This book was 'written' by Roy Rockwood, A a house pseudonym used by the Stratemeyer Syndicate for boy's adventure books. The name is most well-remembered for the Bomba, the Jungle Boy and Great Marvel series.
They aslo put out the Tom Swift Series.
I read this book as a boy and always remembered it fondly. Fast read. (I've always been a sucker for the center of the Earth Books..)
I'm thinking of putting together a Tom Swift anthology...
Maybe Dr. Drib will beat me to the punch? He appears to be retired.. (Or maybe he's a State Worker with computer time on his hands)
Enjoy
Roy