PROCEDURE:

The rock was loaded in two ways as follows:

RESULTS:

In Fig. 1, the rock was not shorted (zero resistance) at any time. Prolonged shorting depolarizes and temporarily inactivates the rock. The total input resistance of the readout system (1 megohm) represented the maximum load. The curve indicates the reduction in current as the series resistance increases from 1 megohm up to 1000 megohms (1G).

In Fig. 2, the rock output was directly shunted by the applied resistive load. Each reading was made within approx. 5 seconds, using a test button, so that gradual depolarization would not have time to take place. The momentary drain did not seriously affect the capacitive reserve within the rock. After each reading, even with a dead short for only 5 seconds, the self-potential of the rock recovered fully.

CONCLUSIONS:

This test appears to point out the rather surprising capacitance of the Koolau rock (approximate dimensions 5" x 6" x 15"). The ability to withstand the continuing series of load tests (10 minutes apart), ending in a dead short and to recover the original emf virtually completely is certainly unusual for capacitors. This behavior is more like that found in batteries, where the continuous renewal by conversion of chemical energy. The phenomenon apparent here indicates a continuing energy replacement.