University's New Seismograph Can Foretell Weather

Seismographs can now predict the weather.

L. Don Leet, professor of Geology, announced yesterday the development of a technique by which earthquake-recorders can discover and chart storms over 1000 miles away. The College's new seismograph, which made its debut last month, may make the weather-man's job 25 percent more accurate, he said.

Professor Loot has already used seismographs to prospect for gold and oil.

All storms send "microseisms" ahead of them, he explained. These consist of very slight tremors which travel through the ground faster than a mile a second. Extra-sensitive seismographs can pick up these waves and calculate the position and direction of the storm.

Professor Leet has successfully tried his technique on several hurricanes. His method, he says, is practicable only if the seismograph gives a running report to observers above the ground. The College's new instrument, which dispenses with underground journeys and photographic plates, is the first of this type.