ON VOLCANOES AND EARTHQUAKES. 361 



in a new spot, maybe attended with unusual violence; 

 from the greater accumulation of the expansive mat- 

 ters caused by the superior resistance. 



Eruptions of singular and extraordinary violence 

 have occurred in Java, In one of these, the volcano 

 Papandyang entirely disappeared, having fallen into 

 the earth. The extent of the land thus swallowed, 

 was estimated at fifteen miles in length by six in 

 breadth ; and that which remained was so far levelled 

 as to stand but three feet higher than the surrounding 

 plain. This accident was attended by an earthquake, 

 and by an eruption of volcanic matters. In another* 

 an eruption took place in Sumbawa, one of the Mo- 

 lucca islands, in 1815- The island of Java, three 

 hundred miles distant, was darkened and covered with 

 ashes ; while the explosions were heard for many 

 days, not only in this island, but in Sumatra, at a 

 distance of seven hundred miles. 



The phenomena which attend the eruptions of sub- 

 marine volcanoes, are sometimes of a peculiar nature. 

 The islands thus produced, are sometimes formed by 

 the direct elevation of the submarine strata ; as 

 happens in the Coral islands. In these cases, erup- 

 tions of fire and smoke have been observed. In other 

 instances, stones and scoria are thrown out from the 

 volcanic aperture ; which, gradually reaching the sur- 

 face, become consolidated by their own weigh t, and 

 by admixtures of lava. The pumice so often found 

 floating in the sea, is probably often produced by these 

 causes ; having been too light to consolidate itself, 

 and being thus washed away by the waves. Thus the 

 small island of Sabrina, near the Azores, was entirely 

 destroyed not long after its formation ; having been 

 formed entirely of light scoria. Such recent volcanic 

 islands have been produced on the coast of Iceland. 



