A similar circumstance was observed after an earthquake at Valparaiso, Calabria, and other places, including some of the ancient Greek temples.

(14/1.

M.Arago in "L'Institut" 1839 page 337.

See also Miers's "Chile" volume 1 page 392; also Lyell's "Principles of Geology" chapter 15 book 2.) This twisting displacement at first appears to indicate a vorticose movement beneath each point thus affected; but this is highly improbable.
May it not be caused by a tendency in each stone to arrange itself in some particular position with respect to the lines of vibration,--in a manner somewhat similar to pins on a sheet of paper when shaken?
Generally speaking, arched doorways or windows stood much better than any other part of the buildings.
Nevertheless, a poor lame old man, who had been in the habit, during trifling shocks, of crawling to a certain doorway, was this time crushed to pieces.
I have not attempted to give any detailed description of the appearance of Concepcion, for I feel that it is quite impossible to convey the mingled feelings which I experienced.

Several of the officers visited it before me, but their strongest language failed to give a just idea of the scene of desolation.