THE BIRTH OF A VOLCANO

Waikato Times, Volume 2656, Issue 2656, 20 July 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE BIRTH OF A VOLCANO

Yzalco, in the Republic nf San Salvador, is in many respects t.he most remarkable volcano on earth; first because its discharges have continued so long and with such are at regularity ; again, because the tumult in the earth's bowels is always to be heard, as the rumblings and explosions are constant, being audible for a hundred miles, and sounding like the noise which Rip Van Winkle heard when he awakened from his sleep in the Catskills ; and, finally, it is the only volcano that has originated on this continent since the discovery by Columbus. It arose suddenly from the plain in the spring of 1770, in the midst of what had been for nearly a hundred years the profitable estate of Senor Balthazar Erezo, who was absent from the country at the time, and was greatly amazed upon his return to discover that his magnifient coffee and plantation bad, without bis knowledge or consent, been exchanged fur a first class volcano. In December, 1700, the peons on the hacienda were alarmed by terrific rumblings under the ground, constant tremblings of the earth and frequent earthquakes, which did not extend over the country as usual, but seemed to bo confined to that particular locality. They left the place in terror when the tremblings and noises continued and, returning a wrejc or two after, found that all tho buildings had been shaken down, trees uprooted, and large craters opened up in the fields which had been level earth before. From these craters smoke and steam issued, and occasionally flames were seen to come out of the ground. Some brave viqueros, or herdsmen, remained near by to watch developments, and on February 23, 1770, they were entertained by a speot.able that no other men have been permitted to I witness; for about ten o'clock on the morning of that day the grand nphenvel took place, and it seemed to them, as tliey fled in terror, that tho whole universe was being turned upside down. First, there were a series of terrible explosions, which lifted the crust of the earth several hundred feet, and out of the cracks issned flames and lava and immense volumes of smoke. An hour or two afterwards there was another and a grander convulsion, which shook and startled tho country for a hundred miles around. Rocks weighing thousands of tons were hurled into the air, and several leagues. The surface of the earth was elevated about 3000 feet, and the internal recesses were purged of masses of lava and blistered stone, which fell in a heap around the hole from which they issued. These discharges lasted for several days at intervals, accompanied by loud explosions and eat.hquakes, which did much damage throughout the entire republic ; the disturbance was perceptible in Nicaragua and Honduras. In this manner was a volcano born, and it has proved to be a healthful and vigorous child. In less than two months from a level field rose a mountain morr than •1,000 feet high, and the constant discharges from tho crater which opened then have accumulated round its edges until its elevation has increased '2000 feet more. Unfortunately the growth of the monster has not been scientifically observed or accurately measured ; but the cone of lava and ashes, which is now 2000 feet from the foundation of the earth upon which it rests, is constantly growing by the

incessant discharges of volcanic matter Capitals of Spanish America.