Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-11-28
EARTHQUAKE GAS BOOM.
Yield of Natural Gas Increased 60 Per
Cent by the Recent Shock.

Telegraphic reports to the effect
that, since the recent earthquake IN
Indiana, the flow of gas in the natural
gas belt of that state has increased go
per cent, have given rise to very
natural conclusion by many persons
that the g-continued and extensive
drain of gas from the earth's interior
in that neighborhood may have dis
turbed the equilibrium of the pressure
of forces beneath the surface and so
have been directly responsible for the
earthquake.
Although natural gas is an excellent
thing in it's way, and ridiculously
cheap when compared to the MANI
featured article, it is to be presumed
that even the thrifty inhabitants of
Indiana and Chic would regard it's
cost as high and it's use as undesirable
if it is to be obtained only at the price
of earthquakes.
James f. Kemp, professor of geology
of Columbia college, was asked for his
views on the subject, and it was made
quickly evident that he does not share
in the opinion that the owners of nat
ural gas wells in Indiana are in any
way responsible for the earthquakes.
''If," said Prof. Kemp, 'it is true, as
reported, that the flow of gas has been
increased 60 per cent. since the earth
quake, then we will be forced to admit
that the earthquake is responsible for
the enlarged gas supply, but we may
j by no means conclude inversely that
the escape of gas was originally re-
sponsible for the earthquake. I am in
fact convinced that it could have had
nothing whatever to do with it, and !
think it will be an admirable thing on
the part of the press to reassure
jewellers on the line of the great nat
ural oil and gas belts that the opera
ton of drawing gas and oil from the
earth's interior may be continued with
entire impunity so far as creating
earthquakes is concerned.
GA shock of earthquake, such as that
felt in Indiana recently, would almost
OF necessity so jar the limestone
strata as to accelerate the escape OF
gas from its interstices, and if that
gas be able to make it's way through
the Gaping of shale, it must perforce
come to the surface in greater volume
than before. You therefore see, as
said before, that the earthquake is re-
sponsible for the gas and not the gas
for the earthquake"
/ When asked upon what theory be
explained earthquakes in a non-vol
canic portion of the earth like this
Prof. Kemp said: 81 think there car
be no other theory than the cooling of
Of the earth's intenior, and the conse
Quent contraction of the sphere, whicl
is necessarily going on. We know
that the earth is giving forth annu
ally a sufficient amount of heat, indie
pendent entirely of the suns heat, L
melt a layer of ice about three-fourth:
Of an inch in thickness. I do not re
call the exact degree. Through thi'
cooling and consequent contraction The
whole crust of the earth is under {
| constant and terrific pressure, and i
is not surprising that now and then {
slip or a slide takes place between
two masses of rock when the pressur'
| is uneven. We have had but few
, earthquakes in America in the pas
: and I certainly do not see any reasoz
for anticipating them in any create
: numbers, certainly not for very Ions
time to come"