The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-10-04
The EruptlOns In Java


raise the volcanic convulsion there to
tho rank of one of tho most destructive
calamities known in the history of the
human race. The loss of life in the
great earthquake in Lisbon in l755 was
variously estimated at from 10000 to
$4,000. The earthquake of just hun
bred years ago in Calabria, the SOUTH
ern part of Italy, caused q loss esti-
mated by some at 10000, by others ut
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 common ruin.
We shall never know, probably, with
any degree of deiiniteness the loss of
life in Java, but if the reports Me not
grossly exaggerated this calamity will
stand in history with those of Lisbon
and Calabria, and may even outrank
them. Beside it the recent earth quake
atCasamicciola sinks into insigniicance.
One thing making it 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
and mild climate, a population eX-
ceeding that of all the other islands of
the Indian Ocean together.
The occurrence will be Of deep inter-
est to scientific men for the light which
it may throw upon the relations of vol
canic eruptions aud earthquakes, and
thn ofh both altar x.,hinh cnin,pn
is still cropping good deal in the dark.
The visitations at Lisbon and in Gala
bria were earthquakes, and the former
was remote from center of volcanic
action. The latter has been supposed
to be related to disturbances in Vesu-
vius. AS a rule, however, the most de-
structive earthquakes have not been in
volcanic regions, while on the other
hand earthquakes are most common
where volcanoes are most numerous.
1t is not believed that earthquakes are
the result of volcanic eruptions, but
rather that both are manifestations of
the same forces. The CONFUSION of ma
ture in Java combines the characterii-
tics of both. Extraordinary eruptions
of volcanoes were accompanied by VIC
lent changes in the earth's surface,
high islands or mountains sinking into
the sea and q great uprising of the
water, as at Lisbon, cngulting large
numbers of people, sweeping away
lighthouses and destroying towns. One
of the more famous eruptions in the
history of Java illustrated the fact that
volcanic action may often be in progress
over q large territory. This was more
than hundred years ago, when an
eruption of Papandayang, one of the
largest of the volcanoes, overwhelmed
with ashes an area of hundred square
miles, killing three thousand people.
There were simultaneous eruptions
from two volcanoes respectively 1874
and 352 miles from Papandayang, al
though those close at hand were silent.
The present disturbance, about which
the news is still vague, seems to have
extended over 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. In 1873, record
was made of sixteen distinct earth
quakes throughout the island. The
latest serious disturbances seem to
have been foSr years ago, when there
were several severe shocks. with con-
siderable loss of life, in the Preanger
Rcgencies. The authentic record of
earthquakes and cruptions in Java runs
back for more than century, and
makes gloomy recital. Here may he
found other illustrations of the wide
variations in the reports of such losses.
The destruction of life by the eruption
of Mount Gallunggong in 1922 is put
down by some authorities at 10000; by
others at 1000.
1t will be observed that the disturb
ances in Java, like those of Ischia, fit
into Maiiet's theory thaj the proximity
of the sea, or some large body of water,
is q necessary element, either in earth
quakes or volcanic eruptions, an out
break of igneous matter beneath the
sea resulting in the generation, and
then the condensation of vast volumes
of steam, which excite volcanic center,
or set the earth itself in motion. The
commissions reported are close upon the
northwestern coast. 1t is to be consid-
cred also as bearing upon the frequency
of eruptions in Java, with relation to
the nearness of the sea, that the great
est breadth of the island is only III
miles.-N. Y. Tribune.