A VOLCANIC ERUPTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 257, 9 March 1911, Page 5

A VOLCANIC ERUPTION

GREAT DAMAGE IN 7 THE PHILIPPINES. VILLAGES DESTROYED: HUNDREDS KILLED. By ©able—Press Association—Copyright. Received 8, 8.55 p.m. Sydney, March 8. Eastern files contain details of eruptions of the volcano of Taal, situated in the centre of Lake Taal, 34 miles from Manila. The eruption started at two o'clock on the morning of January 28, simultaneously with two prolonged earthquakes. All towns within a radius of 20 miles suffered a deluge of mud. The island of Taal sank several feet. Following the sinking, a wave four feet high swept the shore for a radius of four miles, wrecking many houses. The Manila Observatory reports that a remarkable electrical storm continued for two hours, with deafening thunder. Lava and stones were belched 3000 feet high. The Observatory recorded 332 shocks. People in all directions abandoned the villages, and fled to the hills in the interior.

The southern railroad was damaged. ■Mud and ashes covered the tracks.

The authorities say Manila is sinking. The Talsya district is partly submerged, and the crops are ruined. An American school teacher who traversed the west shore of Lake Taal reported that five villages had been destroyed by a tidal wave, and 300 people were killed.