The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1869-03-10
The Subterransan Forces, Vol
canoes and Earthquakes.


During the last two years, our planet
has experienced many volcanic shocks and
eruptions. Mount Etna, which had been
at rest for thirteen years, began the dis
turbance, and Vesuvius, the eruptions Of
which very seldom coincide with those of
Mt. Etna. followed the example, and al
tered once more the shape Of its crater, so
often modified in aspect A few months
later. the Island Of SaDtorin, in the Greek
Archipelago. was awakened from sleep
that had lasted 9S years, and the small
island of Nea-Kameni, which is situated
in the centre Of the circular harbor COM
prised between Santorin and Therasia, was
shaken by an earthquake just before the
appearance from the bottom Of the sea of
black, rocky substance, slowly rising out
of the water. whitened by the action Of
acid gases, and which finally attached itself
as a promontory to the cone of Nea-
Kameni.
These events, interesting as they may
be, have but a comparatively small i'm
portance in the history of our planet, and
are hardly worth mentioning after the late
catastrophe on the coast of Peru. and the
volcanic eruptions of Mauna Loa, on the
Island of Hawaii. But what are even
these eruptions compared with the explo
sion of the volcano of Teniboro. which. in
the year 1915, disappeared altogether in
the midst Of clouds Of ashes and smoke,
representing mass three times as large
as Mt Blanc, during which occurrence day
light was obscured for several hours over
q space as wide IS the French territory?
However, the recent activity Of the vol
canoes of Europe, as well as Of other parts
Of the world, has once more called the
attention of the public to these astonish-
ing phenomena of the terrestrial vibra-
tons. and We are confident that the latest
books treating of volcanoes and earthquakes
can ne. but be well received, and read |
with interest, and especially so when the
subject is treated with conspicuous talent, |
as it has been by Mr.. Arnold Boseowitz.
Formerly. the theory of the existence /
Of central fire, or "pyriphlegeton," pre-
vailed, snd was admitted as the only true
explanation of volcanic eruptions and |
earthquakes. According to this hypOth-
esis, burning sea Of lava was supposed
to rage and boil under thin crust, the /
thickness of which, being estimated at
from 30 to IS miles, was but the two hun
dred and fitch part Of the earth's diane
ter. This superficial envelop would be,
therefore, nothing but a fine pellicle-a
mere leaf-surrounding a liquid sphere,
holding and COMPRISING an immense ocean
Of fire, having, as the ocean on its surface,
currents, tides, and perhaps stormy pc
RODS The geologic revolutions of the
globe would be nothing but the reaction
Of the subterranean undulations of this
unknown empire Of Pluto. the mountains
being the frozen pillows Of the fiery ocean.
and the great giants looking out into the
abysses Of the seattle Etna, the Mauna
Loa, &c--being the channels Of the erup-
tons produced By the fiery waves below.
And it is certain that in the said hypothe-
sis, the slightest pressure on that crust
the slightest breach Of equilibrium in the
immensely Of the molten sea-must neces-
sarily shake or even break the thin film,
and hence natural and easy explanation
Of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
This very simple theory has met with
great favor, and has gained ground. not
only because it gives the means of ac-
counting for certain facts connected with
the history Of our planet, but also because
It Is continuation Of the myths Of Gre
clan fables, and Of Jewish legends, and
the very geologist who boasts the most Of
scientific exactness, can not help indulging
in those ideas which have been Taught
him from his childhood, and is pleased to
find IN the fathomless abysses Of the
PyiphlegetOn,T the sombre kingdom Of
Pinto, and the internal cycles Of Dante.