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Force of the Winds

Wind moving I mile per hour travels 88 ft. per minute, 1.47 per second, and has a force of .005 pounds per sq. foot; hardly perceptible, Wind moving 2 or 3 miles per hour travels 176 to 264 ft. per minute, 2.93 to 4.4 ft. per second, and has a force of .020 to .044 pounds per sq. foot; just perceptible. Wind moving 4 or 5 miles per hour travels 352 to 440 ft. per minute, 5.87 to 7.33 ft. per second, and has a force of .079 to 0.123 pounds per sq. foot; gentle breeze. Wind moving 10 or 15 miles per hour travels 880 to 1320 ft. per minute, 14.67 to 22 ft. per second, and has a force of 0.492 to 1.107 pounds per sq. foot; pleasant breeze. Wind moving 20 or 25 miles per hour travels 1760 to 2200 ft. per minute, 29.3 to 36.6 ft. per second, and has a force of 1.970 to 3.067 pounds per sq. foot; brisk gale. Wind moving 30 or 35 miles per hour travels 2640 to 3080 ft. per minute, 44.0 to 51.3 ft. per second, and has a force of 4.429 to 6.027 pounds per sq. foot; high wind. Wind moving 40 or 45 miles per hour travels 3520 to 3960 ft. per minute, 58.6 to 66.0 ft. per second, and has a force of 7.870 to 9.900 pounds per sq. foot; very high wind. Wind moving 50 miles per hour travels 4400 ft. per minute, 73.3 ft. per second, and has a force of 12.304 pounds per sq. foot; storm. Wind moving 60 or 70 miles per hour travels 5280 to 6160 ft. per minute, 88.0 to 102.7 ft. per second, and has a force of 17.733 to 24.153 pounds per sq. foot; great storm. Wind moving 80 or 100 miles per hour travels 7040 to 8800 ft. per minute, 117.3 to 146.6 ft. per second, and has a force of 31.490 to 49.200 pounds per sq. foot; hurricane.

EARTHQUAKES.

Very little is known as to the origin of earthquakes. The theory that the earth has a liquid nucleus covered with only a thin, solid crust, has been discarded. The theory of vibration communicated by meteoric impact has been advanced as accounting for some earthquakes. Another theory is that earthquakes are caused in some instances by steam from water rushing into the bowels of volcanoes, or from explosions of pent-up gases, generated by chemical decomposition of minerals. Others believe that many of these phenomena are due to magnetic disturbances, following eruptions in the sun. The prevailing opinion still is that whatever their origin, whether of one cause, or various causes, the vibrations of every earthquake can be traced to a focus within the earth, and that this lies directly beneath the point of greatest disturbance on the earth's surface. The following is a list of the principal earthquakes that have taken place since the twelfth century, with the casualties caused.

Year.

Place. 1137-Sicily Persons killed. Year. Place.