The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-16
NICARAGUA CANAL LINE
PROF. HEILPRTN SAYS ROUTE 10
VOLCANIC.
Noted Geological Expert Says PAN
anna Route IL Less Liable to
Subterranean Outbreaks.

Philadelphia Special.
Apart from its appalling characteris-
tics the eruption Of Mont Peeie on MAI
on the adjacent island of st. Vincent
have most important bearing upon the
problem of trans-isthmian canal con-
struction. 1t emphasizes to the geologns
very plainly the danger to which canai
will be subjected which is planned on the
Nicaraguan route with active and semi
active volcanoes located directly on the
line and Immediately about It,
''On the other hand, the route OF tne
Panama canal IL not menaced by either
active or semi-extinct volcanoes.
This statement was made tonignt py
Professor Angelo Heilprin Of THIS CITY.
Professor Heilprin is one Of the nigh
est authorities Of geology and volcanic
phenomena in the country. He was re-
Gently elected President of the Geograph-
zeal Society Of Philadelphia and - =
ences and Of the Board Of Directors OF
Elbows Danger Of Location.
Contngin, Professor Heilprin said:
with the emphasis which is now given
catastrophe events that have preceded
1t in the last half century 1t would hard
ly be less than folly to embark upon an
enterprises Of such vast magnitude ana
canal along the route which has been
first recommended by the Isthmian Canal
Commission when there Is a choice OF
routes left to us in another region whlch
has thus far shown Itself to be entirely
free from destructive manifestations of
this nature
There II no reason to assume that any
new volcanoes will be suddenly consti-
tuted in that region. Earthquake dis
turbances which are SO largely aseoci-
ated with the region and which are in a
great measure dependent upon volcanic
phenomena are, as compared with those
- . -. Aolo fva
no truly destructive earthquake having
been known in Panama since 1871.
Weakness Of Earth's Crust.
THE sudden disturbance in the pres
ent instance would seem to be due to
an almost instantaneous generation OF
steam. But Pelee as wen as the volca-
noes of st. Vincent and the neighboring
Caribbean islands is situated in region
OF extreme weakness of the earth's crust.
which has its parallel in the Mediter-
ranean basin on the opposite side Of the
Atlantic. :"
This American region Of weakness ex-
tends westward from the lesser Antilles
across the gulf into Mexico. where are
some of the loftiest volcanoes OF the
globe, such as Popocatepetl and Orizaba:
both now In q somnolent condition.. ana
in the more westerly volcano of Cotma.
which has been in almost continuous
eruption for ten years.
Central America in Line.
1.-THE same region of weakness includes
almost the whole Of Central America, the
volcanoes of Costa Rica and Nicaragua
| having been repeatedly active almost
up to our own time.
1.-THE assertion has been made that
| there has been a decrease in the vol
canic potentially of these volcanoes, but
no geologist Is in a position to assert
| that this is so and 1t should be no sur
| prise to any stuoent were some OF tn >
volcanoes to burst, out with the Same
yigor and intensity as did Mont Pelec
| or La Sonfriere of st. Vincent.
1.-The latter have demonstrated the con-
ditions of extreme weakness which ex-
| lists in that entire region and which had
| its beginning ages ago in the breaking
| down OF the Audrean system Of noun
| tains, and the consequent formation of
| the Caribbean and gulf basins. That part
/ of Martinique which has been covered
with flowing lava will remain a barren
| rock for centuries and II will take al
| most as long for decay to start in the
/ cinders which have been spread on other
/ parts of the island.
Whole Island May Sink.
| Until that shall happen there will be
/ no soil on which the former luxuriant
| vegetation could take root. 1t would not
| lava from the volcano left so great a
| cavity underneath the crust that the, vol
/ cano itself fell in and disappeared OF
| even the whole island itself sank out OF
| o: ght beneath the sea. 1t vas pushed ur
| from underneath the surface of the water
| in the first place by volcanic disturb
ances and then built up OF lava and GIN
ders by subsequent eruptions.
| Professor Heilprin intends to, start Tor
| Martinique in a few DAYS to make sci
entific observations OF the eruption.
L ------------------