Science Sinks a Shaft More Than a Mile Into the Earth.

Science Sinks a Shaft More Than a Mile Into the Earth.

Although mountains and cliffs have indicated the formation of projections of the earth’s crust, and mines have shown to some extent the formation under ground, the very deepest mines have not permitted the extensive and minute researches that geologists and scientists have desired. Borings are limited, of course, by natural obstacles, like exceedingly hard formations, and by the expense, unless the purpose be to ascertain the location of minerals worth mining, or get a supply of water, as in artesian wells. Holes for geological research need not be very large, says The New York Sun, but they must be very deep, and it is natural to suppose that interest has been excited by the reports of observations in the deepest hole in the world.

The hole is at Schladenbach, near Ketchan, Germany. It is 5735 feet in depth, and is for geological research solely. Boring was begun in 1880 under the direction of the royal mines commission of Prussia. The work was carried on under great difficulties, and the accidents and delays would have discouraged the engineers if it had been a private enterprise, but it being a State work the obstacles were overcome, notwithstanding the expense, and the boring was continued for six years at a cost of more than $53,000. At the depth of 5735 feet, however, the engineers had so many mishaps that it was evident that for a while and until the ingenuity of man could devise better means operations would have to be discontinued. Progress was slow and the expenses had inci eased beyond expectation. The drills were withdrawn and the thermometric measurements were continued down to the lowest depth.