New-York tribune., 1902-10-19
rOLCANOEs AND THE MOON.

The almost simultaneous occurrence of the
latest outbreak of La SOuffriere on Wednesday
and n full moon on Thursday serves as re-
minder of several other condolences of the
same or a kindred nature which have been no
ticed In the last few mouths Professor Robert
T Hill of the United States Geological Survey,
calls attention to the fact that the great eX-
pIosIon of Pelee, Oh May s, almost immedi-
ately followed a new moon. Another conspicu-
Ous though less violent. demonstration was
reported on May 81 within a few hours of
full moon. II has also been remarked that in
two or three instances at least, eruptiOns have
occurred when the moon was at that part Of its
orbit nearest the earth. its distance at perigee
being about ODD 600 miles while at apOgee the
interval is increased 10 about 253,O00.
Both scientific and unscientifc people have
noticed a number OF apparent condolences he
tween changes In the moon and terrestrial
phenomena PeriOdicities real or imaginary,
have been discovered in all sorts of things and
attributed TO that body. In some cases the
amount of evidence which has been collected
is sufficient 10 prove a relation between lunar
and sublunary events. but the majority of such
suggestions yet rest on incomplete or abso-
lutely worthless foundations At the last meet
ing of the British Association for the Advance
ment of Science Professor Arthur Schuster dis
cussed the data presented by others TO show a
possible connection between the moon and
earthquakes. The figures Of some Investigators
he regards as meaningless. Those of Professor
Davidson seemed to him 10 establish n slight
probability when weighed mathematicaly
Now. what the precise relation Is between
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions has not been
fully determined Sometimes the latter appear
10 he effects OF the former Sometimes the two
phenomena look like twin effects of some other
cause. That one Is often akin to the other
seems 10 he conceded. however. \ periodicty
in earthquakes corresponding 10 changes in
the moon. If well proven. therefore. might have
a logical bearing on the question of the cauSa-
tiOn of volcanic disturbance For a variety Of
reasons. but especially because earthquakes are
much more frequent than volcanic outbreaks II
is easier 10 make out ease for the former than
for the latter. great deal Yet remains 10 he
done in the way Of observation and comparison
10 establish the suspected relationship between
the moon and earthquakes To associate con
vincingly such exhibitions as Pe6e and Ia Souf
friere have recently given with the carthS great
satellite IS a stIll larger task. But the few
condolences thus far noticed are certainly Sug-
gestive
If the moon really does exercise more inhu-
ence. upon volcanoes when in one part Of IFS
orbit than in another. the question Instantly
arises. How is that influence eXerted: When
the Interior of the earth was supposed 10 be in
a mud condition reputable astronomers and
geologlstS Imagined that there might be lunar
tides inside as well as OutSidc the crust of the
globe The notion was "A captivating one In
fortunately. however the theory of puIpv
mass inside the terrestrial shell is not in favor
just now. BY the transmission of tremors right
through the middle of the earth by other phe-
hOmena ana by the absence of certain behavior
which has been looked for the leading geol-
oSlsts and physicists of the day have become
persuaded that the earth has a rigid interior
One must look outside then for actual move
ments OF matter. This is found i'm ocean tides
winch attain their maxima nj new moon. full
moon ana perlgee Professor George II Oar
wih' thah whom no higher authority i'm such
matt"rS can he found to-day. believes that the
simple weight OF the extra water thus piled mn
on the coasts of continents and islands con
duces 10 earthquakes. The latter originate II
Is thought' as do volcanoes along fractures in
the earth's crust. and result from strains that
are set mp there by shrinkage aIIuvjal denosits
and other agencies When these have brougbt
aOout crisis II is credible that an excention-
ally heavy burden, temporarily nlaced alone -
lhe OF weakness. might precipitate the event
In mat case the moons influence vouId ha in,
dlrect. net direct. and II would he only a small
factor IN the total combination of forces Fvan
so. it would resemble the last strav. o ,hn
camel's back "