smith (1962 l Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., EJthis report, Brooks. AUGUST 21,1918
...........:::: =lsoselsmol lint
/ - -.Estimated lsoselsmal line prepared by*
WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
?o 'i 25 2f I 50 Kilommro
. FIGURE 2.5.2-A-28 From: "Historical Sefsm1c1ty of New England (report BE*SG7601) prepared for Boston Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, Docket No, 5D-47l
\ (f I
f ~
) (
74° 73" \
44"+
t .....
ME-
{/
~ N.H.
) /
J VT.
lr\ I I ~
I {
I /
I 4o*+ +
N.Y.
I +
I I . m-.m:* Princeton "m*lll*Barre Cambridge II ~ *llr*lJl-Ru!land
- m*worces!er
.\
a Ill-Brockton I"'
I
"------~ -+-~lJ-------~
I T,;:-1
+
CONN +
II I I
I f I
~
\ +
ISOSEISMAL MAP EARTHQUAKE OF JAN.UARY 7, 1925
- lsouismal line
~
/ - -*EslimO!ed lsoseismal line prepared by 0 25 50 Mil.. WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
FIGURE 2.5.2A-29 0
From: "H1stor1ca1 Se1smlc1ty of New England" (report BE*SG7601) g~~~=~~o:o~~47i<'" Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2,
a***-,
w~u.r.r,[ 1 o---.l l
ST. LAWR NCE EARTllOU.fiKE MARCH I ;1925 i
o \ *~o,
' ~ *,.,us'
.,c:m BO' 10' t.O N
N U1 Smith, H. E. T., Earthquakes of Eastern Canada And Adjacent Areas, 1928-:1959, Publications of the Domin.ion Obser-
):::>>
I vntory, qepartment of t--lines and Technical Surveys, w Ottawa, Canada, 1966, p. 119, Vol. 32, No. 3.
0
71"
+
~
I
(
\\ ?
E!limoted limit o Burl lngton f"l fell area j ~/
\ (
_;v}
oLilllelon ME.
oAugusto I
- Bethlehem 1\ *Franconia
! -1
~
.Ill-Sweden oAuburn 0 Lewiston
) + ( N.ConVIOy*
+ *Ill-Fryeburg
()
Woodstock
( I
, I ,....~**j*h ---
~
I r-~o.MoullonboroA*Por~e~rnf" ymou!h*lll*,.....,
- li .:st-Effln h
~nover ChenterHorbor*V.
. <>Cs**f"'n Is s land*ll* T
~f tonboro*ll (I
.m*PorsoJ!.1(I ld 0 Lebanon
., \* \111 e u-\ (A
(
m*Newfield
- ~\.;;"~.,::-::>/[;~ rd oRutland
" , o!febbro /
VT.
I
(
I L~bunk I
'oPen.i'6ook Jll*Concord l
{ I \~
r
/ lsmouth l!m.rll*Monchester +
0 Goffs Falls 1
~.......,__.;
I
\
-~
- oNoshuo Jr---1 Lowell
- __ft ~
0
/
I MASS.
~~
I ~~
f---+
I
-:r-,~
. L I
+ ~"*
~\
I ).W A I R.l I = Not felt EXPLANATION
__JJ j }pf!UJr 1-~
0 V** = = Felt repo 1 :n:enslty unassigned Fell repo~'
Epicenter, If pubiis~ ednsity, MM
,:::. "" , after:
ffi =This
\.J.) report W _
.-.. - Eo~thquokeHJstory of the
'l'=Brooks(I960) ffi Umted Slates(l973l
-~l~/__l!) ISOSEISMAL MAP Coincident locations c .:7
- Smith ( 1962) EARTHQUAKE OF e.g., ,_..!his report Boded by quadrant, OCTOBER 9,1925
'l'
- rooks .
......-:::::::: = lsoselsmol line prepared by
.;v-.A.-' /o =Estlma ted Isose*smol
. line WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH , INC 0
> 25
_.L_l__.__ 50MII**
FIGURE 2.5.2A 25 From: "Historical S so Kitomeif!rs prepared Docket No ~71"" Edison far :ismicity of NewCompa~/"~n En 1 " (rlport BE-SG7601) 50
\
I I
14" 44"+ 73" 70" t
(
ME.
N.H.
) VT.
lr\
I 0 Loconta Estimated limit of I
feltareav-
/ .n<f't11sfield q;l / °Concord \
I EXPLANATION
+ o =Not fell
+
- = Fell report, lntenslly unassigned
'!!'* =Felt report, Intensity, MM
& e Epicenter, If publlsl\ed, after:
=This report ~
- EorthquakeHislory o!lhe United Stoles (1975) ISOSEISMAL MAP
~ *Brooks (1960) q;l =Smilh (1962)
"\l* 0 ~ ~ Coincident locations coded by quadrant, EARTHQUAKE OF
~...-,'-<:---"-.::-~~ e.g.,EJthlsreporl, Brooks. MARCH 18, 1926
.........:::=-: =isoselsmal line prepared by
/ - -.Estimated lsoseismol line 0 25 WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
0 25 SO Kilom*lors FIGURE 2.5.2A-32 From: "Historical Seismicity of New England" (report BE-SG760l) prepared for Boston Ed1son Company, Pflgrlm Unit 2, Docket No. 50-471
\ (~""'"
~I +~ I
\
ME.
I z (
I N.H.
lr\
VT. /~nover OLebonon I t:J I } 0 Laconio }
(sll~~;~o~:>itof / ~nkli~ \
'1 I
(
Penocook*tli1,/. ~-ll:-Pittsfield \
f t\ I Contoocook* '*Epson} "'
. * \..*IlZ-V~oncord Dover 0 I I Hopkmton "' *f'embroke
- sowC!r. /
I
\
43'+
+ *ounbarton/r II ( + *Manchester N.Y. ( *Keene /
I \ '---- rJ I\...____----~---- --- ----:Lawen 0 Nashua rj I
I MASS.
Boston0 I
I 42"t ~---+- -~_r-- -- -~-----:...-**----...-- +
/ CONN.
I I
I I
/
\ +
ISOSEISMAL MAP EARTHQUAKE OF MARCH 9, 1927 prepared by WESTON GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, INC.
FIGURE 2.5.2A-33 From: *Historical Seismicity of New England" (rept>rt BE*SG7601)
~~~=~e~ :os~mon Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit 2, 0
.>,.reas ollectetl by shocks u! Febru11ry Sand August 12 Heck, N. H. and R. R. Bodle, 1931, United States Earthquakes, 1929, United States Department of Commerce, Coast and Geodetic Survey, washington, D.C., p. 7
- Docekal, J., 1971, Earthquakes of the Stable Interior with Emphasis on the Midcontinent, Department of Geology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, p. 134.
Figure 2.5.2A-34
\
- I
- I CAlli.£ llllEAKS
~
\ * ".
\
\
\
- \
S.S.titYIII'fC GRAND BANKS EA RTHOUAKE
\'I
\
NOV. 18,1929 \ *
.. I
\
- ~o Mlt,.fS 70' ~o*
Smith, W.E.T., Earthquakes of Eastern Canada and Adjacent Areas, 1928-1959, Publications of the Dominion Observatory, v. 32, No. 3, Ottawa, Canada, 1966.
Figure 2.5.2A-35
- Area alfccteu by Lake George shock ot April 20 Neumann, Frank, United States Earthquakes, 1931, u.s. Dept. of Commerce, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D.C., 1932 April 20, 1931 Figure 2.5.2A-36
- hoseismals of the New llampshire urthiJUilkes of December 20 and !l4, based on innstl!;ations ot Northeastern Selsruolo&-ical .~nocia tion.
Neumann, Frank, United States Earthquakes, 1940, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D.C., 1942.
Dec. 20, 24, 1940 Figure 2.5.2A-37
.li i *o tOO i::::t:==~::::o:::=
Mil.ES 4 I 0" L~ ..-
80" 70° FIGURE 6, Adopted from Milne (MJ4),
Smith, W.E.T., 1966, Earthquakes of Eastern Canada and Adjacent Areas, 1928-1959, Publ~cat~ons of the Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, Canada, Vol. 32, No. 3.
Figure 2.5.2A-38
73° 72" 70" w ss*
CANADA 1 45"'~~--~--
j 1
~--~-
i
-~L________j__ -=..--~--~~~~~~~~~~45" Limits of Felt Area 0 8angor I
oo April 26, 1957 o 20 40 60 eo 100 E&3 =:;;
Statute Milu CONN.
n* 1o* 69° 68" 67" Brazee, R. J. and w. K. Cloud, United States Earthquakes , 1957, U.S. Dept. of COmmerce, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D.C., 1959.
Figure 2.5.2A-39
(
l f
J 3
{
\N.H.
\
4
\
\ VT.
\
\-----
\ ht1ASS.
\
\
\ __.
r
\ CONN.
\
\
.\
f\J. Y. )
I 2, 3, 4 = Modified Mercalli Intensities
- after Breitling Vv., "Crustal Structure and Attenuation Derived from the Boston I
Earthquake o~ October 16, 1963." Unpublished Master's Thesis 1 Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 1965, pugc 2.
Figure 2.5.2A-40
I 76 75 7l 1 .------- *- -
11 12 71 '10
~I IOCATI!JI . ~UM OIIGIN 1 ll'l
- 01 09 011.2 (,If!
II(Pld - 11111 7MI"'I
- ,,8 "J
!lll.tNll!n (f,S). 5.2 "aiNUTll ll I
\
t.Ut1Q~f';f fPI((Jit[t fAI\'M).iJ,J'I VJ.S flU lf lifftlr!tf'r t tAiflfQIJA.U o.s *n ,u 1 CAIADA
- .*. :~{
I l 46 t
- ' -------------1! -1 46
+ !lA 1M E I 4
\
f J ' 4 ! t .
t *
~ ~-
s *. . . s.
- 5
- s.
' '* \H * ~ *
.. .* ** *J' f ~ ';
___../--
'C? @]*~ .,. . . *...* ~-
Wetmil1er, R. J.,
.., .*.. ~ "The Quebec-Maine IEit YOU Border Earthquake, i '
1 I ~. r 4
'\ 15 June, 1973", Cana-dian Jour. of Earth Sci., V. 12, No. 11,
- ~. ,: : ~ ::.:: Y*.* ~ *, '".: -:i~*~.:-:*..~*.:-_+-.-...-:-.-.-_-:::+...:.-t-_.:,.:_~-J.-~~u T~-'*" *. .,. .~ -:.;.----~~--1------~--+-------- ------;43 1975.
f
.. 1Clll HUSH YUI A 41 ll
-~------------*-------
1& 75 71 70 69 68 Figure 2.5.2A-4la
£ortllquolre £picent~r ( 15 June 1973)
£orl/lquoke was felt o Earthquake was not fell (Small figure beside circle indicates intensity is different from zone desrgmJtton)
N.Y.
Wetmi11er, R. J. , "The Quebec-Maine Border Earthquake 1 15 June, 1973 11 ,
Canadian Jour. of Earth Sci., V. 12, No. 11, 1975.
Figure 2.5.2A-41b
APPENDIX 2.5.2A PART II
LIST OF TABLES TABLE NO. DESCRIPTION 1 Aftershocks of the Earthquake of November 9, 1727 From the Minister's Record (1727-1748) of the Rev. Matthias Plant Record of Aftershocks of the 1727 Earthquake at Newbury and Marblehead, Massachusetts 3 Aftershocks of the 1755 Earthquake 4 Summary of Observations on Aftershocks
INTRODUCTION This section presents a brief discussion of those historical events that are of special interest to the site, either because of their proximity or their site intensity. Most of the events included in this discussion have a predicted site intensity equal to or greater than IV(MM).
The historical documentation on felt reports near the site, or at nearby localities is also presented whenever available. Information on felt reports near the epicenters has been included only for those few events that are related to the maximum earthquake potential. A more complete documentation for most of the selected events can be found in Historical Seismicity of !!! England, prepared in 1976 for the Pilgrim Unit II Docket by Weston Geophysical.
-.2-EARTHQUAKE OF 1534 (DATE UNCERTAIN)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: IX-X (MM)
LOCATION: 47.6N, 70.1W EVALUATION:
This event is included in the present catalog for sake of completeness.
Smith (1962) is the first cataloger of this event. It is omitted in the later edition of the Earthquake History £f ~ United States (Coffman and von Hake, 1973). The time, location, and intensity are quite vague, and the supporting evidence quoted by Smith comes from Thwaites, editor of the Jesuit Relations. Reference is made to the fact that "the Savages have p~eserved the tPadition of a gPeat eaPthquake which had happened in former timesJ but that they did not 'knoo eitheP the time or the cause of the disturbance. 11 Thwaites also quotes from a Topographical Dictionary under the heading "Les Eboulements," where reference is made to the local tradition of an earthquake which happened near this locality between the two voyages of Jacques Cartier (1534-1535) .
Clearly, assigning an Intensity IX-X to characterize such a wording is not a rigorous application of the Mercalli scale, but a subjective attempt to imply the occurrence of a severe shock. Once accepted that the event occurred near Les Eboulements, Quebec and had such a large intensity, it is logical to assume that it could have been felt at the site at the ~ntensity v level.
EARTHQUAKE OF JUNE 11, 1638 (JUNE l, 1638, JULIAN CALENDAR)
CA: 20:00 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: IX (MM)
LOCATION: 47.65N, 70.l7W EVALUATION:
The location of this event has been subjected to multiple revisions by various catalogers. Unfortunately, the sparsity of information is the main reason for this variety of interpretations. Because the historical documentation has remained minimal, the presently assumed location must still be considered uncertain. For sake of clarification, it is helpful to recall that Heck and Eppley (1958) in their Earthquake History £! ~
United States listed the event In New England~, with no intensity assigned. Mather and Godfrey (1927) had estimated the. potential location "off Cape Ann" and the intensity as VIII(RF). Smith (1962), giving high importance to a felt report from Three Rivers (Quebec) , decided to give the "St. LalJirenae VaHey" as the probable source region, and used the Three Rivers' coordinates. He also upgraded the Intensity VIII (Rossi-Forel) to IX(MM) without stating his reasons. In 1965, Eppley, in his revised catalog, changed his own 1958 position and accepted Smith's suggested location and intensity. In the meantime, Smith (1966) considered that he should not have diverged from Mather and Godfrey, and in a note placed at the end of the introduction to the second part of his catalog, reversed his position and placed the event back "off Cape Ann.," leaving untouched his own upgraded intensity. When Coffman and von Hake (1973~ p\lblished their revised Earthquake History of ~United States, they apparently did not notice Smith's (1966) revision and left the event near Three Rivers, Quebec. Stevens {1974) in a brief note in the Bulletin£!~ Geological Society of America signaled, in an answer to Sbar and Sykes (1973), that Smith had removed the* event from the Three Rivers' location.
In 1976 further research by Weston Geophysical indicated that some similarity between the 1925 isoseismals and the 1638 and 1663 felt report distributions existed, suggesting that all three events could have the same regional location. Smith (1962) had also pointed out that a "fairly severe shoak in the St. LabJrence VaZZey could have produced the observed results" in New England. In 1976, the Earth Physics Branch accepted the suggestion that the La Malbaie area was a likely location for the event, although other regions should not be excluded. Basham et al. (1979) consider the event too uncertain to use it in their risk assessment, keeping 1663 as a starting time. They concede that an event (magnitude 6) could be accommodated in the La Malbaie region on the basis of the recurrence curve.
The eyewitness reports from the coastal region of Massachusetts, for the earthquake of June 1, 1638, are not inconsistent with those from the earthquake of March 1, 1925 (GMT). Data from Boston, Plymouth, and Newbury, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, and the region about Three Rivers, Quebec compare well with the isoseismals of the 1925
event. The absence of reports of damage to dwellings or chimneys in early documents precludes consideration of the Cape Ann region as an epicentral location for the event. Samuel Williams (1785) of Harvard, in one of the earliest published systematic catalogs of New England earthquakes, considers that the 1638 earthquake, like that of the 1663 earthquake, was centered in Canada. An earthquake of epicentral Intensity IX(MM),
centered in the La Malbaie region of Quebec, can account for the intensity observations of the historical record for the June 1, 1638 earthquake; it is accepted here as the more probable.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Anonymous, Town Records Entry, Newbury, Massachusetts "Being this day assembl-ed to treat or consult about the well ordering of the affairs of the towne about one of the cloak in the afternoone~ the sunn shining faire~ it pleased God suddenly to raise a vehement earthquake aoming with a shritl aZap of thunder issuing as is supposed out of the east, whiah shook the earth and the foundations of the house in a very violent manner to our great amazement and wonder~
wherefore taking notice of so great and strange a hand of God's providence, we were desirous of leaving it on reaord to the vietJ of after ages to the intent that aU might take notiae of Almighty God and fear his name.'" (Cited in Currier 1902, p. 250.)
Bradford, Plymouth Plantation, Massachusetts "This year~ about the first or second of June., was a gt'eat and fearful earthquake. It was in this pZace heard before it was feZt. It came with a rumbling noise or tow murmur., like unto remote thunder. It came from the northward and passed southward; as the noise approaahed nearer, the earth began to shake and cause like things as stood upon shelves, to aZatter and fall down. Yea, persons were afraid of the houses themselves. It so fe H out that at the same time divers of the ahief of this town were met together at one house, conferring with some of their friends that tJere. upon their removal from the pZace_, as if the Lord would hereby show the signs of His displeasure, in their shaking a-pieces and removaZs one from another. However, it was very terribZe for the time, and as the men were set taZking in the house., some women and others were without the doors, and the earth shook with that vioZence as they could not stand without aatching hold of the posts and paZes that stood next them. But the vioZence lasted not 'Um.g. And about half an hour, or Zess came another noise and shaking, but neither so loud nor strong as the former, but quickly passed over and so it ceased. It was not only on the seacoast, but the Indians felt it within land, and some ships that were upon the coast were shaken by it. So powerful is the mighty hand of the Lord, as to make both the earth and sea to shake, and the mountains to trembZ.e before Him., when Be pZeases. And who can stay His hand?" (Cited in Morrison, 1952, pp. 302-303.)
Hull, Diary Entry, Written While At Boston, Massachusetts "The 1st of the 4th month.t about noon.t was a very great and general earthquake. The vessels upon the river, and the goods that tJere in the said ships, moved much. Many upon the Zand couZd soarceZy stand upright."
Johnson, 1654 "This yea.Pe, the first day of the Fourth-Month~ about ttuo of the clock in the after-nooneJ the Lord caused a ~eat and terrible Earth-quakeJ ~hich was generaZ throughout aZZ the English Ptantations; the motion of the Earth was such, that it caused diverse men (that had never knO?.Vne an Earthquake before) being at worke in the Fields., to cast doum their workins-tooZes, and run with gastZy terrified ZookesJ to the next company they couZd meet withaZ.Z; it came from the Westerne and uninhabited parts of this WiZdernesse, and went the direct course this brood of T:rave Z'ters came
- 11
- Josselyn "June the second~ a great and terrib Ze earthquake throughout the country.
