| Description | Original letter was dated 12 August 1673, sent from President Cornelis Frans and the Council in Ternata [Ternate, Maluku Islands] to William Maatsuiker and the Council in Banda. Describes the events that took place after the eruption of Mount Gammaknotra [Gamkonora?], a volcano 13 miles from Ternata, on 20 May 1673 - the hill is mostly gone, the next day they experienced darkness and a great earthquake and fall of ash which extended at least 100 miles to Manado, Chianco, Jasangy and Mindanao [in the Philippines]. The second earthquake on 12 August 1673 is said to have been of great strength and continued at least until a second letter received from the President on 1 September 1673, causing ongoing damage in Ternata. Ships and houses have been destroyed including the stone houses of the King, the sea disturbed and fish washed up on land and the hill of Ternata has split from top to bottom.
Subject: Geology |