Mount Hecla has been the most frequent in its eruptions of any
of the Icelandic volcanoes. Previous to 1845 there had been twenty-two
recorded eruptions of this mountain, since the discovery of Iceland
in the ninth century; while from all the other volcanoes in the island
there had been only twenty during the same period. Hecla has more than
once remained in activity for six years at a time--a circumstance that
has rendered it the best known of the volcanoes of this region.
LATER OUTBREAKS
After enjoying a long rest of seventy-nine years, this volcano burst
again into violent activity in the beginning of September, 1845. The
first inkling of this eruption was conveyed to the British Islands by
a fall of volcanic ashes in the Orkneys, which occurred on the night
of September 2nd during a violent storm. This palpable hint was
soon confirmed by direct intelligence from Copenhagen. On the 1st
of September a severe earthquake, followed the same night by fearful
subterranean noises, alarmed the inhabitants and gave warning of what
was to come. About noon the next day, with a dreadful crash, there
opened in the sides of the volcano two new mouths, whence two great
streams of glowing lava poured forth. They fortunately flowed down the
northern and northwestern sides of the mountain, where the low grounds
are mere barren heaths, affording a scanty pasture for a few sheep.
These were driven before the fiery stream, but several of them were
burnt before they could escape.
Pages:
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326