October 23, 2025 • 10 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter fifteen, we continue our descent. At eight o'clock the
next morning, a faint kind of dawn of day awoke us.
The thousand and one prisms of the lava collected the
light as it passed, and brought it to us like
a shower of sparks. We were able with ease to
see objects around us. Well, Harry, my boy, cried the
delighted professor, rubbing his hands together. What say you now?
(00:24):
Did you ever pass a more tranquil night in our
house in the Kernigstrasa, No deafening sounds of cart wheels,
no cries of hawkers, no bad language from boatmen or watermen. Well, uncle,
we are quite at the bottom of this well. But
to me there is something terrible in this calm. Why,
said the professor hotly, one would say you were already
(00:45):
beginning to be afraid. How will you get on presently?
Do you know that, as yet we have not penetrated
one inch into the bowels of the earth. What can
you mean, sir, was my bewildered and astonished reply. I
mean to say that we have just reached the soil
of the island itself. This long vertical tube which ends
at the bottom of the crater of Sneffels ceases here
(01:08):
just about on a level with the sea. Are you sure, sir?
Quite sure? Consult the barometer. It was quite true that
the mercury, after rising gradually in the instrument as long
as our descent was taking place, had stopped precisely at
twenty nine degrees. You'll perceive, said the professor, we have
as yet only to endure the pressure of air. I
(01:30):
am curious to replace the barometer by the manometer. The barometer,
in fact, was about to become useless as soon as
the weight of the air was greater than rot was
calculated as above the level of the ocean. But said I,
is it not very much to be feared that this
ever increasing pressure may not, in the end turn out
very painful and inconvenient? No, said he. We shall descend
(01:54):
very slowly, and our lungs will be gradually accustomed to
breathe compressed air. It is well known that air naughts
have gone so high as to be nearly without air
at all. Why then, should we not accustom ourselves to
breathe when we have, say a little too much of it?
For myself, I am certain I shall prefer it. Let
us not lose a moment. Where is the packet which
(02:15):
preceded us in our descent? I smilingly pointed it out
to my uncle. Hans had not seen it and believed
it caught somewhere above us. Up as he phrased it, Now,
said my uncle, let us breakfast, and break fast like
people who have a long day's work before them. Biscuit
and dried meat, washed down by some mouthfuls of water
(02:36):
flavored with sheedam was the material of our luxurious meal.
As soon as it was finished, my uncle took from
his pocket a note book destined to be filled by
memoranda of our travels. He had already placed his instruments
in order, and this is what he wrote. Monday, June
twenty ninth. Chronometer eight hours, seventeen minutes morning barometer twenty
(03:00):
nine point six inches thermomesa six degrees bracket's forty three
degrees fahrenheit, direction east southeast. This last observation referred to
the obscure gallery and was indicated to us by the compass. Now, Harry,
cried the professor, in an enthusiastic tone of voice. We
(03:21):
are truly about to take our first step. Into the
interior of the earth, never before visited by man since
the first creation of the world. You may consider, therefore,
that at this precise moment our travels really commence. As
my uncle made this remark, he took in one hand
the Ruhmkorff coil apparatus, which hung around his neck, and
(03:41):
with the other he put the electric current into communication
with the worm of the lantern, and a bright light
at once illomed that dark and gloomy tunnel. The effect
was magical. Hans, who carried the second apparatus, had it
also put into operation. This ingenious application of electricity to
practic purposes enabled us to move along by the light
(04:02):
of an artificial day, amid even the flow of the
most inflammable and combustible gases. Forward, cried my uncle. Each
took up his burden. Hands went first, My uncle followed,
an I going third. We entered the somber gallery. Just
as we were about to engulf ourselves in this dismal passage,
I lifted up my head and through the tube like shaft,
(04:24):
saw that Iceland sky I was never to see again.
Was it the last I should ever see of any sky?
The stream of lava flowing from the bowels of the
earth in twelve nineteen had forced itself a passage through
the tunnel. It lined the whole of the inside with
its thick and brilliant coating. The electric light added very
greatly to the brilliancy of the effect. The great difficulty
(04:48):
of our journey now began. How were we to prevent
ourselves from slipping down the steeply inclined plane. Happily, some cracks,
abrasures of the soil, and other irregularities served the place
of steps, and we descended slowly, allowing our heavy luggage
to slip on before at the end of a long cord.
