The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-01-27

seem to have died out on the seventh OF
eighth day after the beginning of the out
burst. The great mass of this considerable
hill would appear, according to the accounts
which have been preserved, to have been
built up by the materials which were eject
ed during two days and nights. This
volcano is now quiescent, and the slopes of
of the hill are covered with thiekets OF
stone-pine.
The circumstances attending the forma-
ton of this remarkable hill may be regard
ed as typical of what has taken place in
the case of probably every centre Of volca-
mic action that exists. The presence of
internal disturbing agencies as first notified
by successive earthquake shocks, which re-
suit in the partial disruption of the surface,
and the opening out of fsure from which,
along with heated water or steam, masses
of rock, mud, and other debris are elected.
These materials, as they fall back, gradual
ly accumulate around the opening, until
what is called a crater is formed. Within
this crater, incandescent matter is visible,
which from time to time bursts or boils up
with great eruptive force, sending forth
immense volumes of heated vapor, and
ejecting fresh masses of loose materials,
which, as they fall back upon the newly
formed conical hill and roll down its sides
till they reach the angle of rest, gradually
add to it's height and swell out its bulk.
Thus, what had been but short time be-
fore level valley, or even, as in the case
of Monte Nuovo, lake, is now an elavated
hill, with all the strange and striking
characteristics of 'burniDg mountain"
In the early period of a volcanoes exist
ence, and under normal atmospheric con-
ditions the cone round the crater is built
up pretty equally on all sides, whereby the
opening of the volcano continues to retain
its original central position. But there are
various agencies by which the shape of the
volcanic cone is modified and changed.
For instance, in the case of hig n mountains,
such as Vesuvius, the combined weight and
pressure of the material that surrounds or
falls back into the opening of the crater has
tendency to plug up the opening alto
oether. in which event the subterranean
fires frequently burst out by an opening
which they make for themselves in the
lower slopes of the hill. When this oc-
ours, the same phenomena happen as be-
fore. The debris thrown out falls back
round the new made opening or fissure, and
twin volcano-or parasitic cone" as it
is termed-is gradually formed. Again,
when the volcano, either during an erup-
ton, or from its geographical position, is
exposed to strong winds blowing persistent
" in one direction, the greater portion OF
the dust and debris elected into the air is
carried to leeward, and thus the cone is
built up with the crater on one side, the
summit of the cone so formed being fire.
quently much higher than the crater, and
in sense overlookingit it. Ofperfect cones,
those of Cotopaxi, nineteen thousand six
hundred feet in height, and Citlaltepetl,
seventeen thousand three hundred and sew
enty feet, are striking examples; though in
each case we may take it that successive
periods of eruption alternating with periods
of quiescence have frequently changed both
the size and the shape of the respective
craters.
In describing the origin of Monte Nuo
vo, we have seen the process by which vol
canoes are formed; and in Mr. Judds ac-
count of what he saw taking place In the
crater of Stromboli, we gain corresponding
knowledge of how volcanoes, after being
formed. continue to act Stromboli Is one
of the Oldest volcanoes in the Mediterra
mean Sea, and is peculiar in this respect
that for at least two thousand years it has
been in constant and regular, but not IL
violent or dangerous, state OF activity
hence it is possible for observers without
any overwhelming sense of danger, to watct
for hours together the series OF operations
going on within the crater. Our author
in 1874. made careful examination ano
sketch of this volcano The island OF which
it consists is of rudely circular outline, an(
the volcano rises in a conical form to thu
beiobt of three thousand and ninety fee
above the level of the Mediterranean
Stromboli is one of those volcanoes in which
the crater is not on the summit, but on th'
side of the mountain some distance below
the summit Viewed at nighttime, 1t pre-
sents very striking and singular spectacle
? The mountain, owing to its great elevation
is visible over an area having radius
more than hundred miles; and as it burst
out intermittently into broad flash or glar
of light, then sinks down, only In fey
minutes to flash out afresh, it has bee
called sthe Lighthouse of the Medlterra
mean"
eff we climb up says Mr., Judd, 1t
this scene of volcanic activity, we shall b
? able to watch narrowly the operation
l which are going on there. On the morn
ing of the 24th of April, 1874, L paid
visit to this interesting spot in order to &c
! near view of what was taking place. o
e reaching point upon the side Of tn
| Sciarra from which the crater was In tn
, view before me, l witnessed an outbur'
$ which then took place. Before the GU
burst, numerous light curling wreaths