It is reported, indeed, that a new island, the work
of volcanic forces, appeared opposite Mount Hecla in 1563; but this
statement is open to doubt.
VOLCANOES IN ICELAND
The eruptions of the volcanoes in Iceland have been amongst the most
terrible of those carefully recorded. The cold climate of the island
and the height of the mountains produce vast quantities of snow and ice,
which cover the volcanoes and fill up the cracks and valleys in their
sides. When, therefore, an eruption commences, the intense heat of the
boiling lava, and of the steam which rushes forth from the crater, makes
the whole mountain hot, and vast masses of ice, great fields of snow,
and deluges of water roll down the hill-sides into the plains. The lava
pours from the top and from cracks in the side of the mountain, or is
ejected hundreds of feet, to fall amongst the ice and snow; and the
great masses of red-hot stone cast forth, accompanied by cinders and
fine ashes, splash into the roaring torrent, which tears up rocks in its
course and devastates the surrounding country for miles.
DREADFUL FLOODS
An eruption of Kotlugja, in 1860, was accompanied by dreadful floods. It
began with a number of earthquakes, which shook the surrounding country.
Then a dark columnar cloud of vapor was seen to rise by day from the
mountain, and by night balls of fire (volcanic bombs) and red-hot
cinders to the height of 24,000 feet (nearly five miles), which were
seen at a distance of 180 miles.
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