THERMAL SPRINGS. 177 



b. Thermal Springs. 



(Amplification of the Representation of Nature, Cosmos, vol. i., p. 



219-224.) 



As a consequence of the vital activity of the interior of 

 our planet, evidenced in irregularly repeated and often fear- 

 fully destructive phenomena, we have described the earth- 

 quake. In this there prevails a volcanic power, which in 



27th of September, 1796. Eruption of the volcano of the island of 

 Guadaloupe, in the Leeward Islands, after a repose of many 

 years ; 



November, 1796. The volcano on the plateau of Pasto, between 

 the small rivers Guaytara and Juanambu, became ignited and be- 

 gan to smoke permanently ; 



14th of December, 1796. Earthquake and destruction of the city 

 of Cumana ; 



4th of February, 1797. Earthquake and destruction of Riobamba. 

 On the same morning the columns of smoke of the volcano of 

 Pasto, at a distance of at least 200 geographical miles from Rio- 

 bamba, disappeared suddenly, and never reappeared; no com- 

 motion was felt in its vicinity. 



30th of January, 1811. Eirst appearance of the island of Sabrina, 

 in the group of the Azores, near the island of St. Michael. The 

 elevation preceded the eruption of fire, as in the case of the little 

 Kameni (Santorin) and that of the volcano of Jorullo. After an 

 eruption of cinders, lasting for six days, the island rose to a 

 height of 320 feet above the surface of the sea. It was the third 

 appearance and disappearance of the island nearly at the same 

 point, at intervals of 91 and 92 years. 



May, 1811. More than 200 shocks of earthquake on the island of 

 St. Vincent up to April, 1812. 



December, 1811. Innumerable shocks in the river-valleys of the 

 Ohio, Mississippi, and Arkansas, up to 1813. Between New 

 Madrid, Little Prairie, and La Saline, to the north of Cincin- 

 nati, the earthquakes occurred almost every hour for months 

 together. 



December, 1811. A single shock in Caraccas. 



26th of March, 1812. Earthquake and destruction of the town of 

 Caraccas. The circle of commotion extended over Santa Marta, 

 the town of Honda, and the elevated plateau of Bogota, to a dis- 

 tance of 540 miles from Caraccas. The motion continued until 

 the middle of the year 1813. 



30th of April, 1812. Eruption of the volcano of St. Vincent; and 

 on the same day, about two o'clock in the morning, a fearful sub- 

 terranean noise, like the roar of artillery, was heard at the same 

 time and with equal distinctness on the shores of Caraccas, in 

 the Llanos of Calabazo and of the Rio Apure, without being ac- 

 companied by any concussion of the earth (see ante, p. 171). The 

 subterranean noise was also heard upon the island of St. Vin- 

 cent, but (and this is very remarkable) it was stronger at some 

 distance upon the sea. 



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