Charles Darwin, Robert Fitzroy and Simón Rodríguez met in Concepción, Chile, after the earthquake of february 20, 1835

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"Simón Rodríguez (SR) was in Concepción during the earthquakeof Feb 20 1835 that destroyed the city. A month later, heand two other dwellers were asked for a report on the state ofthe city. The report, dated Aug 13, 1835 mentions: “FitzRoy Esq.noted that the Island of Santa Maria was upheaved 9 feet afterthe earthquake”. The same value appears in the reports of RobertFitzRoy (FR) and Charles Darwin (CD). CD and FR visitedConcepción Mar 4-7, and RF Mar 27-Apr 17 and Jun 21-Jul 9,1835. There was no possibility of communication between thethree men later in 1835, as SR stayed in Concepción, and CDand FR continued their voyage. The reports of RF and CD werepublished only in 1839. Therefore, for their values of the island’selevation to coincide, the three must have talked and exchangedideas and views about the earthquake within the mentioneddates. This statement is supported by additional facts: FR andCD were hosted by a friend of SR during their visits. They mentionhaving talked extensively with the inhabitants. SR was oneof the most learned persons at the time in Concepción. SR’s andCD’s reports converge in several aspects. In others, however, thereports differ, although this does not weaken our assertion. Thus,it is quite possible they maintained conversations previous totheir reports, setting their ideas in agreement, although it cannotbe ruled out completely that SR got CD’s and FR’s informationvia another person."