Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-04-23

"Ecu a NcSSct StTlAeS u SuUhtH IOCA VI
runs aground.
But whilst earthquakes may thus
seem to happen without the slightest
warning, there can be but little doubt
that their apparent suddenness is due
ether to want of observation or to a
w.lful disregard of the signs which indi-
cate the advent of subterranean out
bursts. Their approach is usually her
aldeS IN many ways-undergrOund
noises. gaseous emanations from the
soil, the drying up of wells. a change in
the temperature of thermal sprays,
haziness in the air, being the more gen.
eral forerunners of these phenomena.
AT such periods, too. a sense of diZZi-
ness is often experienced by dwellers in
the threatened locality, willis: microcos-
mical instruments, if there be any in
the district. will register slight varia-
tons OF subterranean activity. During
the continuance of the earthquake the
ground often heaves like the sea, pro-
ducing feelings akin to the familiar
pangs of sea-sickness; rivers seek fresh
channels; large assures open in the
earth, and permanent changes take
place in the geographical features of the
country. Thus the series of earth
quakes which in 1926 and 1927 visited
New Zealand. caused SO distinct a
change that the former features of the
coast could be no longer recognized.
The earthquakes of the present century
in Chill have produced permanent
elevation of the coast there; and re-
cent subterranean outburts in Java
have considerably modified the geo.
graphy of that region.
Concerning the origin of these phe-
nomena, so far-reaching in their effects,
it must be admitted that the true theory
has never vet been framed. Early spec
ulations were much tinged with the SUI
perstitiOns of the time; and even so
late as the beginning of the present
century we find lingering remnant of
this superstitiouS regard of physical
phenomena in the naming. by the in
habtants of Sindree, of mound
thrown up during the Indus earthquake,
'.Ullah Bund," or the Mound of God.
1t is obvious that the study of these
interesting phenomena is beset with
many difficulties. Observation can
often only be made at imminent per-
sonal risk. Yet, spite of this. begin
ming with the few observers and the al
most mythical records of the days of
Pliny, the fascinating subject has con-
tinued to attract an ever increasing
circle of students. who have ever more
earnestly endeavored to pierce the veil
of mystery which surrounds it. Each
fresh manifestation of subterranean en-
ergy is now watched with increased in
terest. Whenever possible, the Sc
quence of events is noted with extreme
detail. old theories become weakened.
fresh ideas confirmed. and new avenues
of thought open themselves to the earn
est investigator at every step.
With the phenomena of earthquakes.
those of volcanoes are closely linked.
volcanic ouibursts being frequently her.
aided and accompanied by earthquake
shocks; and there can be little doubt
that the two are most intimately bound
up, if, indeed. they are not two effects
arising from single cause. This being
so, the facts which surround the one
class Of phenomena may be drawn upon
in attempting to frame an explanation
whence and how either originates.
That some portions of the earth's inte-
riOr are in an immensely heated con-
ditiOn. the nature of the materials
elected from volcanic vents renders ey =
dent. and observation has also clearly |
demonstrated the fact that the temper
ature increases from the surface of the |
earth dOwnwards, the average increase |
being one degree Fahrenheit for every |
fifty feet of descent. Now, from con-
connected with the figure-of |
the earth and the other members of the |
system to which it belongs, it has. with |
much probability. been inferred that the
solar system has evolved from one of |
those glowing gaseous aggregations
termed nebul;e, that ''this world was |
once a fluid haze of light and that |
when it first existed as An independent |
body it was in state of the most fer
vent heat, a residue of which now gives |
rise to volcanic phenomena.
What happened. then, as our earth
its primitive heat into space?
The question is vexed one. So many
men. SO many minds. One class of |
theorists, not giving sufficient weight to
the fact that the increase of pressure
towards the earth's center would tend
to keep matter solid there under the in
luence of high temperatures, suppose
that the process of radiation by the
earth into space has, throughout the
apse of ages. resulted in the formation
IF solid external crust covering still
luid nucleus. But this class of theorists
S. like the volcanoes of Britain, practi-
ally extinct, or is at least as subdued
md unpretending as the Suffolk earth
quake. Other biologists. giving more
weight to the fact of increase of press
Ire towards the earth's center. consider
hat its condition is that of body with
/ solid nucleus and solid external
rust, between which there still re- |
mains a residue of liquid matter.
In objection to both these views it has
,een shown that for the earth to maintain
IS rigidity under the moons attraction,
UGH crust must be of enormous thick
less, of SO great thickness, indeed.
hat Sir William Thomson, who investi.
rated the matter. prefers to consider
he earth as solid globe cooling by
On this view of the earth's
condition. volcanic phenomena are ex-