The most recent and one of the most destructive of volcanic eruptions
recorded in Japan was that of Bandaisan or Baldaisan. For ages this
mountain had been peaceful, and there was scarcely an indication of
its volcanic character or of the terrific forces which lay dormant deep
within its heart. On its flanks lay some small deposits of scoriae,
indications of far-past eruptions, and there were some hot springs at
its base, while steam arose from a fissure. Yet there was nothing to
warn the people of the vicinity that deadly peril lay under their feet.
BANDAISAN'S WORK OF TERROR
This sense of security was fatally dissipated on a day in July, 1888,
when the mountain suddenly broke into eruption and flung 1,600 million
cubic yards of its summit material so high into the air that many of the
falling fragments, in their fall, struck the ground with such velocity
as to be buried far out of sight. The steam and dust were driven to a
height of 13,000 feet, where they spread into a canopy of much greater
elevation, causing pitchy darkness beneath. There were from fifteen to
twenty violent explosions, and a great landslide devastated about thirty
square miles and buried many villages in the Nagase Valley.
Mr. Norman, a traveler who visited the spot shortly afterward, thus
describes the scene of ruin. After a journey through the forests which
clothed the slopes of the volcanic mountain and prevented any distant
view, the travelers at last found themselves "standing upon the ragged
edge of what was left of the mountain of Bandaisan, after two-thirds of
it, including, of course, the summit, had been literally blown away and
spread over the face of the country.
Pages:
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342