RAIN OF ASHES

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 171, 15 April 1932, Page 11

RAIN OF ASHES

Andean Volcanoes Active ABRUPT CESSATION New York, April 13. The “New York Times” correspondent at Buenos Aires states that a rain of ashes from the Andean volcanoes ceased to-day agmost ns abruptly as it began on Sunday, after covering the Argentine pampas with a suowlike blanket inches deep for 700 miles over a strip 400 miles wide. The dozen or more volcanoes in eruption quieted sufficiently for the regular air service to Chile to be resumed. No deaths from the eruption have been reported so far, and opinion varies as to whether the ashes will prove to have a harmful effect on the health of cattle. The answer is believed to depend on whether early rains will wash out and revivify the pastures. It is the ploughing season now, and it is expected that when they are ploughed'under, the ashes will prove highly beneficial on account of their potash contents. Fears in the town of Mendoza of asphyxiating gases which might necessitate evacuation have subsided. Santiago, the capital of Chile, reports that, the dust and ashes have ceased falling. The Associated Press correspondent at Buenos Aires reports: “Conservative seismologists here are inclined to believe that the volcanic activity was more alarming than actually dangerous.” __________