The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-24 00:00:00

FRI DAY

ing the continued detonations issuing from the point
of the eruption have been heard more loudly. The
volcanic fire has already occupied some vineyards, and
menaces others ; it is about three miles distance from
Zaffarana, and a mile and a half from the suburb of
Ballo or Solara.

August 24.—The lava during the night has pro-
gressed rapidly over the steep ground. Its progress
towards Milo has stopped. The arm of the Portella
di Calanna has extended to the plain of the same
name, and continues its course in the direction of
Zaffarana. That too of the Quercia del Vento is sub-
divided into three sections : the first is on the point of
union with the small branch passing by the above
mentioned opening, and is closing on itself; the se-
cond is directing itself towards Palazzo ; the third
takes the route of Dagalone in the direction of Ballo,
and is distant from it rather more than a mile, and
from the centre of the commune of Zaffarana a
mile and a half. The branch from the point of Mor-
tara is now increasing. In a word, the lava has
reached to the base of the Quercia del Vento hill and
its pre-eminence, and has invaded much private pro-
perty, come ready for receiving Ithe rye-seed, others
cultivated with vines. Its front, from about 400
canne, has increased to near a mile.
August 25.—A small arm of lava is directing itself
towards Algerazzi and Spoligni in the territory of
Giarre, actually distant from the fire, the first one,
and the second two miles.
Last night the branch of the Portella di Calanna,
united with a section of that of the Quercia del Vento,
advanced 92 canne towards Zaffarana. From the
point at which it was yesterday evening to the pre-
sent moment, it has reached the vineyards of Ango-
nicella and Angona, and is distant from the village a
mile and a quarter.
The section towards Palazzo and Dagolone has
assumed the form of a peacock's tail, invading several
vineyards in the district of the grand Vigna, Palazzo,
and extended to the grotto, named Ciechi-
which place the lava last night advanced
100 canne, and this morning it continued its course,
so that from the commune of Zaffarana it is less than
tSecl as: r
fromone ,
a mile distant, and from Sciara, or Ballo, about 100
canne. The branch from Point Mortara progresses
in a N.E. direction towards Giarre by the Algerazzi
and Spoligni roads.
August 26.—The lava has considerably lessened
its onward coarse. From a hill four miles from Zaf-
farana ahother strada has appeared, which is following
the traces of ~e first one.
During thei'eruption it has been remarked that the
front of the lava has been variable ; now being large
—now small; that the various branches have often
united with the mass, and that the course of the fire
has generally taken to the valleys. It divides itself
into several branches when impeded by hills or high
ruggedbranchesspotsand on finding a level again the
reunite. The expansion of the lava is
,
greater or smaller in proportion as the ground is more
or less hilly.
August 28—The village of Ballo is menaced
closely, the lava being distant only 12 calm, On this
side the eruptie'v increases in intensity, whilst all the
other branches have ceased.
August 29—The lava which inclined towards Ballo
has deviated from its course, and all danger on that
side has ceased. The eruption has resumed its course
towards Zaffarana Etnea, from which it is two miles
distant, spreading over the vineyards.
The other branches are dead.