Year: 1870

MEXICO, May Q, 1870.


the following interesting account Of the recent
eruption of the volcano of Ccboruco has Ecen for
warded to the authorities at this capital, from Tepc
under date OF March 20, and the accomy anying in
structions have been issued, which, m complied
with, may result In further mportanC data being
added TO that already recorded in tue archises OF
scientific lore:-


The event Of a new eruption of tye volcano which
exists in this district having lately occurred,
although 1t is mentioned In the writings OF
Clavijera and Humboldt and also in the history OF
New spain, by Mota Padilla, feel 1t dnty TO give
the Information to the Minister OF Fomento whlcn
this je1etia poliHea has received II Is very diicuit
TO TX the epoch In which this phenomenon CON-
menced but 1t is supposed to be many centuries
remote by the vegetation which Is lound over q
great part OF the lava which covers IL, ana its
existence is spoken OF by Garcia Cubas by the name
of "Ceboruco,n because the road to GuadalaJara
passes along the edge Of this lava. On the top Of
the mountain there exists the Old crater OF circular
form with a diameter OF 1S0 metres, surrounded
with calcined rocks, which have given it the name
OF "cOronilia also there are observed, at greater
or less distance, some breathing holes or mouths,
which, it is supposed, are in communication with
the main crater. Although the towns Of Afuacat
Ian, Jala, Jomulco, Pequepexpan and the farms of
Marquesado ana AuzeLa are but q short distance
or there is recollection antecedent which can
to fix the epoch when the first eruption took
place. The relation is, therefore, lost Of a historic
occurrence, which must have been terrible and
astonishing, judging from the number of leagues
which are covered with stones of immense size,
thrown out by the volcano during its first eruption.
Consequently that which has taken place to-day has
justly enlisted public attention. as 1t was supposed
to have become extinct but now makes It's appear
m a naW
OF the towns by Its novelty and the astonishing
effects which 1t presents.


l give TO the ministry under your worthy charge
the information which has been noted up TO to-day,
accompanying at the same time the observations
which have been made IN order to fix Its height
and tho different grades OF its temperature. The
22d OF February last it was noted that the ancient
quantity, and the 23d that loud subterraneous
sounds were heard, the smoke forming an immense
column increased and impregnated with ashes and
sand which have been thrown to the distance OF five
Blk leagues, 1t being observed that at the time OF
stones, which produce In their fail a continuous,
mufied sound like the breakers OF stormy sea.
valley formed on the top OF the mountain from
been covered with the lava, which, at the opening
OF the crater, does not SLOPE In gentle decliyily,
but which. forming steps OF from eight to ten
metres from the base presents walls OF the figure
Of rapezium almost symmetrical Of form
seventy eighty metres nigh 1t appears that these
walls bulge out and slip from time to time towards
the bottom, pulsations being noticed IN the top,
suring from three to four cuD.c metres, anu by
falling upon the ground produce an immense
amount Of dust, which Is raised In the form OF a
column OF earthly appearance, being mixed with
Others Of red color, which the dit OF the noun
lain produces, and removed frequently by the large
number OF stones which roll upon it. In different
parts Of the valley and especially in the upper part
the loosened rocks have rolled down ii, producing
intense ami prolonged Kissing sound, large quau
titles Of watery vapor, which form columns nearly
vertical, extremely dense and white, being raised
color at sunrise and sunset These columns become
slowly enlarged and terminate, being lost III the


The stones that are thrown from the valley readily
set nre to the shruos which they come in contact
with, and at night they look red which aids in
making more wonderful the view which the noun
tam presents. The gases which 1t sends forth are
like those arising from On iron foundry, and 1t s
known they are not obnoxious because they do not
affect the birds that perch upon the mountain. The
sublerraIeous noises ana reports are OF more or less
frequency, and some detonatlons are preceded by
shocks that are only felt short distance from the
mountain, and IL Is known that the .coronilla" OF
Lhe crater has sunk down, and towards the east Is
covered with sand. The abundance OF lava which
the crater throws out has covered not only the valley
winch we mentioned, but also taking the stream IN
the ravine called Anceta, C threatens to the
road and even TO extend over the farm adjoining.
In order that tie Minister OF Fomento may firm an
idea Of the volcano and It's eifect sead a view OF
the mountain ana also OF the valley which as
q channel for the lava thrown out OF the crater.
Please present this report TO the Supreme Magistrate
OF the nation for his information.


Observations taken in front OF the volcano known
by the name OF Ceboruca on the 7th, 8th, eth aud
10th OF March, lS7O-The thermometer (centlgrade),
III the shade ana open air, at SIX A. NJ, Stood In
AnCeta, 10 degrees Cent.graue. In the same place
and hour the temperature OF the water In the ravne
marked rs degrees centgrade. In the same place,
at seven =. NJ, the temperature of the water Is "a
degrees 40 minutes. III the same place the needle
varied degrees east, and as the same variation
has been observed for some years, 1t can be taken
as unalterable in that place. Near ravine east or
the volcano, about 500 metres from the lava, at half
past nine A. NJ, the needle varied degrees east. AT
The same point the temperature in the shade and
open air was Is degrees centigrade. At the same
place the thermometer submerged In the sand
and arose to "A degrees centigrade. One hundred
vrakrQ alf n q
arose Ia the shade and open air to % degrees cent?
grade; in the sum- to 40 degrees centi9rade. AT the
same point The needle varied 10 degrees east. The
extremity OF the needle which Is directed to the
north, was inclined to the horizon degrees. The
dlslance from Ancetl to the vertical which passes
by one Of the peaks OF the mountain Is 1851 metres.
Inc elevation OF the column OF vapOr from the
"cOronlao above the same level or Anceta mea
sures 1922 metres.


MINISTRY OF FoMENTO, OF THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO.


Sso 2. Ihave given an account to the President Of the
republic OF your Communication dated March 26 which
You give an exact description of distinct phenomena
which occurred during the eruption OF the volcano called the
ton you send a of the and mountain The gov
has these works with the appreciation they
merit and he manifess you, through this secretary,
these phenomena, 30 worthy OF attention, which have
Of the scientific interest which they present In
order that this knowledge may be more perfect and an
non TO which refer, the President the republic
thought best TO order that remit to this Ministry spec
thrown out of the Volcano designating What the
which these been scattered during
OF the place where the specimens and may
that asked for Also will be suitable that you
what point and at what distance the
what radius have the shocks been felt these have
The eruption giving finally all the Information you think
worthy to be presented on account OF its importance and
which may Judge useful to form correct decision
u important and Interesting phenomenon