Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-19
An Electric Theory or EarthauaLcs.

A new theory OF earthquakes is advanced by q
writer I'm the current number of the London
Quarterly Rerie,o. He holds that these terrible
disturbances are neither more nor less than dis
charges OF electricity; are in fact simply subter-
ranean thunder-storms. The theory Is a novel
one, but is not without argument to sustain it.
One is the argument of necessity; there is no
other known cause that will fl the facts of the
case. considering" says our author, 1.-The ire
sistible force, the unmeasured rapdty. the quick
repetition and long duration of these storms,
what known agent in nature. except electricity,
is capable of producing at the same time such
singular effects In the sea and such tremendous
results on land ?" The effects are not the same
as those caused by atmospheric lightning, which
acts directly upon the objects with which it
comes in contact in its passage between the
earth and the Clouds while the subterranean
lightning Of the earthquake has only secon-
dairy effect upon terrestrial objects through the
medium OF the masses of earth or water upon
which its direct force impinges; but they are in
finitely greater and more disastrous than the
most violent discharges Of the thunder cloud,
as the record Of earthquake disasters abundantly
shows
1t is noted In support of the electric theory
that violent earthquake shocks are preceded and
accompanied by great heat and an electric state
OF the atmosphere. the conditions most favorable
to the development of thunderstoms, and it is
asserted by many witnesses that the shocks are
frequently preceded by light in the sky such as
might be produced by an electrical discharge.
pOlui lldQt bN tlit Qutubfly writer IL
that the most prolific earthquake countries are
those situated within the tropics and that the
centerS OF greatest disturbance are regions Of
volcanic action, hot springs and lakes and other
evidences of internal heat, land science has
pretty well proved that heat and electricity are
convertible" From these and other circum-
stances 1t is reasoned that IAN earthquake In the
result of discharges of terrestrial electricity ac-
cumulated i'm the bowels Of the earth, which we
know to be a reservoir of electric matter whose
fx.t.r l.D.
abled to measure by the number and duration Of
earth commissions"
To the objection that the solid strata of the
earth are unfavorable to the transmission Of
electric energy, it is answered that, so far as
earthquakes have been traced, they appear to
follow the lines OF faults and assures In the
strata, and that certain towns which are noted
for the frequency OF their earthquake visftations
are known to be situated over such assures the
inference, of course, being that where the cleo
trlc discharge cannot pass through refractory
strata it makes its way through the assures.
1t is not however, until ii meets 1.-The resist
ance of deep. partially incoherent beds Of clay,
gravel, alluviums, late tertianes and the like,
forming the most perfect non-conductor which
can be conceived" that its energy is felt. "This
earthly cushion not only arrests the progress Of
the electricity, but compes 1t TO force its way
out, If not vertically, horizontally, whenever Il
reaches weak or thin layer, where 1t can most
easily break through and escape" Thus the
great earthquake which overwhelmed Casamic-
ci0la, i'm Ischia last March, exclusively affected
that part of the island of Ischia which consists
or enormously thick beds of clay. Similarly the
scene of the Chic earthquake, in the following
month. was the southeast corner of the island,
consisting as usual, of modern alluvial and
slightly coherent deposits The central strip,
or backbone of the island, Of old limestone,
sandstone and slate. scarcely suffered at all.
This seems to explain the well-estabshed but
hitherto puZZling fact that earthquakes are felt
but slightly. If at all, at the bottom Of deep
mines, however severe they may be on the sur
face. Mines are sunk in the rock and usually
follow assures filled with metal ores, through
which, it may be supposed. the electricity passes
readily and harmessly until checked by the COW
ering CLAWS and other earths of the surface, Just
as the current in telegraph wire gives no sign
Of its pressure until it is interrupted.
Scientists have given more study, with less
satisfactory results to the subject Of earthquakes
than to almost any other natural phenomenon.
The theory that they are caused by electrical dis
charges will no doubt receive careful study, and
may be finally demonstrated TO be the true one;
in which case the utilitarian tendency Of modern
thought will be at once toward finding way to
control 1t and press it into service. Our knOwl-
edge of this giant force is only i'm its infancy as
yet, but 1t is sufficient to make probable almost
any assertion Of the power and effects Of cleo
tricity as well as of mans ability TO make use
Of 1t. Like the steam I'm boiler, which proper
ly applied is powerful servant, but confnedt too
closely is q destroying power, the force which
now skaters mountains and destroys cities may
In time be harnessed and led to turn peaceful
machinery, and expend its energy in peaceful
work.
Dennis Mcmahon, aged years. of Hoboken,
n ,ipt Of xx,bt WadnasdaV