Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-03-15
THE SUBMARINE yoLoAHO,


The following is fuller account OF the late
eruption of the submarine volcano at the island
OF Santorin. GrecIan Archipelago, aud the re.
cults OF an examination by several scientific
men, As given by the United States Consul at
Piraeus, Henry Nj. Garfield, Esq, in his dis
patches to the Department of State:
"A remarkable phensmena has for several
days occupied the attention OF the inhabitants
OF Santorln. On the 18th of January 1885, a
low rumbling sound was heard from time 10
time at New Cameni, and especially at the
place called Vulcano, where the mineral waters
are Stones detached themselves from the sides
OF rocks and mountains and rolled down to thu
levels. On the morning of the 10th the walls
OF the buildings and the ground were covered
with cracks. Towards noon the rumblings be-
came more freq uent, and sounded like the sue
cessive detonations of artillery. In the port Of
Nulcano, where copper bottomed vessels are
cleaned. the sea was violently agitated, and an
innumerable multitude of bubbles lose inces-
sanity to the surface; and the surface, ITSELF
was covered with white vapors with a sui
phurous odor. That afternoon the agitation
of the sea increased, and the soil along the
shores began gradually to sink. On the morn
ing Of the goth, on the sea and near the west
ern part Of Nulcano flames burst forth, form
ing conical fire of 10 TO IS square metres at
the base and from four to five metres In height,
which disappeared in about one hour.
The entire southwestern portion OF New
Cameni was shattered to pieces. chasm,
commencing at the western shore, near the
port of St. George, and running towards the
east, divided the conically shaped hill into
two equal parts, and, also, nearly the entire
island. The southwestern portion Of the island
is completely covered with a network OF fis-
sures. 1t was never fit for cultivation, As it is
formed of an accumulation of volcanic stones
and sand, really the powder of basaltic rocks
Four small lakes of pure clear water appeared
on this part of the island which were coutin-
ually growing in size. White, sutfocating va
pors arose from the sea, and emitted a sulphu-
rOus odor, resembling that of rotten eggs.
Spots OF a greeRish color appeared, which
proved that the yapors which arose were hy-
drosu and hydrophosphoric in their
nature Inc sinking OF the ground was much
greater in the western than in the eastern por-
ton OF the island. This depression of the
ground was almost imperceptible, but on
measuring, II was found to have sunk sixty
centlmeters in four hours. The sea bore red
dis n color. like water containing a great q uan-
tlty OF argillaceous mud. Its temperature was
was bitter to the taste. The boiling of the sea,
doubtless, was caused by a number of springs
or sulphate of iron, which arose with
Ior' iaom sS Its Depths sb6ns At five oGlosk
was felt. On the night of the Goth and 2lst the
sea about New Cameni was white milk, and
Ior some time flames Of a red color lowered
over its surface. AT the same time rapid
current sprang up in the port OF St George,
accompanied by a strong south wind, which
prevented the vessels from going out. Five
other lakes of clear water had now appeared,
while the sinking of the ground still continued
During the nights of the 2lst and 22d flames
appeared In the chasm or rift be fore mentioned
On the 23d the assures increased in width, the
water in the small lakes became salt and bitter
and the sea water at Fulcano became scalding
hot The rocks on the shores beca Inc hot also
aud the focus Of volcanic action seemed TO be
on the west of the chasm and to the west of its
wes;ernmost arm. At night the odor and smoke
became intense, and red flames We're seen at
the center of volcanic action, which continued
1or about an honr and 4 half. After their dis
appearance a reef or bank was seen, which
gradually increased in size until il became lutte
an island. The opinion of those who have
examined these phenomena is that the old
Island VIII almost. If not entirely disappear
and new one will form where the reef or
bank arose.