Berry, H. C., Cashman, K. V., & Williams, C. A. (2021). Data on the 1902 Plinian eruption of Santa María volcano, Guatemala. Data in Brief, 35 ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Berry, H. C., Cashman, K. V., & Williams, C. A. (2021). Data on the 1902 Plinian eruption of Santa María volcano, Guatemala. Data in Brief, 35, [106734]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2021.106734 Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record License (if available): CC BY-NC-ND Link to published version (if available): 10.1016/j.dib.2021.106734 Link to publication record in Explore Bristol Research PDF-document This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via Elsevier at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2021.106734 .Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. University of Bristol - Explore Bristol Research General rights This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/red/research-policy/pure/user-guides/ebr-terms/
Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Data in Brief
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/dib
Data Article
Data on the 1902 Plinian eruption of Santa
María volcano, Guatemala.
Hannah C. Berry a,∗, Katharine V. Cashman a, Caroline A. Williams b,1
a
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom
b
School of Modern Languages, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TE, United Kingdom
a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t
Article history: The study of historic volcanic eruptions is often complicated
Received 27 December 2020 by the lack of recorded primary data and observations of
Accepted 7 January 2021 such events. In the case of large-magnitude historic erup-
Available online 9 January 2021 tions, these types of data are important to better understand
not only the physical nature of these rare events but also
Keywords:
the volcanic and social impacts that follow. In this paper,
Santa María
we compile contemporary data on the Santa María Plinian
Guatemala
Historical volcanology
eruption of 1902, in Guatemala. The data supplement those
Volcanic hazards presented in the original research article [1] but individu-
Explosive eruptions ally provide an interesting and useful compilation of eyewit-
Tephra fall deposits ness testimonies, scientific studies and newspaper reports.
We identify key contemporary sources containing quantita-
tive data as well as various qualitative reports that we con-
vert to quantitative measurements through a simple classi-
fication scheme. We also compile wind reanalysis data from
the time of the eruption to display wind direction and speed
with height. Both the data and the description of the meth-
ods of data analysis can aid future studies of qualitative (his-
toric, eyewitness) to quantitative data conversion, as well as
studies investigating this important eruption.
© 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND
license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
DOI of original article: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2020.107167
∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: hb13893@my.bristol.ac.uk (H.C. Berry), glkvc@bristol.ac.uk (K.V. Cashman).
1
Deceased.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2021.106734
2352-3409/© 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
2 H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734
Specifications Table
Subject Earth and Planetary Sciences
Specific subject area Geology
Type of data Table
Figure
How data were acquired Data were acquired through online searches in digitised contemporary
newspaper repositories in countries known to have witnessed or been affected
by the eruption.
Data format Raw
Analyzed
Parameters for data collection Online searches containing keywords related to the event (for example “Santa
María”, “volcano”, “Guatemala”) in the range 1902 onwards, with particular
focus on 1902–1903.
Description of data collection Online research was the primary method of data collection, involving keyword
searches as well as key date searches, focussing on online repositories from
countries close to the site of interest (Guatemala, Mexico) as well as countries
known to have been impacted by the eruption (Germany, USA, Spain, UK).
Sources were compiled electronically and translated before being analysed.
Data source location Newspaper articles and journals were located online as secondary data
sources. Details of primary data source locations can be found in
Supplementary Material (Table S1).
Data accessibility With the article
Related research article H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman, C.A.Williams, The 1902 Plinian eruption of Santa
María volcano, Guatemala: A new assessment of magnitude and impact using
historical sources, J Volcanol Geoth Res. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2020.107167.
Value of the Data
• These data are a collection of eyewitness and reported descriptions of the events and impacts
of the eruption of Santa María, Guatemala; the second largest volcanic event of the 20th
century.
• The data can be used in other projects related to historical volcanology and the analysis and
application of contemporary and eyewitness reports in modern research.
• Further work regarding the data in this article could include continued investigation into this
significant eruption of the 20th century, its precursors and impacts, as well as studies into
different ways of analysing historical qualitative reports.
1. Data Description
Table 1 is a list of key contemporary sources and their specific in-article titles (headings or
subheadings) that contained information or reports on the 1902 Santa María eruption. Transla-
tions are provided where the original language is not English.
Table 2 is a compilation of all locations in contemporary sources that made reference to hav-
ing experienced ash fall of less than 10 cm from the Santa María eruption; these compose the
most distal references of ash fall from the eruption. The table displays reports in their origi-
nal language as well as translations if the original language was not English. Original languages
included Spanish, German and French.
Table 3 is a compilation of all locations in contemporary sources that reference ash fall thick-
nesses as well as the duration and timing of said ash fall from the Santa María eruption. As
in Table 2, we isolated reports ofH.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734 3
Table 1
Key contemporary sources obtained from online research.
