El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-06-18

Washington, D. c., June 1S.-Earth
quake prediction is the newest scientific
enterprise to be taken up by the gov
eminent. A Series of stations for the
purpose are to be established in various
parts of the country, at which con-
tinual watch will be kept upon the
movements of the earth's crust, with
view to getting hold of as many facts
as possible in relation to such shiftings,
and especially 20 the giving of timely
warnings. IT would be of great advant-
age for people to know when an earth
quake is likely TO come along.
Already, with this idea in mind,
scientists in California have placed in
position a considerable number of So
called earthquake mOnuments"-i. e.,
large blocks of hewn granite. the To-
cation of which in each instance is
exactly determined on maps. These
monuments have been set up along the
fault line" which, running from NORTH
TO south for a distance of nearly 200
miles. marks the break in the earth's
crust that caused the frightful San
Francisco quake.
Before the Quake
Great earthquakes are usually pre-
coded by many small movements of
the land often quite slow, and any
considerable changes in the position OF
such monuments would suggest the ap-
preach of a big shift in the earth's crust,
thus giving warning. This remark par
ticularly applies in a case such as that
of the fault line" above mentioned, in
California. which is an old break, mark
ing a weak place that is liable to give
way on future occasions. The rocks
there about are under strain. which is
evidenced by frequent minor move
ments, and. when the stress reaches a
certain point, something on q large
scale has to go.
y So long as movements of the land, as
recorded by fixed monuments and by
observing stations, did not exceed a
certain amount, people might enjoy
freedom from anxiety on the subject.
On the other hand, if a serious earth
quake was announced as imminent, they
could store their valuables in safe
places. adopt special precautions against
fire always the great destroying agent
in such cases), or even go elsewhere
to escape the threatened calamity.
Earthquake Laboratory.
The plan now contemplated is to /
establish an earthquake laboratory at |
the Smithsonian Institution, in Wash |
ington, to be charged with the study |
anu u cGTlHQu3kS regions
in North America, and with the organ |
ization of special parties for the in |
vestigatiOn of special earthquakes and |
volcanic eruptionS in any part of the |
world The quotation is from a para |
graph in the Sundry Civil Appropria- |
ton Bill, setting aside $4,000 for the |
purpose. This sum, however, will not |
prove adequate for the carrying out OF |
so large a project.
Prof. William l. Moore, chief of the |
Weather Bureau, suggests that ar least |
20 permanent stations should be estab- |
ished for the purpose of keeping watch |
on movements of the earth's crust.
lnasmuch as the Weather Bureau has /
about 80 observatory buildings Of it's |
own in various parts of the country,
and employs large number of trained /
scientists who could be utilized 20 study ]
he earthquake problems. it is suggested J
that an earthquake division be estab-
ished in the Weather Bureau, and that
he buildings and grounds now owned
oy the bureau be utilized for the in
'talatiOn of the requisite instruments.
Such a plan, if adopted, would be COM
oaratively cheap.
To Make Quake Regions
Surprising that this should be done, |
'ther government bureaus might CO.
operate advantageouSly. Thus the Coast |
survey could determine the exact posi-
ion of monuments or other marks set