The Recent Volcanic Eruptions in the West Indies

Abstract

NEWS of the terrible volcanic eruption in Martinique reached this country on Thursday last, and the details which have since become known have shown that an appalling disaster has occurred. St. Pierre, the chief commercial centre of the island, has been totally destroyed, and about thirty thousand people have perished. The eruption of Mont Pelee began on the night of Saturday, May 3, when large quantities of scorise and volcanic ash were thrown into the surrounding country. On Monday, May 5, a stream of lava is reported to have rushed down the side of Mont Pelee, following the dry bed of a torrent, and reaching the sea, five miles from the mountain, in three minutes. When the stream met the sea the water receded 300 feet on the west coast, returning with greater strength in a large wave.