In 1881, during the eruption of Natustake, a volcano lying about a
hundred miles north of Tokio, there was neither an increase nor a
decrease in the earthquakes which were felt in Tokio. Similar remarks
apply to the state of seismic activity of 1876–77, when Oshima, a
volcanic island about seventy miles to the south of Tokio, was in
eruption. In the Sandwich Islands Mauna Loa seems to have its eruptions
independently of the disturbances which shake these islands.[115]
_Synchronism of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions._—Although many
examples like the above may be quoted, which apparently show an utter
want of connection between earthquakes and volcanoes, we must not
overlook that class of earthquakes which almost invariably accompany
all great volcanic disturbances. In fact the sudden explosions which
take place at volcanic foci, as, for instance, at the commencement
of an eruption, are enumerated as one of the causes which produce
earthquakes. Earthquakes like these usually continue until the pressure
of the steam and lava have found for themselves an opening. As compared
with the total number of earthquakes which are recorded, they form but
an insignificant portion.
The direct connection which exists between these phenomena has, no
doubt, done very much to spread the popular belief that all earthquakes
may be connected with volcanic eruptions. As examples where this
connection has existed we might quote from almost all the volcanic
countries in the world.
Thus, Fuchs tells us that on October 6, 1737, almost the whole of
Kamschatka and the Kurile Islands were disturbed by movements which
were simultaneous with the outbreak of the great volcano Klutschenskja
of North Kamschatka.
One of the earliest records of a severe earthquake and a volcanic
eruption occurring simultaneously is found in the accounts of the
destruction of Herculaneum and Pompeii. The throwing up of Monte Nuovo
in the neighbourhood of Pozzuoli was accompanied with a dreadful
earthquake.[116]
In 1868 the earthquake of Arequipa was accompanied by the opening of
the volcano Misti, on its north side. The distance to the volcano is
about fourteen miles.
At the time of the eruptions of Kilauea in 1789 the ground shook and
rocked so that persons could not stand.
The first eruption of the volcano Irasu, in Costa Rica (1783), was
accompanied by violent earthquakes.[117] The smoke and flames which
are said to have issued from the side of Mount Fojo at the time of the
Lisbon earthquake are regarded by some as having been volcanic. Others
thought that the phenomena, rather than being on the side of Fojo,
which showed no traces of volcanic action, had taken place in the ocean.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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