Date of Title (original, if
Source reference Newspaper publication Title (English) applicable)
Abbeville Press and Abbeville Press and 03–12–1902 Volcano refugees come –
Banner, 1902 Banner
The Caucasian, The Caucasian 15–01–1903 Severe Earthquake –
1903
Diario del Hogar, Diario del Hogar 28–10–1902 There is no volcano in Chiapas No hay volcán en
1902a Chiapas
Diario del Hogar, Diario del Hogar 29–10–1902 The unknown clears Se despeja la incógnita
1902b
Diario del Hogar, Diario del Hogar 28–11–1902 Cablegrams: Regagnon Agency Cablegramas: Agencia
1902c Regagnon
Diario del Hogar, Diario del Hogar 17–12–1902 The catastrophe in the west La catastrofe de
1902d occidente
El Abogado El Abogado 06–11–1902 Newspaper of the week Revista de la semana
Cristiano Ilustrado, Cristiano Ilustrado
1902
El Correo Español, El Correo Español 28–10–1902 There is no volcano in Chiapas No hay volcan en
1902a Chiapas
El Correo Español, El Correo Español 30–10–1902 Alarm in Guatemala Alarma en Guatemala
1902b
El Correo Español, El Correo Español 04–11–1902 The ash rain in Guatemala La lluvia de cenizas en
1902c Guatemala
El Correo Español, El Correo Español 06–11–1902 From Guatemala De Guatemala
1902d
El Correo Español, El Correo Español 20–11–1902 Terrible situation Terrible situación
1902e
El Imparcial, 1902a El Imparcial 27–10–1902 Volcanic eruption in Chiapas Erupción de un Volcán
en Chiapas
El Imparcial, 1902b El Imparcial 28–10–1902 Where’s the volcano? ¿Dónde Está el Volcán?
El País, 1902 El País 28–10–1902 The volcanic ash Las cenizas volcanicas
El Popular, 1902a El Popular 29–10–1902 The eruption of the volcano La erupción del volcán
Santa María Santa María
El Popular, 1902b El Popular 01–11–1902 The eruption of the volcano La erupcion del volcan
(p1) Santa María de Santa María
El Popular, 1902c El Popular 01–11–1902 Echoes from Oaxaca Ecos de Oaxaca
(p4)
El Siglo Futuro, El Siglo Futuro 19–12–1902 From Guatemala De Guatemala
1902
El Siglo Futuro, El Siglo Futuro 13–01–1903 For the honor and glory of the Para honra y gloria de la
1903 Virgen of Sorrows Virgen de las Angustias
El Tiempo, 1902a El Tiempo 28–10–1902 Eruption of a volcano in Erupción de un volcán
Chiapas en Chiapas
El Tiempo, 1902b El Tiempo 31–10–1902 Cable service Servicio cablegrafico
El Tiempo, 1902c El Tiempo 16–11–1902 The eruption in Guatemala La erupción en
Guatemala
El Tiempo, 1902d El Tiempo 21–11–1902 The eruptions in Guatemala Las erupciones en
Guatemala
Inter-Mountain Inter-Mountain 18–11–1902 Terrible rain of ashes: –
Farmer and Farmer and Inter-Mountain Farmer and
Ranchman, 1902 Ranchman Ranchman
La Patria, 1902a La Patria 30–10–1902 Cablegrams Cablegramas
La Patria, 1902b La Patria 01–11–1902 United States Estados Unidos
La Patria, 1902c La Patria 07–11–1902 Notes from the Americas Notas de las Américas
La Patria, 1902d La Patria 15–11–1902 Chiapas –
La Patria, 1902e La Patria 06–12–1902 Volcanic eruptions Erupciones Volcánicas
La Voz de México, La Voz de México 28–10–1902 Volcanic eruption in Chiapas Erupción volcánica en
1902 Chiapas
New York Times, New York Times 31–10–1902 Conditions in Guatemala –
1902a
(continued on next page)4 H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734
Table 1 (continued)
Source reference Newspaper Date of Title (English) Title (original, if
publication applicable)
New York Times, New York Times 20–11–1902 Thousands of Indians killed in –
1902b Guatemala
New York Times, New York Times 28–11–1902 Letters from Guatemala –
1902c
Nottingham Nottingham 29–10–1902 Eruption of Santa Maria
Evening Post, 1902 Evening Post -
The San Francisco The San Francisco 13–11–1902 Over the coffee fincas of
Call, 1902a Call Guatemala ash-laden breath of -
cruel Mount Santa Maria falls,
bringing destruction under
which republic reels and
people stand in dread
The San Francisco The San Francisco 20–11–1902 Five thousand Guatemalans
Call, 1902b Call known to have perished in -
terrible outburst of volcano’s
wrath, and two/thirds of the
rich coffee belt is turned into a
desert waste
Fig. 1 shows a map of the locations referenced in Tables 2 and 3 constructed in ArcMap (an
ArcGIS product). The majority of locations were land-based, although two exceptional reports
came from steamships crossing the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean. Due to the unknown ex-
act location of the steamships when these reports were made, their locations were assumed as
equidistant from their origin and destination.
