18 



RESOURCES OF TENNESSEE. 



this area. Probably the most important consideration that 

 aroused an active interest in the area is that it is in the center 

 of the well known series of earthquakes that occurred in 

 1811-12. 



Another thing that directed attention to this area as a pos- 

 sible oil and gas producer, is its surface resemblance to the 

 Louisiana oil and gas field; but asjsimilar surface conditions 

 obtain along the Mississippi River from Cairo to the gulf, this 

 fact probably was not so influential as the one already given. 



^MJ 



FIG 1. Rotary drill, operating at Reelfoot Lake. (A. H. P.) 



A third thing that excited prospecting is the alleged exist- 

 ence of springs around the borders of the lake, that are said to 

 produce some oil and gas. 



THE REASONS CONSIDERED. 



The reason of an earthquake center. The reason why those 

 interested in prospecting the area connect the possible occur- 

 rence of oil and gas with the earthquake of 1811-12, and 

 subsequent ones of minor importance, does not seem to be well 

 defined. Whether or not the probable occurrence of oil and 

 gas here can be deduced from the changes that took place 

 during those disturbances might be, at least in part answered, 

 by noting just what ones did take place. 



