February 27, 1858
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmArtesian Wells in California
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
A San Jose correspondent of the Alia Cala-fornian, writes as follows : — "I learn that there are in Santa Clara county over four hundred artesian wells, of an average depth of 150 feet. Ten or twelve of these are from 230 to 400 feet deep. These throw up jets some five feet in hight. From a pipe seven inches in diameter, one thousand gallons per minute are discharged. The deposits found in these wells are significant of the antiquity of the country. At a depth of 200 feet a gravelly cement is found, after which is discovered a gray yellow sand, in which water is generally encountered. At this depth have also been struck wood, coal, coral, bonee, and in one well a piece of deer's horn was brought up at a distance of 140 feet below the surface of the ground. A redwood log was also bored into at a depth of 400 feet ; and as far down as this in the bowels of the earth have been found the partial remains of animals."
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
