The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-05-31
WEST INDIAN
VOLCANOES

The calamity which has just overtaken
two islands OF the windward group in the
Antilles will unquesiionably lead to u fresh
discussion of the causes OF volcanic dis
turbances. All OF the phenomena involv-
ed therein are not yet fully understood.
a-c concerT'ns some OF them there are
perceptibie differences OF opinion among;
experts. On at least one point. however
there Is general agreement At a depth
OF about thirty miles the internal heat
OF the earth Is probably great enough To
melt every known substance. Genuine
ment may keep In rigid .Onditicn the
material which lies beneath the solid
crust. but II an avenue OF escape - once
opened the stun would soften and oozc
upward. There ~ growing tendency.
moreover. To recognize the Importance OF
eravltation In producing erupticns. The
Uncomfortable. and IL certainly ought TO
compel potentially plastic" matter TO rise
through any crevice that might be newly
formed. Russell. Gilbert and some ciier
authorities regard this as the chief me
chanical agent In an eruption at least
when there Is a considerable ouipourins;
OF lava.
As 20 the extent To which water oper-
ates there Is some lack OF harmony
among vulcanists Shaier. Milne and 9TH
srs hold that substance largely. II not
entirely responsible FOR the trouble. They
point 20 the fact that many volcanoes
are situated near the sea coast OF con
tineuts or ON islands. where leakage from
the ocean may possibly occur. Russell.
on the other hand. regards water not rs
the initial factor. but as an occasional.
though important. reinforcement. He
suspects that when the molten rock has
risen Co a considerable distance IL cucouu-
terS that fuid. perhaps In a succession
% pockets End that steam ~ then sud
ds MS Esrsratsd The explosive effects
which ~nsn~ arr % two kinds. By the
expansion - tho moisture which some
81 ths. lava contains the latter "a reduced
Co state 20 powder. and thus originate
the enormous clouds 81 fine dust which
nrc elected Shocks 81 greater or less
violsnc" are also produced. The less
we're ones no doubt sound like the dis
charge 81 artillery. and give rise TO trern-
ors in the immediate vicinity. In cX-
trcm~ cases enough force IL developed
20 rcnd the walls of the volcano itself
Russell attributes the blowing M Of Kra-
<atoa 90 steam The eliminating episode
~ the f.iec eruption last week. though
not resulting 80 disastrousiy 20 the noun
tain. would seem 10 BE- due To the same
immediate cause. To this particular Ok
pi0sion. too. 10 seems safe 20 assign the
upheavai which excited n tidal wave.
The precise manner In which the plastic
inside Of the terrestrial shell |
gets access To- the surface ~ not entirely |
,iear. Nevertheless IA ~ possible TO get |
come light on the matter. II is we'll |
Known that In many places there are deep |
racks. or faults" IN the earth's crust. |
AmouE the causes which led 20 their for /
nation ~ the wrinkiinC Of the exterior /
. IN. globe when the interior shrani /
rom cooling. Some are So narrow "a 20 i
~ inp@netrahle. perhaps. Others IN the /
'cmoi" past hav. been wide and deep /
.nough 90 admit molten material from i