The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-01-26

Facts About the Biggest Volcano Of
the Philippines.

the Philippines.
The central or main crater of Taal
is nearly round, it's diameter on an
air line north and south is 6,233 feet
and the east-west diameter 7,546
feet. The edge of this crater is
somewhat irregular, but is nowhere
broken through, it's heighest point
standing at only 1850 feet above
sea level and it's lowest 426 feet.
It is said that Coshima, in Japan
is the only volcano of similarly low
altitude. Within the rim are two hot
pools, known respectively as the yel-
low and the green lake, and a little
active stream and sulphurous gas Is
sues in varying quantities.
In the smaller lake every few min
utes the water in the centre is blown
up like an immense bubble, which,
rising above the surface, finally
bursts, revealing a black orifice and
causing the boiling and very turbu-
lent water to assume all imaginable
colors. The aqueous vapor escap-
ing is sufficient to form broad
smokelike column which is visible
especially during the night and in the
early morning.
At some distance and before reach
ing the edge of the crater, where
view of the bottom can be obtained,
the rumbling sound produced by the
escaping vapor, under the influence
of the mysterious subterranean
forces, can be heard like that of an
immense boiling kettle.
The greatest eruption of Taal took
place in 1854. 1t consists of only
fragmental ejecta, but these were
Sufficient to destroy four villages ly-
ing about the lake. "The ASH Sem
per says, "has now indurated and a
new growth of bamboo and palms has
sprung up around the projecting
ruins" Father Buenuchillo wrote
also a pathetic description of this
eruption, from which the following
is taken:
'The eruption began on May 13
and did not end till December 1.
During this time the intensity and
aspect of the eruption was continu-
ally changing. It was 200 days of
devastation and ruin for the inhabi-
tants, to whom the time must have
appeared an eternity. During this
terrible time the four principal towns
of the laguna of Bombon disappear
ed, viz, Sala, Lipa, Tenauan and
Taal, with the numerous villages
around them"
It is impossible to describe the
beautiful coloring effects caused by
the different mineral deposits on the
walls and cliffs of the crater.
AS the lake is fed from under
ground springs and no surface water
drains into it it is as clear as crcystal
and much cooler than sea water and
has an abundance of fine, hard-fleshed
fish which are highly esteemed by the
Filippinos of the region. They are
game fish and some reach size that
makes their capture with light tackle
a matter of some difficulty.
The clear water of the lake has an
other marvel that is well worth see
ing. Some comparatively modern
eruptions of the volcano covered some
towns, in two of which only the
church roofs are visible. Others are
completely submerged, and on days
when the surface of the lake is un-
ruffled one can look down into the
streets of these submerged towns
and see the fish dart through doors
and windows of once populous bar
rios. The water is twenty-five feet
deep, but so clear that every detail
is visible.-Manila Times.