But that which served us steps under our feet became
(05:10):
in other places stalactites. The lava very poorous in certain
places took the form of little round blisters, crystals of
a paque quartz, adorned with limpid drops of natural glass,
suspended to the roof like lusters, seemed to take fire
as we passed beneath them. One would have fancied that
the Genii of Romance were illuminating their underground palaces to
(05:31):
receive the sons of men magnificent, glorious. I cried, in
a moment of involuntary enthusiasm. What a spectacle, Uncle, do
you not admire these variegated shades of lava which run
through a whole series of colors, from reddish brown to
pale yellow by the most insensible degrees, and these crystals,
(05:51):
they appear like luminous globes. You are beginning to see
the charms of travel. Master, Harry, cried, my uncle, wait
a bit until we advanced. Father. What we have as
yet discovered is nothing. Onwards, my boy, onwards. It would
have been a far more correct and appropriate expression had
he said, let us slide, for we were going down
(06:13):
an inclined plane with perfect ease. The compass indicated that
we were moving in a southeasterly direction. The flow of
lava had never turned to the right or to the left.
It had the inflexibility of a straight line. Nevertheless, to
my surprise, we found no perceptible increase in heat. This
proved the theories of Humphrey David to be founded on truth.
(06:33):
And more than once, I found myself examining the thermometer
in silent astonishment. Two hours after our departure, it only
marked fifty four degrees fahrenheit. I had every reason to
believe from this that our descent was far more horizontal
than vertical. As for discovering the exact depth to which
we had attained, nothing could be easier. The professor, as
(06:54):
he advanced, measured the angles of deviation and inclination, but
he kept the result of his own observations to himself.
About eight o'clock in the evening, my uncle gave the
signal for halting. Hans seated himself on the ground. The
lamps were hung to fishes in the lava rock. We
were now in a large cavern where air was not wanting.
(07:14):
On the contrary, it abounded what could be the course
of this to what atmospheric agitation could be ascribed this draft?
But this was a question which I did not care
to discuss. Just then, fatigue and hunger made me incapable
of reasoning. An unceasing march of seven hours had not
been kept up without great exhaustion. I was really and
(07:36):
truly worn out and delighted enough I was to hear
the word halt. Hans laid out some provisions on a
lump of lava, and we each supped with keen relish.
One thing, however, caused us great uneasiness. Our water reserve
was already half exhausted. My uncle had full confidence in
finding subterranean resources, but hitherto we had completely failed in
(07:58):
so doing. I could not help call my uncle's attention
to the circumstance. And you are surprised at this total
absence of springs, he said, doubtless, I am very uneasy
on the point. We have certainly not enough water to
last us five days. Be quite easy on that matter,
continued my uncle. I answer for it. We shall find
(08:18):
plenty of water, in fact, far more than we shall want.
But when when we once get through this crust of lava,
how can you expect springs to force their way through
these solid stone walls. But what is there to prove
that this concrete mass of lava does not extend to
the center of the earth. I don't think we have
as yet done much in a vertical way. What puts
(08:40):
that into your head, my boy, asked my uncle mildly. Well,
it appears to me that if we had descended very
far below the level of the sea, we should find
it rather hotter than we have, according to your system,
said my uncle. But what does the thermommyter say, scarcely
fifteen degrees by Raema, which is only an increase of
nine since our departure. Well, and what conclusion does that
(09:04):
bring you to, inquired the professor. The de duttion I
draw from this is very simple. According to the most
exact observations, the augmentation of the temperature of the interior
of the Earth is one degree for every hundred feet,
but certain local causes may considerably modify this figure. Thus,
at yakust In, Siberia, it has been remarked that the
(09:25):
heat increases a degree every thirty six feet. The difference
evidently depends on the conductibility of certain rocks. In the
neighborhood of an extinct volcano, it has been remarked that
the elevation of temperature was only one degree in every
five and twenty feet. Let us then go upon this calculation,
which is the most favorable, and calculate. Calculate away, my boy,
(09:49):
nothing easier, said I, pulling out my notebook and pencil.
Nine times one hundred and twenty five feet makes a
depth of eleven hundred and twenty five feet. Archimedes could
not have spoken more u geometrically well, well, according to
my observations, we are at least ten thousand feet below
the level of the sea. Can it be possible either
(10:10):
my calculation is correct or there is no truth in figures?
The calculations of the Professor were perfectly correct. We were
already six thousand feet deeper down in the bowels of
the earth than any one had ever been before. The
lowest known depth to which man had hitherto penetrated was
in the minds of Kittspool in the Tyrrel and those
of Wurttemberg. The temperature which should have been eighty one,
(10:34):
was in this place only fifteen. This was a matter
for serious consideration. End of Chapter fifteen.
