Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1909-03-03
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Is safe conclusion that within a
large portion OF the earth's crust there
exist pent-up gases, particularly steam
under pressure equal to that exert
ed by the most powerful high ex-
plosfves. High explosives probably
exert pressures ranging from 200, 900
to 100000 to the square inch.
Wren high explosive is letonatet
the amount OF pressure depends upon
the volume of gases liberated and the
temperature of the gases. Nitro
glycerine, exploded I'm space where II
could not expand. would exert a pres
sure of probably from 100000 to $50,
600 pounds to the squar. inch. The
pressure would certainly be less thar
half million pounds to the square
lnch, although the temperature os the
gases would equal the boiling point OF
steel. Consequently, with a 500 900
pound force holding in check $50, 900
pound force which is continuously ex.
erting Itself in an effort TO burst the
earth's crust asunder, IL is reasonably
safe to assume that the stronger force
Will continue to prevail, for some tima
10 come at least, and that there is not
the slightest danger of the earth blow.
ing to pieces.
Unfortunately, as the appalling rec.
ord OF earthquakes shows, there arc
many very weak spots in the earth's
crust. Deep down under the crust
where water has entered through
faults. to be entrapped and highly
heated, with no room for expansion. Il
dissolves the rock, and as under the
enormous pressures II forces its way
through narrow crevices to new posi-
lions 1t cuts new channels in the gran.
tie floors, just as in glacial time sub
glacial streams cut passages through
the ice.
Consequently, when the eruption of
a volcano takes place, relieving the
pressure in the deep passages under It,
there is rush toward the outlet of
streams OF superheated water made
syrupy with stone In solution. Az
these streams OF silica-charged water
find vent at the volcano the expansion
or the pent-up stream takes place with
explosive violence. forming volcanic
dust and pumice stone, which are
belched forth in stupendous quantities
Then portions OF the earth's crust
which have been resting upon SUD.
| port OF steam under dynamite pres
sures, naturally sag and shit when
those pressures are removed or ma.
terially lessened.
Inc vast amount OF solid matter
elected at times from volcanoes ia DIFF.
| hcuit of comprehension. The great
volcano Krakatoa had been extinct
Tor ages when. in 1883, its top blew
on with a shock felt clear through the
earth. and with a blast that sent a
wave OF air around the earth three
times, while the fine volcanic dust did
not entirely settle out OF the atmos.
| phere for more than two years as was
indicated by the unusually brilliant
display of red sunsets It is estimated
mat more mud was elected from the
mountain on that occasion than the
Mississippi river discharges in ESQ
years. This was the greatest volcanic
eruption IN historic times. The dia.
lance IN not too great nor the time
too remote for the eruption OF Mont
Pelee to have caused the earthouakea
Of San Francisco, Valparaiso and King.
sion. while possibly Vesuvius may
nave played material part.