Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-09-06
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
Circulars Sent Out Calling for Detailed
Information.

Circulars sent Out Calling for Detailed
Information.
/ WASHINGTON, September 5.-The Geo
/ logical Survey, in pursuance of its directions
to make 4 thorough study of the phenOm-
OnOn of the earthquake of August 81, has
prepared u circular to be sent TO all parts
of the affected area and adjacent country
calling for detailed information upon
the subject from whOmsOever
may have any information, even
OF an apparent trivial character,
To impart. The observer is required first
To state his own position, whether III doors
OF out, up stairs or down; whether stand
ing, walking or sitting, and to describe the
ground of his locality, whether rocky,
earthly, OF sandy.
Following this it is desired that
SERIES or QUESTIONS,
i'm substance, as follows, shall be answered
rItegOriCally.
First-Was an earthquake felt at your
place on the eyeningof Aug. 81, or within 4
few days of that time? Negative answers
10 this will be Of great interest from any
points within the disturbed area, and espe-
cially from points near its limits.
Second.-At what hour, minute and
second OF standard time was it felt?
Third-How long did its perceptiblc
moment continue?
Fourth-Was it accompanied by any
unusual noise? If 50 describe it,
Fifth.-WaS there more than one shock
felt: If 50, how many? Where several were
felt give accurately or even roughly the
number, duration and character of each,
and the interval between them.
Sixth-Which of the following
MEASURES or INTENSITY
would best describe what happened in your
vicinity: No. |, very light; noticed by u
few persons; not generally felt. No. ,,
light felt by the majority of persons, rat
tling windows and CrOckery. No. 3,
moderate; sufficient to set suspended
objects, chandeliers, etc, swinging or TO
overthrow light objects. No. !, strong;
sufficient to crack tine plaster in houses or
10 throw down some bricks from chimnieS
No. >, severe; Overthrowing chimnies and
iniuring the walls OF houses.
Seventh-DO YOU know OF any
other cause for what happened
than IN earthquake? Give also
any further particulars of interest, stating
whether they are from observation or hear
say. For instance, whether the shock
seemed like a tremOr OF jar, OF an nndu-
latory movement and whether 1t seemed to
come horizontally or vertically? Whether
lnv idea of direction of shock was formed,
and if people
AGREE IN THEIR OPINION
~ to such direction. Mention any unusual
condition of the atmosphere; any strange
effect on animals lit is often said that they
feel the first tremors of 4 shock some time
before people notice it at all; character OF
damage to buildings; general direction
in which walls, ChimneyS &c., were over
thrown. Springs, wells and rivers are
often noticeably effected by even slight
shocks, and such facts are especially inter
esting. II n clock was stopped give the
time it indicated land some idea how FAST
OF slow it was), its position, the direction
IN which it was standing or facing, ana
the approximate length and weight OF the
pendulum. II the chandelier WAS noticed
TO sway decidedly, describe it, and state
direction of sway. Ii pictures swung
state direction of walls and whether pic
tures on the wall at right angles to 1t were
also put in motion. II doors were cioSeu
or opened state the direction of the wall In
which they were set.
In short, hardly any fact
HOWEVER APPARENTLY INSIGNIFICANT
REGARDING this great earthquake Will not
come amiSs, and it is probable, that IN
the mass of information to be gathered
data of great scientific value will be de
cided. II is requested that this information
shall be sent 10 the Division of Volcanic
Geology, Geological Survey. It's tnouShl
that before the end OF the year elaborate
arrangements for the more thorough ooSer-
walton and study of seismitlc phenomenon
occurring in all parts OF this cont,
nent will be perfected ana
nut in operation. The arrangements
have been in progress for year OF more
and the most advanced students ot TINS
branch of natural science are interesting
themselves in the work. Instruments ot
great delicacy, though simple in their con-
Struction and operation, have long been IN
use for antOmically recording
EARTH MOVEMENTS
Perhaps the best has for its central feature
a disc OF smoky glass revolyed horlzontaily
| by clOckwOrk. Besides this are horlzontal
pendula delicately suspended upon Pivots
carrying weights of sufficient inertia TO keep
the pendula at rest, though the stands 10
which they are attached can be moved. Eaen
nendulum bears at its extremity pointer,
which being drawn over the smoked disc,
as the latter reyolyes, marks q uue
circle so long IS the earth
remains unmoved, but with tne
slightest movement their course Is as
turbed and their record Is seen IN waving
and jagged lines around the dise. I"S S
of these pendula are required loI e<lc
seismograph, one recording the east anu anu
west movements and the Others those
north and south. The instrument Is
TOO DELICATE AND COMPLEX
for use outside of the observatory and
! labratory, where it can have the attention