The Savannah morning news., 1903-05-17
DEPTHS OF THE EARTH.
Proposal to Install Subterranean
ObservatOries.
From the Literary Digest.

From the Literary Digest.
A proposal to install several hundred
subterranean observatories at depths
of anywhere from few hundred yards
to mile or so, may appear sufficient
| ly startling. 1t ceases to be so, how
ever, when we learn that the observ-
ers themselves are to be on the earth's
surface; it is only their instruments
that it is proposed to place so far under
ground, and these may be lowered into
boringS such as are now made for ar
tesian wells. The principal measure
mentS would be of temperatures; but it
is claimed by NJ. A. Laisant, who ad-
vocates the plan, that its results would
add greatly to our knowledge of the
earths crust and its phenomena, both
normal and Abnormal. NJ. Laisant sets
forth his plan in La Raison in an ar
ticle quoted in the Revue Scientifque
He says:
while astronomical Instruments in
volve considerable expense on account
of their high precision, the apparatus
in use for meteorological observations
cost much less, and this would also be
true for those that would be employed
in Subterranean observation. 1t would
be sufficient to sink at a certain num-
Der of properly chosen points holes in
the same manner as arteSian wells, or,
still better, in the way THAT is used
in America to bore for petroleum. The
depth would be more or less considera-
BILE according to the region and the
nature of the geological strata; it should
be governed by data known to science,
but should in general be as great as
possible. 1t would probably not be
chimerical to think of reaching a depth
of several kilometers in some places,
while in others few hundred meters
might suffice.
GeOIOgist to BE Consulted.
LAS to the locations of the borings
and their number, here, too, the geolo-
gists can furnish the necessary indica-
tions. We should note here that deep
borings, while in course of making,
will give interesting geological infor-
nation, since they will furnish contln-
uously specimens of the strata ira
versed, which may be studied and ana
lyzed. When the boring has once been
finished, it will be easy to introduce
into it measuring apparatus, and espe-
ctally thermometers. The study of
the pressure at these great depths, that
of the composition of the gases that are
encountered, the electric and magnetic
state of the medium. and other e1e-
ments, will possess equally hreat inter-
est. With the registering apparatus
now at our disposal, most of the indi-
cations mentioned will be easy to OBJ
tain, when the installation has once
been made, without the necessity of
displacing the instruments.
When large part of the surface
of the globe has thus been covered with
subterranean observatories properly To-
Gated, the systematic Capitalization of
the observations and daily exchanges
of them will soon furnish an important
contribution to terrestrial physics, and
we shall see that there is necessary
correlation between the variations of
temperature, pressure, etc., at the diff
ferent spots and also between these
variations and certain exterior phe-
nomena.
Such an organization should In
volve no weighty sacrifice, in compari-
son with the expense, for instance, of
astronomical observations. Neverthe-
less, that it may be truly useful, an
international understanding would be
necessary, and that perhaps would not
be without difficulty.
international Agreement.
Meanwhile, before any international
agreement has been made, the coun-
tries that begin the organization of
Underground observation will make a
useIul preparation for such an agree
ment and for the development of the
new science of which we have been
speaking. They will be doing in this
matter what the United States has
done for meteorology. 1t seems to us
tnat france ought to take the initia-
tive. Either on the soil of Continental
france or in some of its colonies she
might well begin by the installation of
rev opservatortes, whose number
could be increased later We have
said that it would be the task of the
biologists to indicate the proper local
ties for the borings. But it is evident
that 1t will be specially important to
place these in regions where the soil
EXHIBITS peculiar phenomena. Thus. for
instance, the neighborhood of Vichv
ana In general, places that contain hot
springs, should receive attention. n is
the same with old volcanic regions. like
the m1untains of Auvergne and GER
tain parts of the Cevennes."
Scientific Comment.
Commenting on M. Laisant's propo-
sition, the Revue Scientifiuue saws
This proposal to install subterra-
mean observatories is original and
should be fertile. 1t responds TO pre-
clse Indications; its realization will
give valuable results without anv
douot; and, finally its material execu- |
ton Will be relatively easy. There |
seems to be no reason why it should
not be carried out at the Initiative
either of government or learned socie- |
ties. But il is so difficult to make the |
hrst step outside of the beaten paths.
ooth Tor individuals and for bodies of |
persons, that we are not astonished 10 |
ma that this happy idea OF NJ. Laisant |
mas not yet met with a response. We |
are waiting for ii to come back to ma |
from our neighbors of the East or the |
west. systematized and on the way 10 |
application. Then every one win find !
that II is as simple as II is excellent"