Later volcanic eruptions in Java include that of 1843, when Mount Guntur
flung out sand and ashes estimated at the vast total of thirty million
tons, and those of 1849 and 1872 when Mount Merapi, a very active
volcano, covered a great extent of country with stones and ashes, and
ruined the coffee plantations of the neighboring districts.
We have said nothing concerning the most terrible explosion of all, that
of the volcanic island of Krakatoa, off the Javan coast. This event was
so phenomenal as to deserve a chapter of its own, for which we reserve
it.
The United States, as one result of its recent acquisition of island
dominions, has added largely to its wealth in volcanic mountains. The
famous Hawaiian craters, far the greatest in the world, now belong to
our national estate, and the Philippine Islands contain various others,
of less importance, yet some of which have proved very destructive. A
description of those of the Island of Luzon, which are the most active
in the archipelago, is here sub-joined.
THE LUZON VOLCANOES.
Volcanoes have played an important part in the formation of the
Philippine Islands and have left traces of their former activity in all
directions. Most of them, however, have long been dead and silent, only
a few of the once numerous group being now active. Of these there are
three of importance in the southern region of Luzon--Taal, Bulusan and
Mayon or Albay.
The last named of these is the largest and most active of the existing
volcanoes.
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