The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-01-29
REPORT FOR CLASS E.
vESUVIUs.

vEsUvIUs.
will respectfully call your attention to brief
sketch of one Of the most distinguished volcanoes
in the world:
1t is conceded that the remarkable history of
Vesuvius has supplied large part of the infor-
nation on which geological theories of volcanic
action have been based. vesuvius rises from the
midst of highly cultivated plain bordering the
shores of the Bay of Naples, in Italy, to the
height of nearly 1000 feet. The valley of Atrio
del Cavello separates the highest and principal
summit of the mountain from Monte Somma, a
fragment of ancient prehistoric crater of vastly
greater size than that of the present volcano. At
the beginning of the Christian Era Strabo, the
Roman geographer. described Vesuvus-as burnt
mountain which had never been known to show
any sign of activity. However. 60 years later
several earthquake shocks spread alarm far
and wide through Campania. Its first eruption
occurred during the reign of Emperor Titus. in 49,
and was attended with great destruction of life
and property; the fourishng cities of Pompeii
and Herculaneum were buried amid the rain of
hot ashes and mud. The exhumation of these
two cities in modern times has thrown much light
upon the life of Roman citizens in the first cent.
ury. Lava streams not recorded till the eight
eruption which took place in the year 1886. After
the tenth eruption in 1913 the volcano assumed a
death-ike aspect for period of nearly 500 years.
On account of the long sleep of the mountain it
was almost forgotten that it had ever been in
eruption. Its crater-walls, some five miles in
circumference were covered with forests which
sheltered the wild boar and other game; its
slopes were cultivated, and cattle quietly grazed
on the grassy plains found at its base. Finally.
after succession Of earthquakes. Dec. 16 1881,
began one of the most fearful eruptions in it's his
tory. VapOrs and ashes. blown out of the crater
and funnel of the volcano rose far obove the
clouds and were carried hundreds Of miles,
covering portion of Italy with thick layer of
sand and dust which destroyed all vegetation.
Streams Of liquid lava and torrents of hot mud
reached the sea at twelve different points.
1t is said that so swift was the work of destruc-
ton that above $4,000 persons lost their lives on
the occasion. From the next eruption in the year
1860, to this day, the eruptions have succeeded
each other at intervals not exceeding ten years.
The eruption of 1879 is noted for the large num-
Der of red-hot stones omitted The eruption of
1894 was the most destructive since that of 1881;
eight streams of lava rolled over Tore del Greco
and left in some of its streets thickness of forty
leet of lava. The most remarkable and the last
eruption that was able to find an account of 10
briefly described in text book. It occurred in
April. 1872, and streams of lava issued with such
suddenness as to overtake and destroy 20 persons
out OF a crowd of sight-seers; the molten stream
was 1000 feet wide, and 20 feet deep. The crater
hurled forth immense volumes of smoke, red.hot
stones, and other fragmentary substances to an
estimated height of 100000 feet.
On one of the ridges between the radiating val.
legs is an observatory. which was established in
1874. by the Neapolitan Government for meteoro.
logical and seismic observations. In 1880 wire.
rope railway was opened which carries visitors
from the foot of the up to within $50 yards of
the mouth of the crater