Abstract
FOR its size, the small republic of Salvador, containing only 7,225 square miles, has been visited by great destructive earthquakes more frequently than any other country. During the nineteenth century, there were at least fifteen such earthquakes, and Montessus records the ruin of San Salvador eleven times between 1538 and 1854. San Vicente, a town of 26,000 inhabitants and lying about 35 miles to the east of San Salvador, has suffered from earthquakes several times during the last century, and was almost ruined by a violent shock on the morning of December 20. With one exception, all the important buildings in the town have been thrown down, but, fortunately, without any outbreak of fire. The loss of life and property is not yet definitely known, as communications with the capital are almost destroyed, but, according to official estimates, 220 persons have been killed. It is feared that, as in 1835, there may also be an eruption of the neighbouring volcano.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Salvador Earthquake of December 20. Nature 139, 19–20 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/139019d0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/139019d0