 What was the second phase of the natural disaster?
They found themselves on the scene of what was fast becoming the most violent and widespread earthquake North America—probably the world—has ever seen in historic times. By 16 September the landslip had crept down the Huerfano River past Cedarwood. Virtually all east-west land communication was suspended and the President declared a national emergency. Tremendous fissures opened up perpendicular to the Fault, and a general subsidence of the land was noticeable well into Kansas and Nebraska. On the actual scene of the disaster (or the scenes ; it is impossible to speak of anything this size in the singular) there was a horrifying confusion. Nearly two million people were on the move, and the U. S. was faced with a gigantic wave of refugees.
 The falling rock that was giving way.
 The falling rock that was giving way.  The dust clouds that were taking over.  The flock of refugees seeking safety.  Annoyingly loud noises that halted progress on rebuilding.