Table 4 contains locations referenced in contemporary sources that describe the duration and
timing of ash fall from the Santa María eruption. The distance from the volcano is identified as
well as translations of original reports where these were not originally in English. In most cases,
a date and start time is included in the description (we record the date/s in the table); in some
descriptions an end time is also given.
Table 5 includes contemporary reports of phenomena experienced from the Santa María
eruption, including reports of tremors, ground shaking and earthquakes (felt reports), noises
and explosions (heard reports), smells (smelt reports) and observations of darkness due to ash
(darkness reports). These descriptions are compiled from various locations across Central Amer-
ica, from Costa Rica to Mexico. All reports originally not in English have translations provided.
The dates of when the phenomena were experienced are stated where known.
Table 6 summarises reports of volcanic hazards and phenomena resulting from the eruption.
The locations paired with the hazards are those reported furthest from the volcano to indicate
the hazards’ maximum reach. Translations are provided where original reports were not in En-
glish.
Fig. 2 displays profiles of wind direction and speed from reanalysis wind data obtained
from the CERA-20C database within the European centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
(ECMWF) website [14]. The data are at 3-hour timesteps and span the time period of maximum
eruption intensity, from approximately 18:00 on 24 October 1902 to 09:00 on 25 October 1902.
The data are associated with the grid square 15°N, 92°W, to the northwest of the volcano yet
where tephra dispersion was concentrated.
Raw data associated with Fig. 2 are located in Supplementary Material (Table S2). These data
include U and V wind estimates for the aforementioned location and timesteps, and their calcu-
lations to obtain wind direction and speed with height.H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734 5
Table 2
Contemporary reports containing ash thickness descriptions (with no timing data) from the 1902 Santa María eruption
for specific locations in Guatemala and Mexico.
Thickness
Location (cm) Report (English) Report (original, if applicable) Source
1 Mazatenango 1–10 “…At Mazatenango … only ashes New York
has fallen and not to such a Times (1902b)
great depth that it was not
possible to save some of the
plantation property…”
2 Caballo Blanco 5 “…on the banks of the Ocosito “…an den Ufern des Ocosito bei [2]
near Caballo Blanco there Caballo Blanco lagen nur noch
were only about 5 cm of etwa 5 cm Bimssteine und
pumice and ashes…” Asche…”
3 Champerico 1.3 "…At Champerico there was Abbeville Press
about half an inch of ash over and Banner
the roofs of the houses…" (1902)
4 Patulul 0.1–1 “…Slight ash falls (less than 1 cm “…Leichte Aschenfälle (mit [3]
in diameter) were observed … weniger als 1 cm Absatz)
to the southeast to Patulul…” wurden … nach Südosten hin
bis Patulul … beobachtet…”
5 Pochuta∗ 0.1–1 "…Fine ash fell in … parts of the “…Theilen des Pochuta-Distrikts [3]
Pochuta district…" fiel feine Asche…”
6 Zacualpa 0.1–1 “…Slight ash falls (less than 1 cm “…Leichte Aschenfälle (mit [3]
in diameter) were observed … weniger als 1 cm Absatz)
to the … east to Zacualpa…” wurden … beobachtet, nach
Osten hin bis Zacualpa…”
7 Chicomuselo 2.6 "…At Comitán, Mr. Tiedemann "…en Comitán midió el Sr. [4]
measured the height of the Tiedemann la altura de la
ash on a roof and obtained ceniza en una azotea y obtuvo
the height of 26 mm; I como resultado la altura de
observed the same conditions 26 milímetros; las mismas
between La Concordia and condiciones observé entre la
Chicomuselo…" Concordia y Chicomuselo…"
8 La Concordia 2.6 "…At Comitán, Mr. Tiedemann "…en Comitán midió el Sr. [4]
measured the height of the Tiedemann la altura de la
ash on a roof and obtained ceniza en una azotea y obtuvo
the height of 26 mm; I como resultado la altura de
observed the same conditions 26 milímetros; las mismas
between La Concordia and condiciones observé entre la
Chicomuselo…" Concordia y Chicomuselo…"
9 Chiapa de 1–10 “…It is said that the Grijalva “…On dit que la rivière Grijalva [5]
Corzo (Grijalva River brought, passing near apporta en passant près de
River) Chiapa de Corzo, a number of Chiapa de Corzo, nombre de
dead fish, one day when the poissons morts, un jour que
water was laden with ash in les eaux étaient chargés de
suspension…” cendres en suspension…”
