Evening star., 1925-03-02
When the Earth Settles.

% rarely QOeS the edrLn ITSInDie
along the Eastern Atlantic coast of
this country that the tremors felt in
this section Of the country Saturday
night have an unusual significance. In
certain parts Of the world such vibra-
tions are frequently experienced. In
some regions, indeed, they are weekly,
almost daily. occurrences. Seismo-
graphs may mark and measure them,
but they do not reach the news col
umns Of the worlds press. Only when
they destroy property on a great scale
or take life are they noted. But when
the crust shakes along the Atlantic
seaboard Of the United States, however
slightly, the fact Is Of moment
While many felt the trembling of
the houses Saturday night in this
region probably many more were un-
conscious Of the disturbance. Personal
experiences with the quake varied
widely. Few, in fact, who felt the
tremor knew or suspected its cause.
The passage Of a railroad train on a
nearby track or Of a heavy truck in
the street outside or distant explo.
sion was commonly blamed. for the
vibration. Doubtless this was fortu-
nate, for il those who felt the shak-
ing had known It was veritabIe
earthquake many would have been
thrown into panic. AS 1t was, there
was little or no evidence Of alarm in
this community and, judging from re.
ports from other cities, there was only
slight disturbance Of the public mind
elsewhere.
All evidence indicates that the cen
ter Of the tremor was of. the coast of
Maine. The manifestations were Sc
verest in New England, diminishing
in the radius to the west and south.
Later reports may bring positive evi.
dence of the focal point. If, however,
that point lies somewhere under the
Atlantic no physical proof will be
available. Usually when a quake &C.
ours beneath the sea heavy waves are
formed, but so far no indication has
come. OF such manifestations.
Naturally New York, with it's enor-
mously tall buildings, is most keenly
interested in the earthquake question.
These immense spires. which shoot up
hundreds Of feet into the air, have
often been doomed by pessimists who
predict a cataclysm for the rrietropolis.
But Saturday night little Or no dam
a q ff, chs vT-L
tremors were withstood, and now
scientists have given the big city as
surance that there is no menace in the
instability Of the earth crust in that
section. New York has felt earth
tremors before, but each fresh proof
that the crust is still settling in this
part Of the world raises anew the cues
ton Of the stability of the skyscrapers.
Four perceptible shocks were record
ed there between 1884 and 1895, and
there was another one in 1914. Since
then higher buildings have been erect.
ed with confidence, and without doubt
still higher ones will arise in the face
Of the visitation Of Saturday night.
In a way there is a sort Of insur.
ance in a harmless earthquake in
region Of infrequency. The crust has
settled anew, a slip has occurred and
presumably a state OF stability is
reached that will endure for a con-
siderable period. In the zones Of fire.
quency, however, one quake is apt to
be merely warning Of others to come,
for in such areas the crust is in a. con-
slant state Of change and a single slip
may be the cause Of more severe dis
locations later. Taken Altogether, the
shock felt here Saturday night may be
accepted as a guarantee Of compare.
tive security.