".** at 4 of the c Zock ~e descryed ttuo sai Z bound for New- found-ZandJ and so far the Streights, they told us of a general Earth-quake in New-EngZand **
- and now we are wo leagues off Cape Ann. n Note: These are notes made upon a voyage from England in 1638.
There is no mention of an earthquake felt while at sea.
Jeune, Rev. Paul, 1638, Written at Three Rivers, Quebec Le "On St. Barnabas 1 day, we had an earthquake in some places; and it was so perceptibl-e that the savages were ~eatly surprised to see their ba.Pk plates coZUde with each o.therJ and the water spi'l:l out of their kettZes. This drew from them a "Loud cry of astonishment."
Note: This account was written at Three Rivers, Quebec on August 25, 1638. St. Barnabas day is June 11. Catholic countries were already on the Gregorian calendar. Corresponding dates in New England would be 10 days earlier or June 1, Old Style.
Williams, Roger, 1638, Written At Providence, Rhode Island "2 things at present for info'1'mation.
"First" in the affaires of the Most High; his Zate dreadfuZZ voice and hand: that audible and sensible voiceJ the Earthquake.
'~ZZ these parts felt itJ (whether beyond the Nanhiggonsick I yet Zearne not)., for my seZfe I scarce perceaued ought but a kind of thunder
& a gentle mooving & the natiues apprehensions" &but one sudden short motion.
"The youngeP natives are ignoPant of the Zike; but the e~der infor.me me that this is the 6th ~ithin these 4 saoPe yeare in the ~:
the fiPst about 3 saoPe & 10 yeare sinae: the seaond some 3 saoPe & 4 yeare sinae: the thiPd some 54 yeaPe sinae., the 4th some 46 sinae ..* 11 Winthrop, John, 1638, Journal Entry Written At Boston, Massachusetts "Be~een 3 and 4 in the a.ftePnOon . ** thePe ~as a gpea.t earthquake.
It aa.me ~th a noise tike a aontinued thunder op a Pa.ttLing of aoaahes in London~ but was pPesentZy gone. It was at Conneatiaut., at Nara.ga.nsett.,
a:t Pasaa.taquaak., and alZ the parts about. It shook the ships., whiah rode in the harbor., and al-Z the isZands., eta. The noise and the shakings aontinued about four> minutes. The earth was unquiet twenty-days afteP by times."
Hutchinson (1765), Later History published 127 years after the 1638 event "The yeaP 1638 was memorabZe for a. very gpea.t earth-quake thPough New-EngZand. The shake., by the printed aaaounts of it., and from ma.nuaaript
'letters., appears to have been equaZ to that pf 1?2?., the pewter in many pZaaes being thrown off the sheZves., and the tops of ahimneys in some pZa.aes shook down., but the noise., though gpea.t~ not so surprising as that of the Z.ast mentioned. The aourse of it was west to east. "
Note: The account of the later history by Hutchinson contrasts wi~ the eyewitness descriptions provided insofar as it reports chimneys damaged. No eyewitness document reports any damage to dwellings or chimneys.
EARTHQUAKE OF FEBRUARY 5, 1663
{JANUARY 27, 1663, JULIAN CALENDAR)
CA. 17:30 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: X(MM)
LOCATION: 47.6N, 70.1W EVALUATION The above coordinates place the epicenter near La Malbaie, Quebec. They correspond to the March l, 1925 event. It should be pointed out that such a location has been continuously proposed by E. A. Hodgson (1928),
(1950), and Smith (1962). On the other hand, American catalogs show a change of view in this matter. Heck and Eppley {1958) carry the coordinates of Three Rivers, Quebec; Eppley (1965) and later, Coffman and von Hake (1973}, probably following Smith, adopted the La Malbaie location. The confusion is understandable in view of importance given to the description of landslides near Three Rivers, dramatically.formulated in some of the principal sources, these of Father Lalemant and Mother Marie de !'Incarnation cited by Smith (1962).
The Intensity X(MM), the highest assigned to the La Malbaie event, is again an attempt to reflect the relative seriousness of the shock more than a strict application of the Mercalli scale. E. A. Hodgson (1950}
ventured to say that this earthquake "may have been worS'e than any of the others, or may be that the accounts were e:r:aggerated*** "*
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Hull, John, Diary Entry,* Boston, Massachusetts "26th of 11th. In the evening, about six o 'cloak, was an earthquake, that shook much for near one-quarter of an hour; ---there was shaking in several parts of the tOtiJn, and other tOtiJns, two or three times the same week; but the former was general. "
Mather, Cotton, Written at Boston, Massachusetts "Earthquakes: six or seven shocks in January '1663'. (Authors Note: of this Increase Mather, in his nzustrious Providenaes, says:
'In the year 1662, on the 26, 2?, and 28 of January, the Earth was shaken at least six times in the space of three dayes. I remember that upon the first approach of the earthquake, the things on the Shelves in the House began to move. Many People ran out of their Houses with fear and amazement; but no House fell, nor was any damage sustained. ')"
I,
-a-Sewall, Samuel, Recollection in letter dated November 14, 1727 "I remember the EaPthquake of 1662/:3 and my being shaken by it, as I sat in my father's house at Newbu:ry in the jam of the ahirrmy. "
EARTHQUAKE OF NOVEMBER 9, 1727 (OCTOBER 29 1 17 27 , JULIAN CALENDAR)
CA: 22:40 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: VII(MM)
LoCATION: 42.8N, 70.6W EVALUATION:
This is the second largest historical event after that of November 18, 1755 that has occurred off the coast of northeastern Massachusetts. Its approximate location is based on felt report distribution (Figure 2.5.2A-l). The epicentral distance to the site is about 14 miles; the event has been considered related to the Cape Ann pluton and the structure of the northeastern Massachusetts Thrust Fault Complex. It was felt widely over an area of 296,000 square kilometers, from the Kennebunk River, Maine to the Delaware River, south of Philade~phia. Maximum damage was observed near the mouth of the Merrimack River (Intensity VI-VII).
Cracked chimneys were reported from as far north as Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and as far south as Boston. Historians seem unanimous in that the earthquake was strongest in Newbury, Massachusetts. The complete listing of all reported accounts have been presented in the Boston Edison Company, Pilgrim Unit II Docket No. 50-471, BE-SG 7601.
Only the most pertinent accounts are included here.
This shock had a long sequence of aftershocks which historical records have preserved. A discussion of this sequence follows the accounts.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Allen, J., Boston, Massachusetts (Undated period entry as remark in church record)
"It began as I conceive in the South..-East., about half an Hour after Ten in the Lord's Day Evening after the 29th of October., 1?27. All of a sudden our Houses shook as if they were falling to pieces, and this was attended with a great Noise, which lasted about one Minute, and then took its course Nort~ard. In a very short time it return's upon us, tho' with far Zess Strength, and the Shocks were repeated seven Times in my hearing that Night; but there were many more at Salem., Ipswich., etc.
Distant Rwnb Zes were heard by us many times unti Z the nezt Friday-Evening. Sinae that we don't know that we have heard it; but it has been heard at Newbury every Day sinae, and for more .than three Weeks. "
Blunt, John, New Castle, New Hampshire {Letter dated January 23, 1728)
" ... on the night between the 29 & SO of October about 9 of the clock I retired to bed. (being my usual hour) but being that night otherwise different than commonly I took a book and read of it for about the *.* of an hour and then composed my bed for sleep but tong had I not been asleep before I awoke~ Awoke! Did I Zay * .. : I Dreamt~ oh Dream!
Do I lay, no~ no Dream neither~ But to-then t~at I lay I believe a mean between both, but never in such a strong .** confirmation in all my Life:
for as soon as I raised my head from my pillow-and my Intellect again began to exert its operative faculty, Perceiving the Bed to Work like a boat & the house trembled as though it would immediately fall to pieces and the Terrible noise which was began compared to the strongest that I remember now ... to .*. Rev. Landon to inqure what the matter was (who himself had just got out of his bed) replied~ its a Terrible Earthquake with that I ran & got my clothes, then we ran out at the Door, but by the trembUng of the Earth and the Dreadful noise accompanying it seemed as the foundations of the Earth now moved and the Powers of heaven shaken the ... land to come from the NW & pass along toward theSE (this from my own observation .** (manuscript uncle~r) *** one of our neighbors they plainly perceived the shaking of the earth about half a minute before they heard the noise *** I cannot now give you a particular account to affects i.t had on the pLace & peopZe, I cannot give_, the chimneys of many houses have broken and the tops broken off to the roof of the houses and sam CeUar waz:ls tumbZed in. It seems it was a ff!'ead DeaZ more Terrible in the towns on Merrimack, espeically Haverhill, Amesbury, SalJbru.Py and Newbw:y . ** "
Boston Gazette, The, Boston, Massachusetts (Period newspaper account dated November 6, 1727)
"Boston, Nov. 6.
"On the 29th past about SO Minutes past 10 at Night_, which was very Calm & SereneJ and the Sky fuZZ of Stars, the Town was of a sudden exceedingly surprised with the most violent shock of an Earthquake that ever was known. It began with a loud Noise like Thunder, the very Earth reel'd and trembZed to such a prodigious degree, that the Houses rock'd and shook insomuch, that every Body ~ected they should be Buried in the Ruins. Abundance of the Inhabitants were UJakened out of their Sleep UJith the utmost Astonishment~ and others so sensibly affrighted, that they run into the Streets thinking themselves were safe there; but thro' the Infinite Goodness and Mercy of GOD, the Shock continued but about ten Minutes~~ and tho 1 some smaZZ damage was done in a few Houses_, yet by God's great Blessing, we dont hear that any Body received any hurt thereby. There were several times till the next Morning heard some (manuscript unclear)
- Rumblings of it, but since thenJ the Earth has been quiet, tho' the Minds of the PeopLe have still a great and just Terror and Dread upon them. ' 11
-ll-Clark, Peter, Salem Village, Massachusetts (Period diary entry)
"Being Lord 1s da:y., at night., between 10 & 11 o 'o~ock there happened a very great earthquake., accompanied with a tenibet noise and shaking" which was greatly suprising to ye who~e Land_, ye rumbling in ye bowe~s of the earth, with some lesser trepidation of the earth, has been repeated at certain timesJ for divers weeks after."
Jaques, Stephen, Newbury, Massachusetts (Probable period account, date unknown)
"On the twenty-ninth day of October., between ten and e Z.even, it being sabath day night., there was a terabel earthquake. The Zike was never known in this land. It oame with a d:readful roreing as if it was thunder" and then a pounce tike grate guns two or three times cZose one after another. It shook down bricks from ye tops of abundance of chi:nmies_,
some aZmost aU the heads .*. AH that was about y 8 houses trenib"Led, beds shook, some ceztar waZ"l..s fez:l pa.t'tly down. Benjamins P'twner's stone without his dore feU into his ce~Ua>. Stone waUs feU in a hu:n.ilPed pZasis. Most peopeZ gat up in a moment. It came very often al:l. ye night after_, and it was heard two or three times some days and nights, and on the sabath day night on ye twenty-fourth of December following.,
between ten and eleven., it was very Zoud., as any time except ye first.,
and twice that night after but not so ~oud. The. first ~ight it ~ok~
out in more than ten places in ye town in ye a'tay 'tow tand., blowing up ye sand., awn more, sum tess. In one place neat' Spring Is 'Land it blew out, as was judged twenty toads, and when it was cast on coals in ye night., it burnt like brimstone."
Jeffrey, James, Salem, Massac'husetts (Period "diary" entry in almanac)
" .*. about ha.Zf an hour after ten ocZoak there was the most terribl-e Earthquake every known in New England -Continued about two minutes of first shock & had several smat't ones atterwardsJ & some night ye continued at times at 1- 1/ weeks afterwards a't 1- y Peop Ze in Town sat up most part of ye night. 11 Kelley, Richard, Amesbury, Massachusetts (Peri~d diary entry)
"In ye yeare 1727_, Oatober 29., about ten of ye cloak_, it being Sabath day night., was a Grate earthquake 'li)hich was extrodenery Z.oud and hard as a'lJ)aked many out of sLeep~ the housen did shake & windows rateZ.
and puter and dishes aZ.ater on y shelves &ye tops of many chimneys felt of & maney ware so shatered as that people ware fain to take them doum and new buiZd them again."
Plant, Rev. Matthias, Newbury, Massachusetts (Period account, primary source is original Minister's Record Book; later variants noted in references)
"Oct. 29. 1?2?. being the Lord's-Day., about 40 Minutes past Ten the same Evening there came a great rumbling Noise; but before the Noise was 3
heard 3 or Shock perceived, our Bricks upon the Hearth rose up about three quarters of a Foot~ and seem'd to fall down and loll the other way~ which was in half a Minute attended wi~h the Noise or Burst. The Tops of our Chimneys~ Stone-fences~ were throz.m doz.m; and in some PLaces
{in the lower Grounds about three Miles from my House; where I ~ell) 3 the Earth opened., and threw out some Hundred loadS of Earth, of a different Colour from that near the Surfaae, something darker than your white Marl in England; and in many Places~ opened dry Land into good springs, whiah remain to this Day; and d!'ied up Springs~ whiah never came again. It continued roaring, bursting, and shocking our Houses an that Night.
Though the first was much the loudest and most terrible, yet eight more, that came that Night, were Zoud, and roared like a Cannon at a Distance *..
"Postscript.
"I forgot to tell you., Sir, that (except the first Shock) these frequent Repetitions of the Roaring and Shocks of the Earthquake were upon Merrimack River, and seldom extended above seven or eight Miles Distance from~ or 20 or 30 up the said River; those Instances onZy excepted which I have mention'd in the Relation; and the first Shock of 3
it was greater with us than anywhere else in New-England; and the Tops of Chimneys~ and Stone-fences., were throz.m doz.m only in these Pa:t>ts. 11 Prince, Thomas, Boston, Massachusetts (Notes appended to a sermon in 1727)
"The Pre f aae.
"Giving a Summary Account of the OCCASION of the following Sermons.
On the Night after the Lord's Day Octob. 29. about 40 Minutes past X~ in a caLm & serene Hour., the Town of Boston was on a sudden extreamly surpriz'd with the most violent Shock of an Earthquake that has been known among us. It came on with a Z.oud hoz:low Noise Like the Roaring of a Great fired Chimney., but incomparably more fierce & tePribZe. In about half a Minute the Earth began to heave and tremble: The Shock*
increasing~ rose to the Eight in about a Minute more, when the Moveables.,
Doors, Windows, Walls, especially in the upper Chambers, made a ve~
fearful Clattering~ and the Houses rock'd & a.raakl'd~ as if they were aZZ dissoLving and falling to pieces. The Peopte asleep were awakened with the greatest astonishment: many others affrighted run into the Streets for Safety. But the Shaking quiakly abated., and in anotheT half Minute intireZy ceased.
"The Noise & Shakes seem 'd to aome from the NorthuJest;rpard, and to go off Southeaster~y; and so the Houses seemed to ree~. Some Damage was done to the more britt~e sort of Moveab~es, and some Briaks on the Tops of some Chimneys feU; but not an House was broken, nor a Creature hurt.
At severaL times tilt Day-light, were heard some distant Rumblings, and some fainter Shoaks were felt: But sinae, the Earth has been quiet in Town, tho' the minds of many aontinue very gz>eatly & justly affeated. 11 Sargeant, (Rev.) Christopher, Methuen, Massachusetts (Period entry in notebook)
"Observations on the Year 1 ?2?.
"This year Oatober the 29th we had the most terrib"le Earthquake.
It began on Sabbath Day Night betUJeen ten & eleven of the a"loak wh puts people into the utmost aonsternation & fright many possessed with fear yt It was the Great Day of the Son of man appearing .** It began "like a most vio~ent atap of thunder. Some say preaeeded by a tremb~ing of the Earth. But it was aaaompanied with most dreadful Shoa,k of the Earth. It Continued a Minute & half at ~east fatting &. then returning with vio"lenae three times in the ad Term *** 11 Sewall, Henry, Newbury, Massachusetts (Letter dated November 21, 1727)
"Honored sir:
"Phro' God's goodness to us we are a"l"l wettJ and have been preserved at the time of the ~ate great and terrible earthquake. We were sitting by the fire and about half after ten at night our house shook and trembled as if it would have fatz.en to pieaes. Being affrighted we ran out of doors, when we found the ground did tztemb"le., and we were in great fea:t' of being swallowed up alive; but God preserved us, and 4id not suffer it to break out, tilt it got forty or fifty rods from the house, where it brake the ground i~ the aommon near a pZ.aa,e aalled spring island, and there is from si:cteen to twenty toads of fine sand thrown out where the .
ground broke, and several days after the water boiled out "like a spring>
but is now d:r.y, and the ground atosed up again. I have sent some of the sand that you may aee it. Our house kept shaking about three minutes."
Wa1deigh, George, Dover, New Hampshire
'~n earthquake oaaurred of whia,h it is reaorded that - the shoak was ve~ loud> and was attended with a terribZ.e noise, something like thunder. The houses tremb ted as if they were fo tz.owing: divers ahimney were craaked and some had their tops broken off. "
Note: It is uncertain whether this is a generic description, or whether it described the actual effects at Dover. (Later history published 1913)
Waldron, Richard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (Letter dated January 12, 1728)
" ..* the Ea:rthquake sti'll continues in these pa:rts; but it is most frequent and wud nea:r the Merrimack River. On Satu:rday night l.aat it was heard several times in our neighborhood. And a Man who Uves about a mile distant from us> in the skirts of a wood, immediately after the first Rumbling and Utt'le Shoak, heard a fine musical somd, Uke the sound of a Trumpet at a distanoe ... the Musiak aontinued till after the Seaond Rumbling, whioh suaaeeded the former in about ten minutes. The man's wife hecwd what he did .** "
Weekly News-Letter, The, Boston, Massachusetts (Period newspaper, November 16, 1727)
"Hampton in New-Hampshire, Novemb. 13th. 1'?27.
"'The first shoak of the Ecwthquake on the 29th past was here TliUah as it was in Boston, or perhaps a 'little stronger. Divers People in this & some Neighbouring Pa:rishes observed J.ust as the ECIJ:'thquake began, A flash of Light at the Windows: A Young Man of this Town being then standing abroad near his Fathers Bouse, at first heard a small Rumbl-ing Noise; immediatel-y upon whioh he sew a Flash of Light run along ypon the Gromd 'tiU it aame to the Bouse, and then began the Shake. It appears that what he said of the f'lash of Light was not a meer Fanay, by tnis, That a Dog whiah was then lying on its Course as the Light came to him gave a sudden yelp and 'leap, and thereby sZow'd that he perceiv'd it.
