2-798-865 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Eruption of Mount Hecla, 1845. Volcanic eruption in Iceland: '...the mountain burst in two places with a horrible crash, and vomited masses of fire...From the clouds of smoke and vapour, the top of the volcano could not be seen. The sheep on the heaths were driven down to the plains, but not till several of them were burnt. The waters of the neighbouring rivers...became so hot that the fish were killed, and it was impossible for any one to ford them even on horseback...The mountain consists mostly of sand and slags; the lava, forming a rugged and vitrified wall, like glazed bricks, seventy feet high, around its base...It is stated that a French doctor, in 1670, was assured that it was the entrance to the infernal regions, and that the devil was busily employed in handing down the souls of all those who had fallen in battle'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.