Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
observatory continued to function as the central node of an international
network of observatories. in 1922, the international Union created the in-
ternational Seismological Summary, a continuation of Milne's microseis-
mic catalog. Since then, international catalogs have been almost exclusively
microseismic. When Beno gutenberg and Charles Richter compiled the first
edition of their landmark
Seismicity of the Earth
(1942), the iSA's catalogs
for the years 1903-6 and 1908 were their only sources of macroseismic
(sensible) data.
Over the first decade of the twentieth century, gerland increasingly faced
criticism for his neglect of the study of the destructive impacts of earth-
quakes. though Forel supported the iSA's founding, he was, from the start,
“somewhat skeptical about such resolutions; i wonder if we are not already
going a little too far with internationalism.”
83
Such concern was not out of
character for a naturalist who helped develop the small-scale field methods
of modern ecology. Over the next few years, as gerland's intentions became
clearer, Forel's hesitation grew into serious concern. the iSA seemed to be
pursuing instrumental observation to the exclusion of the geological inves-
tigation of earthquakes and studies of their periodicity. Forel argued that
seismology could not rely on seismographic data alone, not now nor in the
future. there would always be a need for eyewitness reports and geological
surveys. “the details of direct observation will always remain useful for the
study of the phenomenon in itself: direction of the plane of oscillation,
study of the focus in the depths of the earth's crust, plotting of isoseismic
curves, determination of the lines of fracture, for all the tasks of geological
seismology, etc.”
84
Forel's point was that seismology must not be confined
exclusively to the observatory.
it was Montessus who most clearly tied this methodological critique to a
moral injunction. Beyond the pursuit of scientific theory, he urged his col-
leagues to “give some thought to the well-being of their fellow creatures.”
85
indeed, Montessus pressed the iSA to redefine its purpose. Against gerland's
plans, Montessus reconceived global seismology as a humanitarian enter-
prise. the emergence of humanitarianism as an international movement in
the nineteenth century was predicated on the belief that science could be
used to rationalize the provision of relief and make human existence more
predictable.
86
in this spirit, Montessus believed it was the iSA's duty to guide
“unstable” countries that had not yet taken responsibility for monitoring
their own seismicity. “they will need to press, for instance, countries like
France or germany to publish the tremors in Madagascar or in german
New guinea.”
87
Montessus thus insisted on global responsibility for local
seismic risk.
