The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-11-14

According TO the more recent geological
views, the causes of earthquakes are very
| easy to comprehend. One need no longer
premise subterranean volcanic forces, as q
basis for his theory, and with just as little
reason need he seek the causes in a sudden
sinking of the earth's crust-an untenable
theory.
1t is simply an equalization of the tension
OF the earth-crust, tendency 10 slow side
wise movement, or an outward breaking up
or folding tendency, which sidewse pressure
for while taken up and withstood by the
elasticity of the deeper, firmer masses of
rock, finally in a sudden thrust comes to
equilibrium, causing the fatal overthrow of
all stone erections upon the surface
Our earth crust forms simply dome rest
ing on an interior mass, which mass is grad
ually shrinking in volume, and hence the
solid crust, in consequence OF its own weight,
tends constantly to sink down. The certain
evidence of this simple and easily conceiva-
BILE condition, is that in all our observations
of the earth-crust, we find it lying in folded
strata. The greater portion of the mountains
ofthe earth show this same system, and
more or less upright position of what was
once horizontal strata shows at all observed
points folding and breaking of the crust of
the earth. Numerous instances OF the show
ing of one stratum over another shows this
sidewise movement.
AS early as 1895 De Saussure pointed out
these indications among the Alps, which Eli
de Beaumont for long time lectured on in
Paris, but always with the erroneous notion
that mountains are sinking down in lines
Mechanically peDtagonal. These same
conditions have formerly presented before
different assemblies of naturalists in Germany
since 1860, and always with direct reference
to the endless manifestations of q crushing
together of the earth's crust which force has
caused foldings and fractures in all possible
directions.
Already in 1864 before a convention of
naturalists and physicians at Griszen, | de.
monstrated that the immense irresistible
tbrusting force of the earth's crust could be
calculated from two wel-known data, viz its
specific weight. and the diameter ofthe earth.
The result of such a calculation gave to be
ten million pounds to the square inch or nine
hundred thousand atmospheres. With such
sidewise tangential pressure presses the
earths crust at all points and in all horizon
tai directions Easily conceivable is it, then
that even the firmest and the deepest rocks
in their elasticity would only withstand such
pressure Tor time, and that vast noun
tains must knuckle and fold together, like
biscuit in O powerful hand. ID. ......... -
Kessel further showed that earthquakes all
in all have for their causes this sidewise
thrust of the earth's crust as above described,
as well as sinking and upheaving of the
strata, and since then these opinions have
been substantiated by the observations of
earthquake commissioners mt Baden. in
Switzerland, and In Austria. In Switzerland
particularly Prof. Heirn has pointed out the
indications of great sidewise displacements of
the mountains in that district. Also from
observations on late earthquakes in that sec
ton it has been found that the movements
were in horizontal direction and not from
the centre outward, and the movements when
isochronous, were not concentric, but in par
allel lines. The theory that dynamic earth
quakes land all earthquakes are dynamic) are
motions from the centre outward will grad
ually be given up, except in reference to such
earthquakes as Enthusiastically originate in
volcanic eruptions.
In Baden Baden in 1879 showed that vol
| canic phenomena are the result of great
| earthquakes and not the causes, for these
movements hollow out the great depths
which are necessary to the volcano ard tear
| the riffs through which the sea water rushes
| in upon the glowing rocks. and in the form
ofvapor through the riffs is driven out again.
Many modern biologists already side with
me that the Humboldt theory of reformation
of mountains by unknown volcanic power is
erroneous; and very many of different coun-
tries now unite in the belief that the thrust
movements of the earth's crust are the cause
of the greatest terrestrial disturbances.
And now to say few words concerning
the distressful earthquake of Ischia 1t is
well known that the same occurred without
any particular volcanic eruption, although
volcanic Craters there abound on all sides.
The learned professor Palmieri states the
disturbed section TO rest on under strata of
trachyte and plutonic rock, destitute of vol
canic scoriae. A
The newspaper intelligence already makes
it clear that the last fatal movement was q
sidewise thrust and no other could so utter
| ly have overthrown all structures In the
intelligence that we have received there is no
| word of any change in the bed of streams,
| which shows that neither an upward move
ment nor subsistence of the surface could
have occurred. Had sinking occurred the
| level of the entire disturbed track would have
been changed and the streets and roads could
not at once have been put to rights, as the
papers inform us was done #a' 9df
4 The subsistence theory, not only In this
case, but generally, is untenable. Subtefra-
| mean caverns followed out by streams are
i filled with water, and therefore could not SO
| suddenly collapse as to cause these great con-
| cussions which we call earthquakes, and
Which almost always give indubitable evi
dences of a sidewise thrust iai
Stone quarying, which Palmieri informs us
L L. - \