Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-09-06
THE EARTHQUAKE.

The terrible earthquake which has
caused such destruction of human
life and of property in Charleston
and other sections of the South, is |
probably the worst that ever occurred |
within the limits of the United States.
Fifteen hundred miles south on the |
shores of the Caribbean Sea there
have been earth upheavals far more |
terrible in their destruction, and they
have occurred at frequent intervals.
That section of the world along the
line of the Andes is much disturbed
by volcanic and subterranean forces,
and at frequent intervals there are
destructive earthquakes. About the
Mediterranean Sea, in the vicinity
of Greece,is another section in which
earthquakes are very frequent. Last
week there was an upheaval in that
country that destroyed several villag-
es and the lives of hundreds, posi-
bly, thousands of persons. And yet
these are only the smaller of the many
great earth connections that have
swept thousands of human beings
off the earth. The theory most COM
monty believed IN regard to these aw-
full phenomena IS that the earth is al
most entirely its vast volume of mat
ter considered, a body of molten mat
ter. The surface is encrusted to the
depth of from seven to fifteen miles
with a cooled and solidified crust.
This surrounds the liquid matter,
which is composed Of melted rock,
fused metals and gaseous vapors
which are held in place by gravita-
ton, and the immense strength of
the crust of the earth. Here and
there volcanic chimney affords vent
for the gas and steam, with occasion
al overaows of lava matter. When
from any cause the expansive gases,
like heated steam become so power
full as to break the earth's crust the
force exerted is so great that for
hundreds and thousands of miles the
shock is felt. When it is most vic.
lent the earth opens in broad seams
and the vapors and smoke are emitted
) in great volumes. 1t can be imagin
ed that fssure In the earths crus
, beneath the sea might pour down s
volume of water upon the molten mass
| beneath that would generate steam
| that would rend the earth as4nder
| There are explosive and other CASE
t made by chemical action that doubt
| less have to do with some Of the quak
y ing of the earth. The recent devel
: opment of gas wells and the great fore
of many artesian wells show tina
q IuSI6 10 I'LL llulucuSc lcStIdiucu lOIC
e of some kind in the bowels of tn
t earth, that shows itself whenever tn
e physical conditions are right. Their
IS seem to be periods when these subtel
: ranean forces are more felt than 8
: other times. Recently the earthquake
), in Greece, the eruption of Vesuvius
It the great storm in the Gulf of Mexic
J. which swept over Texas, show con
e motion and disturbance in the ele
d ments. Some may have fears ths
these things are to continue wit
greater violence, but we apprehen
not. 1t is probable that the fore
: which has caused these things of la,
" has expended its fury. and that tt
~ like may not be looked for again pc
he haps in our day, There will doub
IN less much suffering result from ii
Re disaster to the southern towns, an
,o sympathy and help ought to
= extended to these people. We ST
W that supplies and other things are b
D. ing sent forward to relieve the suffe
ing.