Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-08
ABOUT EARTHQUAKES.
SPECULATIONS ON THE RECENT
DISTURBANCES.

a
cist, Attr butes the shocks to Natural
Causes Entire'y-He Repudiates the
Predicted Tidal Wave ms Preposterous
and Thinks the Danger is Over.
From tho ChGrLeston Ne,os and Courier, Sept z.
Prots. T. c. Mendenhan and W. j. Nc
Gee, OF the Earthquake Commission, who
came here several days ago for the pur-
pose OF investigating the Charleston
earthquake, are still in the city, their eX-
aminations into the causes OF the same
not having been as yet completed.
Prof Mendenhall said that 1t was i'm
possible to speak of the details OF the
causes of any earthquake. But the gen.
eral causes are known, and it is possible
that the details Of the cause OF TINS par
tlcular shock may be understood at some
time hereafter; but be doubted that iuil
explanation had ever been given OF any
earthquake that had ever occurred. He
would say, however, that there never was
an earthquake which was not due TO
physical causes, and that. like all other
physical phenomena, they have in their
origin and progress definite causes. and
that they were in no wise attributable TO
nor had any connection with the works OF
chance.
Prot. Mendenhall said that 1t was dis
tressing to him to notice the reports OF
the various sermons that had been
preached on Sunday, that the people had
been told that the earthquake had been
sent upon them as a punishment for their
sins; for, he said, the people are likely, II
they believe that. TO imagine that they
NAV expect a recurrence of the earth
quake at any time. Such suggestion and
instruction are calculated to unnerve
and unsettle any class OF people and TO
prevent them from rising to such an emer-
gency as this. 1t ought to be understood
that the whole thing is governed by
natural laws and that nature works in
perfectly systematic manner. The unex-
pected often occurs, but when it does oc-
cur it always occurs in accord with well
recognized causes and physical princi-
pies. ''The effect Of prOnounciDg the
earthquake a punishment from Goo"
continued Prof. MendeDhall. has been 10
terroriZe ignorant people; and L heard a
oolored preacher crying out constantly
that it was the voice of God l was,
however, surpri sed when found that the
same thing had been preached from the
pulpit in this city.
II would like to cav that l feel great
confidence in the fact that the great dan
ger OF this disturbance is over. j feel
strong confidence that this is the case.
That belief is based on the study of the
behavior of the disturbance thus far, and
| also on several years. experience in coun-
! tries In which earthquakes were occur
ring frequently and in which l studied
with great deal of interest every occur
renee and recurrence, although L have
never seen one so violent as this.
LAS to future disturbances. 1t Is true
that shocks that would level buildings
| .,.-. 1aI hof aiohf
engulf Sullivan's Island, but the fact is
that we have had shock strong enough
| to level buildings and it did not produce
such tidal wave. All the points indi-
cate that this disturbance is not one
which extends under the sea. We see
nothing to indicate that. tits a land dis
turbance of a local character. 1t has eX-
tended widely. but it has been violent
| only locally. Therefore, / do not antici.
pate anything of danger from the bed Of
the sea, even if shocks should occur Of
| consider able intensity, regarding them as
| parts OF this disturbance.
81 have examined Sullivan's Island and
| find less damage done there than any
place else. / believe 1T to be a safe
place."
II do not think that there is much dam.
age in Summerville OF kind that cannot
be easily repaired"
Prof. Mendenhall, being asked il he had
formed any theory as TO the cause Of the
disturbance, said: 81 said a moment age
| that have some views in regard to the
theory, but they have not been definitely
| developed. | would prefer to wait until
| shall have had all the facts before me. Oh
| course we shall be governed by the history
| OF the progress OF the disturbance. have
a theory. but only In general way. | can
| say that the earth is an intensely hot body
with cool, or comparatively cool, eX'
| terror. That body Is all the time radi.
ting heat into space. 1t Ia, therefore. al
| the time cooling. 1t must be, therefore
undergoing contractiOns or shrinkage'
| Again, the earth is not homogeneous In
its matter, and when these contractons
take place there must be at intervals ar
adjustment OF the surface of the earth tC
| the new condition or thingsresulting from
the change in the interior. In fact such
! adjustments are constantly going on.
therefore regard the shocks which followed
the great shock OF Tuesday night as 81
many minor adjustments made necessary
by the fret change"
Being asked if there were adjustments
| at regular or stated intervals, Prof. Men
deuhall said: "No, | do not think so; i
is purely accidental. l do not think
however. that there Is anything absurd il
the belief that the presence OF high water
would lead 10 minor shock, becaus;
there is then a change of condition OF the
earth's surface caused by the superim
posed mass OF water making an add
tional pressure. varying of course witt
the depth of the tide at high water. Blu
even that is an accidental accessory"
| Prof. Mendenhall was asked to eXplair
the constant repetition of shocks at Sum
merville-a condition OF things that Die
not exist in Charleston. He said frankly
Il have no explanation Oft. tits a rath
er peculiar phase Of the general distur
bance. But it impressed upon me that i
-Summerville-isa locality where ther
were more continuous changes than an.
place else."
THE LAND SLIDE HYPOTHESIS