Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-10
THE HEAT IN THE MINES.
A Theory That 1t Is Caused Mainly by the
Decomposition of Iron Pyrites.

LlI1o is uLUOuUUtuly OilO CdliSc VI
heat in our mines, but it is not the
only nor the great heat-prOducer.
Lime is local in it's action; the heat
produced by it is confined to certain
sections of the, mines, while under
lying the whole length of the Com
stock lode is that which causes the
general heat--namely, the deposits OF
iron pyrites. The hottest places in
the mines are where the heat is gen.
Grated by both lime and pyrites it is
the heat from the lime added to the
general heat from NATURES workshop
below. ~ $50 ri lAa
The hot springs of Colorado may
derive portion of their heat from the
decomposition of lime, but this is but
a secondary cause. The great and first
cause of heat in springs aud mines is
the decomposition of iron pyrites-
masses of iron and sulphur. At
Steamboat Springs and other places in
this state, and at most Of the hot
springs in California, the heat is pro-
duced by the burning out or decompo-
sition of iron pyrites. At Steamboat
Springs the course of the deposits of
iron pyrites is northeast and.south-
west. the same as that Of the great
mineral-bearing viens of the state.
The line Of active springs follows the
course Of this deposit, moving toward
the northeast. At the southwest end
are to be seen places where the de-
post of iron pyrites and similar min
erals carrying large quantities of
sulphur has burned out, and the
springs have died away. The process
of burning out is slowly moving
toward the northeast. In 1860 the
writer saw new spring just starting
up through thick growth of grass in
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 Steam
boat 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
Steamboat, one may see where the
springs were ages ago, along near the
droppingS or upper edge of the deposit
of pyritic matter. AS the decomposi-
ton proceeded downward and east
ward along the dip of the deposit, the
steam and hot water found or forced
new vertical channels of escape.
Some of these openings are probably
natural crevices, but the majority are
undoubtedly rents produced by the
force of steam and pent-up gases.
Even on the surface at Steamboat
Springs are to be seen long rents from
an inch or two to over foot in width
that have a northeast and southwest
course. In California some Of the
hot springs are observed to be dying
out at one end Of their line and
advancing into new ground at the
other.
AT Steamboat Springs we probably
see big mineral vein Qike the Com
stock in process of formation. Ages
ago there was probably line Of hot
springs along the course of the Com
stock. The mines of Europe and
Mexico, which are comparatively
cold at great depths, are undoubtedly
ages and ages older than the Com
stock. 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 following 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
a few pounds Of iron filings, borings,
and drillings from machine shop,
wet them and mix in pound or two
Of sulphur, then lamp the mixture
firmly into hole in the ground,-like
a 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 spontaneously.