Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-09-03
\ STUDENTS OBSERVATIONS.
Colonel Thomas p. Roberts Throws Light
on the Phenomena-AnI Interesting Talk.
PiiSbUr1 DisDCSrh.


ON the Phenomena-An Interesting Talk.
PHtsbrg DtpOsch.
Probably no other gentleman of a sci
entitic turn has taken a deeper interest in
the earthquake than ColOnel Thomas p.
Roberts, the we'll known civil engineer
Mr.. Roberts has been deep student OF
this class ct phenomena, and spent the
greater portion OF his time yesterday in in.
yeStigatin% the effects OF the shock in this
locality. To a reporter he said:
/ really think we may expect more earth
quake shocks within the next few weeks.
There may possibly be 4 series OF shocks OF
varying intensity, rs there was in the Mis-
SiSSippi valley in lSll-l2, extending
through several months. But while shocks
may occur TO alarm Us right here in Pitts
burg, do not believe that great damage
is likely to be done i'm the interior. Along
the great rivers possibly there is a liability
always OF local floods where the quake
may effect even slight change in the
:hannelS, and thereby cause the banks to
cave in and thus cause OveTflOwS
In the accounts of the earthquake | no
tice that Charleston. :. c., seems to have
lble coincidence the earthquake which
destroyed Caracas and 10, 900 persons on
March 20, Isle, was felt plainly on this
continent along the coast about Charles
ton, =. c., and in the Mississippi valley,
at New Madrid.
Humboldt says in his Cosmos that
the earthquake OF New Madrid presents
one of the few examples on record Ot earth
quakes far removed from VOLCANOES. Most
5f those mentioned in history rs destruc-
tive are either confined to islands or mari
time districts. As Il rule, | believe low
river valleys would feel the vibration more
than the uplandS. In the hill districts OF
this city believe that few noticed any
disturbance. This particular earthquake
appears to have been observed over very
treat area on this continent; but | have
no doubt ii was only the reflex action OF
some great submarine disturbance; posi-
DIV nearer to Africa, or Southern Europe,
than to this continent.
| do not take any stock in the theory
that the loss OF natural gas from the bowe Is
of the earth may have had something to
do with causing the earthquake. Many
accounts of earthquakes agree In the state
meut that they are frequently preceded by
Gains, or periods of sultrineSS and peculiar
electrical disturbances. We have had
unusual weather of late. On Sunday night
when it was perfectly calm, close and hot,
with not a cloud visible, | observed pecu'
liar electrical flashes in the sky IN several
directions. The flashes were not well lie
fined. but formed sudden and general
illumination OF the sky. They were quite
treatment, and | observed that such unusual
electrical displays pOrtenda violent dlStur
bance in the weather. Experience with
the California earthquakes points to thi
same fact. viz, that meteorological m
fluenceS have much to do with earthquakes
md volcanic eruptions. Imagine the in
terror of a volcano, filled with liquid mat
ter, pressed down by the ordinary welSh'
Of the atmosphere. The destructive gases
contained in it are kept III II state OF equl'
Iibrium by the weight of the atmosphere
Now suppose the atmosphere to have sud
denly become light. The result inevitably
is an explosion, which we experience either
in the form of volcanic eruption or an
earthquake.
| find from inquiry along Wylie avenue
this afternoon that my theory that the
make was not felt ut points where the
ground level is more than I'D ieet ABOVE
the river is confirmed. IL Is easy 10 I'M
agine that the rivers, rs they occupy the
lowest ground having the least thlcEneSS OF
strata over them, would become the BENT
inc line or axis of movement. Thus, II
we cut through several leaves OF paste
hoard and attempt to bend it, the break
will follow the line of least thickness.
4 statement from Prof Very. at the
Allegheny Observatory, made TINS AFTER
noon seems to further confirm the theory.
He reports that neither his delicate CLOCKS
nor other scientific instruments were IN
the least disturbed. The location oi
the observatory is fully SUI lee'
in vertical height above the river
II would not pretend 10 say
that the course of rivers will dehne the
limits and boundaries of earthquakes. Inn
,yos n continental affair-but in the neigh
borbood ofrivers on high ground above
them their effects viii be less ObServable'
Tbus. We have reports that the quake was
felt i'm Williamsburg, though little, If any
in East Liberty. This would 20 TO Sho"
that As the peninsula between the deep ~
ing rivers widened their protecting lnIu'
ence would be less felt. The latest re
ports tend to the belief that the trouble
originated in the Atlantic Ocean south o.
east from Charleston-pOSsibly as far away
as the island of Teneriffe in the Canary
group of islands. The great volcano oil
that island, IL, 900 feet above sea level, ha'
been noticed to act sympathetically with
very distant earthquakes, though the rec
ords do not show that it was active IN ISL,
10 At an events that is the region loos
TO for further reports.