Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1914-06-07
volcanic ERUPTIONS
SLOWLY DEXuMERATE
AMERICAN VOLCAN0LoGIST
STUDIES ACTIVITIES OF
VOLCANOES IN JAPAN
CONSTANT RISK OF LIFE.
Revolution of Ideas Brought
About by Gro wing Spirit
of Materiahsm.

TOXIC, June 6-pr Frank A. Per
ret, the American volcanologist has
come OF the conclusion that the vol
caulc ana earthquake activity which
has been the source of continual worry
ana frequent devastation i'm japan is
on the wane. But the hope ne holds
out is not for immediauon cessation
of these troubles. 1t is matter Of
centuries
Doctor Pcrrct Is one Of the few
scientists who devote their whole time
TO the study Of the carths commissions
He represents the Volcanic Research
society of Springfield Mass, and the
Nolcanoloeical institute of Naples,
spending most of his time under the
shadow Of NcsuNius. He came here
last February to visit the scene of the
volcanic eruption on the island of Sa-
kura, the month previously, when
Sakurajmas molten lava caused a
great loss of life and property
Details of an accident which be
fell him during his Investigations
make it appear that he had a very
narrow escape from death on Sakura-
jima in March He was taking notes
Of a lava flow when suddenly a small
crater, only 60 feet from where he
was standing, burst forth with a ter
rifle explosion, sending a column Of
lava and red hot rock thousands Of
feet into the air. A tongue Of lava
struck one Of Doctor Perrcts knees
and several stones burned into his
flesh. That his injuries We're not
more serious, or even fatal, was due
only to the fact that he was able to
shelter himself behind huge bOul-
der.
II have taken many chances" he
said, "hut certainly ! have never been
so near death as | was at Sakura-
jima."
While the full report of his investi-
cation viii not be drawn up until
| later, Doctor Perret is convinced that
tho study of volcanic and seismic con-
ditions in Japan has been well worth
while. For one thing, he said 1T adds
TO our knowledge of the mode of ac-
ton of an exploding lava in causing
o horizontal blast, which is one Of
the most destructive of all volcanic
manifestations, as was shown at st.
Pierre, Martinique. in 1902, when
10000 persons lost their lives"
Speaking of the general situation,
he continued: 1--WE must remember
that volcanoes form a constructive
means for the upbuildng of this arch
ipelago, which began ages ago and
which is continuing. II we look from
the standpoint of large number of
years-say centuries-we can sav that
volcanic phenomena is waning. Con-
sequently earthquakes. always con-
sidering them as a whole will bel
come fewer in Japan rather than
more numerous
During this waning period. however
he added IT was always possible that
severe disturbances would occur and
that many communities took risks,
as at Mount Aso, where 1000 people
actually live In a crater
A movement designed to vivify the
Japanese nation with a new spirit Of
normal and spiritual determination
is under headway with many promi-
nent men and women taking up the
cause. AS a beginning there has been
organized tho Self Reliance League
toward which Ichizeamon Morimura,
prominent reformer has contrib
uted 100000 and Baron Shibusawa
$50, 600 President Naruse OF the IA