The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-13
KANSAS SAID TO Be sinking
Due to the Soft Strata of MagneSia
Underlying Nearly All of 1t.
SUDDEN DROPS ARE FREQUENT
The Land Is Usually Depressed from
Twenty-Five to Thirty Feet. While Sink.
holes Abound in Many Places.
Used by Farmers for Stock Wells.
BY the United Press

BY the United Press.
Topeka, Kan, Oct. 12-During the
last six weeks there have been several
instances of the sinking of small areas of
land in the counties situated between
the valleys Of the Arkansas and the
Walnut river, in Southern Kansas. The
most northern Of these was in Harvey
county, and this was perhaps the larg-
est, the area being about one-fourth of
an acre of the highest prairie In that
vicinity.
This sinking occurred in the center of
wheat field, and within 100 feet of
where thrashing outfit was at work.
This cave-in left perpendicular sides.
where was clearly revealed the geologi
cal strata, showing several feet of
plains mari, underlaid with soapstone,
gravel, clay, and calcareous limestone,
the latter running into magnesia Of
various degrees Of hardness.
Surface Suddenly Drops.
Investigation shows that this sinking
of the surface Is of the same general
character, that the surface suddenly
drops, and without any warning, ac-
companied with no other signs Of agita-
ton than the dropping of the upper
strata of the earth, the fall In some in
more frequently from twenty-five to
thirty. There has never been known
second cavern at or very near the
same spot.
In the region indicated, and extending
almost to the south line Of the state,
are to be found numerous sinkholes,
showing that at some time cave-in
has occurred. The sides Of these old
pits have been acted on by the sur
face water until they have assumed
something Of the shape of a funnel.
At the mouth of the surface Is de-
pressed more or less abruptly, but
gradually rises until short distance
away 1t slopes up to the level OF the
surrounding prairie. There are few
of these sinkholes which show an eX-
tended mouth, the diameter reaching
as much as twenty feet. These are dam
gerous to stock, and the farmers fire.
quently have to fence them to prevent
animals from falling into them. Some
Of these have been explored, and arc
found to be the mouths of caves Of
more or less capacity.
In Stahlter's Cave.
One near Rock Creek, in Cowley coun-
ty, is known as "Stahlters Cave" and
has been explored for half a mile in
two directions. 1t contains irregular
cavities and chambers, which are con-
injected with low and very tortuous
passageways. The formation is mag
nesia of the softer grades. The roof,
sides and bottom are very porous,
and show signs Of constant action Of
water, in places, the upper stratas
being washed through the crevices
and deposited in the cave.
Explorations made at any other
points show similar conditions. In
variably these sinkholes become drain
age sewers for the surface water in
| their vicinity, and in few cases they
are used as stock wells, frame work
being built over the mouth and q
wind mill used to elevate the water
from depth Of from so to 100 feet,
the supply being always ineXhaustible.
The theory which geologists have
agreed upon Is that the soft strata of
magnesia underlying all that region is
full of crevices and cavities more or
less extensive; that the action OF the
water has increased these cavities to
| caverns; that, in the course OF time,
the roof in places has become too
| weak to longer sustain the weight of
| the everything Stratas Of softer forma-
tions, and at times, generally follow
| ing floods or continuous rains, the roof
gives way, causing the surface to sink,
| the depth of the cavity or cave regulat-
| ing the distance. There is no danger
| that any considerable AREA of con-
| nected surface will start for the lower
| regions carrying entire farms and
| neighborhoods.