O fogo é o agente, que causa tantas maravilhas: A América e as explosões subterrâneas na História Universal dos Terremotos de 1758

Abstract

This papers comments on the work named História Universal dos Terremotos, [The Universal History of Earthquakes], the first seismic catalogue written by Joachim José Moreira de Mendonça, in the aftermath of the Great Lisbon Earthquake (GLE) of 1755. The paper considers Moreira de Mendonça arguments as evidence in favor of the coexistence of several modern theories and change of understanding in relations to earthquakes. Beginning with the cataloging of seismicity in the planetary scale and their effects listed by the author, the article underlines the seismic activities registered in the American continent, taking into consideration that seismicity distributed in time and space was the drive for Moreira de Mendonça's seismologic study. It deals also with his explanation for earthquakes causes, supported by the ideas of underground fire forces, accepting that Moreira de Mendonça in his catalog considers earthquakes as natural disasters in the scientific culture context of his time.