'"Another thing among us which seems worth or Notice is, A Spring of Water whiah (as the OWner says) has run freely there Fourscore Years is now, upon the Earthquake vePy considerably Sunk, so that they were obZig'd to dig it out, and tho' the digging has rais'd the Water something, yet not to its former height. But what is, it may be, yet more remarkable is, That this Spring which was never known to Freeze before, now Freezes like any standing Water.
"'It seems nothing has been peraeiv'd at Boston sinae the first Night, but it has been otherwise here; not a Day sinae but that the sound has been heard, and oftentimes it has been so as to give some Jarr to our Houses.
"'in the time of the first shock *the Brute Creatures (as was observ 'd by some who were then abroad) Ran Roaring about the fields in the greatest distress: and the Reasonable Inhabitants of the Earth were no 'less frighted. So was Isreal when GOD came down upon Sinai, and the whole Mount quaked greatly: Then they spoke well, and made promises of Obedience:
And GOD says upon it, Deut. 5:29 Oh that there were suah an HEART in them, that they would Fear Me, and keep my Commands aLways, that it might be wert with them, and with their Children for ever.
AFTERSHOCK SEQUENCE OF THE NOVEMBER 9 1 17 2 7 EVENT DISCUSSION:
T.he earthquake of November 9, 1727, is characterized by a very long sequence of aftershocks, particularly dense during the following three months. None of the aftershocks exceeded Intensity V{MM); most were only locally felt in the Cape Ann, Massachusetts region. Several second order aftershocks followed by swarm-type activity are noted. *These are the earthquakes of November 14, 1727, Intensity IV-V(MM) and a series of small shocks during the period November 19 through 22 and January 4, 1728, Intensity IV-V(MM) followed by a series of small shocks on January 18 and 19. A late large aftershock occurred on February 10, 1728, Intensity V(MM).
Numerous aftershocks were noted by Rev. Matthias Plant at Newbury, Massachusetts who maintained a record of earthquakes felt from 1727 through 1748 in his Minister's Record. A detailed aftershock record also exists at Marblehead, Massachusetts. Rev. Ebeneezer Parkman of Westboro, Massachusetts has included in his diary references to some of the aftershocks.
Through research into historical documents, especially diaries and journals, it is possible to reconstruct a very detailed list of the aftershocks. Table 1 gives the date, local time, and estimated intensity of each aftershock; in general, the Plant's chronology has been accepted as the preferable one.
In Table 2, a comparative listing of the Newbury and Marblehead accounts is presented for the first week after the main shock.
Three aftershocks with an intensity greater than IV(MM) are presented below:
EARTHQUAKE OF NOVEMBER 14, 1727 CA. 17:00 (L)
Epicentral Intensity: IV-V(MM)
Location: 42.8N, 70.6W The epicentral location is assumed similar to that of the main shock, approximately 14 miles east-southeast of the Seabrook site. No damage is reported from any locality, including Newbury where Rev. Matthias recorded " *** very loud claps." It wa.s felt in Essex and Middlesex counties in Massachusetts, as well as Boston and Westborough to the west-southwest.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Note: Dated accounts are the Julian Calendar, an addition of ll days is required for conversion to the Gregorian Calendar.
Dexter, (Rev.} Samuel, Dedham, Massachusetts (Period diary entry)
"very sensib~e .** as I sat in 11lY study, to yt Degr'ee y t it jarr 'd the windows. PeopLe were put in a very great surprise by it, both in Boston & in ye Country. 11 Douglass, William {letter dated November 20, 1727)
"Essex and Midd~esex aounties:
"(at 4h p.m.) 'a smat'l shoak was felt a~t over the ao1mtys of Essex and Middtesex. '"
New England Weekly Journal, Boston, Massach~setts, November 13, 1727 (letter dated November 8, 1727 written from Marblehead with dated entries)
"Marbteheadh Mass. : ... and a very aonsiderabZe one that made our L>indows jar at 4 . "
Parkman, Ebeneezer (Rev.), Westborough, Massachusetts (Period diary entry)
"My wife and the young PeopLe of the house asserted that between 4 and 5 p.m. they heard the Like again *.* And this was aonfirmed by many other persons. 11
- Plant, (Rev.} Matthias, Uewbury, Massachusetts (Period entry, published in 1742-1743)
"Evening; very loud a laps" Sargeant, (Rev.) Christopher, Methuen, Massachusetts (Period diary entry}
"a very aonsiderable return of it."
EARTHQUAKE OF JANUARY 4, 1728 CA. 2 3 : 00 (L)
Epicentral Intensity: IV-V(MM)
Location: 42.8N, 70.6W No damage was reported from any locality. It was felt from Casco Bay, Maine, south to the Charles River region in Massachusetts. It was not reported as felt in Boston, Massachusetts.
PEP~INENT ACCOUNTS:
Note: Dated accounts are in the Julian Calendar, an addition of ll days is required for conversion to the Gregorian Calendar.
Gookin, (Rev.} Nathaniel, Hampton, New Hampshire {Appendix to sermon pUblished 1727)
"there were two Shooks; the first of whioh was very Z.oud, and ja:ITed the Houses. This Shook, I am infoZ'flied, extended from Cha:r>Z.es River to Casoo-Bay."
Plant, (Rev.) Matthias, Newbury, Massachusetts (Period account in minister's record)
"it was very Lo-ud, as any time ezoept ye first, and twioe that night after but not so Zoud."
Note: Casco-Bay is the old name of the settlement corresponding to Falmouth, Maine.
EARTHQUAKE OF FEBRUARY 10, 1728
- CA. 15:30 (L)
Epicentral Intensity: V(MM)
Location: 42.8N, 70.6W The earthquake of February 10, 1728 is considered to be an aftershock of the earthquake of November 9, 1727. The epicentral intensity, based on reports from Newbury and Ipswich, Massachusetts, is V(MM).
The felt area is estimated at 8,500 square kilometers. No damage is reported for this event.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Note: Dated accounts are in the Julian Calendar, an addition of ll days is required for conversion to the Gregorian Calendar *.
Boston Gazette, Boston, Massachusetts, February 12, 1728 (Letter from Marblehead dated January 31, 1728)
"MaPbZ.ehead, Massachusetts: 'a terribZ.e shook of an Earthquake, whioh began with a rumbZ.ing noise Zike the roZ.Z.ing of a Z.og over an honow fZ.oor & inoreased untiZ. it seemed Uke the disoharging of severa."L oannon at a distanae; at whioh time the earth trembZ.ed so as to jar the pewter on the shelves in many houses; the whoZ.e shook Zasted about 50 seconds. It's thought that had this Shook been in the Night in stiZZ weather it would have appeared the greatest sinae the Great Shook on the 29th of Oatober. This is the 3d shook we have had within these Six Day Zast past; and about the 30th sinoe the 30th of Ootober Zast. "'
Boston Gazette, Boston, Massachusetts, February 5, 1728 (Period newspaper account)
"we had here the severest Shock that has eve11 been heard since this 30 of Oct. ~ast. It making the very houses shake and the people to run out into the Streets in the utmost consternation.
'~nd the same was feZt about the same time in divel'S othe11 Ptaaes.
And more particularly at Ipswich~ where it had done considerable damage in some houses. "
Boston Weekly News Letter, Boston, Massachusetts, February l, 1728 (Period newspap.er account)
"we had he11e in Boston the greatest Shock that has been obse!'V 'd since the Night aftel' Octob. 29. It made the Houses Shake and the MoveabZe jarr~d. It was pe11ceived mostly by those indoo11s; and many ran out into the sweets in great Consternation. Tne same was fe Zt in the same mannel' in dive11se other Places."
Bucknam, Nathan, Medway, Massachusetts (Period diary entry)
"there was an Earthquake y 2 of y CZ.oak yt ja2'2'ed y house" New England Weekly Journal, Boston, Massachusetts, February S, 1728 (Period newspaper account)
"there was fel.t in this Town a considerabZ.e Shock of an Earthquake~
and we learn that the same was heard and feU about the same time in divers other Towns even as far as Piscataqua."
New England Weekly Journal~ Boston, Massachusetts, February 12, 1728 (Period newspaper account)
"about a quarter before 2 of the Clock p.m. on.e of the most observable since the first Earthquake~ but not equal. to that~ the roaring or PU111bUng heard very generaZ.Z.y in the Towns round about~ and in many places a Shaking 011 TrembUng of the Ea:Pth and Houses, the GZ.ass ratting, and the Pewter on. some She Z.ves, ceasing in about a Minute. "
Parkman, Ebenezer, Westborough, Massachusetts (Period diary entry)
"It was heard and feU by most persons. The Sound was great, and, with many a shake was distinct~y perceiv'd.*. a~ost aZ.Z people heard it and many feU it shake the houses."
Plant, (Rev.) Matthias, Newbury, Massachusetts (Period acount in minister's record)
"there was a very Z.oud c'La:p equaZZ to any but ye first for Terror, shaking ye houses so as that many people were afraid of their falling down Pewter: was shaked of dressers aonsiderabZe distance."
Plant, (Rev.) Matthias, (Philosophical Transactions published 1742-43)
"there was a very great Roa:1'ing 11 equa~ to any but the first, for Te:rTor: It shook our Houses so., that many Peop Ze were afraid of their falling down; Pewter etc. was shook off our Dressers; the People that were in the Church for Evening Service 11 pan out; the Zead Windows ratt1-ed to such a De(fl'ee 11 as that I thought they would aU be broke. 11 Sargeant, (Rev.), Christopher, Methuen, Massachusetts (Period diary entry)
"returned w considerabLe force 11
EARTHQUAKE OF SEPTEMBER 16, 1732
{SEPTEMBER 5 I 17 3 2, JULIAN CALENDAR)
CA. 16:00 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: VIII (MM} (R)
LOCATION: 45.5N, 73.6W EVALUATION:
Because this earthquake is one of the largest in the Western Quebec Seismic Zone and its location and epicentral intensity have often been questioned in recent years, both in Canada and United States, it was the object of an intensive study during the preparation of New York State Electric & Gas Corporation's (NYSE&G} I and II, PSAR (1978). The main reason for these uncertainties lies in the sparsity of the basic docu-mentation available to the earlier catalog authors; in addition, some of the original information remains confusing because the contemporaneous style is often metaphoric.
A brief review of the historical cataloging of this event is necessary to understand the justification of the revised intensity. Mather and Godfrey (1927) were the first to estimate the intensity of the event.
They associated an Intensity IX (Rossi-Forel) with an epicenter somewhere
- "in Quebeo 11*; they also estimated an Intensity III (RF) for the Boston area. They gave only two references: Brigham (1871) and Lew'is and Newhall (1865). The second catalog to appear was that of Heck and Eppley (1958), which placed the epicenter northwest of Montreal {46N, 74W), with an Intensity VIII(MM). Brigham was the only reference given.
Brigham had leaned heavily on Rev. Matthias Plant's diary for his summary
{See below). Brooks (1959), in his catalog, retained the same parameters as Heck and Eppley. Smith (1962) moved the epicenter to Montreal (45.SN, 73.6W), and raised the intensity to IX(MM), with no further explanation than "ohinmeys feH and tJ}aZ:Z,s '!J}ere oraoked. Three hundred houses '!J}ere damaged. One girl- was kitl-ed." In support, he quoted from a letter by Mother Duplessis, religious superior of the hospital in Quebec to a female friend in France. He also gave a dozen references which will be discussed below. Eppley {1965) and Coffman and von Hake (1973) repeated the new location and intensity, and simply gave Brigham and Smith as their only references.
Smith's choice needs to be critically evaluated, in view of the fact that limited evidence is presented in support of the upgraded intensity that makes this event the largest one within the Western Quebec Seismic Zone. Besides referring to all antecedent catalogs, Smith listed several other sources, but these sources referred to the 1732 earthquake only in a superficial way, except for two of them, Laflamme and E. Hodgson, which quoted part of the same letter of Mother Duplessis. It becomes apparent after reading the references used by the various catalog authors,
that they had no first-hand reports from Montreal itself, and that the letter from Mother Duplessis, written in Quebec, was the key description of the main earthquake, its effects and aftershocks.
From 1976 to 1978, investigations were carried out by Weston Geophysical, both in Montreal, QUebec, and at the Canadian Archives in Ottawa, to uncover additional information which could directly or indirectly help in ascertaining both the epicentral location and intensity of the event.
Also included was a search for felt reports at more remote locations.
The major findings consist of a brief history of the religious community which was in charge of the Hotel-Dieu Hospital in Montreal, written in*
Montreal, by Sister Cuillerier, for the years 1725-1747, and of some correspondence related to compensatory funds for the repairs of local damages. It is considered that from their nature, i.e., historical notes and business letters, these primary sources are more objective and direct than second-hand reports, even if the contemporaneous style remains ornate at times.
The earthquake description found in cuillerier's pages leaves no doubt that the main shock was severe, and that a long sequence of aftershocks occurred. Chimney damage was considerable; walls were cracked; wells were disturbedi fear made people run outside; and the frequent aftershocks compelled some to stay ou'l;,. Damage to the hospital walls were relatively bad, but this*structural damage is explicitly attributed to two previous fires that had weakened the masonry.
- In a let~er of Mr. Chaussegros de Lery to the Marine Council, it is stated that the damage to the stone walls around the city was minor: "few stones were disp'laced"; similarly for the damage to parapets. It is also explicit, from Sister Cuillerier's and Mother Duplessis' texts, that fear was kindled by the clergy, as if the earthquake occurrences were related to some divine punishment for sinful activity. There is no doubt that the style of both writers is colored by this view; .thus, many of the metaphors used should not be accepted literally.
One important point to be made is that all felt reports and damages observed in Montreal can be objectively included in an Intensity VIII(MM).
The poor quality of masonry, the construction practices in the early 1700's, and the soil conditions of Lower Montreal (glacial deposits resulting from the Champlain submergence, Clark, 1972} constitute many factors that can explain the extensive chimney damages, without requiring a large magnitude event.
It should be noted that such an Intensity VIII(MM) appears to accommodate conservatively all other felt reports obtained at remote locations, in particular, those in New England and at Quebec City. In Figure 2.5 *.2A-2, isoseismals calculated with the intensity-distance relationship of Gupta and Nuttli (1976) have been superimposed on the felt report map.
From other studies where more abundant data points exist, such relationship has been observed to be conservative. Intensities reported in eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut are in good agreement with the predicted values. Similarly, the single report from Quebec City, by the Intendant, Mr. Hocquart, that the earthquake 11amoWLted to not m:uah"J constitutes at the most an Intensity IV, and possibly III-IV; this level is quite acceptable with respect to the predicted V level, but would be anomalously low in comparison with a predicted VI-VII level that would result for Quebec if an Intensity IX is postulated for Montreal. Other reports in Philadelphia, New Castle, Annapolis, are in good agreement with the predicted isoseismals associated with an Intensity VIII(MM) for I 0
- The fact that more distant localities, such as Louisburg, N.S. and Southern James Bay did not report any tremor, also suggests that I 0 =VIII(MM) is a more likely characterization of the event.
In view of the fact that reports on earthquake effects in Montreal and felt reports from other distant locations support an epicentral inten-sity VIII(MM), it is concluded that the Intensity IX(MM) proposed by Smith (1962) should be revised. An Intensity VIII(MM) appears to be a more objective characterization.
Concerning the location of the epicenter, it is proposed that the Smith 1 s coordinates be retained as the most probable, and given an uncertainty of 30 miles. The main reason for this position is the fact that the distribution of settlements near Montreal, particularly along the St. Lawrence, was such that an epicenter substantially outside Montreal would have been recognized as such. A 1739 census, as given by Sulte (1882), certainly indicates a good coverage around Montreal, with the exception of the northwest. Yet, the hypothesis of an epicenter in this direction, e.g. near Mont-Tremblant, is rejected, as it would imply a larger epicentral intensity in order to explain a site intensity VIII in Montreal, but would become irreconcilable with the Quebec and James Bay observations. The continuous spread of settlements from Montreal to Quebec illustrated by Sulte militates against E. Hodgson 1 s "suggested possibiUty that the event "ouZ.d have been !UZ'ther doum the river 11
- It is thus concluded that the 1732 event should be considered as having occurred most probably in Montreal, with an epicentral inten-sity VIII(MM). It is further suggested that a magnitude mbLg=6.0~~ would be a better characterization of the event, taking into account the entire set of felt reports and the possibility of local amplification at the Montreal site.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
American Weekly Mercury, The, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 7 to September 14, 1732 "New-Castle, Sept. 6. Yesterday about Noon we had a pretty Considerable shook of an Earthquake in and about this Town, most people in Town being sensibly affected with it., and several that were employed in making and stacking of Hay in our Meadows were greatly surpTM~sed. It lasted about a Minute> and everybody that felt it found at the same time a disorder in their Stomach., Head and Sight. "
Extrait des ANNALES DE ~ HOTEL-DIEU DE SAINT-JOSEPH DE MONTREAL, "Fin 1
des Annales de Soeur Morin, Relation de Soeur Cuillerier: 1725-1747,"
Archives des Religieuses Hospitalieres de Saint-Joseph, 251, Avenue des Pins ouest, Montreal.
"Nous avons entr~ dans nos dortoirs en 1728 et 29 une party de Z.a dote de Ma soeur Gassien a ~t~e oonsom~e a oet ouvrage 1730 se sont passee tranquillement et sans auquun evenement partioulier Mais en trinte-deux nous avons eue une piootte sy universelle qu'il a passee dans nos salles plus de 500 Matades qui nous ont donne une fatigue inoroyable. Cette piootte fut preaedee d'un tremblement de terre si terible que l'on doute qu'il y en eu de plus violent dans Z.es endroits meme qui ont ettee renverse et qui ont abimee. Ce rut le 16 septembre a onaes heur trois card que la premiere seaousse se fit entandre et santir elle abaty dabor 567 oheminee fandy presque tous les MUres des Maisons Z.a notre fut tres en daumagee aussi bien que nos meterie des quelles tous les puis furent aomblee de ae premier mouvement qui dura bien un car d'heure sans saretez Nous courument toutes dans le jardin pour naitre pas earasez sous notre batiment etant plus en danger de tomber qu 1un autre nos murailles ayant souffert deux incendy rien de plus terrible Mes aheres soeurs que de voir les cloche et les Maisons flechire aome des rausau et branler ausy fort que sy ils avoit etez de Carte apres cette premiere secousse it en vint plus de 50 dans vint-catre heures Ce qui obligea tout le monde de Couahez dans les campagne et dans 'Les jardins dans 'La arainte detre abimee par quel quune Mais les prieres publique flechirent la misericorde du seigne~ qui aest aontante de teniP tout son peuple en alarmes pen4ans plus de neuf mois les brouissement sestant toujours fait entandre pandans ce longes-paae de temps les dames firent voeux de laisser les panier et les vanite Mais il y en eu quelqunue qui suivan le Zegerrete natureZle auz sexe nentandans plus que de petits tremblement se crurent en suretez et reprirent leurs adjustment dieu sanvangea et en fit entandre un sembZable au premier. 'La nuit du 25 doatobre au 26 ae qui fit redoubZ.er les voeux et Zes pr>iere. 11 Anonymous, manuscript in possession of Bibliotheque de Montreal, Mon-treal, Canada.
