NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION NEAR WALDRON, IND. 809 



several feet. It was reported that the river flowed into the crev- 

 ices between 3 and 6, Fig. I, for some hours after the explosion. 

 Forest trees near 3, 5, and n, Fig. 1, had been blown up by 

 the roots and blown several (10-20) feet from where they had 

 stood. The leaves on the trees and bushes from 5 to II, Fig. 

 1 (about two hundred yards) were seared by the heat. On the 

 west side of the creek from B' to 4 the smaller branches (and 

 in some cases the bark) of the trees were entirely burned off. 



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Fig. 3. — View from the east side of the stream below 7, Fig. 1, looking westward 

 across the river towards the point where the explosion was most violent. The trees 

 shown in the water were blown up by the explosion, as were also the piles of earth 

 along the river bank on which the figures stand. 



Many of the trees were completely plastered from bottom to 

 top with a fine mud, unlike anything exposed at the surface. 

 This mud must have been thrown out with great force, as was 

 shown by the manner in which it was plastered upon the trees 

 and corn of the affected area. Lying about the fissures and 

 over the surface were large quantities of this mud, which, upon 

 drying, hardened somewhat and was easily cut into various 

 designs, which were sold as souvenirs to visitors who came in 

 great numbers to the locality. 



