Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-12
EARTHQUAKES,


The recent earthquake in California, was un-
doubtediy the most destructive of any that has
occurred within the limits of the United States
That at Antioch, perhaps more violent, and GER
tainly more disastrous to human life took place
nearly at the same time, though the exact day
of the latter is not yet known here. The coin
cidence has moved somebody TO write to one of
the New York papers, inquiring whether Anti
och is not exactly or nearly the opposite point
OF the earth's surface 10 that part Of California
which has been shaken. The inquirer evidently
had in bis mind some undeveloped theory,
which, If his geographical assumption were cor
rect, would assign a common cause for the near
~ simultaneous phenomena. Unfortunately
for his theory his assumption is quite far from
the truth The antipodes of California are, or
would be, if that part Of The globe were inhab-
lied in the Indian ocean, about half way be-
tween Australia and Africa. The opposite side
of the world, if opposition in longitude only is
regarded is somewhere about tue middle Of the
continent Of Asia. There may for all that, be
some hidden connection between the California
aud Asiatic events, but if SO, 1t is one which
science has not yet discovered.
The cause Of earthquakes is still an unsettled
question upon which philosophers disagree Or
are in doubt. Some believe that wafer coming
in contact with the intensely heated matter in
the interior Of The earth produces volumes Of
steam Of enormous tension, which, in its efforts
10 escape skaters the restraining crust where
The resistance is least. Others suppose that the
molten liquid mass, which is supposed TO constr
= a of no cuIs
has its tides, as the ocean has, and these, when
she celestial attractions comOne 10 raise them
higher than usual, make disturbance Of the
yearth's crust. Another theory is, that the earth
is gradually cooling down from its former con-
dition of intense heat and, it cools, its crust
shrinks At intervals the tension becomes TOO
great for the strength of its materials and frac-
lures here and there are the result. We express
no opinion in favor Of either theory.
There seems to be some connection between
earthquakes and volcanoes. The latter have
been likened to safety valves, permitting the
escape Of the pent up gases and relief of the
pressure, which would have forced a passage
for itself elsewhere, perhaps with great destruc-
ton, ii the hollow mountain had not provided
comparatively harmless vent. AT any rate,
the most violent earthquake shocks are general
ly, but not always felt in the vicinity of active
or extinct volcanoes. Among the excep-
lions were the earthquake in the va
ley Of the Mississippi about sixty years
ago, aud the tremendous catastrophe at
Lisbon, in which nearly sixty thousand persons
persisted. In the old world the region surround
ing the basin Of the Mediterranean has been
frag flse br.o
this continent the tropical regions Of both nortb
and South America, as wei as the West India
islands Japan and China have also suffered
severely, and California has experienced som,
violent shocks while it was subject to SPAN ant
had hut a sparse population. Indian tradition
tell Of tremendous commissions there in Still
earlier times. IN both hemispheres the hig
latitrdes are generally exempt. We beliey
there is no instance on record Of serious damag
done by earthquakes above the latitude Of forty
five degrees. Our latitude is about fjrty-tw
and half, SO that, if not absolutely safe, we al
near the limit Of entire security.
We print ia another place extracts from
California paper giving AN account Of the disa'
ier. The statement Of Mr.. Diggins, who sa,
ana ieii what was 10 he experienced at lndeper
aehee' inso county, near the centre Of the di.
.u'oanee' seems to he particularly valuable iron
ms apparent care 10 abstain from exapneration
aud TO Discriminate between what he bimsel
saw and what Others professed 10 have Soon
portion Of hrs narrative Is thus reported Il ! q,
Francisco paper
Gle describes the noise which nccorro,,,,
the shock as appalling. II seemed a X Il,
mighty mountains skining the valley WEI
breaking Up and rolling into plains below-tl
sound was 10 the air and under their feet, Am
It's reverberations through the fumbug mou
tans were as terrific Us The noise itself esa,
the hrst shock was a sOmDOund one Oscillation
and vertical. Herau into the street, and IN Il