Chapter fifteen, we continue our descent. At eight o'clock the
next morning, a faint kind of dawn of day awoke us.
The thousand and one prisms of the lava collected the
light as it passed, and brought it to us like
a shower of sparks. We were able with ease to
see objects around us. Well, Harry, my boy, cried the
delighted professor, rubbing his hands together. What say you now?
(00:24):
Did you ever pass a more tranquil night in our
house in the Kernigstrasa, No deafening sounds of cart wheels,
no cries of hawkers, no bad language from boatmen or watermen. Well, uncle,
we are quite at the bottom of this well. But
to me there is something terrible in this calm. Why,
said the professor hotly, one would say you were already
(00:45):
beginning to be afraid. How will you get on presently?
Do you know that, as yet we have not penetrated
one inch into the bowels of the earth. What can
you mean, sir, was my bewildered and astonished reply. I
mean to say that we have just reached the soil
of the island itself. This long vertical tube which ends
at the bottom of the crater of Sneffels ceases here
(01:08):
just about on a level with the sea. Are you sure, sir?
Quite sure? Consult the barometer. It was quite true that
the mercury, after rising gradually in the instrument as long
as our descent was taking place, had stopped precisely at
twenty nine degrees. You'll perceive, said the professor, we have
as yet only to endure the pressure of air. I
(01:30):
am curious to replace the barometer by the manometer. The barometer,
in fact, was about to become useless as soon as
the weight of the air was greater than rot was
calculated as above the level of the ocean. But said I,
is it not very much to be feared that this
ever increasing pressure may not, in the end turn out
very painful and inconvenient? No, said he. We shall descend
(01:54):
very slowly, and our lungs will be gradually accustomed to
breathe compressed air. It is well known that air naughts
have gone so high as to be nearly without air
at all. Why then, should we not accustom ourselves to
breathe when we have, say a little too much of it?
For myself, I am certain I shall prefer it. Let
us not lose a moment. Where is the packet which
(02:15):
preceded us in our descent? I smilingly pointed it out
to my uncle. Hans had not seen it and believed
it caught somewhere above us. Up as he phrased it, Now,
said my uncle, let us breakfast, and break fast like
people who have a long day's work before them. Biscuit
and dried meat, washed down by some mouthfuls of water
(02:36):
flavored with sheedam was the material of our luxurious meal.
As soon as it was finished, my uncle took from
his pocket a note book destined to be filled by
memoranda of our travels. He had already placed his instruments
in order, and this is what he wrote. Monday, June
twenty ninth. Chronometer eight hours, seventeen minutes morning barometer twenty
(03:00):
nine point six inches thermomesa six degrees bracket's forty three
degrees fahrenheit, direction east southeast. This last observation referred to
the obscure gallery and was indicated to us by the compass. Now, Harry,
cried the professor, in an enthusiastic tone of voice. We
(03:21):
are truly about to take our first step. Into the
interior of the earth, never before visited by man since
the first creation of the world. You may consider, therefore,
that at this precise moment our travels really commence. As
my uncle made this remark, he took in one hand
the Ruhmkorff coil apparatus, which hung around his neck, and
(03:41):
with the other he put the electric current into communication
with the worm of the lantern, and a bright light
at once illomed that dark and gloomy tunnel. The effect
was magical. Hans, who carried the second apparatus, had it
also put into operation. This ingenious application of electricity to
practic purposes enabled us to move along by the light
(04:02):
of an artificial day, amid even the flow of the
most inflammable and combustible gases. Forward, cried my uncle. Each
took up his burden. Hands went first, My uncle followed,
an I going third. We entered the somber gallery. Just
as we were about to engulf ourselves in this dismal passage,
I lifted up my head and through the tube like shaft,
(04:24):
saw that Iceland sky I was never to see again.
Was it the last I should ever see of any sky?
The stream of lava flowing from the bowels of the
earth in twelve nineteen had forced itself a passage through
the tunnel. It lined the whole of the inside with
its thick and brilliant coating. The electric light added very
greatly to the brilliancy of the effect. The great difficulty
(04:48):
of our journey now began. How were we to prevent
ourselves from slipping down the steeply inclined plane. Happily, some cracks,
abrasures of the soil, and other irregularities served the place
of steps, and we descended slowly, allowing our heavy luggage
to slip on before at the end of a long cord.