10 Juchitán∗ 1–10 “…Juchitán. October 27 … The “…Juchitán. Octubre 27 … Cesó El Imparcial
ash rain has stopped which la lluvia de cenizas que tenía (1902b)
had all the inhabitants of this muy alarmados á todos los
population very alarmed…” habitantes de esta
población…”
11 Cintalpa 0.1–1 “…The population of Cintalpa “…De la población de Cintalpa El Imparcial
informs that an ash rain is avisan que está cayendo lluvia (1902a)
falling…” de cenizas…”
12 Tapanatepec 0.1–1 “…According to news, … in “…Según nuestras noticias … se La Voz de
Tapanatepec … tremors have han sentido temblores en México (1902)
been felt … These phenomena Tapanatepec … Estos
come accompanied with … fenómenos se presentan
ash rains…” acompañados de … lluvias de
ceniza…”
13 Salto de Agua 1–10 “…In … Salto de Agua, abundant “…En … Salto de Agua, está El Tiempo
ash rain has been falling since cayendo desde … la mañana, (1902a)
… the morning…” abundante lluvia de ceniza…”
(continued on next page)6 H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734
Table 2 (continued)
Location Thickness Report (English) Report (original, if applicable) Source
(cm)
14 Montecristo 0.1–1 “…In Tuxtla Gutiérrez … ashes “…En Tuxtla Gutiérrez … El Tiempo
are also falling … In … también caen cenizas … En … (1902a)
Montecristo … similar Montecristo … se han
phenomena have taken efectuado fenómenos
place…” similares…”
“…In various parts of … “…En varios puntos de … El Imparcial
Tehuantepec … ash rains have Tehuantepec … se han (1902a)
been observed…” observado lluvias de
cenizas…”
15 Tehuantepec∗ 0.1–1 "…In Tehuantepec a relatively "…En Tehuantepec cayó una [4]
insignificant amount [of ash] cantidad relativamente
fell…" insignificante…"
16 Salina Cruz 0.1–1 “…Salina Cruz, October 27 … “…Salina Cruz, Octubre 27 … El Imparcial
Today no ash has fallen but Hoy no han caído cenizas (1902b)
the sun is clouded…” pero el sol está nublado…”
17 Yautepec∗ 0.1–1 “…In various parts of … “…En varios puntos de … El Imparcial
Yautepec … ash rains have Yautepec … se han observado (1902a)
been observed…” lluvias de cenizas…”
18 Pochutla∗ 0.1–1 “…In various parts of … Pochutla “…En varios puntos de … El Imparcial
… ash rains have been Pochutla … se han observado (1902a)
observed…” lluvias de cenizas…”
19 Miahuatlan∗ 0.1–1 “…In various parts of … “…En varios puntos de … El Imparcial
Miahuatlan … ash rains have Miahuatlán … se han (1902a)
been observed…” observado lluvias de
cenizas…”
20 Jaltipan 0.1–1∗∗ “…From Jaltipan … they “…De Jaltipan … telegrafían que El Imparcial
telegraph that an abundant ha caído allí abundante lluvia (1902b)
ash rain has fallen there…” de ceniza…”
21 Tlacolula∗ 0.1–1 “…In various parts of … “…En varios puntos de … El Imparcial
Tiacolula … ash rains have Tiacolula … se han observado (1902a)
been observed…” lluvias de cenizas…”
22 Ocotlán∗ 0.1–1 “…In various parts of … Ocotlán “…En varios puntos de … El Imparcial
… ash rains have been Ocotlán … se han observado (1902a)
observed…” lluvias de cenizas…”
23 San Bartolo 0.1–1 “…in … San Bartolo tremors “…se han sentido temblores en La Voz de
have been felt … accompanied … San Bartolo … México (1902)
with … ash rains…” acompañados de … lluvias de
ceniza…”
24 Juquila∗ 0.1–1∗∗ “…Juquila, October 26th. … “…Juquila, Octubre 26 … Hoy El Imparcial
Today dawned raining thick amaneció lloviendo ceniza (1902a)
ash which continues…” gruesa y continúa…”
25 Ometepec 0.1–1 “…Ometepec, October 27.– For “…Ometepec, Octubre 27.–Hace El Imparcial
three days a light ash rain has tres días que cae … una ligera (1902b)
fallen … The roofs are lined lluvia de cenizas. Los tejados
with it…” están tapizados de ella…”
26 Acapulco 0.1–1 “…Slight ash falls (less than 1 cm “…Leichte Aschenfälle (mit [3]
in diameter) were observed … weniger als 1 cm Absatz)
west to Acapulco …” wurden … beobachtet …
westwärts bis Acapulco…”
27 Mérida 0.1–1 “…lighter ashes reached as far as [6]
… Merida…”
28 Colima 0.1–1 “…Slight ash falls (less than 1 cm “…Leichte Aschenfälle (mit [3]
in diameter) were observed … weniger als 1 cm Absatz)
west to … Colima…” wurden … beobachtet …
westwärts bis …Colima…”
29 Luxor 0.1–1∗∗ "… a precipitation of no less Inter-Mountain
steamship than eight inches on the deck Farmer and
(San of pumice ashes as fine as Ranchman
Benito → San flour…" (1902)
Francisco)
30 Vigilancia 0.1–1 “…The "Vigilancia" … received “…Die “Vigilancia” … bekam [7]
steamship ash rain on the trip from noch Aschenregen auf der
(Progreso → Veracruz) Progreso to Veracruz…” Fahrt von Progreso nach
Veracruz…”
∗
Area/region. Data points are placed at the closest point to the volcano within that area (Fig. 1).
