Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-09-09
Cotopaxi IN Eruption.

On the 5th of August the volcano
of CotopsxI, ID Ecuador. was In a
state of actiye eruption. In the city
of Tacunga, situated at the base OF
the mountain, 100 houses have been
destroyed by the streams of lava from
the volcanoe. The eruption began on
July % and was accompanied by ter
rlble explosions and showers of stone,
molten lava, and hot water. At . lito
the clouds of cinders in the air made
the day like night, and at Guayaquil.
$50 miles away. the people ran from
their houses in alarm, thinking that ar
tIIlery was laundering at their doors.
From 1856 until June 26, 1877, the
volcano OF Cotopaxi maintained com
parative repose, although 1t aid not
cease to give evidence of a volcanic
activity which makes of it proteus for
the variety of shapes it assumes, and
chameleon for the diversity of colors in
which it robes Itself. Nothing Is more
sublime at all times. and on occasion
more appalling, than the truncated cone
OF this snow-capped mountain. 1t was
a view on one of its fanks that inspired
the artist Church when he painted his
celebrated picture "The Heart Of the
Andes" The crater of Cotopaxi is 500
feet in depth. 1t is not rare to see a
pillar OF hre rise from this abyss and
lose itself in the blue vault OF heaven.
as if the colossus would fam be a
lighthouse to the mariners of both
oceans, bat only consented to illumin-
ntA &xl- ~
ire An eruption of the volcano has
occurred about once in ten years for
a century past. There was considera-
bic activity on the part of the noun
tain in June, 1861. The eruption con-
tinued, and gradually became weaker
until 1867, when il ceased. In 1868
subterranean noises were again heard,
and slender column of smoke ap-
peared. In May, 1868, there were
some earthquakes, which ruined Pc
llleo and Palate. In July, 1869,
noises were again heard, and terri
bic flood took place, but without earth
quakes and subterranean noises.
Abundant fountains of water burst
forth, hundreds of immense rocks
were rent and thrown down, and the
rivers were flooded. Observers who
were at the time in the Cordilleras
consider that the landslides were not
owing to the action of water, but
rather to pressure upward from
below, as if from accumulated gases
seeking an exit. The most curious
effect reported was variation in the
climate. Many plants, such rs the
sura lowered, which had not done so
before. After the premature ripehIng
the surales all closed up again, and
did not revive. After this occurrence,
it was noticed the sugar-cane could bs
cut In twenty-four months instead of
thirty. In June, 1877. there was a
terrific eruption, which was accom-
panied by every circumstance that
could increase its horror the torrent
of lava overhowed the surrounding
country in every direction, and La Ia
cunga, twelve miles distant, barely
escaped destruction. The loss of prop
erty in the valley of ChilIo alone was
estimated at over 81. 900, 600 and the
number of dead exceeded 1000 On
May 19. 1888, the volcano again be-
Came active, as an accompaniment to an
earthquake which was SO severely felt
in Quito that the people, fearing
cataclysm, encamped in the streets.
while at La Tacungs, the shock was 80
severe that several houses were over
thrown. and the neighboring villages
were almost completely destroyed. Co.
topaxi is a conical-shsped mountain
standing almost directly on the Equa-
tor, and rising to height of IS. $50
feet above the level of the sea. or so
feet above the adjacent valley. Ii is
the highest volcano IN America that has
been active ia modern times, The
upper 4, 400 feet of this mountain are
covered with snow, except a section
around the summit. The scorias, lava,
and rocky fragments which are the pro-
duce of its eruptions, cover an area OF
some so or 60 square miles. La Ia
cunga, the town which appears to have
suffered 30 seriously by the eruption last
month, stands IN the Cordilleras ot the
Andes, fifty-five miles south of Onto,
and directly west of Cotopaxi. 1t is
built of pumice-stone, and has popu-
lation of 15, 900. mostly Indians. 1t has
been a prey to earthquakes
and eruptions of Cotopaxi, and in 1898
was totally destroyed.