Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-13
BLASTED BY NATURE.
"a VOLCANIC EXPLOSION THAT DE-
sTRoYED AN ISLAND.

a VOLCANIC EXPLOSION THAT De-
STROYED AN ISLAND.
The Report Of This Most Appalling
Uphenval. Which Resulted In the
Loss of 10000 Lives. Was Heard mt
. Distance Of 1000 Miles.
On Aug. q, 1883, at 10 a. M, occurred
the most stupendous and appalling OF all
the commissions of nature which have oc-
CURED in the history of the world. BY it
the greater portion of the island of Kra-
katoa, in the strait of Sunda, was de-
stroyed, while two new islands were ere
ated by volcanic action. We remember
the fact mainly on account of the mag
nificent sunsets which followed the event
and were witnessed all over the world.
These sunsets, it is now hardly necessary
to state, were caused by the impalpable
dust and vapor particles which had been
elected from krakatoa to height of 20
miles or more from the surface of the
earth and were still floating in the upper
air.
The eruption caused great seismic
wave Of the sea, which overwhelmed the
villages on the neighboring shores and
drowned upward of 10000 persons. The
height Of the crest of this wave has been
variously estimated, but at Telok Betong,
| in Sumatra, the water reached within six
feet OF the residency, which stands on a
| hill IS feet above the sea. and the Dutch
man-of-war Berouw, anchored off the
coast, was carried by the wave UP the
valley nearly two miles inland and was
left. high and dry, more than 80 feet
| above the sea level.
If a man were to tell us that he had
heard an explosion which had taken
place at any town situated some 30 miles
away. we should probably think that he
was under misrepresentation. But if he
told US that he had heard one that oc-
cured at distance of 300 miles we
should have no doubt as to the condition
Of his mind. 1t is nevertheless a fact
that the explosion of krakatoa was heard
| not only 80 aud 300 miles away, but also
Mt a distance of 1900 miles. 1t was
heard in India, and it was heard in Aus
tralia, and also in the island of Rodri-
guez, which is about 2.96S miles from
Krakatoa in direct line. Moreover the
seismic wave of the sea referred to was
noticed not only in South Africa, but
also at Cape Horn. which is 100 miles
distant from the strait of Sunda. But
perhaps the most extraordinary of all the
phenomena connected with TINS cata-
clysm OF nature was the atmospheric dis
turbance, or air wave, produced by the
explosion. This mir wave, it is stated.
Went three times around the earth. and
it has been remarked that the charac-
ter of this disturbance would seem al
} most incredible were it not for the fact
that 1t is attested by the barograms or
every great meteorological station on the
worlds surface.
1t may be mentioned that, although the
great explosion dad not take place until
10 n. M. during the Whole OF the proceed
ing night continuous roar, IKE the us
charge of heavy cannon or thunder. had
!, been heard. so that the people in the
towns and villages OF Java and suniatra
were terrified and did not dare to go 10
bed. Even on the previous day, the 18th
the sky, we are told. presented the most
terrible appearances fierce flashes OF
lightning penetrated the dense masses OF
cloud over the island, clouds of black
: matter We're rushing across the SKY. rap
, idly recurring detonations We're hearc
continuously. and large pieces of pumice
/, quite warm. rained down at distance o
; ten miles.
1T is hardly a matter to be wondere
: at when we are told that at Carmen
:. Java. 300 miles distant. native boat
y were dispatched to assist an ina slnar
: vessel IN distress. and at Acher1l, l.ot'
), miles distant. It was supposed that a for
:. was being attacked, and the troops Wer
: put under arms. he result OF the erup
: ton was mat the Whoie OF the nortiet-
part OF the island, seven square ihlle
= in extent. was completely blown away
: and where there WAS formerly Dry ian
: there are now Sonnd.ngs OF ~ fatiloms
:. and in some parts 100 fathons or more
Moreover, the bedot the sea some hve
six miles to the north appears TO nav
been raised many fathoms. II IS III
:, necessary to point out how stupenda'i
:. must nave been the force EeheIatea W
> der krakatoa at the time OF this erul
!, ton, seeing that It was able 10 MT mi
= lions of tons and sent up stream
=. pumice and yapory particles TO heign
y of 20 miles above the surface OF ID
y earth. We are naturally led to inq'ni
- what was this force ana no" was
generated.
" The primary source from which PR
ceeds the energy which produces voican
rs action is unqnestionably the interni
Is heat of the earth. At the base of u
Il crater of volcano is the top or con
O. mencement of the channel or passas
1,ara Inv ,if.ati Is