New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-04-09
Volcanic Phenomena.
A gentleman writing from Athens Greece, unde

A 'gentleman writing from Athens, Greece, under
date of March |, says: 4 a,Tasrag
We now possess accurate accounts of the vol
canic phenomena in the Bay Of Santorin. Mr.
Erskine, who visited the spot in her Maesty's ship
Phoebe, saw the second volcanic island rise out Of
the sea like fountain OF lava and as 1t rose high
above the surface OF the water fragments of rock
fell from its sides, when they cooled and cracked
at angles, which left the masses without support.
The FIRST island of lava has now connected itself
at both its ends with the island of Nea Kaimene.
and the enclosedspace forms crater like the Sol
fatara and is called the Volcano, being the center
of the volcanic action Since Mr.. Erskine's return
DR.. julius Schmidt an able observer, and the
other member of the scientific commission sent by
the Greek government, has transmitted regular
and detailed reports Of the various phenomena
that have occurred. 7-4 .-
On the goth Of February, while the members of
the commission were at the old crater Of Nea Kali
meme with their Instruments, making observations
on the volcano below, fearful explosion arrested
their attention, and when they advanced to see the
effect terrible eruption OF flames, ashes and red
hot stones burst from the volcano. They had Just
time to spring for shelter under the overhanging
lava Of the old crater, but not until they had re
ceived few burns on their skin and a few holes
in their clothes. The fury of the eruption lasted
only for few minutes, and when the wind had
cleared away the smoke and ashes, they fastened
to re-embark in the schooner at their disposal.
The schooner, though moored between Nea and
Mikre kaimene, at a much greater distance, was
The deck was set on fire in several places by the
redhot stones, and the men engaged in cutting the
moorings and getting the vessel out of danger re-
ceived several burns. A Greek vessel which was
taking in pozzolana the volcano, was set on
fire, and the captain killed on the spot by falling
stone During the rest of the day only slight ex-
plosions occurred, but smoke and flames were
seen to issue from the volcano, and during the
night on one occasion, flames made their appear
ance over the old craters, both in Nea and Mikre
Kaimene, and around the new island that con.
tinues to grow out of the sea- - &
On the I'D Ia curious phenomenon, which has
generally accompanied this eruption, displayed it
self with singular majesty. dense column,
which had its form clearly defined as if it had
been mass of dark purple basalt, rose slowly
out of the volcano into the air. 1t was about 600
feet in diameter, and assembled to height of -four
thousand feet 1t appeared as though central
column of fire gowed with lurid colorng through
dense covering of ashes, mingled with smoke
For some time it preserved its coumnar structure
matter fell, the smoke began gradually to dispense
1t is interesting to compare this phenomenon with
the description which Plny gives (Epist iv, lG) o
the cloud that issued from Vesuvius in the form oil
an immense pine tree-iongissimo uelM t1unct
,elatd in dlt,,na-when Pompeii was destroyed ant
his uncle persisted. 'a''
The inhabitants of Thera are greatly alarmed
and ships have been sent to enable those Il
escape who desire to quit the island. The danger
if not really great is magnied by its uncertainty
The force that casts up islands of lava from the
depth of the sea may topple down the town o
Thera from the precipice where it stands, thou
sand feet above the level of the sea, into the gul
below.