Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-31
In the Volcanic Region.


Central America has some remarka be
mountains. but no very high peaks. That
part of the earth's surface is agItated by
volcanoes more than any other, and some
of them have extraordinary characteristics
They have done an enormous amount of
damage from time to time. There is a little
mountain In Nicaragua called Momotom5o
that has probably been more destructive 10
human life and property than any of its
size in the world for II is only 1925 feet
high. The highest mountain in Nicaragua
Is Coroubo. 9gOS feet. Honduras has moth
ing over $3.50 feet.
Guatemala shows the highest attitudes in
Central America, having twenty-one peaks
over 10, GO feet. six over 1880 and three
over IL, 000-Taj amulco 13,S1i; Tacana, b.
334, and Acatenango, 1000. There are sew
era1 volcanoes in Guatemala, and in 1902.
simultaneous with the eruption of AT.
Pelee, there were eruptions and earth
auakes more destructive to life and prop
erty than were ever known before. 1t was
asserted that 20,0Jo people lost their lives
and a vast area of coffee groves and fertile
farms were buried under heaps of ashes.
In the northern part of the republic the
ruins of the ancient capital, founded by AL
varado. lie between two eccentric volcanoes
called Aqua and Fuego, because the former
casts out water and the latter fire, when
they become angry. The ancient capital
was one of the largest and most splendid
cities in America, but was entirely de-
stroyed
The little republic OF Salvador has eigh-
teen active volcanoes. One of them, 1Zalco,
has been born since the country was settled
by the Spaniards. 1t is called The Light
house of Salvador" because its eruptionS,
which occurred in a most extraordinary
manner at intervals of seventeen minutes,
illuminate the entire country for few mo-
ments They are as regular as the beating
Of the human heart A mass or burning
lava spouts out of the crater, TO height of
several hundred feet, and falling flows
I'D g he rrThi nh a hna
gradually growing by these continual de-
posits of lava and ashes until it is now
G. 1876 feet high.
Costa Rica has a group of five very inter
esting volcanoes, and one of them Is always
active. If they all cease to smoke the peo-
pie become very much alarmed, because an
earthquake is likely to follow. One of them.
Irazu.. 11ooo feet in height; IS the only
may be seen, and the view is worth climb
ing for.
Colombia has several active volcanoes,
and one of its mountains. the Sierra Ne
vada of Santa Marta, is 1868 feet 1t is
beautiful peak and picturesque landmark
on the northern coast. where IT may De
seen from the decks of passing steamers.
Although so near the equator, it Is always
covered with snow. The highest peak in
Colombia is a volcano called Toilme, III
tie more than is 600 feet.
Around Quito, in Ecuador. Is one of the
grandest groups of mountains in the world
and several active volcanoes, ChimboraZo
being the highest
Peru has twelve peaks over 1900 feet
and eight over 10000 The highest are
Huascan. 22O51; Huandoy, 21,0S9. and MIST.
a beautiful volcano which casts its shadow
upon the city of Arequipa, and is 2O.015 feet
high.
Bolivia has six peaks over 10000 feet and
twelve over 1900. The highest lie in a
row east of Lake Titicaca and the city of
La Paz and their snow-clad submits form
one of the grandest pictures that can be
conceived of. Those over 10000 feet are
DAT, Illimani, 21.o30; Paniri, 20. 735; Huaina,
20,171.
Chile has a similar group with eleven
peaks more than 10000 feet high, twenty
seven more than 1900 and forty-seven
more than 1900. The highest are as fol-
lowss