∗∗
Classified as a lower interval than is suggested by report description due to distance or the surrounding data points.H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734 7
Table 3
Contemporary reports containing ash thickness descriptions with timing data from the Santa María 1902 eruption for
specific locations in Guatemala and Mexico.
Thickness Ash fall start Ash fall Report (original, if
Location (cm) time∗ end time∗ Report (English) applicable) Source
29 Comitán 3 01:00 (25th) 09:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(27th)
30 Ocosingo 1 06:00 (25th) 06:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(27th)
31 San Cristóbal 1–10 08:00 (25th) 16:00 “…significant and “…empezó á caer una El Tiempo
Las Casas (26th) thick ash began to menuda y tupida (1902a)
fall…” lluvia de ceniza…”
32 Tuxtla 1–10 18:00 (25th) – “…ash rain started “…la lluvia de cenizas El
Gutierrez to fall last night. comenzó a caer desde Imparcial
Today it is much anoche. Hoy es (1902b)
more dense…” mucho más densa…”
33 Tonalá 2 15:30 (25th) 15:30 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
34 Palenque 1 06:00 (25th) 17:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(27th)
35 Tenosique 0.1–1 07:00 (25th) – “…In Tuxtla “…En Tuxtla El Tiempo
Gutiérrez … ashes Gutiérrez … también (1902a)
are also falling … In caen cenizas … En
… Tenosique … … Tenosique … se
similar phenomena han efectuado
have taken place…” fenómenos
similares…”
36 Balancán 0.1–1 05:00 (25th) 15:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(27th)
37 Catazajá 0.25 06:00 (25th) 18:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
38 Jonuta 0.1 09:00 (25th) 18:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
39 Macuspana 1–10 12:30 (25th) 18:00 “…ashes keep “…las cenizas El
(26th) falling, everything continúan cayendo. Imparcial
appears as if it had Todo presenta aspecto (1902a)
snowed…” como si hubiera caído
nevada…”
40 Tacotalpa 0.15 12:00 (25th) 16:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
41 Teapa 0.15 07:00 (25th) 15:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
42 Jalapa 0.1–1 12:00 (25th) 16:00 “…In Tuxtla “…En Tuxtla El Tiempo
(26th) Gutiérrez … ashes Gutiérrez … también (1902a)
are also falling … In caen cenizas … En …
… Jalapa, similar Jalapa … se han
phenomena have efectuado fenómenos
taken place…” similares…”
43 Huimanguillo 0.1–1 03:00 (26th) 23:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
44 Cárdenas 0.2 15:00 (26th) 15:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(27th)
45 San Juan 0.5 20:00 (25th) 11:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
Bautista (27th)
46 Nacajuca 0.1 02:00 (25th) 12:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
47 Cunduacán 0.2 10:00 (26th) 10:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(27th)
48 Comalcalco 0.15 04:00 (26th) 21:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
49 Paraiso 0.1–1 04:00 (26th) 23:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
50 Frontera 0.3 02:00 (26th) 11:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
51 Laguna 2.5 11:00 (25th) 11:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(26th)
(continued on next page)8 H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734
Table 3 (continued)
Thickness Ash fall start Ash fall Report (original, if
Location (cm) time∗ end time∗ Report (English) applicable) Source
52 Oaxaca 0.5 18:00 (25th) 03:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(29th)
53 Campeche 0.0 0 01 05:00 (26th) 11:00 Data table p.86–87 [7]
(27th)
∗
All timing data is from [7].
Fig. 1. Map of locations referred to in Tables 2 and 3 divided into three categories: those with reports of ash thickness
but no timing data (filled circles; Table 2), those with ash thickness reports from steamship tracks with no timing data
(filled squares; Table 2), and those with both thickness and timing data (hollow diamonds; Table 3). Also displayed are
the location of Santa María (hollow triangle) and a scale inset of Central America.
2. Experimental Design, Materials and Methods
2.1. Data collection
Research was primarily conducted online via digitised repositories of contemporary newspa-
per articles as well as general research into published scientific reports from around the time
of the eruption (1902–1903) and in subsequent years. Articles that made reference to the erup-
tion were sourced from numerous different countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, the USA,
Argentina, Spain, Germany, and the UK. Reports and articles were downloaded or documented,
and translated using online translation tools where necessary.H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734 9
Table 4
Contemporary reports containing ash timing descriptions (without thickness estimates) from the 1902 Santa María
eruption for specific locations in Guatemala and Mexico.