"Tremb Lemen t de ter>re.
11 1732. Seoousses: Montreal '000 maisons endommagees 3 une fille tuee., plusieurs personnes bZessees~ .*. on couahe dans Zes jardins."
Letter of M. Becquart, Intendant, to the Governor-General, including the Letter from Sister Levasseur to the Secretary of State, Correspondance Generale in possession of the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
"Mrs de Bea:uhaPnOis Monseigneu:r
" *** avec 1-es autres demandes 'Lea re Ugieuses hospi ta Ueres de Montreal nous ont adresse un placet que nous avons l'honneur de vous envoyer~ par 1-equel eltes voua supplient Monseigneur, d'avoir egaPd a 1-a situations ou eltes se trouvent et au dommage que te trembtement de terre leur a cause nous ne saavons pas preoisement en quoy ae dommage conaiste: mais nous sommes informes que leur maison en vue de oetles qui ont Ze ptus souffert de aet aaaident, tea soins et lea attentions que aea retigieuses ont pour lea matades, meritent que vous ayes des bontes pour e21-es.
"Nous sornmes avec un tres profond respect Monseigneur Vos tres humbtes et tres obeissants serviteurs.
Hocquart A Quebec Z.e 2? octobre 1'132. "
"A Monseigneur de Maurepas ministre et searetaire d'Etat.
Monseigneur "La bonte aiJea Z.a quet'Le Votre Grandeur toujours attentive auz besoins de aette coZonie y donne sans cesse des marques de Z'honneur de sa protection me faite esperer que mes tres humbles representations pourront interesser cette bonte secourabte en faveur d'une ~ommunaute necessiteuse sur taqueZle Votre Grandeur a deja pZusieurs fois repandue ses bienfaits, a'est dans cette confianae Monseigneur qu'apres avoir adresse mes voeuz au cieZ pour Za conservation de Votre Grandeur je prends ta tiberte de Zui remonter avec un profond respect que Ze retabZis-sement de notre monastere nous ayant endette de ptus de vingt mit Uvres maZgre Zes graces que nous avons receus da Sa Majeste, nous sommes encore aujourd'huy par notre situation 2'objet auque'L eZZes peuvent etre ptus justement appZiques puiaque te Seigneur vient de nous donner un nouvel accident en ruinant presque entierement notre monastere par un trembtement de terre effreyant qui a fait d'autant pZua d'impression a nos murai2Zes queZZes ont deja aoufferts deux inaendiea, nous avons meme tout Lieu d'apprehender Monseigneur que Zea grandes geZees de Z'hiver ne Ze fassent tomber absoZument, etant toutes fondues a jour Za aharpente sortie d'un demi-pied, toutes nos cheminees renversees, ae qui nous fait
- araindre d'etre ecrase2 sous notre batiment, qu'il ptaiae a Votre Grandeur Monseigneur d'avoir pitie de cette communaute desolee, et d'ecouter Za tres humbLe priere que je prends Za liberte d'adresser a Votre Grandeur au nom des reZigieusea hospitaZieres de MontreaZ de vitle Marie de leur aacorder une gratification suffisante pour mettre leur monastere en surete, et aider a payer Zeur deptes afin qu'elles oontinuent le~s soins aux soldats, sauvages et habitans malades. J'ay l'honneur d'etre avec un profond respect
Monseigneur De Votre Grandeur La tres humble et tres obeissante servante.
Soeur Le Vasseur superieure des religieuses hospitalieres de St.
Joseph."
Boston Gazette, The, Boston, Massachusetts, September 4, 1732 "On Tuesday Last about Noon we were very muah surprised here by the Shook of an Earthquake~ it was attended with hardly any Noise~ the Shake continued near half a ~nute, and some Rouses were perceived to tremble very much~ so that several things were shaken down from their PZ.aaes."
Boston Weekly News-Letter, The, Boston, Massachusetts, September 14, 1732 "By a letter from Marthas Vineyard~ dated the 11th Instant~ we have Advice~ that they had the Shook of an Earthquake in that PLace the Tuesday before, a little after Noon~ as was evident to many on the Island~ which was near the Time when it was peraeiv'd here. They could not learn that the Shake was attended with any RumbUng as is usuaZ.. So that hereby we are assured the said Shake was very extensive. "
Boston Weekly News-Letter, The, Boston, Massachusetts, November 30, 1732 "On Saturday last Mr. Lydiu.s came hither by land from Albany, and informs us., that before he left that place., he received a Letter from a Relation of his at Montreal in Canada~ who gave him an aaaount that on the 5th of September Last about noon an amazing Shock of an Earthquake was felt there, (the same day and hour it was Z.ast perceived here) which was so violent that about 165 Rouses suffer'd more or Z.ess damage thereby, and the WaZ.Z.s fortifying the PZ.aae in part thrown down. Three Persons were kilZ.ed, and Si::r: wounded; that the Shake was repeated nine or ten Nights following (and onZ.y in the Nights) in all whiah time the People were afraid to lodge in their Rouses. ~. Lydius had the above Account confirm 'd to him by an EngUsh Gentleman arrived at Albany from Mon-troea2."
Brigham, William T., Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural History (1871); I. Volcanic Manifestations in New England Being an enumeration of the principal earthquakes from 1638 to 1869 "September 15., 1732. A violent earthquake was feU in Canada, which did aonsideroabZ.e damage at Montreal, as stated in the proeceding list. It came at eleven o'clock A.M., and was attended with a rumbling noise. A clock was stopped at Annapolis, Maryland, although the shook was slightly felt at Boston. In June, of the ne::r:t year, on the fourteenth, according to some authorities, it is said a shook was feZt at AnnapoZis, but there is no certainty that it took pZ.aoe. "
Buckman, Nathan, "Diaries: 1722-1767"; written at Medway, Massachusetts, in possession of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachu-setts "An Earthquake peraeived by some.
Couanier de Launay, M.E.-L., Histoire des Religieuses Hospitalieres De Saint-Joseph (France Et Canada), Paris, 1887, p. 119.
"Trois ans apres (173 2) ~ un affreu:J: tremb Zement de tene qui se fit sentir surtout a Montreal, endommagea gravement Zes batiments. Lea reparatiOns ne purent etre tel'7'Tlinee8 que l I annee d:l apreS J aU moyen de Za dot d'une des soeUT's."
Faillon, Etienne M., Vie de Mlle Mance Et Histoire De l'Hotel-Dieu de Villemarie, ~ l' ile deMontreal, ~ canada, TomeII, 1854. -
"Au mi Ueu des embarras qu, e Hes eprouvaient da:n.s zI etat de denfAment ou elles se voyaient reduites, eZZes eurent enaore a essuyer, Z'annee 1?52~ lea effets d'un violent trembtement de -terre, qui mit leur vie en peril et endommagea Zeur nouveau batiment. La premiere secousse, qui eut lieu Ze 16 du mois de septembre, a onze heures trois quarts~ se fit sentir plus ou moins dans toute Za aolonie, mais nuZZe part elZe ne fut si vioZente que dans Z'ile de Montreat. Cette secousse abattit tout d'abord plus de trois cents cneminees, ecrivaient Zes hospitalieres de ViZZemarie a leurs soeurs de France, et fendit presque tous Zes murs des maisons; Za notre fut tres-endommagee, aussi bien que nos metairies, dont tous Zes puits furent combtes par ce premier trembtement, qui dura bien un quart 4 'heure sans s 'arreter. Nous cour£imes toutes dans Z.e jardin poUT' n'etre pas ecrasees sous notre batiment~ qui etait plus en
- danger de tomber qu'aucun autre~ nos muraiZZes ayant souffert deux incendies. Rien de plus terrible, mes cheres soeurs, que de voir les cZochers.et Zes maisons fZechir comme des roseaux, et branter aussi fort que s'ils eussent ete de cartes. Apres cette premiere secousse, it en vint plus de trente en vingtquatre heures, ce qui obligea tout Ze monde de coucher dans Za campagne et dans Zes jardins, crainte d'etre ecrase par Zes maisons. Lea dames firent alors voeu de renoncer a Z'usage de porter des paniers SOUB Leurs robes et a d'autres semblables vanites; mais iZ y en eut quelques-unes qui, n'entendant plus que de petits tremblements~ se arurent en aU:rete, et, suivant leur Zegerete naturelZe, reprirent leurs adjustements. DIEU, poUT' les rappeler a leur devoir, fit entendre un nouveau tremblement semblabZe au premier, Za nuit du 25 au 26; ce qui fit redoubter Zes voeux et Zes devotions. Enfin~ Zes prieres publiques ont touche Za miseT'icorde du SEIGNEUR, qui s'eat aontente de tenir tout son peuple en alarmes pendant plus de neuf mois, les bT'Uissements s'etant toujours fait entendre pendant ce Zong eapace de temps. M. Chaussegros de Lery, ingenieur, ecrivait que si la premiere seaousse eut dure quelques minutes de plus;, une grande partie des maisons de ViZZemarie auraient ete renversees. IZ ajoutait au'eZZe s'etait fait sentir a Quebea, mais tres-Zegerement. .
"Apres ae desastre, la mere Levasseur_, supeneure des fiUes de Saint-Joseph, s'empressa d'earire de nouveau aM. de Maurepas_, afin d'obtenir de lui quelques seaours_, tant pour payer leurs dettes, qui s'eLevaient alors a 20_,000 1-ivres, que pour reparer les degats faits a leur bO:timent."
Note: Inserted here is a quotation of Sister Levasseur 1 s letter.
See Letter of M. Hocquart in this appendix.
11 M. de Beauharnois et M. Hoaquart aaaompagnerent 1-a supplique des religieuses au ministre d'une 1-ettre de reaommandation, en date du 2? oatobre 1732. Ils faisaient remarquer qu'ils ne savaient pas en quoi aonsistant le dommage que te tremblement de terre leur avait cause, mais que leur maison etait une de celles qui avaient Ze plus souffert de cet accident. Enfin, ils terminaient en assurant Le ministre que les soins et 1-es attentions de ces religieuses pour Zes maZades meritaient qu'iZ vint a leur aide dans cette oacasion. Le 6 mai 1733, Ze ministre invita Ze gouverneur et !'intendant a faire l'estimation de ce dommage_,
que M. de Lery porta a La somme de 640 1-ivres. Nous VOUB supplions, Monseigneur, ecrivaient au ministre le gouverneur et Z'intendant, de vouloir bien accorder aette somme a cette communaute; elle merite vos bontes pour les soins assidus que Zes religieuses apportent au soulagement des pauvres malades, et qu'elles ont redoubles a !'occasion de la petite veroZe, ayant con~inuellement eu, pendant quatre mois, pres de cent soldats a soigner .* cette maladie epidemique fut si ufut si universelle a Montreal, que Zes hospitalieres recurent dans leurs saZZes plus de cinq cents maZades; ce qui leur occasionna beaucoup de depenses et un surcroit de fatigues excessives. Ce fut Z'annee meme ou arriva cette contagion, en 1733, qu'eZles parvinrent enfin a achever leur batiment, en employant pour cet usage La dot d 'une de Leurs soeurs. Mais comme ta croix devait etre le pZus ferme appui de cette maison~ a peine ~es batiments etaient acheves3 et avant meme qu'on eut recu Za somme de 640 Livres accordee pour reparer Zes degats faits par le trembtement de terre) tous ~es batiments furent de nouveau reduits en cendres, *comme nous le raconterons au chapitre suivant."
Hobart, Nehemiah, "Journal of Nehemiah Hobart, written at Hingham, Massachusetts: 1721-1746", in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, Massachusetts "A shock of an earthquake att (sic) Boston) Ma: Vinyard about noon, yet no rumbling heard. "
Hocquart, M., "Lettre d'Hocquart au Ministere," Manuscript in possession of the Public Archives, Ottawa, Canada.
"M. Hocquart 30 Octobre 1732 "Monseigneur
"**. J'ay re~u aujourclhuy une lettre de MontreaZ par Zaquelle on me marque que Za nuit du 24 au 25, iZ s'est fait sentir un trembZement de terre a peu pres sembZable. a ceZuy du 16 7bre moine violent mais pZus vong accompagne... d' un b ru~ssement dans Za montagne qui a dure, Longtemps.
1
L'on ne m'earit pas d'autres airaonstances,~~ ni que ae tremb'Lement ayt aause de nouveaux dommages.
"Je suis avea un tres profond respec:t *
"Monseigneur "Votre tres hwrib'Le et tres obeissant serviteur.
"Hoc:quart
?i Quebea Ze 30 oatobre 1752. rr Hodgson, E. A., 1950. The Saint Lawrence earthquake, March 1, 1925:
Dom. Cbs. Pub., Ottawa, v. 7, No. 10, Appendix B, p. 430, "Earthquake SeptemberS, 1732. 11 "In the sec:orui of the foter' lists pubUshed by Sir. wm. Dt:JLJson, he states: "1752, September 5, Canada,~~ New EngZ.and, and as far as Ma:rndZ.arui, buildings injured*.* "
Note: After referring to abstracts of Mgr. Laflamme, Sister Duplessis, and other correspondence, Hodgson concludes:
"It is desirab'le that further reference's to this earthquake be sought, in order that it may be established whether an earthquake of suah intensity aentred near Montreal. or, if not, the position of its epiaentre.
"The fact that the first tremors lasted 'cmty two or three minutes, '
would indiaate that Montreat was not the aentre of this earthquake. It is just possible that 'Later referenaes. may establish an epiaentre muah farther down the Saint La:JiJrenae. "
Holyoke Diaries, The, annotated by George Francis Dow, the Essex Insti-tute, Salem, Massachusetts, 1911, p. 4 Note: At Marblehead.
"Large shoak of an earthquake. "
Hunt, Ebeneezer, "Journal", Judd Manuscripts in possession of the Forbes Library, Northampton, Massachusetts, Vol. 1, p. 23
" ... about 12 o'otoak in the day whiah shook the houses oonsiderabZy.
Some thought it was as pOUJerfuZ as that of Oat. 29, 1727."
LaFlamme, Mgr. J.-C. K., "Les tremblements de terre de la region de QUebec," Memoires de la societe Royale du Canada, 1907, Sec. 4, p. 160-161 "1752.--Le seisme de 1752 n'ayant affeote que Za region de Montreal.
(M) ne rentre pas rigoureusement dans Ze aadPe de oe travail-. Nous en dirons quelques .mots oependant pour faire voir que, si Zes seismes montreaZais ont,~~ en general,~~ moins d'intensite que oeux de Za region inferieure de Za provinae, iZs peuvent oependant atteindre un oertain degre de violence.
"La Mere DupLessis de Ste Helene, superieut>e de Z'HoteZ-Dieu de Quebec, apres avoir parle~ dans une Zettre du 20 octobre 1732, de l'incendie de Montreal qui avait detruit 190 'corps de Zogis,' ajoute: 'Depuis un mois c'est un trembZ.ement de terre qui y jette une consternation qu'on ne peut exprimer. De La premiere secousae qui ne dura que deux ou trois minutes~ plus de trois cents maisons ont ete endomagees, quantite de cheminees tombees dea muraiLZes fenduea, des personnea bZessees, u.ne filZ.e tuee~ des greZ.es de pierres qui ae repandaient partout et qui aemblaient ~tre jeteea par des mains invisibles, enfin un effroi ai universel que lea maisons aont desertes, on couche dans lea jardins_, lea betea m~me privees de raison jetaient des oris capabZes de redou.bler la frayeur des hommea. On fait des confessions generales de tous lea cotes; Zes dames ont quitte leurs paniera, Zes pretres leur ont fait signer une promesse. PLusieurs ont fui et sont venus a Quebec peur d'etre enseveZ.i sous lea ruines de cette pauvre ville. Le tacheux est que tout aeZa n'est pas fini. IZ n'est point de jour qu'iZ ne se fasse aentir; iZ y a des puits qui ont ete extr~mement taris_, des chemins bouZ.everses. '
"D'autre part, t'ingenieur de Lery ecrit au ministre pour Z.ui annonaer qu'il y a eu un tremblement de terre a Montreal. Le 3 oatobre 1732, Z.'intendant Hocquart apprend au Ministre z.a nouveZ.Z.e de ce trembZ.ement de terre, et, Ze 12 avril L755, Z.e President du ConseiZ. de Marine ecrit a Z.'intendant Hocquart qu'iZ. ne peut accorder aux RecoZ.Z.ets Z.a somme qu'ils demandent pour lea pertes subies par eux dans Ze trembZ.ement de terre. 1 "
1 Renseignements fournis par M. J.-E. Roy Lewis, Richard, Philosophical Transactions, Number 429, 1733
'A letter from Mr. Richard Lewis, at Annapolis in Maryland, to Mr.
Collinson, F.R.S. containing the Account of a remarkable Geneneration of Insects: of an Earthquake; and of an Explosion in the Air.
"On Tuesday the 5th of September last, about EZ.even in the Morning, an Earthquake was felt in diverse PLaces in MaryLand; the most particular Account I have heard of it was from Mr. Chew. It shook his House for some time_, and stopp'd the Pendulum of his CLock; during its Continuance, a rumbLing Noise was heard in the Air~ and many PeopLe who did not feel the Shaking, as weU as those who did, aomplained of a Dizziness in their Heads, and Sickness at their Stomachs: At the same time, I have been aredibly informed, it was feLt in Pennsylvania~ and New-England; but I have not heard whether it extended to North or South Carolina. 11 Des Miettes d'histoire par S.S.-Eulalie de Barcelone, 1925, Archives de la Congregation de Notre-Dame, Montreal, Quebec, 200.100, 1, p. 32.
"1732-Inondation, petite verole. Flus de trente secousses de tremblement de terre en vingt-quatre heures, et abattent plus de trois aents aheminees. Ces secousses se renouveZZent plus ou moins frequentes pendant neuf mois."
Lewis, Alonzo and James R. Newhall, History of Lynn, Essex County Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant, Boston, 1865 "1732. On the 5th of SepterriberJ there was an eaz>thquake without noise. "
New-England Weekly Journal, The, Boston, Massachusetts, September 11, 1732 "Boston" "On Tuesday last a few Minutes after Twelve at Noon was felt here a surprizing Shook of an Earthquake, attended with Uttle or no Noise, the Shake oontinued near half a Minute, and some Houses were peroeived to shake very muah, so that several small things were shook down from their Plaoes. The same was very sensibly felt in most of the Neighbouring
- Towns., and to the Eastward as faz> as Piscataqua. 11 New-England Weekly Journal, The,, Boston, Mas~achusetts, September 25, 1732 "Boston.
"We are inform 'd" that the Earthquake feU here on Tuesday, the 5th Instant, was perceived near the same time at Philadelphia; and from springfield we hear it was very surprizing there., shook ~ several things from off the Shelves at the House of Capt. William Pynohon; and a Man in a Orchard there perceiv'd that several Apples were shook off the Trees thereby."
