New-York tribune., 1919-05-27
Java Born of Volcanoes

Java, seat of government for the
Dutch East Indies, is one of the larger
islands of the Malay Archipelago. The
island with its 4S,5O4 square miles, is
OF distinctly volcanic origin. 1t was
the creation of violent seismic convul-
sions, its bulk having been thrown up
from the submerged plateau between
the Indian Ocean and the China Sea.
i is one of the breakwater islands of
the Indian Ocean, lying south Of
Borneo and separated from Sumatra on
the west by the narrow Sunda strait.
through whica swift and dangerous
currents continually run.
For It's area, Java is the most dis
tlnctly volcanic region in the world.
Scientists have distinguished 1875 vol
canic centres in the island, and from
time lnmcmorial its rich valleys hav.
been alternately fertilized and dew
astated by volcanic outbreaks.
Besids Kalut, whose violence has
produced the latest disaster, there are
hirteen active volcanoes. The most
active of these, including Kalut and
the peaks Of Raung Merapi and
Semeru. are on the eastern end of the
island. Bromo one Of the famous burn
ing mountains of Java. is in the same
region.
Humans Sacrificed in Crater
IN this eas.ern section OF Java low
lands and uplaads are intcvmingicd.
and Bromo. in more or less violent
eruption for ages, has formed deep
ana vide deposit Of volcanic dust
which IS kept almost in constant move
ment by the winds. Before the Dutch
occupation Bromo's flaming crater is
SAID TO have received habtually at the
hands Of the awed natives propitiatorv
onerings Of virgins and youths. babies
and living animals
kalat, which is in the Kediri dis
ir.ct, south o. &urahaya. is regarded
ty some IS c'oselv relatcd 10. {ho,gb
smaller than, 3ror'o It's lest serious
eruption vas oa Aay ~, 1901. when
80 persons were killed. Galunyaoo
burst forth in the year 1892. DESTROYING
ia villages and killing 1000 of the
inhabitants.
May Month of Eruptions
The most famous Of the modern
JaVan eruptions was that of Krakatoa
IN 1888. 1t may be only coincidence
scientists have found no ground SO
tar for believing it 10 be anything else
but the volcanic disasters in Java
have occurred nearly always in Nav.
II was IN May that KraAatoa blew
~ an" rs eruption and the effects
t'oae'y naraiieiea the oruDtion Of
Raingni. another ofty Javan peak
'0'cA became suddenly active in Nav.
lose, c1tsiag the los Of more than
$4,000 lives, and materially transform
llng the topography Of the surround
ing country
hrakatoas eruption was the cul-
mlnation Of seismic disturbances
which began in the summer Of 1877.
The volcano rose in the centre of a
small island IN the Sunda Strait be-
tween Java and Sumatra. Rhinghit
blew It's head off. Krakatoa did the
same IN the same year, 1880, and hav-
ing rebuilt itself in the centuries fol
lowing brought six-year series Of
earthquakes to climax in 1888 by an
eruption during which the island not
only d!sappeared, but left cavity
n the seabottom 1000 feet deep.
Heard 1900 Miles Away
The hrakatoa eruption began in May
and ended in August. The disappear
ance Of the island was preceded by q
series Of terrific explosions which con-
tlnued for more than twenty four
ho0rs, until August 28, and during that
period there we're atmospheric disturb
snces throughout the world The noise
o. the explosions were heard in the
Philippines, and at Bangkok, Siam, 5000
miles away. The tidal waves reached
Cape Horn, distance OF 1913 miles,
and were noticed in the English Chan
mel, l0,o40 miles from the scene.