MUIR OF THE MOUNTAINS 



By Alexander McAdie 



A scientific friend''' recently sent me some measurements of 

 the displacement of earth particles at Ottawa caused by a moun- 

 tain slide in the Pamir. Seismographs in the Dominion Observ- 

 atory (and elsewhere) had faithfully recorded the train of 

 earth waves started by the trembling range ten thousand miles 

 away. Moreover it was possible to determine the mass, momen- 

 tum and energy involved in this fall of a mountain. John Muir 

 would have been interested in these measurements made at a 

 distance, but undoubtedly would have been far more interested 

 in a description of the fall itself, and would have cheerfully 

 started at a moment's notice for Afghanistan or the uttermost 

 part of the earth if assured that another gigantic slide were im- 

 minent. Entirely regardless of comfort or personal security he 

 would have watched the mountain fall, exulting in the rare 

 privilege of thus viewing at close range the making and unmak- 

 ing of the ''eternal" hills. We would have had a description, 

 both accurate and eloquent, for he would have written into it 

 not only what the eye beheld, but much that other men must 

 have failed to note, because they failed to feel. His nature was 

 keenly sensitive to the significance of motion in inanimate 

 things. One recalls his story of the earthquake in the Yosemite. 

 "A noble earthquake," he cried, as he ran from his tent in the 

 early morning to get a better view of what was happening in the 

 Valley. This was the famous Inyo earthquake of March 26, 

 1872, about 2:30 a.m., with aftershocks until 6:30 a.m.; and 

 probably the greatest seismic disturbance that has occurred in 

 the United States for two centuries. It was quite severe in the 

 whole Sierra zone, and of course to those who were in the 

 Yosemite at the time was a most terrifying experience. Mr. 

 Muir often described the scene to the writer and fellow mem- 

 bers of the Sierra Club. It is plain that after the first two or 



* Dr. Otto Klotz, the Dominion Astronomer. 



