St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1885-05-16
THE FORCES BENEATH Us
The Phenomena OF Volcanoes and
Earthquakes.

The intensity of the subterranean
forces over any given area of the earth s
surface is in constant state of ebb and
now. now rising to flood of great
power. now ebbing into long period
of quiescence, and then again gathering
force for a new and awful manifesto
ton of energy. 1t would seem that the
volcanic forces of Southern Europe are
again approaching period of maxi
mum intensity. But so recently as the
summer of 1888, the beautiful little
island of Ischia was convulsed by earth
quake shocks. 1t was the season of the
year when all was at its gayest and
brightest. the little capital being filled
who find it SO delightful a retreat in
summer. On a bright July evening,
when all were sitting out in the clear,
calm air, under cloudless sky, there
came q sudden earth-throe, and in a
few seconds the charming town of Casa
micciola was shapeless heap of ruins
whilst the other small towns which dot
the little island shared in a less degree
the same fate. Only two years before
another shock had been experienced
over the same area, but the earthquake
of188S was of much greater intensity
than that which preceded it.
1t Is but few months, too. since the
eubterranean forces seemed to threaten
an outbreak in our own country, mani
testing their gathering energy by q
slight earth-tremor in Suffolk; and now
Spain has been the scene of their awful
activity. On Christmas night last, the
Inhabitants of Madrid were thrown into
. state of alarm by two slight vibra-
Jtions. On the same evening more
violent earthquakes occurred in the
provinces of Andalusia, Malaga and
Granada. In the town of the latter
name the whole population, we are
told, fearing repetition of the shocks,
camped out in squares and other open
places. On the morning of the 26th
three severe shocks were felt at Gran
ada; whilst at Torrox, in the same
province, several yet more violent
shocks were experienced later in the
same day. The greater part of the
Albania has been overthrown, more
than half the inhabitants of Albunuelas
killed, and the cathedrals of Seville and
Granada seriously damaged. Each day
the provinces of Granada and Malaga
were shaken by fresh earth-throes, and
the loss of life has been very great. The
subterranean forces augmented in In
tensity daily. reaching maximum on
December 81, when more severe shock
than any experienced previously was
felt at Granada. that being the tenth
which up to that date had occurred
there The inhabitants were panic.
stricken: thousands fled from theil
homes: those who remained paced the
streets in religious professions. headed
Inv their priests, imploring the Divine
cfemency. From this date the shocks
we're less violent in character, although
a severe one shook Albania on Januery
~. and they have now happily
altogether ceased. About the same
time. an earthquake seems to have been
exnerienced at sea, the Captain OF
Cadiz bark reporting a shock. accom-.
nanicd by a loud roaring noise, on
december Is, when he was not long
ont Of Cadiz. seven days, however, be,
fore the first shocks were experienced
in the Spanish provinces.
Often in the worlds history mus'
Snain have been the field of volcanic
sctiyity. as her crumbling caves remain
to attest, and it was in this corner Of
Enrone that the greatest manifestation
If snbterranean energy in modern times
occurred. The story OF the earthquake
wb;ch one hundred and thirty years ago
DESTROYED Lisbon is familiar one.
Then. as in the case OF the presen.
earthquake, the inhabitants 90 no.
snnear to have had any warning OF the
Ginning danger; but suddenly e no,ss
Ike the rolling of thunder was heard
underground. this being followed I'm Inn,
mediately by tremendous shock; 4 wa,cn ..
threw down the greater part OF the city CITY;
and in the course Of . few minutes sixty
.housand persons perished- Inc ses
first retired, and then rose to heigh,
Of tiftv feet above its ordinary level; and
the new quay just completed: on when
the people hads-collected Tor saiesy;
sank with all its-Shuman freignt' anu
where it had stood. there was s al.er.
wards found to be one hundred lannon's
If uator If indeed, - some accounts