Steam from the Earth.

Manawatu Herald, 30 July 1903, Page 3

Steam from the Earth.

Certain . scientific men now believe that the enormous internal heat of the earth maybe utilised for some practical purpose. Professor Hollock, of Columbia ilJniversity, expresses the opinion fehat the plan is feasible. He says: “ There would not be the slightest difficulty in obtaining steam from the; interior of the earth, because that involves only a little extra labor in boring into the hob area, and it is almost as easy to bore ten thousand feet as six thousand ; but in order to give the steam commercial value, a method must be provided for dropping the water to the hot area, allowing it time to heat, and yet having it returned to the surface as steam, without interrupting the flow. Two holes might be bored into the earth, twelve thousand feet deep and perhaps 50 feet apart. There would be a temperature far above the boiling point of water. Then, if very heavy charges of dynamite or some other explosive ■Were lowered to the bottom of each hole and exploded simultaneously, a sufficient connection might be established between the two holes. The rock would be cracked and fissured in all directions, and shattering it thus around the base of the holes would turn the surrounding area into an immense water-heater. The water poured into one hole would be heated and turned into steam, which* would pass through the other to the earth surface. The pressure of such a column b£ steam would be enormous; for, apart from its enormous velocity the descending column of cold water would exert a pressure of at least five thousand pounds to the square inch, which would drive everything moveable through the second hole. The problem is therefore a mechanical one, concerning chiefly with connecting the two holes. This accomplished, the water - heater would operate itself and establish a source of power, that would surpass anything now in use.”