After another
brief repose, the more moderate action was resumed as before.
Lipari, a neighboring volcano, was formerly more active than Stromboli,
though for centuries past it has been in a state of complete quiescence.
The Island of Volcano lies south of Lipari. Its crater was active before
the Christian era, and still emits sulphurous and other vapors. At
present its main office is to serve as a sulphur mine. Thus the peak
which gives title to all fire-breathing mountains has become a servant
to man. So are the mighty fallen!
CHAPTER XXIII.
Skaptar Jokull and Hecla, the Great Icelandic Volcanoes.
The far-northern island of Iceland, on the verge of the frozen Arctic
realm, is one of the most volcanic countries in the world, whether we
regard the number of volcanoes concentrated in so small a space, or the
extraordinary violence of their eruptions. Of volcanic mountains there
are no less than twenty which have been active during historical times.
Skaptar in the north, and Hecla in the south, being much the best known.
In all, twenty-three eruptions are on record.
Iceland's volcanoes rival Mount Aetna in height and magnitude, their
action has been more continuous and intense, and the range of volcanic
products is far greater than in Sicily. The latter island, indeed, is
not one-tenth of volcanic origin, while the whole of Iceland is due
to the work of subterranean forces. It is entirely made up of volcanic
rocks, and has seemingly been built up during the ages from the depths
of the seas.
Pages:
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320