Date
Distance Description (original, if "-" denotes
Location (km) Description (English) applicable) unknown Source
Helvetia 12 “…At 3 a.m. pumice-stones – 25/10/1902 [8]
fell abundantly in Helvetia.
They measured 15–25 cm,
and weighed ½ to ¾ lb…”
Tapachula 81 “…Volcanic ash fell in the “…Durante 41 horas 30 – La Patria
department of Soconusco for minutos, cayeron cenizas (1902e)
41 h 30 min…” volcánicas en el departamento
de Soconusco…”
Data table p.86–87: Ash fall – 25– [7]
beginning 08:00 (25th) and 28/10/1902
ending 08:00 (28th)
Tuxtla 270 “…At nine o’clock a light ash “…A las nueve principió una 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
Gutiérrez shower began, which ligera lluvia de ceniza que (1902a)
increased during the day, and aumentó durante el día, y no
has not stopped until now. At ha cesado hasta este momento.
half past twelve at night, the A las doce y media de la
rain is increasing in an noche, la lluvia aumenta de
alarming way…” una manera alarmante…”
Palenque 298 “…Hot ash hasn’t stopped “…Desde el día 25 aún no 27/10/1902 El País
falling since the 25th…” cesa caer ceniza calosa…” (1902)
San Juan 405 “…Last night at nine o’clock “…Anoche á las nueve 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
Bautista an ash rain began here… comenzó aquí una lluvia de (1902a)
Today the city dawned cenizas … Hoy amaneció la
covered in a white layer, as if ciudad cubierta de una capa
a heavy snow had fallen. Ash blanca, como si hubiera caído
continues to fall … the roofs, una fuerte nevada. Continúa
the streets, the fields, the cayendo ceniza … los techos,
sidewalks appear covered in las calles, los campos, las
frost…” banquetas parecen cubiertas
de escarcha…”
Oaxaca 605 “…From Oaxaca they report “…De Oaxaca comunican que 28/10/1902 El Popular
that the atmosphere has desde la madrugada de ayer, la (1902a)
been impregnated with a atmósfera está impregnada de
very small dust since un polvo menudisimo, apenas
yesterday morning, barely perceptible á la vista y que cae
perceptible to the naked eye en forma de lluvia copiosa…”
and that falls in the form of
copious rain…”
California, >30 0 0 “…immediately after the – Early 1903 [6]
USA eruption red or blood red
evening skies were observed
… Several weeks later they
had reached the coast of
California, but were of much
less intensity than in
Guatemala…”
2.2. Data manipulation
Reports and articles were analysed and manipulated in four ways, via translation, location
identification, conversion from qualitative descriptions to quantitative estimates, and reliability
assignation. All reports were translated using online tools where authors were not familiar with
the language. Otherwise, translations were performed first-hand. Analysis of locations mentioned
in contemporary reports was performed for those locations that could refer to an area (for ex-
ample a Mexican state) or a specific location within it (e.g. a city with the same name). In10 H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734
Table 5
Contemporary observations of the 1902 Santa María eruption: reports of phenomena felt, heard, smelt and observations
of darkness.
Date "-"
denotes
Location Report (English) Report (original, if applicable) unknown Source
Felt
Chiapas “…A series of uninterrupted “…una serie no interrumpida de – El Abogado
tremors and detonations…” temblores y detonaciones…” Cristiano
Ilustrado (1902)
Nicaragua, El “…strong ground shaking in “…fuertes sacudimientos de tierra en 26/10/1902 El Correo
Salvador & Nicaragua, Salvador, and Costa Nicaragua, Salvador y Costa Rica…” Español (1902a)
Costa Rica Rica…”
Guatemala “…underground noises and “…los ruidos subterráneos y los 31/10/1902 El Correo
City tremors began on the eve of the temblores comenzaron la víspera de Español (1902d)
eruption…” la erupción…”
Guatemala “…The ground, since the moment “…La tierra, desde el momento de la – El Correo
City the eruption began, didn’t stop erupción, no cesó de temblar en Español (1902e)
trembling for fifteen days around quince días en los alrededores de
Champerico…” Champerico…”
San Cristobal “…In total there have been 45 “…Por total ha habido 45 26/10/1902 Diario del Hogar
tremors…” temblores…” (1902b)
Champerico “The tremors were very “…Los temblores eran muy 17/11/1902 Diario del Hogar
frequent…” frecuentes…” (1902c)
Unspecified “…Oscillatory ground movements “…se sucedían los movimientos 24– Diario del Hogar
happened, almost without oscilatorios del terreno, casi sin 25/10/1902 (1902d)
interruption…” interrupción…”
San Juan “…No tremors have been felt…” “…No se han sentido temblores…” 24/10/1902 El Imparcial
