The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-07-25
The DEEPEST HOLE IN THE EARTH.
tions OF Temperature - Depths
of More Thas .. Nile.

Concentrations OF Temperature ~ Deptne
of More Than . Nile.
Although mountains and ellis have in
dictated the formation Of projections 81
the earth's crust, and mines have shown
TO some extent the formation under
ground. the very deepest mipes have NOT
permitted the extensive and minute re-
searches that biologists and scientists
have desired. Behring'S are limited, OF
course, by natural obstacles, like exceed
ingIy hard formations, and by the ex-
pense, unless the purpose be TO ascertain
the location OF minerals worth mining, or
get a supply Of water, as in artesian wells.
Holes for geological research need not be
very deep, and IL IL natural TO suppose
that interest has been excited by the re-
ports OF observations in the deepest hole
in the world.
The hole 10 at schladebach, near Ket-
schan Germany. II is 5,735 feet in depth,
and II for geological research solely.
Boring was begun in 1880 under the d.
rection of the Royal Mines Commission
OF Prussia. The work was carried on un-
der great difficulties, and the accidents
and delays would have discouraged the
engineers il 1t had been a private enter
prise, but II being State work the obsta-
expense, and the boring was continued
for six years at q cost OF more than $53,-
900. At the depth Of 5,735 feet, however,
the engineers had so many mishaps that
il was evident that for while and until
the ingenuity OF man could devise better
means, operations would have to be dis
continued. Progress was slow and the
expenses had increased beyond expecta-
ton. The drills were withdrawn and the
thermometric measurements were con-
tinued down to the lowest depth.
The initial diameter OF the hole ID 11.2
inches. The first drilling apparatus was
OF the drop tool form, and q casing was
sent down as the drilling progressed. At
a depth OF 1877 feet the casing OF that size
would not go any further, and the drill
ing was continued without IL. Suisse
quently casing go inches in diameter
had to be used through q layer OF loose
material Beyond depth Of 574 feet the
boring was continued by means OF dia-
mond drill 81 inches in diameter, that
cut core 5h inches in diameter. The
size of the hole had to be decreased grad
ually as the depth increased. At depth
OF $3.50 feet the diameter was 1.62 inches,
and at 1855 feet and beyond it was 1.32
inches. Owing to two long interruptions
and other delays, the average daily rate of
boring was about 4.59 feet.
The thercaometric measurements were
begun after depth Of q, a36 feet had been
marked. and were repeated at every hum
dred feet. The latest observations have
been noted with great care and during
considerable periods OF time. The ther-
monleters, were, fixed in a water chamber,
that was enc.used in a wrong hit iron
casing TO prevent breakage of the in
struments under the pressure at the
great DEPTHS, water being used to clear
out the hole. Three thermometers were
used for each reading, and the mean OF
their indications was taken as the result
of the measurement. For each observa-
ton the Thermometers were left in the
hole about sixteen hours. The observa-
tions showed that the temperature in
creased regularly and constantly with the
increased depth.-N. Y. Sun.