The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-26
By ELLIS HI. MARTIN,
International NAwa RerYica.

AAAS~EAAANlUuAA NCWS BCHVAc0S
THE GEYSERS, Cal, June &c.
Two jets Of live steam belching
forth from steel pipes tapping a
huge natural boiler 200 feet below
the surface of the earth with a
deafening roar, without appreciate
variation in power night or day.
conJure up visions OF a mighty
force as yet embarrassed by man.
These live steam jets pour forth
from two wells that have been
drilled at The Geysers in an effort
to determine the practicabiIity Of
harnessing the natural steam that
underlies the whole valley for a
distance of seven miles, One runs
down to a depth Of 203 feet, the
other to a depth Of 301 feet. They
are within few feet of each other,
yet the drilling of the second we'll
caused no variation in the pressure
at the head Of the one first drilled.
The steam pressure at the well
heads Is 81 pounds. The steam Is
SO per cent pure steam, something
unattainable. in boilers made by
man. This is due, 1t is believed,
to the action of chemicals in break
Ing up the water particles into their
minutest division, plus the $50 de-
grees Fahrenheit temperature which
has been measured at the base Of
the wells.
Steam Goes TO Waste.
At present the steam is wasted.
A small portion Of 1t is used to
light the health resort close by. But
enough pours forth into the air con-
tinuously to light a city Of 10000
population-some experts say double
that size-or draw the heaviest
freight train ever made up over
the summit Of the Sierra Mountains.
A third well is being drilled. It
is located some distance from the
first two. 1t has reached a depth
of 100 feet. Drilling is slow. 1t is
necessary to pass through volcanic
formation of steel-like hardness.
This forms the top of the great
natural boiler which furnishes the
steam that escapes not only through
the two wells, but through count
less vents and fumeholes through
out the canyon. 1t is possible to
prepare a meal-broiling steaks, fry
Ing eggs and making coffee-in the
boiling mineral springs which dot
the canyon sides, or over the steam
vents. ...-.,.
Drilling Done Slowly.
The great heat makes the use Of
the rotary drill impracticable. The
wells are drilled by the use OF a
heavy drill which chips its way
through the formation. Escaping
steam blows the broken rock out
- 49, g. 4 al
of the pieces are Of large size, indi-
eating the power beneath. It is
necessary to pull the drill fire.
quently, as the high heat removes
the temper. The drill-bit is re-
dressed as it comes from the well
and then retempered before being
returned to its work. No method
has been devised for drilling deep
err than 800 feet where steam
pressure halts the drill.
So far as is known there has
been no depreciation in steam power
during the years that it has been
known to white men. One man
living in the valley has observed it
for fifty-two years and declares
that today just as great a quantity
of steam escapes as was the case
when he first saw 1t. This con-
clusion is born out by careful
measurements made at the wells.
Closing OF one does not affect the
pressure or action of the other.
The San Francisco earthquake, in
1906, which shook geological forma-
tons far north Of here, affected in
no way the local phenomena, &C.
cording to observers.
1t is because Of these facts that
belief Is expressed that here is a
source of heat and power which is
practically inexhaustible.