POPULAR SCIENCE 101 



issued copiously at several places along the southern coast of 

 the island ; while, somewhat later, cold springs on the opposite 

 side greatly increased their flow. Lastly, at about 8 a.m. on 

 January 12, a column of white smoke suddenly shot up in the 

 form of a pine-tree from the top of the Minami-dake or south 

 crater. 1 



The Eruption. — The first outburst took place on the west 

 side of Sakura-jima at about 10 a.m. on January 12, from a 

 point at an altitude of about 1 ,650 feet. This was followed ten 

 minutes later by another from the south shoulder of the Nabe- 

 yama on the east side of the island. The outbursts, though at 

 first unaccompanied by special detonations, then rapidly 

 increased in strength. At 10.30 a.m., ashes and lava fragments 

 were projected, and at 1 1 a.m. the column of black smoke 

 rose to a height of about 10,000 feet. At 2.30 p.m., the whole 

 island was enveloped in black and white smoke, the eruptive 

 noises became more and more intense, until at 3.30 p.m. the 

 explosive detonations began to be heard. About this time, the 

 smoke column had reached a height of more than 20,000 feet 

 above sea-level. 



At 6.30 p.m. an earthquake occurred of far greater severity 

 than any of the local shocks that had been felt hitherto. After 

 this earthquake, the volcanic noises and the projection of red- 

 hot lava-masses became distinctly stronger, and the explosive 

 stage reached its full intensity between 1 1 p.m. and 5 or 6 a.m. 

 on the 13th, the maximum occurring at about 1 a.m. on the 

 13th. During this interval, the detonations appeared in Kago- 

 shima like those due to the quick firing of artillery and were so 

 loud that persons had to fill their ears with cotton. After 

 10 a.m. on the 13th, the explosions, though occurring almost 

 continually, were greatly reduced in violence. 



On the succeeding evening (January 13), at about 8.15 to 

 8.30, the volcano presented a magnificent aspect to the ob- 

 servers in Kagoshima. The burning materials were shot with 

 brilliant display of lightning in a high pillar, converting the 



1 Owing to the promptitude of the authorities and to their recognition of the 

 early symptoms, the whole of the inhabitants (more than 23,000 in number), with 

 the exception of three officials who stayed too long in the course of their duty, 

 were safely removed from the island. This action stands in noteworthy contrast 

 to that of the authorities in Luzon (Philippine Islands), where the early warnings 

 were neglected, and in consequence more than 1,100 lives were lost in the eruption 

 of Taal Volcano on January 30, 191 1. 



