The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-05-26
The Causes of Heat in Mines.

virginia New Enterprise. .=s- g.
Lime is undoubtedly one cause of
heat i'll our mines, but it is not the only
| nor the great heat producer. Limo is
! local in its action; the heat produced by
| it is confined to certain sections of the
mines, while underlying the whole
length of the Comstock lode is that
which causes the general heat. namely,
the deposits of iron pyrites. The hot
heat is generated by both lime and py-
rites; it is the heat from the lime added
to the general heat from natures work
shop below. ., fs
The hot springs of Colorado may de-.
rive portion of their heat from the de-
composition of lime, but this is but a
secondary cause. The great and first
cause ofiheat in springs and mines is
the decomposition of iron pyrites-
masses of iron and sulphur. At Steam
boat Springs and other places ir Colo
RADIO. and at most of the hot sp, aigs in
California, the heat is produced by the
burning out or decomposition of iron
pyrites! At Steamboat Springs the
course of the deposits of iron pyrites is
northeast and southwest, the same as
that of the great mineral bearing veins
> of the State. The line of active springs
follows the course of this deposit, NOV
ing toward the northeast. At the south
west end are to be seen places where
the deposit of iron pyrites and similar
minerals carrying large quantities of
sulphur has burned out, and the springs
have died away. The process of burn
ing out is slowly moving to the north
east In 1860 the writer saw new
spring just starting up through a thick
growth of grass in a bit of meadow
land far in advance of the older and
larger ones, but on the same general
line, well out to the northeast. ~
The base metal deposit at Steamboat
Springs also has the same dip as the
Comstock, and is working east as well
as toward the north. By going from
half to. .three-quarters of a mile west of
the present active springs at Steam
boat, one may see where the springs
were ages ago, along near the crop
pings or upper edge of the deposit or
pyritic matter. AS the decomposition
proceeded downward and eastward
along the dip of the deposit, the steam
and hot water found OF forced new ver-
tical channels of escape. Some of these
openings are probably natural crevices,
but the ma ajority are undoubtedly rents
produced by the force of steam and
pent-up gases. Even on the surface of
Steamboat Springs are TO be seen long
rents from IN inch or two to over foot
in width that have u northeast and
southwest course. In California some
of the hot springs are observed To bo
dying out ut one end of their line and
advancing into new ground nj the
other. 3Rs sss%
AT Steamboat Springs we probably !
see big mineral vein Oike the Com
stock) in process of formation. Ages |
ago there was probably II line of hot
springs along the course of the Com /
stock. The mines of Europe and Mex
co, which are comparatively cold ut |
great depths. are undoubtedly ages and
ages older than the Comstock. The |
Comstock is probably the youngest |
mine in any part Of the world that is
now known or being worked. Here, |
down in our lower levels, we are fol
lowing close upon the heels of nature
getting well down into her workshop. |
As to the heat generating power of |
sulphur and iron, those who desire to |
do so may satisfy themselves. Take y
few pounds of iron filings, borings and
drillngs from machine shop, wet |
them and mix in a pound or two of sui
phur, then lamp the mixture firmly into
a hole in the ground-like Il post hole
covering with two or three inches of |
dirt, and in short time there will be !
seen miniature volcano, the batch of |
iron and sulphur taking fire spontan-
eously. SOS @ sdE
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