The evening times., 1898-11-08
A Theory of Volcanic Eruptions.

Theory of Volcanic Eruptions.
A new idea has been suggested in
regard to Vesuvius and it's eruptions
by Professor Semmola, director of the
Observatory Of Vesuvius. He has dis
carded the theory so long held that the
interior of the earth was molten mass
of matter There was for long time
another theory much in favor, that the
periods of greatest activity OF the vol
canO were coincident with those of the
moons greatest attraction. After eX-
tended and thorough observations, Pro-
fessor Semmola has concluded that this
is not so. Were there molten interior
the attraction of the moon would in
evitably affect the volcano.
The theory which the professor holds
at present is that steam, superheated,
under enormous pressure, is responsible
for the eruptions. In some eruptionS
an immense amount of water has been
thrown out, a circumstance which indi-
Gates that water has something to do
With the cause of the phenomenon. An
other circumstance which confirms this
conclusion is the well-known fact that
wells and other bodies of water near
a volcano usually behave in an eccen-
tric manner before an eruption. The
sea also seems to be affected in some
way or other by the same cause which
produces the eruption. Unofficial rec
ords c5scribe the sinking of the sea, fish
stranded on the coast, and so on The
same phenomenon has been observed in
connection with earthquakes.
Professor Semmola then goes on to
say that whenever a lava food passes
over spring, miniature volcano
forms and spouts. The water turns TO
steam, which becomes Superheated and
confined. and finally breaks through
the lava above. After an eruption of
volcano the lava, of course fills all the
water holes over which ii has flowed,
and the steam and other gases which
form below. being unable to escape. go
on accommodating for a long time and
finally attain sufficient force to blow
out the old vent or force u new one.
This simple theory would account for
the fact that volcanoes ara usually
found in tropical or semi-tropicaI eli
mates, where the great heat OF the sun
hardens the earth and prevents the
gradual evaporation of water, in the
form of fog and atmospheric moisture.
This would especially affect the soil on
an island. where the lower stratum of
the earth would be moistened by the
water Of the sea. while the surface, ex-
posed to the sun. would remain dry and
ha I'd In Of 1aa 81, Iii
of the sea, ii was Palmieri's opinion
that the coast was lifted by the action
Of the volcano and he found by investi-
cation that this had actually occurred
in some cases.
In connection with this new theory
ii is suggested that when we under
stand the laws Of nature more perfectly
We shall get heat directly from the
earth itself. Instead of burrowing for
coal we shall driil d little deeper and
by thermo- electric methods bring the
heat 10 the surface. No more mole
like existence for coal miners: no more
CRIME and blackness for engineers and
stokers. our steamers and our railway
cars will be run by electricity. and our
COOKING VIII %" zone py the Edftn
Mother herself. There is nothing half
so improbable in this as there would
have been to our forefathers III the
telegraph and the telephone. We are
in a transition age, with all its faults
and all its virtues. When it is under
stood that something more than mate
rial comfort is 10 be gained by ease Of
transportation, tightening Of work, and
lessening Of danger-that manual labor
is lessened thar the work of the brain
and heart may prosper-then We shall
have either the millennium or So good
an imitation Of ii that everyone will be
Contented.