- 5 - 
Dec. 
15 Fine ash at daybreak falling toward the north of the volcano. The vapor 
column shows rather strong force at times, accompanied by heavy noise. 
It rises rabidly to a height of 50 meters, then coalesces, changing into a 
dense black cloud, drifting toward the north and northeast. In the evening 
a sunset of red clouds and column. 
20 The front of the lava continues to advance toward the northwest, about 3 
kilometers distant from the volcano. At the same time the lava vents con- 
tinue their activity. The hornitos that exist on the fissure mentioned 
above make more noise, noises that sound like more than five engines. 
This is the only vent yielding lava and it is not unlikely that it will 
continue for some two months and it frightens the people, particularly of 
Zirosto, a village situated on the left bank of the arroyo down which the 
lava is flowing, some 8 kilometers west of the volcano. The noises of the 
crater still continue. 
21 The noises of the crater do not cease, nor has the column of vapor changed, 
always drifting toward the north, showering ashes. The region is overhung 
with clouds, that the sun does not penetrate. It is a somber, dusty day, 
without the dust raising winds. Not only are there dust clouds when the 
wind blows, but also when the vapor column is vertical and does not rise much. 
There are moments when the column rises with much force and when it rises 
like cotton, without force. In the night an occasional incandescent comb 
rises to a height of 500 meters above the crater. The vapor column is rather 
high and is red to a height of 4,000 meters or more from the reflection of the 
light of the lava that exists toward the southwest and flows to the west of 
the cone. 
