Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1889 — A REGULAR BELCHER. [ARTICLE]

A REGULAR BELCHER.

History of the Most (Remarkable Volcano on Earth, Yzalco, in the little republic of San Salvador, is in many respects the most remarkable volcano on earth; first, because its discharges have continued so long and with such great regularity; again, because the, tumult in the earth’s bowels is always to be heard, as the rumblings and explosions are constant, being audible for 100 miles; and finallj’, it is the only volcano that has originated on this continent since the discovery by Columbus. It arose suddenly from the plain, in the spring of 1770, in the midst of what had been for nearly 100 years the profitable estate of Scnor L'on Balthazar Erazo, who was absent at the time, and was greatly amazed upon his return to discover that hi| magnificent coffee and indigo plantation hud, without his knowledge or consent, been exchanged for a first-class volcano. Tn December, 1760, the peons on the hacienda, were alarmel by terrific rumblings under the ground’, constant tremblings of the earth, and frequent earthquakes. They left the place in terror. Some brave vaqueros, or herdsmen, remained near by to watch developments, and on February 23, 1770, they were entertained by a spectacle that no other men have been permitted to witness; for about 10 o’ clock on tho morning of that day the grand upheaval took place, and it seemed to them, as they fled in terror, that tho whole tiniverse was being turned upside down. First, there was a series cf terrible explosions, which lifted tho crust of the earth several hundred feet, and out of the cracks issued flames and lava, and immense volumes of smoke. An hour or two afterward there was another and a grander convulsion, which shook and startled the country for 103 miles around. llooks weighing thousands of tons were hurled into tho air and fell several lenorues distilnL The surfaceof the earth was elevated about 3.000 feet, and the internal recesses were purged by masses.of lava and blistered stone, which fell in a heap around the hole from which they issued. These discharges continued for several days at irregular intervals, accompanied by loud explosions and earthquakes, which did much damage throughout the entire republic; the disturbance was perceptible in Nicaragua and Honduras. In this manner was a volcano born, and it has proved to bo a healthful and vigorous child. In less than two months from a level field rose a mountain more than 4,000 feet high, and the constant discharges from the crater which opened then have accumulated round its edges imt l its elevation has increased 2,000 feet more. Unfortunately the growth of the monster lias cot boon scientifically observed or accurately measured; but the cono of lava and ashes, which is now 2,500 feel from tho foundation of tho earth upon which it rests, is const intly grow •inar by the incessant discharges of vol--canie matter.—Ex.