- Nova francia, Vol. III, No. 2, 24 decembre 1927, Lettre de Mere Marie-Andrea Duplessis de Sainte-Helene, superieure des Hospitalieres de 1 'Hotel-Dieu de Quebec," avec des notes de A.-Leo Leymarie.
"Madame e t tres chere amie, ***
"Il est temps de vous parler des fleaux dont Dieu affUge l.e oanada, il y a quelques annees que je vo mande un inoendie presque general qui avoit consume plus de 190 corps de Zogis a Montreal ce
. printemps, Za meme ville a ete inondee et fort inoommodee de leau qui a monte si haut que les oaves etoient pleines tout y flottoit, les planchers se soulevoient, les rues etoient impraticables et plusieurs marchands ont beaucoup perdu, depuis un mois c'est un tremblemt de terre qui y jette une consternation qu'on ne peut exprimer des Za pere secousse qui ne dura que 2 a 3 minutes plus de 300 maisons ont ete endomagees, quantite de cheminees tombees, des murailles fendues, des personnes blessees" une fille tuee, des greles de pierres qui se repandoient partout et qui sembloient etre jettees par des mains invisibles~ enfin un effroy si univerael que les maisons sont desertes on couahe dans les jardins~ les betes memes privees de raison jettoient des oris oavables de redoubler Za frayeur des hommes~ on fait des confessions generales
de tous aotes, les Dames ont quitte leurs paniers, les pretres leur ont fait signer un.e promesse, plusieW"S ont fui. et sont venues a Quebec peur d'etre ensevelies sous Zes rui.nes de aette pauvre vil~eJ le faoheux est que oe~a n'est pas fini, il n'est point de jour qu'iZ ne se fasse sentirJ i Z y a des puys qui ont entierement ta.ri, des chemins bouleverses. , .. "
Parkman, Ebenezer, September, 1732, ~Diary of Ebenezer Parkman, First Part 1719-1755, ed. Francis G. Walett, American Antiquarian Society, 1974 "September 5. N. B. An Earthquake just about (or a U tt le after J Noon. 11 Note: Rev. Parkman lived in Westboro, Massachusetts.
Pennsylvania Gazette, The, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 12 to September 18, 1732 "PhiladeLphia, Sept. 18 110n Tuesday the 5th Instant, a smaU Shook of an Earthquake was feU in this City, about Noon. It was al-so fel-t at New-Castle. 11
.Plant, (Rev.) Matthias, Philosophical Transactions 2f Royal Society, London (1742-43), No. 462, Vol. XLII, p. 33.
- "September 5, 1732. About noon*we had a severe shook, which was perceived at Boston and Pisoataqua, but attended with tittle or no noise.
The same earthquake was heard at Montreal, in Canada, at the same time and about the same hour of the day, and did damage to one hun.cJ:r.ed and eighty-five houses, killed seven persons, and hurt five others; and it was heard there several times afterwards, only in the night, as the newspapers give us this acoount."
Roy, Pierre George, Inventaire des Papiers de Lery Conserves aux Archives
~ la Province ~Quebec, Volumer, Q'\lebec,l9~Letter of M:-chaussegros de Lery to the President of the Marine Council..
11 20 ootobre 1'?32" "Monseigneur.
"Neuf jours apres mon depart de Montreal qui etoit le 16, du mois passe il y a eu un tremblement de terre assez violent qui a fait tomber une bonne partie des cheminees:~ en a fait fendre dautres et plusieurs mur des maisons se sont ouverts les personnes qui en viennent mont asseure que sit avoit continue encore deux minutes une grande partie des maisons auroient ete renversee jay apris depuis que Za terre avoit tremble pendant pZusieurs jours mais Zes seaouses nont pas ete si vioZentes 2e premie~ tremblement s'est fait sentir presque dans toute Za ooZonie je Zay senty a Quebec mais cetoit peu de chose.
"Les EnwepreneUPs qui sont descendus mon di t avoir visi te ~es murs de L'anceinte its disent qu'a laporte de St. Laurent iZ y a en quelques pierres de derangees qu 'ils ont aaaomode et mont demancM 10 Uvres pour ceZ.a dans Z.a maconnerie iZ y a eu quelques desus de parapets de deranges et queZques pierres du desus des Embrazures de tombees iZ.s offrent de retab'lir Ze tout pour 50 Uvres dans Ze bastion du nord iZ setoit fait une fente iZs m'ont asseure que dans Zes dernieres secouses eZZe s'etoit fer.mee iZs mon dit aussi que Zes aZZignements des murs et Z.es taZuds n'avoient pas changes, Mr. Ze GenAraZ et Mr. L'Itendant on receut pZ.usieurs Zettres de MonweaZ je suis persuade Monseigneu:r qu 'iZs vous informeront mieu::c que moy du degat qu 'a aause ce trembZement en ayant receu Ze cMtaiZ. .***
"Je suis avec un profound respect, Monseigneur, Votre tree humbZe et tree obeiseant eerviteu:r.
CBAUSSEGROS DE LERY "A Quebec Ze 20 octobre 1'132.
"Soeur Sainte-Henriette, Cahier Ge." Archives de la Congregation de Notre-Dame, Montreal, Quebec, p. 420.
'Petite veroZe. TrembZ.emente de 1732-1733.
"A Za meme epoque, iZ y eut des wembZements de terre qui se firent sentir particuZ.ierement a Montreal. La premiere secous$e, qui eut 'lieu Ze I6 septerribre 1732, abattit pZ.us de trois cents aheminees; iZ y en eut pZus de trente en vingtquatre heures et eZZes se renouveleront a divers intervalles pendant pZus de neuf mois. 11 Weekly Rehearsal, The, Boston, Massachusetts, September 11, 1732_
"Boston, Sept. 11. About 12 o 'CZ.Ock on Tuesday 1,ast, we fez.t a considerable Shoak of an Earthquake, which lasted the space of half a Minute; and several Persons affim that they observed the Houses at
- some Distance to move; but we cannot Zearn that this shaking was attended U1ith any such Noise as usuaZ. We hect!' the Shock was felt in several of the adjacent T01.11ns, particuZ.arZ.y at Salem, where the shaking was very vioLent and Zasted near a Minute. From Portsmouth., a GentZeman 1.11rites,
'That the Shock was very UttZ.e inferiour (sic) to the great Ea:t'thquake in 1729 (sic)., and Z.asted near a Minute, but U1aS not accompanied U1ith the usuaZ Rumb'ling.' It was feZ.t in a2Z. the PZaaes froom whence 1.11e have yet heard, at the same Instant we obsewed it here."
Williams, Samuel, "Observations and Conjectures on the Earthquakes of New England," Memoirs of the American Academy .£!._ ~ ~ Sciences, Boston, 1785 "Obsewations and Conjeatu.::Pes on the Ea:rthquakes of New Engtand:
"In 1732, the!'e was an ea:rthqu.ake whiah though smaU, was of 3 3 aonside!'able extent. It aame on Septembe1' 5, o.s. at about 11h A.M.
being attended with a rumbling noise; and was of suah vioLenae as to oaaasion a aonside1'able ja1'1'ing of the houses. The duration of it 3 was not mo1'e than ten or fifteen seconds. This earthquake was muah more evident at Mont!'eal. in Canada3 than it was in any pa:rt of New-Engl.and; being attended with aonside1'ab7..e damage the!'e. As this was the ahief feat of it~ it seems to have aome f!'om thence, in a north-weste1'7..y aourse, to New-England. Its extent~ from south-west to north-east, was equal. to that of most of the ea!'thquakes that have been in the count~;
being felt from Maryland to the northeasterly parts of New-Engtand: and from north-west to south-east~ it reached from Montreal.~ and probably from many miles beyond it, to the seacoast. "
EARTHQUAKE OF JUNE 14, 1744 (JUNE 3 I 17 44 ' JULIAN CALENDAR)
CA. 10:15 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: VI (MM)
LOCATION: 42.5N, 70.9W EVALUATION:
This earthquake is estimated to be centered in the Southern Cape Ann region, near Salem, Massachusetts (Figure 2.5.2A-3). Reports of an Intensity Vl(MM) level are found for Newburyport, Salem, Lynn, Melrose, and Boston. The epicentral location cannot easily be determined, as attested by early catalogs which referred only to "eastern Massachusetts."
Smith's location, further to the east, (42.6N, 60.0W) is an attempt to take into account the undetermined location "off Cape Ann" given by Mather and Godfrey (1927), and to accommodate .the observed coastal distributions of felt reports. The higher intensity to be associated with an epicenter at sea was logical, but remains an extrapolation
- The current location near Sal~m is p~ferably chosen in view of the distribution of similar Intensity VI(MM) levels, from NewburYport to Dorchester, and the fact that the report of the main aftershocks and some secondary ones appear to be primarily associated with the Salem vicinity.
In some of the reports, a reference is made to the similarity of this shock with that of 1727. At first, one might consider the possibility of a similar epicenter and intensity. On closer examination, one finds that such a position is not accurate; in Dorchester, it is explicitly reported that the 1744 earthquake was not as strong as that of 1727.
The felt reports for the 1727 earthquake were predominantly stronger north of Cape Ann, in contrast with the 1744 earthquake.
There is no doUbt that a large uncertainty +15 miles can be associated with the event.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Boston Weekly News-Letter, The, Boston, Massachusetts, June 5, 1744 (Period newspaper account)
"Last Lord's Day be-tween 10 an.d 11 o'Clock in the Forenoon zue were surprized z.>ith a violent Shock of an Earthquake attended with a Zoud rumbling Noise whereby People were put into a very great Consterr~tion, and many who were attending the Divine Worship ran out into the streets fearing the Houses would faZZ upon them: A great many Briaks were shook off from several Chimneys in this and other TCJU)ns_, and much of the Stone Fences in several Places in the Country was tumbled down by it. It was perceived to continue longer and be more severe in some Places than at
others; and 'tis tho't by some to be felt near equaZ to that whiah we had in the Year 1727. HOLJ extensive it was we aa:nnot yet 'Learn, but by Information at present we are assUl"ed that it reach 'd above 100 Miles.
Another shook was felt at Salem, and others reaah'd above 100 Miles.
Another shook was felt at Salem~ and others adJacent: Towns, about five o 'Cloak in the Afternoon of the same Day, whiah was aonsideX'abZe and again surprised the People very muah. Three or Four smaller Shooks were perceived in the Night and Mo:r'ning Suaaeeding.
"We hear f'I'om Hopkinton, that the Monday before the Earthquake, the Mud arose from the Bottom of two Zarge fishing Ponds in that Town so as thicken the Wate:l' and prevent their fishing in them. It continued so for two or three Days and then setZ.ed and f!X'BW alear again. T'is rerrru:>kabte that the same happened to these Ponds a few Days before the gPeat Earthquake in the Year 1727. 11 Fuess, Salem, Massachusetts (Later history, published 1835)
'The Earthquake of 1744 - In 1744 there was another te'I'rifia earthquake, which was thought by some to have been near~y equal in severity to that of 1727. In May the:l'e had been two sUght shooks~ oacncrTing in both instances in the morning. At a quarter past ten on Sunday morning, JW1e 3, just after ahurah se:l'Viaes had begun, the severest shook aame. It reached only about a hundred miles and was ushe:l'ed by a loud rumbling, whiah threw the people into aonste'I'nation as they remembered the experienae of seventeen years before.
'People X'an out of their houses, fearing they would fall upon them; and the rector and many of the congregation ran out of the Episcopal Churah at Newbury (in that part now Newburyport). In the HamZ.et parish in Ipswiah (now the town of Hamilton)~ the shoak aame when the pastor, Rev. Mr. Wigglesworth, was preaching. The congregation was greatly alarmed; but he endeavored to aaZm them, remarking that 'there aan be no better plaae for us to die in than the house of God. 1
'~ricks were shaken from chimneys and stone watts were thrown down.
At about five o'aZoak in the afternoon another and lesser shook was felt at SaZ.em and adjacent towns, and peopZ.e screamed and ran out of doors.
Three or more lesser shooks were perceived that night and the next m:>rning. 11 Boston Gazette or Weekly ~ournal, The, Boston, Massachusetts, June 12, 1744 (Period newspaper account)
"Portsmouth, N.H., June 9
- "Last Lord 's Day, a Zi tt Z.e after 10 o 1 a took. the Peop Z.e thro ' out this Provinae and the County of York~ were very sensible of a severe shoak of an Earthquake, attended with a loud rumbling Noise, whiah greatZ.y surpris'd them; but we aan't Z.ea'I'n of any damage being done:
Those that were upon the Water near the Coast and Rivers, were as sensibl-e of the aonvul.sion as those on the Land. "
Wadleigh, George, Dover, New Hampshire (Later History, published 1913)
"A great Ea:Pth Quake Sabbath Day June 3_, 1744. ,,
Sawyer, (Rev.} Roland D., Kensington, New Hampshire (Later History, published 1974)
"The on~y earthquake ever felt in Kensington of sufficient severity to be reaorded were those of Oc:tober 29_, 1727 a:nd June 3_, 1744."
Parson, Langdon, Rye, New Hampshire (Later History, published 1905)
Note; June 3, 1744 - smart shock of earthquake.
EARTHQUAKE OF NOVEMBER 18, 1755 CA. 04:12 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V!II(MM)
LOCATION: 42.7N, 70.3W EVALUATION:
This is the largest historical event within the site region. It is also the most significant one because of its close epicentral distance to the site (30 miles). The approximate location can only be _estimated on the basis of the felt report distribution from which isoseismals are attempted (Figure 2.5.2A-4). An uncertainty of +15 miles seems to be a reasonable compromise.
The event has been thoroughly discussed in the Pilgrim Unit II Docket Boston Edison Company, 1976. Its tectonic origin and location have been related to the Cape Ann pluton and the Northeastern Massachusetts thrust fault complex. All documentary evidence of felt reports have been published in the Historical Seismicity of New England (BE-SG 7601, Boston Edison Company, 1976), prepared by Weston Geophysical.
The event was felt over a wide area of approximately one million square kilometers, extending from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Annapolis, Maryland.
The damage was limited to coastal New England locations, from Portland, Maine to New Haven, Connecticut. The worst chimney and fence damages, definitely of an Intensity VII(MM) level were observed in the Cape Ann region and in Boston proper. Because much of the damage in Boston was confined to landfilled areas near the shores, it is considered to be partly attributed to soil amplification. For this reason, the Inten-sity VI!(MM) reports of the Cape Ann region, even though less dramatic in style and fewer in number, are considered to be more indicative of the epicentral. location.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Adams, N., Portsmouth, New Hampshire (citation in later History 1825)
"The most severe and tremendous earthquake, whiah UJas ever felt in this country, took place on the night of the 18th of November, after midnight. The weather was remarkably serene, the sky alear the moon shone bright, and a solemn stillness prevailed all nature, at the time it aommenaed."
Boston Weekly News Letter, November 20, 1755 (Effects in Boston)
"the tops of many Chimnies, and some of them quite down tc the Roofs, were thron down, and several of the Roofs upon which they feU were beat in: Many Chimnies also, for 6, 7, and 8 Feet below ~he Top, were loosened and ~~ed several Inahes on the main Body; and ~thers, with the Brick WaZZs of some Houses were disjointed, burst out and shatter'd: the wooden Post that supported the Spindle and V~e of FaneuiZ RaZZ Market was by the.Shake broke off, and they felZ ~o the Ground bn the North Side **** And in the inside of many Houses, the Pewter, Earthen, Glass, China, and other Ware, were thrown off the sne:ves, and other PZaces whereon they stood, and many Things were broke to Pieaes. "
Dow, J., Hampton, New Hampshire (Citation in Later History, 1893)
"The shaking of the earth was so great that several ahirrr;n.eys in this town were thrown down.
"The earthquake ocaurring at an hour when the mass of the people were asleep, many of them being suddenly awakened were very mu~h terrified, not imediateZy peraeiving the aause of the commotion. The o~er people, however, had not forgotten the earthquake of 1727, and now, as on the occasion, they recognized the hand of God in the occurrence."
Quincy, E., Portsmouth, New Hampshire (Letter dated November 22, 1755)
" ... it 7.Jas vezoy shocking in thea Town and the T07.J'I1.8 round about us *.** My wife awoke in the midst of the shaking ...* " (Letter 22 Nov.
1755)
Winthrop, John (1757) Description of Effects in Boston "the principZ.e effect of the earthquake for whiah I can t:.rut sufficient vouchers, for many strange things have been related which upon e:IKD1lination, appear to be without foundation. Besides the throwing down of glass, pewter and other movables, in the houses, many chimneys were levelled with the roofs of the houses, and many shattered and thrown down in part. Some were broken off several feet below the top, and, by the suddeness and violence of the jerks, canted horizo,:taZly an inch or two over, so to stand very dangerously. Some others were twisted or turned around in part. The roofs of some houses were quite broken in by the faZZ of chimneys; and the gable ends of some brick bui~ings thrown down, and many were craked. The v~e upon the publia market house was thrown down; the wooden spindle whiah supports it, about five inches in diameter and whiah had stood the most vio~ent gusts of wind, being snapped off. A new vane upon one of the churches was bent at its spindZe, two or three points of the compass; and ar.~ther at springfield was bent to a right angZe. A distiller's cistern rade of plank~ aZmost new, and very strong put together~ was burnt to pieces by the agitation of Ziquor in it; which was thrown out with such ;orae as
to break down one whoZe side of the shed that defended the cistern from the weather *.** About 100 ahimneys were in a manner ZeveZZed with the roofs and about 1., 500 shattered or thrown doum in part. 11 Note: Much of the damage in Boston probably occurred in areas where poor foundation materials were present. An account of the earthquake quoted by Brigham (1871) says "that in some p'l-aaes.,
espeaiaZZy on the Zow., Loose ~ound made by enaroaahments on the harbor., the streets are aLmost aovered with the briaks that have faZ Zen. 11
AFTERSHOCKS OF THE EARTHQUAKE OF NOVEMBER 18, 1755 EVALUATION:
Data regarding the aftershocks of the earthquake of November 18, 1755 have been compiled. These data are summarized in Table 3. Aftershocks are reported from the period *of November 18, 1755 to March 15, 1756.
A widely felt, though lesser shock of the main tremor at 4:30a.m., is reported for eastern New England at 5:29 a.m. on November 18, 1755. At 4:00 p.m. on November 18, a tremor is also reported at Kittery, Maine.
On November 19 and 20, 1755, three are reported from northeastern Massachusetts at Chelmsford, Ipswich (10:00 p.m.), and York, *Maine (time not given), respectively. The largest aftershock, that of November 22, 1755, is widely reported. The aftershock of December 19, 1755, at 10:00 p.m.,
was reported felt from Marshfield, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine. On March 11, 1756, earthquakes are reported as felt in the towns east of Boston, Massachusetts (between 3:00 and 4:00p.m.), and on March 15, 1756, along the coast from Salem, Massachusetts to Wells, Maine (time not given). Neither event was reported as felt in Boston.
