DeSoto times. (Hernando, Miss.) 1879-1898, 1890-07-10
A VOLCANIC FREAK.
|Dw Natures Powerful Forces
Made and Unmade an Island.
terestlng Description of the Strange
Formation of Graham Island and
of Its Gradual Disap-
pcarance.

The heaving up of volcanic matter
bm the bottom Of the sea to such a
light above the surface of the water
to form an island, which may be
lfely trodden is rare and interesting
currehce. That such things fre-
katly happened az Ii forruvr aIrd-pr
NJ an carly period of the earth's his
BY, is quite evident from the great
hmber Of islands which are found to
Of volcanic origin; but an event Of
Is description, taking place in our
kn times, is calculated to fix atten-
bn, as much from its novelty as from
extraordinary nature.
in July, 1881, an island was thrown
between Sicily and Pantellaria, in
be following remarkable manner:
bout the 10Th of July, a column Of
ater, like water-spout, sixty feet in
eight, and afterward cloud of vapor,
ere observed rising from the sea, at
pe place where the island afterward
ade its appearance. No fire was seen
hhl the nth, when the master of a
EOndon brig was able to distinguish
|hme; and it is probable that at this
fFlod the land began to emerge from
Pc water On the night of the 18th,
ashes Of brilliant light, mingled with
|noke, were distinctly visible, and 30
fmarkable were the appearances as to
Pduce the commander of ship to steer
Pr the spot, for the purpose of examin-
ps them more closely.
A large column of smoke was seen
pwering above the sea to considerable
lelght, and from the midst Of it, pillars
I lurid fire shot up, and then subsided,
ne column which was formerly dark
radually becoming white. This alter
alton Of eruption and repose, of white
nd black, continued during the whole
light,
" on the following morning, small
lilock of dark-green color was seen
sing a few feet above the surface of
ne ocean, but it continued visible at
ltervals only, between the more vio-
mt eruptions. The volcano was in
instant state of activity, and appeared
De discharging dust and stones, to-
ether with vast quantities of steam.
Soundings being taken, no bottom
as found till those who made the ex-
'riment were within twenty yards of
10 island. The form of crater was
}" clearly discernible. 1t seemed to
composed of fine cinders and mud of
color; and within it was
'scrled, during the pauses of the erup-
Ons, mixture of muddy water, steam
III clnders, dashing up and down, and
caSlonally running over the sides into
0 sea.
All this time showers of hot stones or
naers shot upward few yards, and
ch iell into the gulf whence they
ire elected. No words can describe
cir sublime grandeur; their progress
IS generally as follows: After the
icano had emitted for some time its
ual quantities of white steam, sud
NY the whole aperture was filed
IN an enormous mass of hot cinders
u aust, rushing upward to the height
some hundred feet with a loud, roar
! noise, then falling into the sea on all
les with still louder noise, arising
part perhaps, from the formation of
'alglous quantities of steam which
SANITY took place. This steam was
,lrst of a brown color, having en-
olea great deal of the dust; and as
rose 1t gradually recovered it's pure
liVe color, depositing the dust in the
ape OF shower Of muddy rain.
while this was being accomplished,
iewed eruptions of hot cinders and
~ were quickly succeeding each
ief' while forked lightning. ac-