EARTHQUAKES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 116, 16 May 1906, Page 8

EARTHQUAKES.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Many scientific theories have been advanced as to tbe origin of earthquakes. Professor John Milne, tha seismic expert, makes a suggestion that the earthquake at San Francisco was probably caused by the earth swinging en its axis. Professor John Milne seems to hav-e overlooked the effect that such a shifting would cause on the oceans; for surely had the earth shifted so much as a hairs breadth, thp waters must have immediately recorded the. change ov«r the whole globe. Now, I a very simple theory as to the cause of earthquakes. Tbe sun, moon, and stars, in my opinion, are in no way connected with earthquakes. My theory is this, that the centre of the earth is intersected with passages, through which the gases which are generated in the earth's centre pass along. It may take many y.«nrs for the passages or tunnels to fill, and when full the gases having no means of outlet are exploded by compression, •and open a passage for themselves, which we feel in the shape of earthquakes. In small passages the explosion in all probability would not be sufficient to break through the earth's crust, but it would most likely add a yard or two to the size of its own passage, and a corresponding yard or two to the diameter of the earth by opening small fissures. In large passages it bursts into flame, melting rock and earth as it rushes alonar, seeking an outlet, which it finds in the chimneys or volcanoes, which tliis passage may have used since the beginning of the world. I think earthquakes cr>uld be predicted to within a few hours of their occurrence by inserting perforated tubes in places over the seismic belts, and constantly testing the temperature and pressure.—l am. etc.. JN. OWEN-FAG AN. Maiigapai. Whangarei, May 9.