The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
EruptiOns Of Vesuyius.

This remarkable volcano, which is
now in state of eruption, stands on the
east shore of the Bay of Naples, and
about ten miles from the city. 1t stands
alone on the Plain of Campania upon a
base of about thirty miles in circum-
ference. In its upper portion it divides
into two peaks, one of which, called the
Somma, attains the height of three
thousand seven hundred aud forty-seven
feet above the sea and the other, known
as Vesuvius, reaches an elevation of
three thousand nine hundred and forty
nine feet, but varies both in height and
shape in consequence of the eruptions
of the volcano.
Vesuvius is often mentioned by
ancient Roman writer's without allusion
to its volcanic character. The first
recorded eruption occurred in August,
A. y. 70, and it was during this that the
cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum
were buried beneath the ashes. The
materials elected from the mountain
were scori8 and ashes alone, the quail
ties of which exceeded its own bulk
and in the occasional eruptions which
succeeded, these were the only volcanic
products until the year 1865, when the
first flow of lava occurred. The total
number of its great eruptions, down to
the present time, has been about sixty,
and some of them have been remarkable
| for the vast movements taking place in
short time. Between the year 1906
and 1861 no eruption occurred, except a
slight one in 1900. But throughout this
period Etna was in state of unusual
activity, and this, perhaps, gave vent to
elastic vapors and lava that would
otherwise have found passac through
the craters of Vesuvius.
The eruption in 1881 was accompanied
with great currents of lava, which
| flowed over most of the villages at the
base of the mountain, and at the same
time torrents of boiling water were sent
forth. The eruption of 1879 is described
as among the grandest and most terrible
of these phenomena. White sulphurous
smoke, Ike heaps of cotton, rose up four
times as high as the volcano, and spread
| about to proportional extent. In June,
1894, occurred terrible eruption, which
destroyed the town of Tore del Greco.
A single stream of lava was estimated
by Breislak as containing more than
forty-six million cubic feet. The erup-
| ton OF 1922 broke up the whole top of
the mountain and formed an elliptical
chasm about three miles ia circum-
ference and supposed to be two thousand
feet deep. In May, 1866, the foods of
lava destroyed the village of Cercolo.
An eruption of great violence occurred
in December, 1861. The disturbances
commenced on Sunday morning, the
Sth, in tremblings of the ground. In the
afternoon large opening was made in
the ground a little above Tore del
Greco, about half way up the mountain,
which was soon followed by others, from
all of which proceeded terrific ex-
| plosions and Jets of fame. Streams of
lava poured forth, and on the morning
of the 9th were flowing in current half
mile broad. The explosions, like the
sound of heavy artillery, continued till
towards evening, and at night were sue
ceeded by the most brilliant display of
electric lights, forked lightning and col
ums of fire and smoke continually rs-
ing from the crater. The commissions
continued for several days, and even up
to January 1, 1862, the trembling of the
earth had not ceased. The effect of this
eruption was to materially alter the
shape of Vesuvius, deepening the old
crater and forming several new ones
The nature of the present eruption
remains to be determined, but it is
thought it will be one of considerable
violence. The base of the new cone
is now covered with lava, which is
flowing down the sides of the mountain
in stream of considerable size. Much
alarm is felt in the villages at the foot
of the mountain, the Inhabitants of
which are prepared for fight at the first
appearance of danger.