The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-05
THERE is NO DANGER
HOOsIERs NEED NOT FEAR TO BORE
FOR GAS AND OIL.
Holes I'm the Earth and Escape of
Fluids Do Not Cause Earthquakes
Flow of Gas Increased.

PITTSBURG, Nov. 4.-The New York
correspondent Of the Dispatch says: Tele-
graphic reports to the effect that since the
recent earthquakes in Indiana, the flow of
gas In the natural-gas belt in that State
has increased 60 per cent, have given rise
to very natural conclusion by many per-
sons that the long-continued and extensive
drain OF gas from the eartla,s interior in
that neighborhood may have disturbed the
equilibrium of the pressure of forces be-
meath the surface, and so have been di-
rectly responsible for the earthquake.
James F. Kemp. professor of geology of
Columbia College, was asked to-day for
his views on the subject, and 1t was made
quickly evident that he does not share in
the opinion of the owners of natural-gas
wells in Indiana that they are in any way
responsible for the earthquakes. "If," said
Professor Kemp. lit is true. as reported
that the flow of gas has been increased 50
Per cent. since the earthquake, then we
will be forced TO admit that the earthquake
is responsible for the enlarged gas sup
ply, but we may by no means conclude in
versely that the escape of gas was orig
inally responsible for the earthquake.
Il am. in fact, convinced that it would
have had nothing whatever TO do with ii,
and think 1T will be an admirable thing
on the part of the Dispatch to reassure
dwellers on the line Of the great natural
oil and gas belts that the operation of
drawing gas and oil from the earth's in
terror may be continued with entire i'm
punity, so far as creating earthquakes is
concerned. 1t is a recognized fact that the
natural gas and oil which come to the sur
face with varying degrees OF force i'm GER
tain parts OF the country are generated in
fo% o sSe Itself
table life. In the oil and gas districts of
Indiana and Ohio this stratum of lime
thousand feet below the surface. It's for
nation Is In a series of arches.
above the porous limestone is i'm
gas and oil in the limestone below from
escaping to the surface, notwithstanding
the tremendous pressure of water that is
oealns ing sPoh II from G the ss 1ns oap
arches is penetrated by the drill of the
we'll borer the gas. freed from its impris-
onment, of course, ascends.
These ascending pillars of gas were at
first attributed to a volcanic or explosive
condition. but experiments have abundant
from above that gives natural gas its rush
of force. The amount Of water pressure will
correspond exactly to the force with which
the gas comes out of the ground. This
upsets entirely any theory that the natural
gas is originated by any destructive or
in the interior. 1t is purely the result of
decomposition that has taken place in the
strata of porous limestone, and. as 1T is
filled with brine from below, 50 that the
density of the limestone strata is not
imperiled.
"A shock OF earthquake. such as that
felt in Indiana recently, would almost or
necessity so jar the limestone strata as to
accelerate the escape of gas from its in
terstices: and, If that gas be able to make
it's way through the Gaping of shale, 1T
must, perforce. come to the surface in
greater volume than before You. there
fore see as / said before, that the earth
quake is responsible for the gas, and not
the gas for the earthquake"
When asked upon what theory he ex-
planned earthquakes in non-vocanic por-
ton Of the earth like this, Professor Kemp
said: II think there can be no other theory
than the cooling off of the earth's interior,
and the consequent contraction of the
sphere which is necessarily going on. We
know that the earth is giving forth an
pendent entirely of the suns heat TO melt
inch in thickness. / do not recall the ex-
act degree Through this cooling, and
consequent contraction. the whole crust of
the earth Is under constant and terrific
pressure, and il is not surprising that
now and then a slip or slide takes place
between two masses of rock when the
pressure is uneven. We have had but few
earthquakes In America in the past, and
certainly do not see any reason for
anticipating them in any greater numbers,
Certainly not for a long time TO come"