ETNA IN ERUPTION. MOST IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 72, 28 March 1910, Page 7

ETNA IN ERUPTION. MOST IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE.

STREAMS OF LAVA. DETONATIONS LIKE GUN-FIRE. >8y Telegraph.— Press Association.— Coprrlgkt. (Received March 28, 9 a.m.) ROME, 27th March. The eruption of Mount Etna is the sequel to the abortive outbreak in April, 1908. The central crater is in--active. The spectacle at night is most impreswiv«. A stream of lava several kilometres long was first seen descending like a burning rampart, from which cascades of fire were falling. The heat was so fierce that it was wipossible for anyone to approach within forty yards. Meanwhile there were detonations sounding like gun-tire. Then rain and hail fell. [In April, 1908, Etna and Stromboli both showed signs of activity. From the former huge flames and dense showers of ashes issued.] FIVE NEW CRATERS ACTIVE. PEOPLE PANIC-STRICKEN. ROME. 26th March. Mount Etnt'a violence is incrpa-sing, and five new craters are now active. Crowds of tourists are watching the advancing lava. Many religious processions are parading the streets in the neighbouring towns, and the churches are crowded with panicstricken people, praying that further disaster may be averted. The craters are hurling stones tike volcanic bembs. A later report states that tke kv.i is advancing at the- x-ato of a Metre (39 inches) a minute upon Belpaseo, and that Cardinal Nava has taken the miraculous veil of Saint Agatha to slop the flow. St. Agatha, a Sicilian virgin martyr, was born at Palermo, and put to death by Quintianus, the Governor of Sicily, on sth February, 251, because she rejected his advances. The Roman Catholic and Anglian Churches celebrate her festival on that day. She is said to have been scourged, burnt with hot irons, torn with hooks, and then placed on a bed of lire coals and glass. REASSURING REPORTS. PROPERTY GREATLY DAMAGED. (Received March 28, 9.10 a.m.) ROME, 27th March. Last night's reassuring repoits of Etna's diminished activity continue, though an increased volume of lava near San Leo greatly damaged property. DANGER PAST. (Received March 28, 9.30 a.m.) ROME, 27th March. Tho lava is diminishing in speed j it is now travelling at four metres an hour. Tho danger is past. ETNA'S RECORD. About eighty eruptions of Etna have been recorded since the seventh century, which is as far back as the historical list goes, but it is known that the mountain was fiery enough in the times of the ancients. Prior to the present disturbance the last notable ebullition was in 1898, but it was rather a flash in the huge pan, and did not work any great mischief. One of Etna's most violent moods began in 1864, with frequent shocks of earthquake. In January, 1865, smoke rolled from the crater in enormous volume, and a mighty roar terrified the dwellers on the slopes. The north-east flank of tho mountain was violently shaken by the imprisoned forces, and -a gap was opened, from winch a blazing river streamed, at the rate of about a mile a day. By the middle of March the fiery liquid was pouring from seven mouths, and there were loud explosions to hasten the flight of people who were hastening to cooler quarters. A lengthy list of eruptions, described by various observers, shows that the general character of the outbursts is fairly uniform. Earthquakes give a warning, and then come explosions, which make rifts in the sides of the mountain. Smoke, sand, ashes, and scoriae are thrown up. Showers of cinders pile up around the crater, forming a temporary conical rampart, which is attacked by tho surging lava. The molten material rises over the barrier, or makes a breach in it, and flows slowly down the slope.