A number of contemporary observers within the scientific community at Boston, Massachusetts recorded detailed observations on the aftershocks as well as the effects of the main shock. Only three*aftershocks were reported in Bostoni November 18 (5:29a.m.), November 22 (8:27p.m.),
and December 19, 1755 (10:00 p.m.). However, reports of numerous shocks from locations north and east of Boston are reported in period citations.
The principal data summarizing observations through 1755 are given in Chauncy (1755), Maybe~ (1755), and Winthrop {1757) (Table 4). The aftershocks on March ll and 15, 1756, were not felt in Boston, according to newspaper reports. Later publications by Winthrop (1757) and Williams (1785) do not indicate that any aftershocks were reported in Boston after December 19. During the period November 18 (from the 5:29 a.m.
event) up to November 22, reports from Portland and York, Maine, Hampton, New Hampshire, and Essex County, Massachusetts indicate that slight shocks were reported almost daily. The reports are not sufficiently descriptive to define the earthquakesr for example, a journal entry by Rev. Thomas Smith for November 22, 1755, written at Portland, Maine, merely notes the events as "Besides seve~al ea~thquakes we have had this week ... "
The available reports indicate that a large number of aftershocks were reported from localities east and north of Boston, Massachusetts and support a Cape Ann epicenter region.
EARTHQUAKE OF MARCH 12, 1761 CA. 02:15 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (MM)
LOCATION: CAPE ANN REGION EVALUATION:
This earthquake is estimated to be centered in the Cape Ann region based on reports from coastal localities (Figure 2.5.2A-6). No damage is attributed to this tremor; however, it was widely felt extending over an estimated 127,000 square kilometer region. It appears to have been most strongly felt near Salem, Massachusetts. This was the basis for some early epicentral estimates; the event is included in Table 2.5.2-2 because of the uncertainty of the location.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Boston Gazette and Country Journal, The, Boston, Massachusetts, March 16, 1761 (Period Newspaper Account)
"Poptsmouth (New HampshiPe) Marah 13 "Yesterday Morning, bet;;u)een the hours of tWo a:nd three o 'C~oak, a smart Shook of an Earthquake was felt in this and the neighboring Towns~
attended with a ~oud rumbling Noise, which was soon followed by another, but hapiZy did no Damage.
Lane, Samuel, Stratham, New Hampshire (Diary entry)
"EaPthquakes in the years fo7.:towing *** Mar 12, 1'?61."
EARTHQUAKE OF NOVEMBER 9, 1810 CA. 21:15 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (t-iM)
LOCATION: 43.0N, 70.8W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of November 9, 1810 is centered in the vicinity of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Figure 2. 5.* 2A-8. This location is consistent with the epicentral location of the original PSAR. It was felt over an area of 21,500 square kilometers. The maximum effects were reported from Portsmouth, New Hampshirei the principal damage was broken glass.
At Hampton, New Hampshire, no damage was reported, but "it was severe enough to stop c1-ocks. 11 (Newburyport Herald, November 13, 1810).
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Columbian Centinel, Boston, Massachusetts, November 14, 1810 "Earthquake. A severe agitation of the ea:r'th- was feU in Ports-mouth, N.H. Friday evening Zast, about three minutes past B o'cZock. -
Its progress appeared to be from N.W. to S.E. and was aaaompanied by a heavy e:x:pZosion. - Its duration from' one to two minutes -Some '!Vindow gl.ass was broken by the shook, whiah a vesseZ coming into the harbor felt as severely as if she had run aground. The Kennebunk paper mentions it as having been vioZentZy feZt there; that it Zasted about 20 seconds, was attended with a loud rumbling, and that the houses and contents were very much agitated. The Portland Gazette states its being but slightly felt there, about haZf past 9 o'aZoak, and that from a caZm the wind for a few moments bZew very fresh before the shock. It was sensibly felt at SaZem, Newburyport, York, Exeter, Dover, HaverhiZZ, and many of the interior towns, and at Charlestown, in this vicinity, but we have not heard of its being experienced in this town."
New Hampshire Gazette, The, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 13, 1810 "On Friday evening Zast, at a few minutes past B o'aZock, a shock of an earthquake was feZt in this town, the most severe it is said since 1755. It was feZt aZso at PortZand and at Newburyport. Its apparent course from west to east. "
Newburyport Herald, Newburyport, Massachusetts, November 16, 1810 "Dover, New Hampshire - Inhabitants of this town were considerably aZaPmed by a severe shock of an earthquake--Zasted one minute more severe than any of Zast fifty years.
Newburyport Herald, Newburyport, Massachusetts, November 13, 1810 "Earthquake - On Friday evening ~ast a severe shook of an ea:rthquake was feU in this town.~~ whioh tasted about 20 seconds. It appea:red to pass from the southward to the northwa:rd.~~--the noise Zike a o~iage moderately passing a bridge.~~ tiZZ there succeeded a kind of roaming (sic) like distant thwuier. A vessel was at that time coming up the river.~~ which felt the shook.~~ so as to induce the people to think she struck a rock.
'~t Haverhill it was sensibZy felt, and at Hampton it was so severe as to stop clocks.
"In Portsmouth., (says the Oracle) it was felt a minute past nine.,
its duration nearly two minutes; being more severe than has been fe~t there for many years. Some window gZass was broken by the shook."
EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 5, 1817 CA: 11:45 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V-VI (MM)
LOCATION: 42.5N, 71.2W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of October 5, 1817, is listed in numerous earthquake compilations as an event of epicentral Intensity VII-VIII(MM), based upon the observation of Brigham (1871) (as reported by Felt, 1899) that 11 1JJaZ.Z.s were throum doum at Woburn.
Contemporary accounts, mainly from newspapers, indicate that the intensity did not exceed V-VI. The '~alZ.s" referred to by Brigham are probably wall fences characteristic of rural New England pasture land rather than house walls (Berkshire~, October 16, 1817). These walls are constructed by removing glacial boulders from pasture land and piling them loosely on top of each other to make a "stone fence." Intensity IV-V(MM) effects are characterized almost exclusively by indirect descriptions such as "severe" and isolated cases of excitement. There are no reports of any damage identified to buildings or their contents.
The density of felt reports is insufficient to adequately define the epicenter of the earthquake. The region between Tyngsboro and Woburn defines the meizoseismal area. The convention of listing the epicenter as published in existing lists, then Woburn, is retained. The maximum epicentral intensity does not exceed V-VI(MM}. The perceptible area is about 55,000 square kilometers (Figure 2.5.2A-ll).
- PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Berkshire Star, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, October 16, 1817 "The Earthquake mentioned in our Last., was more severeZy feU in some towns., to the north and east., than in this pLace -We have accounts of it from towns in New York., Vermont., New Hampshire., and from many towns in this State, as far east as Newb~port - In many pZaaes it caused great aLarm. - At Cambridgeport *the meeting house was so severely shak~n as to aause the whoZe congregation to desert it instantaneously -
and ~n some pZaaes the 1JJaZZ fences 1JJere thr01JJn down.
Boston Commercial Gazette, Boston, Massachusetts, October 6, 1817 "Yesterday about 20 minutes before 11 o'a'Lock, a smart shook of an Earthquake was feZt in this town. The vibration continued about one second in this p'Lace. In Broad-street~ we are toZd., the shook was so severe as to occasion several. of the inhabitants residing therein to Zeave their houses.
"We have since ~ea.rnt, that the shock IJas severeLy feU in the neighboring toiJns, partiouZar"ly at Cambridgeport, IJhere the meetinghouse was shook in so tremuLous a manner, as to cause an immediate desertion of the who"le congregation; - at Woburn, many of the wa~~s were thrown down, and some houses represented as rocking Uke a arad~e."
Essex Register, Salem, Massachusetts, October 7, 1817 "Last Sunday, at 4? minutes past eleven, A.M. we had a shock of an Earthquake. It came from the Northwest, and continued about 10 seconds. The noise was aonsiderabte, and the shock great enough to bring a whole congregation from their seats.
'~ smaZZ distance was observed between the first report and the shoak, the undulation was quick, but without the least injury. "
Portsmouth Oracle, The, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October ll, 1817
'~n Earthquake was felt in this town on Sunday night tast at 5 minutes before 12 o'atoak and was said by some persons to be repeated by a violent one a feiJ moments afterwards. 'The shock was considered as sensibLe as any observed for many years.
"E:rteter Oat 7 One of the severest shocks of an earthquake ever known in this town was experienced on the last Sabbath about a quarter before twelve o 'aZoak:~ A.M. It' was attended by a sound simiZar to the rapid passage of a heavy wagon, and continued about thirty seconds. BuiZdings were sensibly shaken and this effort continued some seconds after the cessation of the noise.
Salem Gazette, Salem, Massachusetts, October 7, 1817 "On Sunday last, at 47 minutes before 12 o'clock, apparent time, a shook of an earthquake, of 1 or 2 seconds continuance, was experienced in this town and vicinity; the jar and trembling, though so aonsiderab7..e as in many instances to cause persons invoZ.untari2y to fiee from their seats, IJere by others not perceived at a2Z.."
EARTHQUAKE OF JULY 23, 1823 CA: 06:55 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: IV-V (MM)
LOCATION: 42.9N, 70.6W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of July 23, 1823 was originally identified as a local felt report from Sanford; Maine, by Mather and Godfrey (1927). However, the event was unreported in the Sanford area newspapers. Dispatches in area newspapers indicated that the event was in fact, widely felt.
Reports from Bath, Maine, and Nantucket, Massachusetts, were not confirmed in the local newspapers. It was felt from at least Kingston, Massachusetts, to Portland, Maine. Except for a report from Bellows Falls, Vermont, there are no local felt reports from localities outside of the line shown on the isoseismal map as the estimated limit of felt area {Figure 2.5.2A-12). The epicenter is estimated as southeast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The epicentral intensity is estimated at IV-y(MM), based on attenuation.
The perceptible area is 29,000 square kilometers.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Columbian Centinel, Boston, Massachusetts, July 26, 1823 "Earthquake. - A shoak of earthquake was ve~ sensibly felt in this aity about 7 o 1alock on Wednesday morning, for four or five seconds. It was also experienoed in Dorchester., Milton, Salem, GZoucester, Reading.,
Lexington and other pW.aes heard from. - A gentlemen in Kingston, after notiaing the shoak., remarks that it was more violent than the foUl' feU on the 12th inst. Remote papers mention other slight shocks felt on the 12th. It may be remarked that simiZar shocks have been obsePVed for many years after a faZ"l of heavy rain has succeeded d'Py spens. 11 Portsmouth Journal of Literature and Politics, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, July 26, 1823 "The Earthquake of Wednesday morning was fez.t in this tor.m 'With unU.Suat violence, and its extent must have been gpeat. It was felt, as we are info!'med in Bath, Portland, Kennebunk, Dover, Exeter, Neu.ibury-port~ Salem, Boston~ Reading, Gloucester, Lexington~ Kingston M, eta.
It is said that some stone walls were thrown down in the neighborhood of this town. Piscataqua Bridge was violently shaken. It appeared in some houses like the report of a distant heavy aannon. The Salem Register says the Earthquake was at 5 minutes after 7- in this town it was at 5 minutes be fore 7. 11
Newburyport Herald, Newburyport, Massachusetts, July 25, 1823 "A smart shoak of an Earthquake was felt in this town Wednesday morning at four minutes before ? o 'atoak. Its duPation was 8 or 10 seaonds. 11 New Hampshire Gazette, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, July 29, 1823 "Earthquake. - A smart shoak of an Earthquake was felt in this and the neighboring towns on Wednesday morning Zast about 7 o'aZoak. It was aZso feZt in Kennebunk, Newburyport, SaZem, Boston, &a."
EARTHQUAKE OF AUGUST 25, 1846 CA: 04:45 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (MM)
LOCATION: 42.5N, 70.8W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of August 25, 1846 is centered off the coast of eastern Massachusetts in the Cape Ann region (Figure 2.5.2A-13). This epicentral estimate is consistent with other previous estimates. The epicentral intensity is considered as V(MM), with V{MM) effects reported from Newburyport, Beverly, and Salem, Massachusetts. Although newspaper dispatches from other localities mention that a chimney was damaged in Jamaica Plain, near Boston, this is not corraborated by any dispatch from a Boston newspaper. The earthquake wa~ felt over an area of 51,800 square kilometers. At Newburyport, Massachusetts '~uses were shakenJ windows and doors rattled, bells were rungJ and the slumbering were waked up." (The Herald, Newburyport, Massachusetts, August 26, 1840) ...
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Herald, The, Newburyport, Massachusetts, August 26, 1846 11 1 An earthquake of very aonsiderab Ze vio Zenae was e:::perienced in this city' (at appro~mate"ly 4:57a.m.) 'houses were shakenJ windows and doors rattl.ed, beZ.Zs were rungJ and the slwnbering were waked up.'"
"Felt at Cambridge, Lynn, Nahant, Salem, Beverly, WestboroJ Worcester; sensibly felt at Worcester. At Beverly, - felt in every part of town.
At WilmingtonJ 'in some instances crookery ware was thrown from shelves. 1 FeU also at Braintree, DedhamJ Conaord, and Jamaica PZa.ins, Massachusetts."
Lewis, Lord John, Diary of Newbury, August 1846
"--a smart shook of an earthquake was feU in this place on the 25th in the morning at 5 o'aloak, it was sufficient to shake the houses, and the beds in which people were. It was felt all round, the northern part of New England, in Maine, New Hampshire and other places. In Salem, Beverly, and other places, it opened doors, shook the crockery from the shelves, eta. it lasted from 10 to 15 seconds."
New Hampshire Patriot, Concord, New Hampshire, August 27, 1846 "The Earthquake in this city was feU 2~ minutes before 5 o 'cloak on Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, but, timekeepers vary, we had better call it 5 o'cZock. It began at that hour at Newburyport, where it "lasted B minutes. The shock was felt in an the towns of the aommonwea'Lth from
~hich ~e have heard~ and houses ~ere shaken~ belts rung~ and people roused from their beds in this city. Not being awake at the moment~ we cannot, of course, have a very distinct idea of vibrations. - Boston Post, Wednesday. "
Salem Advertisert Salem, Massachusetts, August 26, 1846 1
~ smart shock of an earthquake was experienced in this city, with effects causing~ doors to be thrown open, and even crookery in some*
instances to be tunibl.ed from the sheZves."
Salem Gazette, The, salem, Massachusetts, August 28, 1846 "An Earthquake.
"Quite a smart shock of an Earthquake was e:::perienced in this city:~
and its vicinity, at a few minutes past five o'clock, on Tuesday morning. -
The accounts are so W'Liform:~ and come from so many conau:!'I'ing sources, in our city and out of it, that we are not at Uberty to doubt that our city has been visited by this uncommon and extraordinary phenomenon of Nature. It was very sensibZy felt throughout OU'l' city-and our advices~
so far as we received them yesterday, lead to the belief that the concussion was very extensive ***.
"The TraveZZer says: - We have heard from Cambridge, N~ton, Lynn.,
Nahant, Salem, Beverly, Westboro, and Worcester, and in these places the houses were shaken, ~ndOJ.Us and doors rattl-ed:~ beZ.Z.s ~ere rung, and the s Z:umbering UJere UJaked up. The vibrations do not appear to have been preceded or attended by that rumbling sound ~hich usuaZZy accompanies earthquakes. The sound, as it appeared to us, was more Uke that produced by the sudden and violent motions of a person in an adjoining room:~ 01' in the chambe!' ovePhead. Some say the!'e ~e1'e two or three successive shocks; but:~ to us, it rather appeared like one continued jar, or shock, of considerable violence .***
"A coPr>espondent of the Jou:!!YlaZ:~ at Beverly-> 'U)'!'ites as foZ.ZoUJs: -
"Mr. SLeepe1': -We had a heavy earthquake-> this morning, at Beverly:~
about 5 o'cLock. It UJas feLt in every part of the town. My bed shook->
and it sounded as though a dozen railroad trains ~ere passing over the roof of rrry house.
Was it an Earthquq.ke? -At five minutes be fore 5-> this morning, a heavy noise and shaking was heard and felt by a number of our citizens.
It was of longer duration than couZd have been produced by a cannon~ or an explosion of powdermiZZ. -Springfield Republican, 25th.
-so-
"The Eti!'thquak.e.
"We have p~aaed on our first page an aaaou.nt of the earthquake~ as it appeared in some other pZaaes. In this aity~ the aZoaks struak five immediateZy after its termination. The duration of the shoak is dif-ferentZy estimated> aaaording to the imagination of the observer> from one seaorui to several minutes. The noise 11JaB so great, and the motion so deaided~ that great numbers of persons were ~akened from their sZeep. It does not appear to have extended west or south of Massachusetts .*.. 11 Salem Register, Salem, Massachusetts, August 27, 1846 "By the aonaussion houses were shaken> 'IVindO!iJs rattZed~ doors unZatahed~ door beZZs were rung~ furniture as wett as ahina and other wares were muah disturbed and many sZumberers were aroused. At Jamaica PZain a ahimney was shaken do1.im. 11
EARTHQUAKE OF NOVEMBER 27, 1852 CA: 23 :.45 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (MM)
LOCATION: 43.0N, 70.9W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of November 27, 1852 is centered near Exeter, New Hampshire (Figure 2.5.2A-15). It was felt over a 9,900 square kilometer region from the Cape Ann region north to Saco, Maine. The maximum effects, Intensity V(MM), were observed near Exeter, New Hampshire.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Daily Morning Chronicle, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 30, 1852 "The Earthquake_, on Saturday night_, was* 'likened by some persons in this ai ty _, who happened to be up and doing_, to the roaring of a chimney on fire-others supposed it to be the heavy rumb~ing of a loaded wag~n over a paved stl"eet.
- "It was supposed by some gentlemen at Kittel"Y Point to be a steamboat in the harbor ~etting off steam.
"The Salem Register calls it a 'smal"t shock_, ' and says, 'The rumbling noise and the jarring of the windows and doors were very perceptibl-e for the space, some sayJ of half a minute. Some faithZess ones attribute the shock to the explosion of a power-mill somewhere. '
'~ lady in Greenland says the earthquake shook her house and those of her neighbors very sensibly.
"The Boston JournaZ says it was felt at Ea:eter where it shook the doors and windows violently_, and in one instance jarred down some of the pZastering of a dweZZing house. It does not seem to have been feU at Boston.
'~ very heavy explosion start~ed our citizens at 25 minutes before 12 o'clock., Saturday night. It came from*a northerly direction and was probably from the Exeter Power MiZZs, though no former explosion of these mills ever produced here half so severe a concussion, or anything
~ike the loud report and reverberation. After the shock, a roar like that of a foul chimney burning, was distinatly perceptible_, in doors, for two minutes. The night was stiU and a~ear with a 'light air from NW-ground wet and soft.
