ETNA IN ERUPTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 372, 25 April 1910, Page 7

ETNA IN ERUPTION.

CAT AA LA'S DANG Eli. London, March '!().

The fears expressed by the scientists 'who climbed lit. Etna, llial, the volcano ! would break out in Uirlher serious erup- ! tion, have been verified, as la>t night the mountain was in violent opiiii... ji. J The streets of Catania, the beautiful city at the foot of Etna, which was almost entirely destroyed by earthquakes in MIS. wore filled with ashc-< and cinders to a depth of six inches. AD night the line dust fell, accompanied by "the frequent glowings of the angry voir.n'.o. and in the morning a thick grey mantle was spread over the whole city, whi 'h is 20 miles from the mountain. During the night a strong north wind ••anu- up and carried the dust over a vast area to the southward, ruining many vineyards and orchards. A huge stream of molten l.r.a is moo. ing slowly down the mountain side towards Catania, sweeping away al! <v,stacles, and creeping on with terrifying sureness. The people are becoming livr,-. terical with fright, as added to their horror of the lava stream frequent earth tremors are being felt, and deto'vttio.i' from the mountain have boon booming through the night, causing widespread fear and increasing that growing alarn .

Fresh craters appeared during the night, and whenever the curtain of smoke and dust was withheld the awful red glare of the belching furnace shot into the sky, growing weaker as the smoky pall came down again until all was blackness.

Professor Kicco (Director of Catania Observatory) estimates that there are now 45 craters, old and new, in active eruption.

The local authorities at Catania have, appealed to the Italian Government for aid in caring for the thousands of refugees from the stricken territory in the vicinity of Mt. Etna. The relief depots are overcrowded, and men and women hitherto independent are now in need of food, clothing and medicine. The extent of the destruction is so great that an appeal for financial aid is being nude as well. It is considered probable that the Government will vote an appropriation to carry out relief woric.

Liter. The terrible now of lava, which is threatening to devastate the city of Catania is emanating from 35 active craters, and has widened considerably in its progress down the southern slope of the mountain.

Some of the country around presents a terribly desolate appearance, and there is a generally depressed feeling in the atmosphere. The loud rumblings from the volcano continue, interspersed from time to time with sharp reports, accompanied by sudden belehings as the force they emit increases. Dust and cinders are falling in showers, while the summit of the volcano is entirely obscured by thick black smoke. Many of the refugees are N 'in actual want, and though much is !u ing done to alleviate their distress, the suddenness of the outbreak, and the lack of the necessaries of life are responsible for much suffering. The Government is likely to pass an appropriation for relief purposes shortly, and everything is being done to lessen the hardships which many of the homeless sufferers are experiencing. The soldiers who were stationed in the threatened towns for the purposes of keeping the inhabitants awnr have now abandoned their posts, and the residents have oeen allowed to go back and secure anything of value belonging to them, as an intervening hill has checked the flow of lava. The. red-hot river is estimated to be 100 ft deep in places, and is now making for the coast. The bells of all the .cathedrals, churches and monasteries in Catania are ringing for the deliverance of the city i from the perils of the lava streams. Catania is at present alive with cinematograph operators, who arc bu ilv engaged in securing photographs of the scene.