Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-26
10 THE EARTH SOLID TO THE CEN
TIRE?
come Arguments Against the Theory
that IL Il I'm . Somewhat
Fluid Condition.

that IL IL I'm . Somewhat
Fluid Condition.
TO the Editor Of the Tribune:
Sir,-I started to read with much In
terest the article in your paper entitled,
"The Earthquake Theory" but soon
was disappointed to find that what L
had been taught to regard rs an ex-
ploded theory was taken as the funds-
mental data in the solution of the
problem--ths fiuidity Of the earth's in
terror. The writer states: "The rea-
cons for believing that the interior is in
O somewhat fluid condition are various.
The most important are: !. From
very many observations made in mines,
ETC., it is discovered that there is
an increase of temperature from
the surface downward. sufficient
to melt all known rocks"
This is true; but with the increase of
temperature as we 60 downward is also
found an eqnal increase Of pressure Of
the superintendent masses of rocks,
and it is Q we'll known law in physics
that the fusipg point Of all matter is
raised by pressure. By increasing the
pressure to high degree above that Of
the atmosphere water has been heated
red-hot and rocks have been raised to
temperature far above their fusing point
without changing their solid state. So
in accordance with this law of nature
it would seem impossible to find point,
no matter how far below the sarth's
surface, where the rocks were in state
of fusion. So the earth must of neces-
sity be solid to the centre, of IN
enormously high temperature-th0
higher the further we get below the
surface-but still solid. Again the
writer cites 80. By certain geologi-
cal agencies certain rocks from below
are brought to the surface in mountain
building, and these rocks show evil
dence Of having been greatly heated
and even Of having been melted"
Greatly heated they certainly were
while still in their original bed, but not
melted until their fusing point was
lowered by relief of pressure, aud
then, as some Of the matter flashes into
gas the whole molten mass is belched
forth through some volcanic vent or
fissure, IS be speaks of in No. 3. This
relief of pressure Of superheated mat
ter, With the results that are of imme-
date consequence, constitute the Phe-
nomenon Of volcanic eruption. Were the
rocks always in a molten condition 1t
would be hard TO assign cause for the
sudden and violent outbursts to which
many volcanoes NOTABLY Vesuyius) are
subject at long intervals. Volca-
noes notably occur along lines Of
weakness in the earth's crust, where
pressure has been lessened. If volca-
noes be merely vents of an internal
molten see, why should they almost al
WAYS occur in definite regions Of the
earth's surface? And why should they
lot be Of almost constant occurrence in
all vents? In fact, astronomers tell us
that we're there a general molten mass
within the moon would cause, by
tidal influence, yelling forth of lava
as regularly as it causes high tide on
oceanic shores. Astronomers also
assure US that, in all its astronomical
relations, the earth acts like sphere
as rigid as one Of glass.
Again If issuing from q common
source the products Of volcanic eruption
would be more or less alike tho world
over. But even in closly.adj Joining vol
canic districts the rocks arc often totally
different, as is the case in some Of the
old volcanic rocks in Central Europe,
showing a totally different origin.
The outcome of all these facts would
clearly seem to point to the esrth's
being sphere, at an enormous
Temperature within, but still solid to
the centre because of the equally
enormous pressure Of the superincum-
bent masses. A relief Of this pressure
along lines Of weakness would cause
the melting of rocks at certain poiots,
and the eiecting Of this molten matter
from these local pockets at the time Of
relief of pressure. [ write the above
more in the form Of query than a
positive statement WILLIAM L.R.
The CatskUs, Sept. 8, 1886.