Bautista (1902b)
Oaxaca “…Seismic movements with short “…En varios puntos de los Distritos 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
intervals have been observed in de Tehuantepec, Pochutla, Juquila, (1902a)
the districts of: Tehuantepec, Yautepec, Miahuatlán, Ocotlán y
Pochutla, Juquila, Yautepec, Tlacolula, se han observado …
Miahuatlan, Ocotlan and movimientos seísmicos con intervalos
Tiacolula…” muy cortos…”
Acapulco “…Today at [illegible printed “…Hoy á las … a.m., hubo un fuerte 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
number] a.m. there was a strong temblor trepidatorio. Duración, diez (1902a)
tremor. Duration, ten seconds. At 7segundos. A las siete repitió, pero
a.m. it was repeated, but lightly…”ligero…”
San Marcos, “…at 3 am there was an “…á las 3 h. a. m. hubo un temblor 27/10/1902 El País (1902)
Guerrero oscillatory tremor…” oscilatorio…”
San Cristobal “…Reports have been received of a “…Se han recibido informes de que – El Popular
Las Casas, terrible earthquake at 10 am today hoy á las diez de la mañana hubo un (1902a)
Tehuantepec that completely destroyed San terrible terremoto que destruyó por
Cristobal Las Casas, Tehuantepec completo San Cristobal Las Casas,
and other towns. Until now, nine Tehuantepec y otras poblaciones.
in the evening, there are no Hasta estos momentos, nueve de la
official reports that confirm this…” noche, no hay noticias oficiales que
confirmen la noticia…”
Caballo Blanco “…The enormous force of the “…la fuerza enorme de los – El Popular
and earthquakes have deviated the terremotos, ha desviado el curso del (1902b)
surroundings course of the River Naranjo, which caudaloso rio del Naranjo, el cual ha
has flooded the municipality of inundado la Municipalidad de
Caballo Blanco and a large expanse Caballo Blanco y una gran extensión
of fields/lands, causing the water de terrenos, subiendo el agua á tal
to rise so much that it’s covered altura, que ha cubierto por completo
houses, trees and fields; what casas, árboles y sembrados;
once were towns and fertile fields hallándose ahora convertido en un
are now a huge lake…” inmenso lago lo que ántes era
poblaciones y fértiles campiñas…”
Tehuantepec “…In the last days frequent “…ha habido en los últimos días 27/10/1902 El Popular
Isthmus tremors have caused various frecuentes temblores que han (1902c)
damage…” causado varias averías…”
Chiapas “…News is received from Chiapas “…De Chiapas se están recibiendo 25/10/1902 El Tiempo
of terrifying seismic phenomena noticias aterradores sobre fenómenos (1902a)
that have occurred there…” seísmicos que han ocurrido allí…”
(continued on next page)H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734 11
Table 5 (continued)
Date "-"
denotes
Location Report (English) Report (original, if applicable) unknown Source
Oaxaca “…In various points of the districts
“…En varios puntos de los Distritos 26/10/1902 El Tiempo
of Tehuantepec, Pochutla, Juquila, de Tehuantepec, Pochutla, Juquila, (1902a)
Yautepec, Miahuatlán, Ocotlán and Yautepec, Miahuatlán, Ocotlán y
Tiacolula, seismic movements with Tlacolula, se han observado …
very short intervals observed…” movimientos seísmicos con intervalos
muy cortos…”
Unspecified “…the ground, from the moment “…La tierra, desde el momento de – El Tiempo
the eruption began, didn’t stop erupción, no cesó de temblar en 15 (1902d)
moving in 15 days…” días…”
Guatemala, “…At the time of the eruption, “…en el momento de la erupción, – El Tiempo
specific horrifying tremors were felt here; temblores espantosas se han sentido (1902c)
location the animals couldn’t walk and the aquí: los animales no podían andar y
unspecified people had to search for some la gente tenía que buscar algún
source of support as the [ground] punto de apoyo, pues los
movements were terribly strong…” movimientos eran terriblemente
fuertes…”
Unspecified "…Various earthquakes have been "…Hanse sentido varios – La Patria (1902b)
felt…" terremotos…"
Nicaragua, El "…In all of Nicaragua, Salvador "…En toda Nicaragua, Salvador y – La Patria (1902a)
Salvador & and Costa Rica strong ground Costa Rica, se ha resentido fuertes
Costa Rica shaking has been felt…" sacudimientos de tierra…"
Tapantepec, "…since the 24th tremors have "…desde el día 24 se han sentido 24/10/1902 La Voz de
San Cristóbal been felt in Tapantepec, San temblores en Tapanatepec, San México (1902)
Las Casas, Cristobal L. C., Comitán, Tuxtla Cristobal L. C., Comitán, Tuxtla
Comitán, Gutiérrez, Juchitán and San Gutiérrez, Juchitán y San Bartolo…"
Tuxtla Bartolo…"
Gutiérrez,
Juchitán & San
Bartolo