"If this was not the effect of a ((¥'eat explosion it rrrust have been one of those e~thquakes and the most severe of them atz~
which at i~eguZar intervals from time immemorial have visited the vaZ:Z.ey of the Me~imaak. -NeWb'IA.'Pyport HeraZd."
Maine Democrat, Saco, Maine, December 7, 1852 "The Earthquake. -The shock of an earthquake was felt here on Saturday evening last~ at thirty-five minutes after eleven o'clock.
The shock here was not severe. We were standing near a stove at the time~ and did not perceive any jar~ but only heard the noise rumbling off in the distance in a westerly direction~ and no apparent cause visible. The night was clear~ the moon bright~ and the air stiZZ.
"The force of the earthquake was evidently to the west of Portsmouth. At E:J:eter, it was felt with much vioZenae. In NeWb'IA.'Pyport the Herald notes the minute the same as at Portsmouth. There it was thought it lasted ne~Zy two minutes_, and was rrruch more severe than at Ezeter. In Salem~ it was also noticed, but it was less violent.
No mention is made of it south of Salem. u
- EARTHQUAKE OF DECEMBER 11, 1854 CA: 00:30 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: IV-V (MM)
LOCATION: 43.0N, 70.8W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of December 11, 1854 is centered in southeastern New Hampshire (Figure 2.5.2A-16). The maximum observed intensity is at Newburyport, where there were unconfirmed reports of articles shaken from shelves in some cases. The distribution of intensities within the isoseismal region indicate an epicenter within the area about Exeter, New Hampshire. The earthquake was felt over an area of 4,100 square kilometers.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Exeter News Letter, The, Exeter, New Hampshire, December 11, 1854 nEarthquake -- This Monday morning at seven minutes before one o 'a"look.J a smart shock of an ea:Pthquake u>as e:r:perienaed in this tou>n.
The motion of the earth was quite peroeptibZeJ and its acting upon fUrniture and "loose u>indows and doorsJ was anything but agreeabZe to weak nerves. The noise attending J was like that of the Sll)ift approaah of a heavy carriage on frozen groundJ hit when the shook appeared (sic) to be immediately beneathJ it was muah heavier. "
Ill Journal, The, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 16, 1854 "The Earthquake "On Saturday {sic) night ZastJ at half past 12 o 'c1..oekJ a shoek of an earthquake was sensibly felt in this city and vieinity. The watehmen
{sic) at the Navy Yard thought they saw lightning at the time a:nd regarded the noise as thunde:t~. Some of our aity watehmen who were at the time in Market StreetJ heard the commencement and passing away of the sound. It seemed to them like two distinot explosions. --probably from the sound coming through (sic) different avenues between high buiUings. It rattled the door shutters near them.
The Newburyport HeraZd says it was sensibly felt there at the same hour. The houses were shaken and the erockery ware in some houses was thrown down from the shelves.
"It was not felt in SaZem. The Saeo papers make no mention of it.
Nor do those of Manchester and Conaord."
"Quotes Exeter New Letter "The direction of the sound in Portsmouth and epping was apparently from the southeast to the northJ..)est.
"In Greenland and in Epping it was as severely feU. As has usuatzy been the case., rain feZZ the ne.xt day. "
EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 17, 1860 CA. 11:15 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: VIII-IX(MM)
LOCATION: 47.5N, 70.1W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of October 17, 1860 is centered in the St. Lawrence River Valley, northeast of Quebec city, near La Malbaie, about 510 kilometers from the site. The earthquake was felt over a 1,700,000 square kilometer region. It was felt throughout much of New England. Based upon intensity attenuation characteristics (Table 2.5.2-7), the intensity at the site is estimated at IV-V(MM).
EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 20, 1870 CA: 16:30 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: IX(MM)
LOCATION: 47.4N, 70.5W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of October 20, 1870 is centered in the Baie St. Paul region, northeast of Quebec city about 500 kilometers north of the site.
It was felt over a 2,500,000 square kilometer region including all of New England. Based on intensity attenuation characteristics (Table 2.5.2-7), the intensity at the site is estimated at V(MM).
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Daily Free Press and Times, The, Burlington, Vermont, October 21, 1870 (Dispatch from Newburyport, Massachusetts)
"At twenty minutes to tweZve~ a sUght ja:P was feU in this city~
which was aZmost immediately foll01Ved by a rumbling~ which Lasted half a minute, jarring buildings~ ringing doorbeZZ~, and shaking gZobes from chandeliers. In many instances the occupants ran into the streets from dluelUngs. It seemed to pass in a south-westerZ.y direction."
Salem Register, Salem, Massachusetts, October 24, 1870
'~t Salem, Massachusetts, 'sol-id and most substantial buiZ.dings feZt the shock, heavy tables and dishes were sensibly shaken, horse's bells were rung~ cloaks were stopped in severaZ instances, and hanging imp Zements vibroated materiaz:ty. ,,
EARTHQUAKE OF MAY 12, 1880 CA: 07:45 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: IV-V (MM)
LOCATION: 42.7N 1 7l.OW EVALUATION:
The earthquake of May 12, 1880 is centered in northeastern Massachusetts (Figure 2.5.2A-l9). The maximum effects are noted at Groveland, Massachusetts. The epicentral intensity is IV-V(MM). The felt area is 4,600 square kilometers.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Monthly Weather Review, May, 1880 "Newburyport, Mass., 12th, ?:45 a.m., a violent shock, houses shook in many parts of the city, the accompanying noise resembZing
- that of a heavy barrel rolling over a ahanber floor. Shooks were felt at the same time in Haverhill, Groveland and surrounding towns.
BiZZ.eriaaJ Mass., 12th, sLight shock at 7:30a.m."
Newburyport Heralcl, Newburyport, Massachusetts, May 13, 1880 Note: At 7:45A.M., May 12, 1880 an earthquake was felt at some places and not at others. People had difficulty recognizing it as an earthquake, it being more noise than motion.
It was felt at Byfield, West Newbury, Haverhill, Groveland;. at Amesbury the earthquake was Strong enough to rattle crockery in several houses.
New York Times, New York, New York, May 16, 1880 "The SaZem (Mass. ) Gazette gives some further info'I'mation concerning the earthquake shook which visited Eastern Massachusetts about 7:45 o 'cloak on Wednesday morning. It says: 'We hear reports of it in aU the towns between SaZ.em and Newburyport. In Salem, the shock was felt in aU parts of the city. The accompanying sound was by some thought to be thunder; by others, an explosion as of roakblasting; and more generally as the rumbling of a wagon.
In Newburyport, the shook was felt in the shaking of crookery and furniture, and in some houses sounding like persons moving in adjoining rooms. From Merrimaa and Amesbury, from Georgetown and Rowl.ey we have similar reports. At Haverhill an explosion was heard, the air vibrated, the earth trembled, people were swayed to and fro, crookery was shaken, and other signs of subterranean disturbance were noticed. At Aaton, in MiddZesez County, the shaking was lateral, and resembled the sensation caused by a heaviZy-Zoaded team passing over a stony street. "'
-sa-EARTHQUAKE OF AUGUST 30, 1905 CA: 10: 40 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (MM)
LOCATION: 43.1N, 70.7W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of August 30, 1905 is centered in the vicinity of Ports-mouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine (Figure 2.5.2A-26}. It was not reported felt in Massachusetts. The epicentral intensity is V(MM). The felt area is 3,600 square kilometers. Newspaper reports from the Portsmouth Herald (August 31, 1905) that "it is rumored that chirrmies were shaken down in North Hampton and Greenland" are not confirmed by The Exeter News Letter (August 31, 1905) which indicated that the earthquake was not reported from North Hampton, Greenland, Seabrook as well as other localitie$.
Even though The Exeter News Letter states explicitly that the event was not reported from Seabrook, ~t is probably more realistic in view of the relatively short epicentral distance to assume that the event was felt mildly, i.e. with an Intensity III.
- PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Exeter New Letter, The, Exeter, New Hampshire, September 1, 1905 "West Epping - September 4 -- 'At e:caatly 5:39 p.m. Canibridge time, on Wednesday of last week a distinct earthquake shoak was feU here.
Windows and dishes rattle violently, while the report was deep, low pitched, weird and long. It must have lasted fuZZy eight or ten seaonds, time enough for me to walk from a rear room in a large house out through the front door and on to the lawn. I was on the lawn before the rumbling ceased. We have had a dozen seismic tremors in southern New Hampshire sinae forty years; this however if memory serves me, was the most pronounced of any.
"Earthquake not reported from:
"Stratham, Rye, Freemont, Raymond, Nottingham, Kingston, Greenland, North Hampton, Hampton, Seabrook, DanviZZe, Epping."
Haverhill Evening Gazette, Haverhill, Massachusetts, August 31, 1905 "Earth Quivers "Portsmouth, New Hampshire, August 31 -- A series of earthquakes, the most severe ever experienaed in this seation, whiah, at about 5:35 to 5:40 o'aZoak yesterday afternoon were felt from the viainity of Exeter to beyond Biddeford, Maine had their aenter of disturbanae in this city, and were so severe that people, fearing the shaking houses and stores would collapse, ran in terror out of doors. The saene in the
shopping district was exciting for a number of minutes. For several seconds a tremor ran through the city~ and hlindOhls~ dishes~ pictures~
and other articles rattled. The experience of other places on the coast Une and for a few mites inward was onZy in a Z.ess degree. The shock seemed to travel from west to east. No damage is reported.
"The shock here came at 5:35 and it was accompanied by a loud report as of thunder~ followed by a rumbling. There were three distinct shocks~ wach with its own rumble -- 'At Hampton the shock was very plain~ but it was greater toward this city~ for Greenland was more affected. On the other side of the city by K~ttery and down to York it was plainly heard~ but at Wentworth at Newcastle the shock was not heard at all.
Portsmouth Herald, The, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, August 31, 1905 "Three ( 3) Earthquake Shocks "Citizens of Portsmouth~ New Bampshi:roe~ Kittery and Biddeford, Maine get a scare.
'~ series of earthquake shocks, the mosp severe ever experienced in this section were felt here tate yeste:roday afte:ronoon. Buildings trembled perceptiblyJ dishes were shaken from shelves~ and in many cases people rushed in ter:roor from their houses into the street.
"There were three distinct shocks. In each instance the tPemor was accompanied by a sound which might be caused by a distmtt explosion.
"The first shock was feU a UttZe before 5:40 p.m. and the other shocks followed soon after. In the business section of the city~
the shoppers and store employees PUShed out into the street, believing that the buildings were about to collapse. Each of the three shocks continued for several seconds.
"Kittery~ Maine "Three shocks felt - accompanied by heavy rumbling.
"First shock 5:38 p:.m. ~ other two in Papid succession.
'~s the doors and windows were rattled by the vibrations of the earth and the Z.ighter bric-a-brac came tumbling down from walls and mantlepieces~ people ran out of doors in considerable alarm.
'~iddeford~ Maine
'~ slight shock felt. Dinstinctly felt in overlying districts.
Accompanied by a sound like the rumbling of distant thunder.
"An Earth Tremor "The earthquake shoak was the most sta:r't'ZinfJ, beinf} so violent as to shake piatures from the walls of houses in the South End.
It is rumored that ahimnies were shaken down in North Hampton and Green'Land. '
"Sounded 'Like heavy objeat falling and rolling or like explosion. EaZ.ipse of sun in A.M. before quakeJ thunder storm and lightning after quake."
EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 16, 1907 CA: 00:10 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (MM}
LOCATION: 42.8N, 7l.OW EVALUATION:
The earthquake of October 16, 1907 is centered in northeastern Massachusetts (Figure 2.5.2A-27). The epicentral intensity is V(MM). The felt area is 5,600 square kilometers. Even though no explicit felt repo.rt can be found for Seabrook, it is assumed in view of the estimated epicenter in the vicinity of Haverhill, that the earthquake must have been felt at Seabrook (Intensity III-IV).
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Portsmouth Daily Herald, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, October 16, 1907 "Quake shock felt "Tuesday Evening's Jar Was of Several Seaon.ds' Du!'ation "Residents of this city claim they felt the earthquake shook shoPtly afteP seven o'cZock on Tuesday evening~ whiah was PepoPted in dispatches fPom DePry~ this county~ and Lowell~ Lawrence and HavePhilZ~ Mass.
"The shock lasted for several seconds, seemingZy, and the heavy rumbling ended in an apparent explosio~.
"At DerTy dishes were rattled on shelves and table, but no specia Z damage was rep oPted. "
EARTHQUAKE OF JANUARY 7, 1925 CA: 13 : 0 7 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (MM)
LOCATION 42.6N, 70.6W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of January 7, 1925 is located in the vicinity of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The epicentral location and intensity were determined by Porter (1924). The isoseismal map (Figure 2.5.2A-29) is conStructed from data after Porter and additional newspaper investigations. The earthquake was felt over an estimated area of 29,000 square kilometers.
The maximum intensity is V(MM) at Cape Ann and vicinity. At Hampton, New Hampshire, a news item in the Manchester Union of January S, 1925, describes the effects as follows:
"Reports from Hampton and Stratham s*tate that the shock was distinctZ.y felt there~ causing dishes and other contents of the house to rattle, and many of the houses were shaken. 11 PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
1 ,f Porter, William w. II (1924)
"Intensity "The region known to be affeated by the earthquake of January '1, 1925, consists of a roughly semiairauZar area limited on the east by the Atlantia Ocean, and on the south, west, and north by a airaular curve passing from a short distanae south of Providence, Rhode IsZ.and, north-northwest to Worcester, Massachusetts, to Fitchburg, to Manahester and Rochester, New Hampshire, and to the seaaoast near Kennebunk, Maine, about thirty-eight miles south of PortZ.and. The position of the inner isoseismia line is very poorly defined, as the entire disturbance was of such small magnitude that an accurate quantitative determination of its effeats is impossible. However, reports by C. W. Brown of Brown University, Assoaiated Press dispatahes, aommunications from various newspapers and from individuaZ.s, and a personal canvass of the northern area indicate that in general, the shook was of greater intensity within the area enaZosed by the inner line: a chimney coZZ.apsed in Lynn; dishes and other articles were displaaed from shelves; piatures fell from walls; and various reports indicate greater intensity in the inner area. The expression on the map of this difference in intensity is the inner isoseismic line, whiah merely traverses an indefinable zone of gradation between the two areas.
"Greatest Intensity: Barely V, Rossi-Forel Soale. The region of greatest intensity appears to have been Cape Ann. Plaster fell from the oeiting of Redmen's Hall, Rookport; near Lanesville a oZock stopped at ten minutes past eight~ and bottles 'danaed a regular jig' on the drug store shelves; houses hlere sharply jarred; and the shook was noted by a large peraentage of the poputation. This is the onZy area where the shook was reported to have been felt by pedestrians out of doors. W. F.
Eldrege of Rockport stated that an undulatory wave seemed to stop him abruptly ~hiZe walking.
'~Zmost universally the shock was compared to the vibrations produced by a motor truck being driven over rough pavement. In approaching Cape Ann, the size of the truok alluded to inoreased, and on the Cape~ the consensus of opinion was that the vibrations were muah too severe to have been produced by a truck.
"At one point on the Cape aoaZ was being unloaded from a truck at the time of the earthquake, and a verbal report stated that a conou.ssion was produced which felt as though the truok had arashed into the house.
In Haverhill a oontrasting report stated that the distu.rbanae sounded as though a truok had bwrrped into the house, but that the jar was insufficient.
"Intermediate Intensity: IV +, Rossi-Forel BooZe. Next to Cape Ann, the most severely affected regions were Merrimaok Valley in northeastern Massachusetts, and the shore d~striat north of Boston, including Lynn, Malden, SaZem, Beverly, Marblehead, Nahant, and Ipswioh. The inner isoseismic line inoZosea this region, the general effects of which have been listed above. One feature, however, reaieved undue emphasis in press reports. The craok a mile Zong in Groveland Street, Haverhill, proved to be a series of short breaks in the asphalt with a total length
, of about fifty yards. SimiZar araaks are of common ooaurrence at this time of year due to frost aotion, and it is probable that tension existed, and that the actual fractuY>e was induaed by the seismic vibrations.
"The direation of movement of the distu.rbanae is in most cases very vaguely defined. The one outstanding indication of direction ocourred in Haverhill, where sixteen rolls of congoZeum rugs were overturned from the east-southeast. These rolls, measuring nine feet in 'Length, and with a diameter of about a foot, were free to faU in any direation exoept toward the south. The three men who were present at the time of the earthquake were positive that the direation of fall of aZZ the rolls was from the east-southeast. So far* as is known, no fia:ed objeats were dispZaoed in this area. The report of a broken water main in Haverhill due to the earthquake is unfounded.
EARTHQUAKE OF MARCH 1, 1925 CA: 02:19:20 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: IX (MM)
LOCATION: 47.6N, 70.1W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of March 1, 1925 is centered in the La Malbaie region, northeast of Quebec city, 525 kilometers north of the site. It was felt over nearly 5,000,000 square kilometers. The major damage occurred in the St. Lawrence River Valley, particularly on soft alluvial soils.
Isoseismals (Figure 2.5.2A-30) indicate that the intensity at the site was about IV(MM).
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
The Union, March 2, 1925, Manchester, New Hampshire
'~Zl sections of Hampton Beach were in the path of the earthquake~
Saturday evening around 9:20. No damage was reported. At the Coast Guard station on the North. beach~ the shock was only slightly felt. The captain of the guard said the ocean was undisturbed during the earth's tremor.
'~t (sic) Hampton Beach~ people living in a cottage reported that dishes shook in the cupboards and a pan under the sink fell to the floor. They were not aware that it was an earthquake until a little later when infoi'171ed over the radio. "
EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 9, 1925 CA: 13:55 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: VI (MM)
LOCATION: 43.7N, 71.1W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of october 9, 1925 has its epicenter in central New Hampshire (Figure 2.5.2A-31). The epicenter is poorly defined and the published location of Smith (1962) is retained. The epicentral intensity is VI(MM). The felt area is 17,700 square kilometers. The earthquake was not felt at localities such as Sanford and Kennebunk, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and is inferred from the isoseismal map (Figure 2.5.2A-31) to have not affected the site.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Concord Daily Monitor, Concord, New Hampshire, October 9, 1925
'~n ea:I'thquake-> sl-ight in intensity-> but generaZ.Zy feU throughout the Merrimack Va~~ey~ the Winnipesaukee Lake region and in the northeastern part of the state aZong the Maine border-> ~as feZt today in Conaord by severaZ persons. No damage beyond the breaking of window glass in Ossipee, the tumbling of ahimneys in ~o or three towns, and the* dumping of aanned goods from shelves in Ossipee and Effingham FaZZs stores, was reported.
