The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-06
EARTHQUAKES.
How they are c.used-A New Theory.

tirety to electricity. The author repudiates
altogether the idea that in the centre OF the
globe we dwell ON. and to within two miles OF
its surface, there is mass cf molten auid-a
theory which scientific men generally no"
either discard or treat With little consideration.
To the motions of that molten mass under the
influences which control the tides. and the ea-
plosions OF aqueous vapor from the iafltration
of the waters Of the sea to contact with the
molten mass, earthquakes have been generally
attributed.
The writer in B!ackwood, rejecting the whole
theory, asserts that the earth is not only solid,
but it's density increases towards its centre, BY
reason Of the existence OF bodies Of metals OF
great specific gravity, specimens OF which are
occasionally found upheayed to the surface.
There metals are suca ss platinum, osmlum,
iridium &c. This is inferred from the fact
that, while tho mean density OF our planet Is
nearly FIVE and halt tiues that OF water, the
mean average density OF the strata which COM
pose our continents. and which are accessible
to Us, is less than three times that of water;
and when we take the whole SURFACE OF the
planet, land and sea together, it is, OF course,
much less-Humboldt says only one-half
denser than water And then il is ascertained in
the digging of we46and mines that the heat va
ri.e at different dspths-a lower stratum oeing
colder than one higher, &c.-while mine IN
Cornwall reached point where increasing
heat ceased altogether, and the temperature
grew steadily cooler.
Toe writer argues further, with reference to
the theory that the interior fluid mass occa-
sions surface sg1tations by It's irregular mo
tions, that the supposed crust OF two miles
would not resist such q force more than o bit
Of tissue paper but wpuld give way. and tn;
mass of molten lava would pour forth and
deluge the surface.
Passing through great deal OF entertaining
fact with re4reuce to electric forces as dis
played in many curious phenomena,, he comes
to the main question. We present his ideas
in brief. He states that the atmosphere is re-
earded commonly IS the native seat OF eleotIi-
cal disturbances which give rise to hurricanes
and thunder storms which convulse it and
cause 30 many disastere; nevertheless, it ls in
der storms dwells. The atmospheric phenom-
ena are secondary. 1t is the solid surface OF
the earth that is most influenced bv solar a..
tion. Il becomes highly charged with solar
influence, and acts upon the atmosphere. The
heat Of summer, in large degree, comes from
the earth, where It accumuiates, and acts like
a supernascent gas upon the atmosphere. Five
shows any difference when in shade and when
in sun. The electric influence Of the solar rays
accumulates in far greater extent in the earth
than in the te1uous atmosphere, and the sur.
face of the earth is the main seat OF those elec-
trical variations which produces the storms in
the atmosphere. The atmosphere plays sec
ondary role compared with the solid earth in
cyclones and thunder storms which convulse
the atmosphere. Every discharge Of cleo.
tricity between air and earth implies that the
earth is as much out Of equilibrium as the air
ls, otherwise no such discharge could take
place. Electric action is ceaselessly going on
between the earth and air. Every electric
fash conveying message by telegraph along
the wires returns 10 its starting point through
the earth's crust or on its surface.
Country people know that there are spots OF
the ear b frequently struck by lightning. On
such spots the lightning descends or issues
from the earth-at such points are rocks which
attract lightning, being ieneous in their forma-
ton and probably impregn1ted with iron. Ger
tain kinds Of rock arc favorite media Of mag
netic currents, and the author thinks that the
veios in the rccky crust OF the earth owe their
origin to the long continued action OF such
magnetic currents-metals and also gems be-
ing sublima!ioDs OF rocks-rock which has had
its atoms reorganized. it's molecular structure
altered in higher form by the action OF mag
netic currents. Ali metalliferous and mine
raj bearing rocks are permeated by those cur
rents.
The writer assumes that it is tho electric
currents existing in the zone Immediately be-
the heat found in artesian wells, mines, &c.
This accounts, also, for the variations in heat
some rocks evolving more heat from the mag.
Aetic action than others.
Now, earthquakes are caused by the move
ment Of electricity through the earth. Ordi-'
narily the currents flow smoothly; for the rocks
are better conductors than the atmosphere;
IL oo.1 al onlo and ylId
etary action, electricity is developed to an ex-
cessive degree in the crust Of the earth, the
conductive power Of the rocks becoming made
quate to pass the currents with sufficient r p
idity to maintain the electric equilibrium. The
overcharged Clouds discharge themselves by
electric FISHES. The same thing takes place
in the earth. The pent up electricity forces
itself explosively, or by a grand discharge:
more terrible far than il the whole artillery Of
the world were discharged in concentrated
volley. "What is the result? A vast heat is
terminated electricity fuses everything-it is
the grandest heat developer in nature,) the
rocks are expended, rent, in some casos actu-
ally fused; the subterranean lakes and rivers,
tho reservoirs OF water which exist everywhere
below the surface, and which in Genesis are
called the fountains Of the deep, are vaporized
the result of this great expansion or eIplo-
sion in the ground beneath us is q concussion
or rupture Of the subjacent rocky strata, tbs
effects Of which reach the surface, producing
the various phenomena Of the earthquake"
These con1ulsions manifest themselves some
times by noises-generally by dull, rumbling
sounds occasionally by subterranean thun-
der peals In other cases the earth shakes IN
harmless vibrations. In severe shocks the
earth swelis into waves Of commotiol, shaking
down cities; tie earth cracks and opens into
chasms. which generally close at once. sWa,-
lowing up men and buildings. Again, it is ex
plosive, such as that which destroyed the town
Of Riohanbr in 1877, which threw the bodies
OF men several hundred feet into the air. This
remarkable earthquake did not elevate the
crust more than one foot. the shock being 80
sudden and intense that the elastic crust i'm
mediately responded, throwing loose bodies
on the surface to an Incredible height. as II
discharged from catapult, or like an arrow
from a bow.
The writer describes at length the variety of
effect and manifestations Of this powerful
agent through earthquakes such as the form
ations OF lakes, the elevation Of islands in the
sea and their subsistence. the forming OF de-
pressions on the surface by shaking the crust
so as 10 fill up open places previously existing
on the earth. &C., &c.
he thinks it probable that in all volcanoes
the seat Of subterranean convulsion lies near
the surface-certainly Of all permanent vol
canoes. as Vesuvius, Eina, Stromcoli. &c. In
sach cases thu subjacent zone Of electric ac-
ton is sufficiently continuous and near to keep
open the vent, which otherwise would be closed
again.
Generally the earthquakes produce depres-
sions rather than upheavals. The tremors or