Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-09-30
EXPLANATION OF THE EARTHQUAKE.
Prof. Very Tell How Go Spinning
Through space.


Prof. Very Tel j. How AeroIltesG Go Spinning
Through space.
PITTsBgRG, September 2S.-It is now be-
ieved that the supposed earthquake which
occurred in the vicinity of this city on Sat
urdsy afternoon was the explosion of an
aerolite. Residents Of Sewiekley and neigh
boring places noticed meteor passing
about 4 p. N. Saturday, though it was not
bright enough to attract general attention.
As the time, was that at which the mysteri-
Gus report was heard It is probable that the
latter was the result of an explosion Of the
meteor.
A reV ortsr called on Prof Very, at the
Allegheny Observatory, yesterday after
noon and asked him what he thought about
the matter. Said the Professor: Il heard
the report on Saturday and supposed it was
an explosion. If the story of the Sewickley
people can be relied on, should say that
the sound vas dIe to the explosion of an
serolite. Several instances of the kind have
taken place before, but they are very un-
common. il this was one it Is very inter-
esting from q scientific point of view
do metsors affect the atmospheric
mo, sir; meteorities have nothing to do
with the earth's atmosphere They come
from space, beyond its boundaries, though
no one knows where or how they originate.
Il is supposed by some that they are thrown
from the sun, from stars or from volcanoes
on the earth, moon or other planets It
has been said, think By Professor Proc
tor-thst ueteorites may originate from
earthly volcanoes, when the explosive
force was insufficient to expel the
body far enough for it to be thrown into
an orbit Of considerable eecentrieity, be-
yoEd the esrth's attraction, so as to keep it
for time away from the earth. In this case,
after circulating for While in this eccen-
trlc orbit, it might in course Of time, be-
ng regarded ct each successive return to
perihehon By the resistance Of the earth 8
atmosphere, to fall to earth again. Many
may think that this aud other recent aero
htes, in common with other remarkable me-
teoric phenomena, is due to the volcanic
eruption at KrakstOa two years ago, but
unless much more evidence were accumu-
lated, we could not predicate it with any
certainty. II fall'ot stones agreeing with
the substances thrown out by tbs volcano
were to take place, there might be some
thing in it. The explosion may be produced
By the impact against the air OF the me-
teoric, the particles of the former of which
become condensed almost to solid by the
enormous speed Of the projectils. As it
comes rushing into the denser part Of the
earth's atmosphere, the metsoric expert
enc es greater resistance. The mere shock
OF the collspsing air IN the path of the me-
teor would produce q sound, but the explo-
sion is due to the tearing apart Of the metal
lie or stony mass
In support of the theory that the phe-
nomenon was an explosion OF meteor
rather thsn an earthquake is the testimony
Of persons living along the route trsyersed
by the body. In Sewickley the reports were
noticed BY many persons who, in every in
stance, characterized them as resembling
the rumbhng as produced by heavy wagon
on a stony road, or Of q heavy peal Of
thunder. Some persons heard five reports,
while others sgain could not distinguish
them as separate. Again some of those
who heard the noises describe 1t ss being
near the earth, while others thought
il far above them. In Manifold and
vicinity the noise was as Of g rumbhng and
was very loud, so much so that a miner
rushed out OF the coal mine, thinking that
it was an earthquake No distinct move,
ment OF the earth was felt at either place.
In McKeesport tour detonatious were heard
and persons on the street felt q distinct
shas ing of the earth. The phenomenon
was attributed to an explosion OF natural
gas or Of the boilers OF some mill, At
Suissyille reports we're heard also, and there
\ ey were attributed to 3 gas explo'ion. The
sound as of thunder coming from a clear
sSy startled every one Sho heard it.