New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-31
THE DOOM or LSCHII.

IHE DOOn Of ISCHli.
The terrible disaster which has overwhelmed
the island of Ischia is another proof of the
| close connection between volcanoes and earth
| Guakes Vesuvius is the main centre OF vol,
| canic action of a chain of mountains extending
| from the Gulf of SalernO beyond Naples to
| Mount Barbara and the islands Procida and
lschia. Its first recorded eruption, which
occurred in the year 70, was preceded IN 63
by the earthquake that buried the cities OF
Pompeii and Herculaneum. Up to that period
the most active volcano in the region was
Epomeo in the centre of Ischia. As Vesuvius
increased in violence EpOmeo decreased, and
siuce 1901 there have been no eruptions on
the island. The eruptions of Vesuvius on the
main land have been frequently accom-
panied by earthquakes in the adjacent
volcanic islands with their dozen or
more extinct craters. Casamicciola the
watering place, which was destroyed on
Saturday night, has twice before been
sha oered by earthquakes during the present
century, and in each instance the phenomenon
was closely associated with the action OF We
suvius. In 1928 the earthquake occurred on
the very day of the eruption, and was pre-
coded by subterranean explosions in Mount
Epomeo In 1881 the earthquake was on the
third day after the volcano became active. On
the mainland in the vicinity of Vesuvius
earthquake shocks have been frequent since
the destruction of Pompcii. Within the space
of four years about $50 distinct shocks were
recorded in the centre of this region. In 1888
the district of Calabria lying to the south of
Vesuvus was the scene of a series of earth
quakes by which 100000 lives were lost, and
in 1857 there was n terrible shock that was
felt throughout the Kingdom of Naples. SINH
lar evidence may be collected in reference to
the west coast OF South america
and from Central America confirming
the theory that earthquakes and volcanic
eruptons are intimately connected AZ the
effects Of a common subterranean agency, i'll
explcable as that cause may be.
The great earthquake of Lisbon, one Of the
most destructive ever recorded, occurred at
long distance from any active crater and
could not be associated as in Southern Italy.
Peru and San Salvador with ordinary evidences
of volcanic action. This exception to the
general rule enabled Mallet, the most original
investigator in this field OF science, to lay great
stress upon the proximity of the sea or other
large body of water as an essential condition Of
earthquake disturbances as well as volcanic
eruptions One of his ingenious theories implied
the Eruption of igne0us matter beneath the
sea-bottom, and the generation and subsequent
condensation of vast volumes of steam
by which an impulse would sometimes
be given to volcanic centres or direct
motion communicated to the crust of the EARTH
The island, OF which Buchanan Read wrote
" Here Ischa smiles, Der liquid miles," not
only lies over against Vesuvlus, but far out
in the Mediterranean, in bed of volcanic
rocks scanned with great assures which
have been caused by sudden dislocations of the
earth's crust. Whether earthquakes are to be
attributed to the condensation of steam under
the pressure of sea water, or to explosions
caused by the generation of elastic gases
through contact with an internal molten mass
or to actual pulsations in the fluid mass be-
meath the crust of the earth, Ischia answers the
physical requirements of all the theories
equally well. In view of Mallet's final gener-
alzation, which was the outcome of his
dynamcal studies of the effects of the
great convulsion in Naples of 1857,
it must also be assumed that the
recent earthquake is not to be deplored
except in the locality which has been devastated.
The function of earthquakes aud volcanic
eruptions is now regarded by scientists as
preservatlve as well as destructive, inasmuch
as they accomplish in restricted areas results
which would otherwise be extended with ter
rife effect to the whole earth.
Some comprehensive theory Of ultimate
Is needed when the world is
brought face to face with such heartrending
catastrophe as that which has befalen Ischia.
Ordinarily there are few points of human in
terest in calamites that are reported a long
distance away. One morning year or more
ago newspaper readers read the brief an
nounccment in the cable dispatches that 1000 |
lives had been lost by an earthquake in the |
island of Scio. The fact excited no more
emotion than the foOtings of a table of NOR
tally statistics. 1t was only vague generaliza-
ton and it could not leave any permanent |
impression upon the public mind Ischia is |
not many leagues this side of Scio, but it is
easier to bring the suffering that has been !
caused in that single awful instant close to
the sympathies and emotions Casamiccloa,
like many watering place and SUNNI, resort
on the American coast, was thronged with inva-
lids pleasure seekers and fashionable idlers. 1t
was favorile resort for fashionable people.
The baths have been in high repute since the
days of the Caesars, and the island is the
summer home of many wealthy Italian families.
1t was Saturday night when the village was
filed with careless, excited throng and
piazzas were ringing with song and mer-
timent. Suddenly there was a thrill of horror,
an awful moment Of suspense, and Casamic