The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-09-29
The Eruptlons In Java.


raise the volcanic CONFUSION there to
the rank of one OF the most destructive
calamities known in the history of the
human race. The loss OF life in the
great earthquake in Lisbon in 1855 was
variously estimated at from 10000 to
60.e00. The earthquake of just hum
dred years ago in Calabria, the south
ern part Of Italy. caused Ions esti-
mated by some at 40, 900. by others at
100000. Discrepancies like these illus
trate the difficulty of learning exactly
the extent of such terrible disasters. in
volving great populations and extensive
tracts of country in u common ruin.
We shall never know, probably, with
any degree of tletiniteness the loss of
\ life in Java, but if the reports are not
grossly exaggerated this calamity will
stand in history with those OF Lisbon
and Calabria,i and may even outranl
them. Beside II the recent earthquake
at Cassmicciola sinksi into insigniiicancc.
One thing making 1t highly probable
that there has been q vast loss OF life is
the density of the population In Java.
This Is as great as that of the most
populous countries in Europe, the island
possessing, with its rare natural beauty
ana mid climate, "a population ex-
ceeding that of all the other islands OF
the Indian Ocean together.
The occurrence viii be of deep inter-
est TO scientific men for the light which
it may throw upon the relations OF vol.
canic eruptiops, and earthquakes, and
che causes Of both, after which science
is still cropping a good deal in the dark
Inc visltations at l.isbon anu IN Caia-
Dria were earthquakes, ana the former
was remote from center OF volcanic
action. The latter has been supposed
TO pc related to disturbances III Ncsu-
vus. As rule, however, the most do
structlve earthquakes nave not been In
volcanic regions, while on the other
hand earthquakes are most common
where volcanoes are most numerous.
III IS not believed that earthquakes are
the. result Of volcanic cruptions, but
rather that beth are manifestations OF
the same forces. The convulsion OF ma
ture In Java combines the characters
ties OF both. EXTRAORDINARY eruptions
OF volcanoes were accompanied by vio-
lent changes in the earth's surface,
high islands or mountains sinking into
the sea and great uprising OF the
water, as at Lisbon, engulfing large
numbers OF people, sweeping away
lighthouses and destroying towns. One
Of the more famous eruptions in the
history Of Java Illustrated the TACT that
volcanic action may often be in progress
over large territory. This was moro
than u hundred years ago, when an
eruption of Papandayang, one OF the
largest OF the volcanoes, overwhelmed
with ashes an area OF o hundred square
miles, killing three Thousand people,
There were simultaneous eruptions
from two volcanoes respectively lSi
and 3o2 miles from Papandayang, al-
though those close tilnnd were silent.
The present disturbance, about which
the news Is stu vague, seems TO have
extended over o considerable territory
also. !,
The Island OF Java, being crowded,
so to speak, with volcanoes, illustrates
the fact Just mentioned regarding the
frequency OF, earthquakes where there
are many volcanoes. N 1878, record
was made OF sixteen distinct earth
qnakes throughout the Island. The
latest serious disturbances seem to
have been four years ago, when there
were several severe shocks. with aeon
siderable loss OF life, in tho PrennQcI