EARTHQUAKE OF MARCH 18, 1926 CA: 21;09 (L)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V(MM)
LOCATION: 42.8N, 72.8W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of March 18, 1926 is centered in southern New Hampshire, near the town of New Ipswich (Figure 2.5.2A-32). The epioentral intensity is V(MM). The felt area is 4,800 square kilometers. Published research by Neumann (1925-1927) indicates that the felt reports were mainly in south-central New Hampshire and adjacent Massachusetts. There is no indication that coastal localities in southern Maine, New Hampshire, or northeastern Massachusetts reported the shook.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Manchester Union, The, Manchester, New Hampshire, March 19, 1926 "Southern N. E. Shaken By Slight Earthquake "SZight earthquakes are :vepoPted to have ocau:vred in fou:v sections of southern New EampshiPe yesterday afternoon.
"Towns and cities dffected by the trembZor are Manchester, Nashua~
~Zford~ Amherst, Wilton, Mont Vernon and Greenfield~ according to dispatches Peceived last night. *
'~ZZ the shocks wePe feZt at 3 o'cZock~ or shortly after. WiZton, Milford, Amherst and Mont Vernon a.re gPouped in a semicircle about 12 miZes from Nashua~ while Greenfield is 25 miZes from the Gate City.
"Reports indicate that the 1quake did not Zast the same length of time in each of the eities and towns. In ~lford it tasted for 15 minutes.
(sic) Manchester 20 seconds and other pZaces feZt it for fUZZy ha2f a minute.
"Manehester and Nashua felt onZy bPief shocks, whiZe Milford and surrounding towns e:rperienced the tembZor fo:v at Least 15 seconds.
EARTHQUAKE OF DECEMBER 20 AND 24, 1940 CA: 07:27:26 (GMT) (DE~~ER 20)
CA: 13:43:44 (GMT) (DECEMBER 24)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: VII (MM)
LOCATION: 43.8N, 71.3W EVALUATION:
Both earthquakes are centered near Ossipee, New Hampshire. The isoseismal map (Figure 2.5-2A-37) shows that the Intensity VII(MM) effects occurred at Tamsworth and Wonalancet, New Hampshire. Damage of Intensity VI(MM) was noted in numerous localities in central New Hampshire and western Maine. The shocks were felt over an estimated area of more than 786,000 square kilometers.including all of New England, New York, and New Jersey.
The intensity at the site, as shown by the isoseismal map, Figure 2.5.2A-37, is IV(MM). In the ~icinity of the site, at such places as Portsmouth and Durham, New Hampshire, and Amesbury, Newb.uryport, Salem, and Gloucester, Massachusetts, the earthquakes were felt by many people, arid were well accompanied by the creaking of buildings and the rattling of dishes, windows, and doors.
EARTHQUAKE OF JULY 29, 1954 CA. 19:57:06 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V(MM)
LOCATION: 42.7N, 70.7W EVALUATION:
The epicenter of the earthquake was located off the coast of north-eastern Massachusetts, about 15 miles south-southeast of the site. The epicentral location was determined from seismograms recorded at Weston Observatory, Weston, Massachusetts, and at the Harvard Seismograph Station, Harvard, Massachusetts. The earthquake was felt from Lynn, Massachusetts, on the south to Kittery, Maine, on the north, and up to 20 miles inland over a 4,100 square kilometer area.
The quake was most strongly felt along the Massachusetts coast from Gloucester to Salisbury. ln this area there*were a few reports of small objects overturned, dishes and glassware knocked over, and clocks stopped (Newburyport Daily News, July 30, 1954; Gloucester Daily Times, July 30, 1954). OUtside of this area, the earthquakes's effects consisted mostl~ of dishes, windows, and doors rattling.
Based upon press descriptions and reports collected by Weston Observatory through a canvass card survey, the intensity of this earthquake in the vicinity of the site was III-IV(MM).
EARTHQUAKE OF APRIL 26, 1957 CA. 11:40:06 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: VI (MM)
LOCATION: 43.6N, 69.8W EVALUATION:
The epicenter for this event was located off the coast of Maine, about 71 miles northeast of the site. Slight damage of Intensity V to VI(MM) occurred in the Portland area (Figure 2.5-2A-39). The quake was felt over 82,500 square kilometers including most of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and southern central Maine. The isoseismal map prepared by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (see Figure 2-5.2A-39) shows that the intensity at the site was no higher than IV(MM).
EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 16, 1963 15:31:01.8 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (MM)
LOCATION: 42.5N, 70.8W EVALUATION:
The epicenter for this earthquake was located in Massachusetts Bay, southeast of Cape Ann about 27 miles southeast of the site.
The earthquake was felt over approximately 17,800 square kilometers of northeastern Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts, southeastern New Hampshire, and extreme southwestern Maine.
von Hake and Cloud (1965) list this earthquake as* Intensity VI(MM).
They report damages at Somerville (fallen plaster- Intensity VI(MM))
and at Winthrop (cracked windows- Intensity V(MM)), but these reports "were not substantiated" by Breitling (1965). The one instance of damage in Somerville apparently occurred in a building which was either poorly constructed or had undergone settlement prior to the earthquake.
The Coast and Geodetic Survey report states that 11 Cracks in the foundation and pantry became large" which indicates that the cracks were present prior to the earthquake.
Breitling's isoseismal map (Figure 2.5-2A-40) shows a maximum intensity of IV(MM) on land. Analysis of press reports and of a canvass card survey conducted by Weston Observatory show that the maximum effects at many towns in eastern Massachusetts consisted of houses rocked, windows and dishes rattled, and knicknacks thrown from the shelves (Amesbury and Methuen).
Based on Breitling's investigations and reports collected by Weston Observatory through a canvass card survey, the intensity of this earthquake in the vicinity of the site was IV(MM).
EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 30, 1963 17:36:57.9 (GMT)
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: IV-V (MM)
LOCATION: 42.7N, 70.8W EVALUATION:
The epicenter for this earthquake was located in northeastern Massachusetts, about 13 miles south of the site. The epicentral location was determined from seismograms recorded at four stations of Weston Observatory's New England Seismic Network (stations are located at Weston, Massachusetts; Berlin, New Hampshire; Milo and Machias, Maine). The earthquake was felt in northeastern Massachusetts from north Boston, and in adjacent portions of southeastern New Hampshire over a 5,900 square kilometer area.
A questionnaire canvass conducted by the Weston Observatory indicated that the intensity of the earthquake was IV(MM). However, the press report for a few instances of craked plaster and~ther minor damage in the Ipswich-Rowley area (Salem Evening ~* October 31, 196~) indicate that the intensity may have been as high as V(MM) near the epicenter. *
"The intensity of the tPemor was felt partiau:tarZy in Ipswiah and in RowZey. HousehoZdeT'B in Rowley repoPted that dishes PattZed and Zamp fi:r:tUPes swayed" (Salem Evening News, October 31, 1963) ,
Based on the press descriptions and questionnaire survey conducted by Weston Observatory, the estimated intensity of this earthquake at the site was IV (MM).
EARTHQUAKE OF OCTOBER 21, 1971 00':54:46.2 (GM'I')
EPICENTRAL INTENSITY: V (MM)
LOCATION: 42.7N, 71.15W EVALUATION:
The earthquake of October 21, 1971 was reported by Coffman and von Hake (1971) as felt in several Merrimack Valley communities at Intensity V(MM). It was not reported felt in any coastal New Hampshire area.
PERTINENT ACCOUNTS:
Coffman and von Hake (1973)
"Northeastern Massachusetts. The shook shifted objects and shook buiZdings at a few towns in northeastern Massachusetts. Int. V at Andover~ BiZZeriaa~ Methuen~ Newburyport~ and Tewksbury. Int. IV at Georgetown~ GZoucester, Grove*Zand~ Ipswich,J LCllil:t'enae, Mei'I'imac, MiddZeton., North Andover~ Reading, and WakefieZd, Mass., and Sa7..em, N.H. Int. II at Lowen and WiZmington., Mass."
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~ Biog,rap'hical Notices 1 and ! Summary History of Portra:nd ~
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1 of 3 TABLE 1 AFTERSHOCKS OF THE EARTHQUAKE OF NOVEMBER 9, 1727 FROM THE MINISTER'S RECORD (1727-1748)
OF THE REV. MATTHIAS PLANT DATE TIME INTENSITY*
YR MO DA (LOCAL) EVALUATION (MM) 1727 11 09 2300 F 1727 11 09 2335 IV 1727 11 09 2354 F 1727 11 10 *o215 F 1727 11 10 0410 F 1727 11 10 0545 IV 1727 11 10 1530 F 1727 11 10 1700 F 1727 11 11 F 1727 11 11 1010 F 1727 11 11 1435 F 1727 11 11 1933 F 1727 11 11 2042 F 1727 11 12 F 1727 11 13 F 1727*11 14 1700 IV-V 1727 11 14 2400 F 1727 11 15 0410 F 1727 11 15 F 1727 11 16 1630 F 1727 11 16 2300 F 1727 11 17 1000 F 1727 11 18 1120 IV 1727 11 19 F 1727 11 23 1630 F 1727 11 24 0400 F 1727 11 26 1430 F 1727 11 30 2200 F 1727 12 01 F 1727 12 01 IV 1727 12 10 F 1727 12 12 F 1727 12 16 IV 1727 12 19 1000 IV 1727 12 28 2230 IV 1727 12 29 0400 F 1728 01 04 2300 IV-V 1728 01 09 F 1728 01 12 1400 F 1728 01 14 2100 F 1728 01 17 1800 F 1728 02 04 2130 IV 1728 02 04 2130 IV 1728 02 04 2130 IV 1728 02 05 1300 F 1728 02 08 0630 IV 1728 02 08 1000 F
TABLE 1 (cont'd.) 2 of 3 DATE TIME INTENSITY*
YR MO DA (LOCAL) EVALUATION (MM) 1728 02 09 0100 F 1728 02 09 F 1728 02 10 13SO v 1728 02 10 1S30 F 1728 03 04 0030 F 1728 03 11 131S F 1728 03 17 234S F 1728 03 23 F 1728 03 28 0300 F 1728 03 30 1340 F 1728 03 30 2100 F 1728 OS 03 F 1728 OS 09 1700 F 1728 OS 16 IV 1728 OS 23 0940 F 1728 OS 28 2000 F 1728 06 02 F 1728 06 02 1000 F 1728 06 04 2300 F 1728 06 17 0300 F 1728 06 19 0300 F 1728 06 22 0900 F 1728 07 14 0200 F 1728 07 30 1000 IV 1728 08 02 031S IV 1728 08 OS F 1728 09 28 0400 F 1728 11 20 0400 F 1729 01 29 2000 F 1729 02 02 2400 F 1729 03 30 1400 IV 1729 08 06 IV 1729 09 19 1S30 F 1729 10 08 1630 F 1729 11 09 2240 F 1729 11 2S 0800 IV 1729 12 08 2000 IV 1730 02 19 2000 F 1730 02 19 2400 F 1730 03 09 014S IV 1730 03 30 F 1730 04 23 2000 IV 1730 08 08 0900 F 1730 08 26 0800 F 1730 11 2S 0900 F 1730 11 25 0900 F 1730 12 OS 2020 F 1730 12 17 2245 F 1730 12 22 1845 F
TABLE 1 (cont 1 d.) 3 of 3 DATE TIME INTENSITY*
YR MO DA (LOCAL} EVALUATION(MM) 1731 01 12 1900 IV 1731 01 22 2400 IV 1731 03 18 1700 F 1731 06 08 0900 F 1731 07 16 F 1731 09 01 2100 F 1731 10 12 2300 IV 1732 02 18 1900 F 1733 01 10 F 1733 03 12 F 1733 10 30 2400 F 1734 01 27 2200 F 1734 07 10 0315 F 1734 10 20 1020 F 1734 11 27 0600 F 1735 02 13 1745 F 1735 04 01 1030 F 1736 02 13 1745 F 1736 07 24 0915 F 1736 10 12 0130 F 1736 11 23 0200 IV 1736 11 23 0600 F 1737 02 17 1615 F 1737 09 20 1020 IV 1740. 12 25 0635 F 1741 0129 0400 F 1741 02 05 1550 F 1742 04 08 0645 F 1742 09 24 1730 F 1743 08 21 1700 F 1744 05 24 F 1744 05 27 1115 F 1746 08 13 F 1747 01 17 2400 F 1747 12 14 0430 F 1747 12 17 1600 F 1748 03 22 0645 F
- F indicates unassigned intensity, inferred to be ~III(MM).
TABLE 2 RECORD OF AFTERSHOCKS OF THE 1727 EARTHQUAKE AT NEWBURY AND MARBLEHEAD, MASSACHUSETTS EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM ORIGINAL MINISTER'S RECORD BOOKS KEPT BY REV. MATTHIAS PLANT AT RECORD OF AFTERSHOCKS AT DATE (O.S .) TIME(LOCAL) NEWBURY, MASSACHUSETTS MARBLEHEAD, MASSACHUSETTS October 29 " *** and Eight more immediately " *** There were about 7 orB followed louder than the rest small rumblings, after this, that followed and lasted al ye heard before one of the week sometimes breaking with clock; *** "
loud clasps 6 times or oftener in a day and as oftern in ye night **. **
October 30 2:15 a.m. " *** there were two others, one only heard the other felt."
4:10 a.m. " *** we heard another. "
5:45 a.m. " *** another,"
3:30 p.m. " *** we heard it again, *** "
5:0.0 p.m. " ..* the same afternoon; .*. "
-- p.m. " *** and I am told by some that were up in the following Night, that they heard the rumbling twice or thrice; ..* "
2 of 3 TABLE 2 (Cont'd.)
EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM ORIGINAL MINISTER'S RECORD BOOKS KEPT BY REV. MATTHIAS PLANT AT RECORD OF AFTERSHOCKS AT DATE (O.S.) TIME (LOCAL) NEWBURY, MASSACHUSETTS MARBLEHEAD, MASSACHUSETTS October 31 10:00 a.m. " *.* there was a pretty strong one."
6:35 p.m. " .*. an other; *.* "
7:33 p.m. " *.* an other; *.* "
8:42 p.m. " *** and a Fourth Time *** and I am told was heard several times in the Night after."
November 2 Night " *** somewhat abated *** " " *** the Earthquake heard twice last night."
November 3 -- p.m. " *** 3 very loud claps *** " " *** it was heard again last (i.e. referring to the three night; .. ~"
reported November 3-4~ also at Marblehead, time given as evening and about midnight)
November 4 4.00 a.m. " *** about ye Brake of day *** " " **. and a very considerable one that made our windows jar."
November 4 10:00 p.m. " **. we also had it upon " *** some say they heard it about Saturday *** " (no time given). 4 **. " (original illegible, Weston Geophysical).
TABLE 2 (Cont'd.)
EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM ORIGINAL MINISTER 1 S RECORD BOOKS KEPT BY REV. MATTHIAS PLANT AT RECORD OF AFTERSHOCKS AT DATE(O.S.) TIME (LOCAL) NEWBURY, MASSACHUSETTS MARBLEHEAD, MASSACHUSETTS November 5 4:30 -- " *** we also had *it *** Sabbath *** " "It was distinctly heard about (no time given). 4h 30m just after we came from meeting."
November 5 11:00 p.m. " *** and I am told about 11 at night they heard it again."
November 6 10:00 a.m. " *** much abated in ye noise and terror."
November 7 11:00 a.m. Not reported by Plant " ..* it was plainly heard *.* "
" *** so that it has been heard about 30 times in the compass of the 9 or 10 days past."
Weston Geophysical Note: Weston Geophysical Note:
significant textural differences the record ends on November 7, in the original Minister's Record 1727. The letter, written at and the account in the Philo- Marblehead, Massachusetts is sophical transactions published dated November 8, 1727.
years later. Descriptions are taken from the original record.
TABLE 3 AFTERSHOCKS OF THE 1755 EARTHQUAKE DATE TIME REPORTING LOCALITIES Nov. 18, 1755 5:29 a.m. Massachusetts: Amesburyt, Boston, Chelmsford, Essex County, Marshfield, Northampton, Salem, Westborough, Worcester; Maine: York; New Hamp-shire: Bedford; Rhode Island:
Exeter.
Nov. 18, 1755 4:00 p.m. Kittery, Maine.
Nov. 19,1755 10:00 p.m. Massachusetts: Chelmsford/ Ipswich; Maine: York.
Nov. 20, 1755 Not Given York, M~ine.
Nov. 22, 1755 8:27 p.m. Massachusetts: Amesburyt, Boston, Chelmsford, Essex County, Lynn, Marshfield, Northampton, Plymouth, Worcester, Westborough; Maine:
Portland, York; New Hampshire:
Hampton, Portsmouth; Rhode Island:
Exeter, Newport; New York: New York.
Dec. 19, 1755 10:00 p.m. Massachusetts: Boston, Essex County, Marshfield; Maine: Portland.
Mar. 11, 1756 3:00-4:00 p.m. Reported in "towns east of Boston."
Mar. 15, 1756 Not Given Reported alt:::mg the coast from Salem, Massachusetts to Wells, Maine.
tAmesbury reports are uncertain and are not used in consideration of aftershocks.
TABLE 4
SUMMARY
OF OBSERVATIONSt ON AFTERSHOCKS Chauncy (1755):
" *.* These aPe atl the shooks we have had in this town., tho' e ~sewhere they have been more numerous. In some plaaes they have felt 6 or 6; in others 10 or 11; & in others stiH., at least 20."
Mayhew (1755) :
"* ** Many other shooks have been feU sinae the first and the greatest.,
to the eastwa.Pd and northJ.iJa.Pd of Boston; at 20, 30., 40, and 50 miZes distance., if not farther."
Ylinthrop (1755) :
"* .* Sinae the reading of this teature., there has been another smaz:t shook., viz. on Friday the 19th of December in the evening., exactly at 10 o'aloak; the sky being then perfectly aZear, and a very gentle gale at S. W. It was preceded by the peauZiar noise of an Earthquake about 3 or 4 seconds., and the jarring lasted neaP as long; causing the window-shutters and door of the ohamber., in whiah I then was., to clatter. Those of my family., who were in a Zower room., perceived nothing of the shake., though they heard the noise. These are the only shoaks that I have been sensible of; though it is said, that many others have been felt in the Provinoe of New-Hampshire, sinae the first great one."
Winthrop (1757):
" ... These four are the onZ.y shoaks, that I have been sensibZ.e of from the 18th of November last to this date; tho' more are said to have been feZ.t in other parts*of the country to the northJ.iJard of us ....
"The oenter of our former earthquakes, as weZ.Z as of this.,
seems ~o have been near the river Merrimac, about the Latitude of 430 north, and 40 miles north from hence; many shoaks having been feU in that neighbourhood., whioh did not extend to this plaoe."
Williams (1795):
"* *. Many others, but very smaZZ, were felt in different parts of the Massaahusetts and New-Hampshire, foP seve'f'al months afte:t'. "
tAccount arranged chronologically in order of publication.