Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-05

Earthquake Speculations.
There viii doubtless continue TO be con-
siderable speculation about the cause of
the earthquake, which has disturbed so
large portion OF this country, long after
all apprehension of repetition OF the
shocks has disappeared. So little is
known OF the causes of earthquakes tina
the field for speculation is almost I'M
/ limited.
A theory entertained at Charleston is
| that the earthquake of last week originat-
| ed in the islands of the Mediterranean
sea, that it travelled across the ocean,
struck our coast and made itself felt far
inland. Greater damage was done at
Charleston than elsewhere because the
crust of the earth is not only thinner there
than at other places on the coast where
| cities are located, but the soil is of more
yielding character. This theory appears
to be quite satisfactory one, but it is
not so satisfactory as to be generally &C
cepted.
Major Powell, of the geological survey,
telegraphed to the British Association for
the Advancement OF Science, that the
principal shock, which occurred on Tues
day night, originated in Central North
Carolina, and from that point spread In
all directions.
Here are two theories which cannot be
support each, but not enough to remove
all doubt with respect to either.
But whether the earthquake originated
in North Carolina or the Mediterranean.
1t is highly probable that the greater
manifestation Of energy at Charleston
was due to the character Of the country
there. If the ground at Savannah we're
as soft and yielding as 1t is at Charleston,
1t is possible that there would have been
MS great disaster in the former city as
in the latter.
Prof. W. LeConte Stevens, in an article
In the New York World, calls particular
attention to the sandy ground upon which
both Savannah and Charleston are built,
and observes that the cities which have
suffered most from earthquakes are built
upon just such ground. he calls atten-
ton to the great Lisbon earthquake which
destroyed so many human beings, and
points out that the portion OF the city that
was destroyed was built upon low, sandy
ground, while the part that almost wholly
escaped INJURY rested upon a foundation
OF basaltic rock and limestone.
II stronger foundation saved portion
OF Lisbon it may be that Savannah's es-
cape from partial destruction was due to
the fact that she rests upon a much
stronger foundation than Charleston.
Those who have made earthquakes a
study pretty generally agree that there
are no recognized facts which Justify
the belief that the condition of the
atmosphere has any connection with
earthquakes. Certain peculiarities of the
atmosphere have been observed just prior
to an earthquake, but these peculiarIties
were not especially different from those
observed at other times, when they were
not followed by earthquakes. In this
city, on Friday evening, several hours
before the shock, the principal signal
officer at this station said that In
his opinion an earthquake shock was
probable during the night. He based
this opinion on the condition of the atmos-
phere, and the appearance of clouds hang
ing in the horizon.
On Friday night, although the weather
was much cooler than on Tuesday night,
the conditions were much the same. On
Tuesday night there was no breeze, and
there was an oppressive feeling in the air.
The peculiar appearance of the clouds
in the west attracted attention of great
many people. One of the New York pa
pers says that the appearance of the sky
in that locality just after sunset was so
unusual as to excite comment. These few
data would seem to indicate that there is
some connection between the atmosphere
and earthquakes, but if there is, enough is
not known about earthquakes TO show the
connection.