The Ambrym Eruption.

Manawatu Herald, 29 November 1894, Page 3

The Ambrym Eruption.

♦ Further details of the eruption at Ambry m, in the New Hebrides, Bhow that it was one of the moat remarkable disturbances recorded in the South Seas. As the flow of molten lava came on, filling up ;the valleys on its course towards the sea, tho rush and «roar became louder and louder, and every now and then, midst the dense smoke caused by the lava setting fire to everything inflammable, would arise a volume of steam as it rushed into the streams. The lava travelled several miles before reaching the sea. It completely swept a cliff away for a width of 80 yards, and poured into the ocean with a tremendous roar and hissing noise. When the glowing mass touched the water an immense volume ot steam arose to a height which the officers of H.M.S. Dart estimated as 4000 feet, and the sea boiled furiously, bo that the man-of-war had to move out of reach. A continual fall of volcanic dust and other dcbris is still going on, ana is completely covering everything. It is feared the natives will be reduced to starvation by the destruction of the crops. Should the fall continue much longer, all the vegetation will be killed from its effects. During the night shock after shook of earthquake occurred, some very violent, causing a siokly sensation amongst the Dart's crew. From Port Sandwich, 12 miles distant. Ambrym looks like an island covered with Bnow. When the eruption began the natives were terror-stricken, men, women and. children fleeing for their livea,*— Press Association.