Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-25
THE BIRTH OF AN ISLAND.
An Event Of Rare Scientific Interest in the
Pacific Ocean.
Man Ynrr Sun

tNeV 1OTA Suu.I
About for and half years ago the peo-
pie on an island in the southern part OF the
Tonga group, in the Pacific, observed a
terrible cmmOtIon far ont at sea. II
seemed to hem that the water was boiling
and that smoke was rising from the sur
face of tn, ocean. One of the volcanic
vents at tn, bottom of the sea had spread
IFS molten iock and ashes oyer the ocean
bed until the growing mass reached the
surface. TIE eruption lasted for several
DAYS, and when it finally ceased new
island had ,een added to the Tonga group,
and it nov bears the name OF Falcon
island.
1t was the old story, but one that has
seldom haC eye-witnesses TO record II. In
a similar manner the whole of Iceland was
reared ADORE the sea within a recent geo.
logical ag, bv matter brought from the
bowels Of The earth. Hundreds of islands
along the Ines Of volcanic action. stretch
ing far acr,ss the Pacific. came to the light
in exactly Inc same way rs Falcon Island.
This latestof the volcanic islands was the
product os very moderate eruption, and
we can imiGine what gigantic commissions
Of nature attended the birth of many an
island that is hundredfold larger than
the new little speck in the Tonga group.
Those ishnds. which were reared above
rflt sea OILY ny IIOiliEiOuN anu lARDHRAf
loDg-extenled eruptiOns. are likely, even
in these liter days, to be the scene OF the
most stupndous volcanic activity. Inc
great eruption of Skaptar century ago Is
believed tChave covered part OF Iceland
and the adjoining seas with a larger
mass Of AVA than has poured from
Vesuyius and T,tna combined since
the burial, of Pompeii. 1t killed one
fifth. Of TIE population, destroyed the
arabic land. and frightened the. fish from
the adjacent waters, 80 that tor long
time the pbple were in danger Of starya-.
ton. The tolcanic vent that gave birth ~
Little Falcan Island Is right IN line with
the great chain Of volcanic islands in the
Malay Archipelago, where most OF the stu
DendOus emotions of modern times have
occurred. IL was on Simbowa, a little east
of Java. thlt an explosion occurred sixty
eight yeari ago. audible for nearly loo
miles. andko completely burying whole
province that only twenty-six persons
escaped ina population of l2,O00.
in Octcber Of last year Mr.. }. ). Lister
visited Flcon Island, then four years old,
ard he his Just reported the results Of his
observations TO the ROYAL Geographical So
cioty of London. The fne-grained dust or
ashes, reenish-gray in color, OF which
| the island is composed. is very fra
| bic, and the waves. dashlng against
| the nav obstruction in their. way,
have tcrn OF the edges and considerably
| REDUCED the islands area. The largest
amour; Of material is gathered on one
side Of the crater through which the tide
Of dib,is poured, and there cliff $50 feet
| high fonts the sea. Inland the cliff slopes
pentiydown until it reaches the level of
| the to,gue of land. about a mile in length
and ollv ten 10 twelve feet above high
| tide. Which forms the rest Of the island.
Ii is abare. dark heap of ashes, which the
ocear rollers are doing their best to bury
out i sight beneath the sea. As Mr.. LIS
| ter walked over the hillside there was a
| distinct odor of sulphur in the air, and
the distant parts Of the island We're seen
| through thin, blue haze.