Explore the awe-inspiring history of earthquakes through eyewitness accounts and scientific discussion, including dramatic events in Lima and Callao in 1746 and notable episodes from Jamaica to Mount Etna.
This edition gathers firsthand descriptions and early theories about what causes these powerful tremors. It presents a view of how natural forces—water, fire, and fermentation—have been proposed as part of the story, along with observations from early researchers. The result is a vivid blend of narrative and inquiry that invites readers to weigh the mysteries of the Earth.
- Accounts of major earthquakes and the immediate impacts on cities and landscapes.
- Arguments and evidence about possible natural causes and the roles of water, heat, and subterranean activity.
- Descriptions of dramatic phenomena, from ground rupture to volcanic influences and unusual environmental effects.
- Contextual notes on how scholars of the era tested ideas using observations and experiments.
Ideal for readers drawn to historical natural science, geological history, and dramatic accounts of Earth’s immense power.