Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-04-26

good as another. No one knows, and
it IL Impossible for anyone to prove
hat his theory is correct. Theories
relating to all branches of scientific
study are constantly being made over.
Mt many years ago school children
we're taught that the earth was simply
IN enormous hollow globe. its interior
, seething, boiling mass of molten mat
ter, with an outside crust varying from
80 to so miles in thickness. Modern
.cienslsts now reject the hollow.interior
heory, saying that with crust Of even
so miles in thickness, in the Immense
strains it has to undergo in revolving
on it's axis and resisting and yielding
It the same time to the influence exert
ed by the sun aud other planets, the
earth would he crushed like an eggshell.
They maintain, and school children are
taught, that the earth is as solid almost
.s a steel ball, with subterranean cavi-
ties containing superheated steam or
solid matter which has been converted
by the action of heat or chemical ele-
ments into a plastic state. It. Ia sup
posed that some Of these cavities are is
plated; others may be more or less in
communication. 1t is argued that the
Immense pressure exerted upon the in
terror center of the earth is such as to
render the liqueiaction of the center
practically impossible.
Great pressure also induces heat and
subterranean bodies of water coming 10
contact with this intense heat flash in
to steam. Ills steam or molten mat
ter remains more or less quiet until a
sudden increase of heat or other inter-
nal disturbance suddenly forces it
through the crust above, whence it
energies in volcano. An internal
disturbance, brought about, perhaps,
by a slipping or readjustment Of inter-
nal strata, gives rise to vibrations or
shocks which make their way to the
surface in the form Of earthquakes.
just what causes these internal Slip
pings or fractures is matter still un-
der discussion and furnishes a subject
on which widely diyerging views are
held.
If the earth is in a constantly FESTIVE
condition, what is the caus.2 Do the
quiverings and quakings give rise to
volcanoes and earthquakes at the same
time? Is there any connection between
a gigantic volcanic eruption in one part
of the globe and Il tremendous upheaval
of the earth in another? If there is,
where can a man call himself safe, and
how can he be sure of the immoyable
solidity of the structure IN which he
lives and works? These are the ques-
tions which the recent catastrophe has
presented to scientists and IN whose
replies the public is just now keenlv
Interested.
Perhaps the most rema, kable theory
yet advanced ls that the San Francisco
earthquake was direct result of the
influence of sunspots. which this year
have just reached their maximum in
tensity. These sun spots, scientists
have figured, reach their intensity evry
ii years, and it is said that the end OF
each of these IL year periods has been
marked by violent dlStulb ar ces on The
earth, both volcanic and seismic The
theory is that these sun spots give oil
electrical flashes which are magnetic in
their nature and exert noticeable in
Huence upon the earth. Between the
force of attraction excrted by these sun
spots and the force OF attraction Of gray
ity en- the Interior, together with the
weight of ice at the poles. the earth is
warped and distorted out Of its true
shape and fails to swing perfectly true
on its axis, thereby undergoing strain
which indnces violent internal ruptures
and grindings. This is the theory pro
mulgated by Prof. John Milne, Of Lon.
don, celebrated seismologist and i'll
ventor Of recording Instruments, He is
supported by Sir Norman Lockyer. Of
England, and Prof. Archenbold, Of Ger
many. They say more energy is COM
ing 10 the earth this year than at any
lime during the sun-spot period OF IS
years.
AS regards The possible connection
between volcanoes and earthquakes, it
is known that a violent earthquake,
whose shocks lasted several days, ac-
companied the eruption of Vesuvius In
the year 70 when Pompeii and Hercu.
laneum were destroyed.
Coming to the present year, it is no
ticed that the earthquake in the Island
OF Formosa. in which 1000 people lost
their lives, was followed by the erup-
ton of Nesuvlus on April 8. Soon af.
ter came the second great shock in For.