The Lambertville record., 1910-09-13

Central America Is one of
mother earth's great labora-
tories. The chemical work
that is going on uninterruptedly deep
below her glorious mountains is made
evident to the inhabitants of the coun-
try by the numerous volcanoes and
warm springs, as well as by the almost
ceaseless upheaving OF the soil, mostly
in tremors imperceptable to the SEN
ses, but also occasionally in powerful
and destructive connections.
The mountains of Costa Rica are
divided into two main systems. The
southeastern system, which has one
peak of 12,467 feet elevation, Is at
present without volcanoes, although
dts skeleton is formed mainly by old
eruptive rocks. The peaks Of the
northwestern system, of less develop
ment and ell, Fation. are mostly active
or semi-active craters, the base Of
which IS geologically of very recent
origin. This chain begins with the
conical peak Of Turrialba, which rises
in an uninterrupted slope from the
plains of Sarta Clara, about 1000 feet
above sea-level. to the towering height
of 10,965 feet. Its beautiful, crater,
forming narrow, elongated basin,
is constantly active. strong current
of sulphuric and aqueous vapors,
mixed with sand, escaping noisly from
q broad vent at its westermost extrem-
ity. The only known violent eruption
of this volcano. however, took place
in 1869, when 1t poured forth huge
quantities of stones and fine sand, the
latter Of which were carried by the
trade-winds westward to Punta Ar
enas and further away over the Pa
cific ocean.
Within close proximity of Turrialba
lis Irazdu, about $50 feet higher. and
far better known on account of the
faculty with which 1t is reached on
horseback from Cartago. This vol
caDo shows three large extinct era
ters, and, far down on its northern
slope, numerous solfataras and hot
water springs It enjoys the unde-
served reputation of being the one
point from which both the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans are visible at the
same time-a popularity that in re-
eral other points Of vantage along
the ridge of the southeastern system.
Its historical eruptions took place in
1928. 1926, 1921, 1922, 1874, and 1847,
singularly enough In each instance,
except the first (Which began in Feb
ruary), during the month of May.
The eruption of 1847 was simultaneous
with heavy earthquakes, which were
felt from Rivas in Nicaragua to the
city of Panama.
Tho Worlds Biggest ceyser.
From Irazdu the range continues
westward until 1t reaches Poas, pic
turesque mountain with a geyserian
crater, photographed for the first time
by the writer in 1888. and which
seems to have shown Of late an un-
usual activity coincident with the long
Iseries of quakes that have just
aflicted Costa Rica.
Geysers. or hot water volcanoes are
sparsely distributed on the map Of
the world, and have been often stud
led and described. 1t is therefore
no doubt matter of surprise to many
readers to learn that the highest and
by far the most formidable of them
lis not located in Iceland. nor in the
Yellowstone National park, nor in
New Zealand, but in the little Re-
public of Costa 'Rica. on the northern
border Of Panama.
Poas has at least two craters. The
higher one on the pyramidal top Of
ths mountain is extinct and filed by
a marvellous sheet Of blue, cold wa
ter, framed in an exuberant border
of semi-tropical vegetation: the 9th