Путешествие к центру Земли / A Journey to the Centre of the Earth

“Impossible?” said the Professor severely; “and why?”

“Because this crater is evidently filled with lava and burning rocks, and therefore—”

“But suppose it is an extinct volcano[28 - extinct volcano – потухший вулкан]?”

“Extinct?”

“Yes; the number of active volcanoes on the surface of the globe is about three hundred. But there is a much larger number of extinct ones. Now, Sneffels is one of these.”

“What is the meaning of this word �Scartaris’?”

My uncle took a few minutes to consider.

“What is darkness to you is light to me. One of the peaks is called Scartaris, it flung its shadow down the mouth of that crater. Isn’t it the most exact guide? When we arrive at the summit of Sneffels we shall find the proper road.”

“Well, then,” I said, “I can admit that Saknussemm’s sentence is clear. That learned philosopher got to the bottom of Sneffels, and saw the shadow of Scartaris on the edge of the crater before the kalends of July.

But as for performing the journey, and returning, if he ever went, I say no—he never, never did that.”

“And why?” said my uncle ironically.

“All the theories of science demonstrate it.”

“The theories say that, do they?” replied the Professor in the tone of a meek disciple. “Oh! Unpleasant theories! They will not hinder us, won’t they?”

“Yes; it is perfectly well known that the internal temperature rises one degree for every 70 feet in depth; so there must be a temperature of 360,032 degrees at the centre of the Earth.

Therefore, all the substances that compose the body of this Earth must exist there in a state of incandescent gas[29 - in a state of incandescent gas – в газообразном состоянии].”

“So, Axel, it is the heat that troubles you?”

“Of course it is. If we reach a depth of thirty miles, the temperature will be more than 2372 degrees.

”

“This is my decision,” replied Professor Liedenbrock. “Neither you nor anybody else knows with any certainty what is going on in the interior of this globe, since not the twelve thousandth part of its radius is known. Many geologists say that the interior of the globe is neither gas nor water, nor any of the heaviest minerals. You see, Axel, the condition of the terrestrial nucleus is absolutely unknown.