Vt3L0ANiSM, lyi'C, IN ICELAND. 500 



the east, iu the district of Fljutshverii ; this region became covered 

 with ashes, aud the waters of tlie Hverfisfljot, after reaching the boil- 

 ing point, evaporated completely under the action of a current of lava 

 Avhich filled the bed of the river aud expanded towards the south, theieby 

 destroying several farms. These eruptions continued until the month of 

 January, 1784. At the same time the volcano in the vicinity of Skeidh- 

 ardJoJcull evinced signs of activity, and an eruption took place on the 

 8th of April, 1784, giving birth to a terrible " Jokellob." 



These violent eruptions tended to largely change the configuration 

 of the surrounding country. Several water-courses disappeared, others 

 had their course obstructed, and now formed in the lava bed innumeia- 

 ble small lakes, which in the mean time also disappeared, the Skaptti 

 and the HverfiistlJ6t digging out new beds. And on the other hand no 

 eruptions had ever had such disastrous consequences for Iceland. The 

 lava consumed entirely 9 farms, ruined about 29 others, and rendered 

 two parishes uninhabitable for two years. The ashes extended iu large 

 masses over the greater portion of Iceland aud were carried to the 

 Faroe Islands and beyond. The prairies were devastated, and a large 

 number of animals died of hunger and disease. The year following was 

 still more sorrowful, the inhabitants dying by the hundreds of hunger. 

 It has been estimated that of the 48,884 individuals composing the 

 inhabitants of Iceland, 9,238 died in consequence of these eruptions. 

 Of animals, the loss by death during the years 1783-'84 was: 11,401 

 head of cattle, 190,448 sheep, and 28,013 horses. Iceland was unable 

 to recover from these terrible misfortunes until the middle of the pres- 

 ent century. 



1784. From the 4th to the 16th of August violent earthquake shocks 

 in Arnessyssel and Rangdrvallasyssel. In the former 69 farms were com - 

 pletely destroyed, and 372 more and 11 churches badly damaged. In 

 the latter 94 farm -buildings were shaken down. In some localities hot 

 springs disappeared aud reappeared, and near the geyser 35 new springs 

 formed. 



1789. Violent earthquake at Arnessyssel. The lava beds of Thing 

 vellir underwent some changes, and the entire section of land between 

 the crevice of Alraannagja and Ilrafnagj^ settled 60 centimeters. Hot 

 springs sprouted up on the llellisheidhi and in other localities (for in- 

 stance at Eeykir). Several farms in the southeast of Iceland tumbled 

 down. 



1808. Earthquakes in various places of Iceland, accompanied by a 

 change of the hot springs. 



1810. Earthquake to the west of Hecla October 24. 



1815. Earthquake shocks in the north part of the island during the 

 month of June. 



1818. Feeble earthquake shocks in the southern part of the island. 



1821. Second eruption of the UyfafjallajdJcull, commencing on the 19th 



