1911 07 06 Nature - Vol 87 No 2175 - Earthquakes and Luminous Phenomena

Magazine Overview

This issue of NATURE, Volume 87, Number 2175, dated July 6, 1911, features articles on scientific topics, including a significant discussion on "Earthquakes and Luminous Phenomena." The magazine is published in the United Kingdom and is written in English.

Article: Earthquakes and Luminous Phenomena

The issue highlights a paper by Dr. Ignazio Galli, published in the *Bollettina della Solierismologica*, which compiles and classifies luminous phenomena observed during earthquakes. Dr. Galli's work includes 148 descriptions of such events, dating from 89 B.C. to March 30, 1910, occupying 184 pages. These phenomena are categorized under more than twelve heads and are often associated with vapours, smoke, and odours of sulphur or bitumen.

Seismologists have historically noted associations between earthquakes and various lights in the sky, such as the Aurora Borealis, glimmering lights, fire-balls, ignis fatui, lightnings, coruscations, and emanations from the soil. Dr. Galli's catalogue is presented as the first comprehensive collection of these observations.

The article also details experiments conducted by the writer (presumably John Milne, given his byline) in Japan, the Isle of Wight, and at the King Edward VII. Mine in Cornwall. These experiments aimed to investigate whether large earthquakes could cause instantaneous transmission of energy to distant regions, beyond what seismographs record. Specifically, experiments were conducted at a chalk pit in the Isle of Wight, where photographic paper was exposed to the chalk surface. While results varied, some weeks showed dark bands on the paper, suggesting the chalk acted like an extremely feeble light. Further tests involving photographic paper with small glass windows placed against the chalk surface frequently yielded images of the windows, but no other effects were found.

The conclusion drawn from these experiments was that the photographic effects were not due to radio-activity but were likely electrical in nature. Similar marked effects were observed in Cornwall, with varying intensity. Investigations into the possibility of micro-organisms causing these effects yielded no positive indications.

The writer speculates whether these observations might shed light on climatic differences between nearby locations, suggesting that future research could reveal a greater dependence of living things on Earth's radiations than currently understood.

Dr. Galli's catalogue is further analyzed through twenty-six detailed analyses, examining whether phenomena like lightnings, thunderstorms, meteors, luminous clouds, hot vapours, and other appearances preceded, accompanied, or followed earthquakes. Sixteen of these analyses are described as analytical résumés of observed phenomena, possessing significant value. The remaining ten are considered provisional conjectures awaiting judgment from physicists and seismologists, which may be confirmed or contradicted by future observations.

John Milne congratulates Dr. Galli on his work, emphasizing that large geological adjustments, such as the movement of vast rock faces, would reasonably be expected to be accompanied by luminous and other phenomena.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

This issue reflects a scientific journal's commitment to reporting and analyzing new research and observations in fields like seismology and atmospheric phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous scientific inquiry, encouraging detailed observation, experimentation, and the compilation of data. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of interdisciplinary connections, such as linking seismology with atmospheric and electrical phenomena, and the need for museums to be associated with teaching institutions. The discussion on luminous phenomena during earthquakes touches upon a topic that bridges geology, meteorology, and potentially even the study of unexplained aerial phenomena, suggesting an open-minded approach to investigating unusual occurrences.