But that which served us steps under our feet became
(05:10):
in other places stalactites. The lava very poorous in certain
places took the form of little round blisters, crystals of
a paque quartz, adorned with limpid drops of natural glass,
suspended to the roof like lusters, seemed to take fire
as we passed beneath them. One would have fancied that
the Genii of Romance were illuminating their underground palaces to
(05:31):
receive the sons of men magnificent, glorious. I cried, in
a moment of involuntary enthusiasm. What a spectacle, Uncle, do
you not admire these variegated shades of lava which run
through a whole series of colors, from reddish brown to
pale yellow by the most insensible degrees, and these crystals,
(05:51):
they appear like luminous globes. You are beginning to see
the charms of travel. Master, Harry, cried, my uncle, wait
a bit until we advanced. Father. What we have as
yet discovered is nothing. Onwards, my boy, onwards. It would
have been a far more correct and appropriate expression had
he said, let us slide, for we were going down
(06:13):
an inclined plane with perfect ease. The compass indicated that
we were moving in a southeasterly direction. The flow of
lava had never turned to the right or to the left.
It had the inflexibility of a straight line. Nevertheless, to
my surprise, we found no perceptible increase in heat. This
proved the theories of Humphrey David to be founded on truth.
(06:33):
And more than once, I found myself examining the thermometer
in silent astonishment. Two hours after our departure, it only
marked fifty four degrees fahrenheit. I had every reason to
believe from this that our descent was far more horizontal
than vertical. As for discovering the exact depth to which
we had attained, nothing could be easier. The professor, as
(06:54):
he advanced, measured the angles of deviation and inclination, but
he kept the result of his own observations to himself.
About eight o'clock in the evening, my uncle gave the
signal for halting. Hans seated himself on the ground. The
lamps were hung to fishes in the lava rock. We
were now in a large cavern where air was not wanting.
(07:14):
On the contrary, it abounded what could be the course
of this to what atmospheric agitation could be ascribed this draft?
But this was a question which I did not care
to discuss. Just then, fatigue and hunger made me incapable
of reasoning. An unceasing march of seven hours had not
been kept up without great exhaustion. I was really and
(07:36):
truly worn out and delighted enough I was to hear
the word halt. Hans laid out some provisions on a
lump of lava, and we each supped with keen relish.
One thing, however, caused us great uneasiness. Our water reserve
was already half exhausted. My uncle had full confidence in
finding subterranean resources, but hitherto we had completely failed in
(07:58):
so doing. I could not help call my uncle's attention
to the circumstance. And you are surprised at this total
absence of springs, he said, doubtless, I am very uneasy
on the point. We have certainly not enough water to
last us five days. Be quite easy on that matter,
continued my uncle. I answer for it. We shall find
(08:18):
plenty of water, in fact, far more than we shall want.
But when when we once get through this crust of lava,
how can you expect springs to force their way through
these solid stone walls. But what is there to prove
that this concrete mass of lava does not extend to
the center of the earth. I don't think we have
as yet done much in a vertical way. What puts
(08:40):
that into your head, my boy, asked my uncle mildly. Well,
it appears to me that if we had descended very
far below the level of the sea, we should find
it rather hotter than we have, according to your system,
said my uncle. But what does the thermommyter say, scarcely
fifteen degrees by Raema, which is only an increase of
nine since our departure. Well, and what conclusion does that
(09:04):
bring you to, inquired the professor. The de duttion I
draw from this is very simple. According to the most
exact observations, the augmentation of the temperature of the interior
of the Earth is one degree for every hundred feet,
but certain local causes may considerably modify this figure. Thus,
at yakust In, Siberia, it has been remarked that the
(09:25):
heat increases a degree every thirty six feet. The difference
evidently depends on the conductibility of certain rocks. In the
neighborhood of an extinct volcano, it has been remarked that
the elevation of temperature was only one degree in every
five and twenty feet. Let us then go upon this calculation,
which is the most favorable, and calculate. Calculate away, my boy,
(09:49):
nothing easier, said I, pulling out my notebook and pencil.
Nine times one hundred and twenty five feet makes a
depth of eleven hundred and twenty five feet. Archimedes could
not have spoken more u geometrically well, well, according to
my observations, we are at least ten thousand feet below
the level of the sea. Can it be possible either
(10:10):
my calculation is correct or there is no truth in figures?
The calculations of the Professor were perfectly correct. We were
already six thousand feet deeper down in the bowels of
the earth than any one had ever been before. The
lowest known depth to which man had hitherto penetrated was
in the minds of Kittspool in the Tyrrel and those
of Wurttemberg. The temperature which should have been eighty one,
(10:34):
was in this place only fifteen. This was a matter
for serious consideration. End of Chapter fifteen.
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