Quezaltenango "…in Quezaltenango … where the "…en Quezaltenango … no cesando – El Siglo Futuro
earth tremors don’t cease…" en ella los temblores de tierra…" (1902)
Tumbador, "…There have been frequent – – New York Times
Guatemala earthquakes, and another eruption (1902a)
is reported in the Department of
Tumbador…"
Mazatenango "…The earth was in continual – – New York Times
commotion, shaking down (1902b)
buildings and causing much
destruction…"
Mazatenango "…At Mazatenango, on the south – – New York Times
side of the volcano… At that place (1902b)
most of the buildings had been
badly damaged, if not completely
destroyed, by the fierce
earthquakes that accompanied the
eruptions of the volcano. When
the last word came from
Mazatenango, fifteen days after
the first eruption, the earth had
been in constant trembling…"
30 miles north "…All that night the earth shook – – New York Times
of the volcano in almost constant vibration…" (1902b)
Luxor "…The most alarming reports of – – Inter-Mountain
steamship earthquakes, as many as twenty Farmer and
(San Benito – eight in one day, and devastating Ranchman
San Francisco) tidal waves began to be canvassed (1902)
among the thoroughly alarmed
passengers…"
(continued on next page)12 H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734
Table 5 (continued)
Date "-"
denotes
Location Report (English) Report (original, if applicable) unknown Source
Unspecified "…till the day of the – 24/10/1902 [9]
eruption–October 24th–shocks
were again very frequent, and, as
the day in question approached,
became almost incessant…"
Unspecified "…During the day (October 24) a – – [10]
series of earthquakes was felt…"
Heard
Chiapas “…A series of uninterrupted “…una serie no interrumpida de – El Abogado
tremors and detonations…” temblores y detonaciones…” Cristiano
Ilustrado (1902)
Guatemala "…News from Guatemala inform "…Noticias de Guatemala hacen 29/10/1902 El Correo
City that yesterday, since five in the saber que ayer, desde las cinco de la Español (1902b)
morning, strong underground mañana, fuertes ruidos subterráneos,
noises, which seemed like distant que parecían lejanas descargas de
artillery discharges, announced a artillería, anunciaron una seria
serious seismic disturbance…" perturbación seísmica…"
Guatemala "…In Guatemala City, despite "…En la ciudad de Guatemala, no – El Correo
City being a hundred miles away from obstante hallarse á cien millas de Español (1902b)
Santa María, constant and terrible distancia de Santa María, se oyen
underground noises can be constantes y terribles ruidos
heard…" subterráneos…"
Unspecified “…Explosions that seem like “…Se oyen detonaciones que parecen 26/10/1902 El Correo
artillery rounds can be heard…” descargas de artillería…” Español (1902a)
Motozintla "…Adding to this terrifying series "…A este pavoroso conjunto de 25/10/1902 El Correo
of sinister circumstances was the circunstancias siniestras hubo que Español (1902c)
effect of the continuous noises agregar el efecto de los ruidos
that could be heard, like intense continuos que se escuchaban, como
thunder in the midst of the de intensos truenos en medio de las
darkness that enveloped the entire tinieblas que envolvían á toda la
population, and also that of the población y además el de los
bellowing of the livestock…" bramidos de los ganados…"
Guatemala “…underground noises and “…los ruidos subterráneos y los 31/10/1902 El Correo
City (reported tremors began on the eve of the temblores comenzaron la víspera de Español (1902d)
from Panama eruption…” la erupción…”
via El
Salvador)
Guatemala “…the explosions have lasted for “…Las explosiones han durado cuatro 31/10/1902 El Correo
(reported from four days and have been heard días y se han oído en toda la Español (1902d)
Panama via El everywhere in Guatemala…” República…”
Salvador)
Tuxtla "…The ash rain and underground "…Continua lluvia ceniza y ruidos 28/10/1902 Diario del Hogar
Gutiérrez noises continue…" subterráneos…" (1902a)
Nicaragua, San “…Detonations like gunshots can “…Se oyen detonaciones como de 27/10/1902 Diario del Hogar
Salvador and be heard in various parts of cañonazos en diversos lugares de (1902b)
Costa Rica Nicaragua, San Salvador and Costa Nicaragua, San Salvador y Costa
Rica…” Rica…”
Palenque, Don “…At Mt. Don Juan, situated 8 km “…En el cerro Don Juan, situado á 27/10/1902 Diario del Hogar
Juan Mt. west of here, no phenomena have ocho kilómetros al Oeste de aquí, no (1902b)
been observed. Strong, clear and se observa fenómeno alguno. Se oyen
continuous detonations can be fuertes, claras y continuadas
heard from the south, since the detonaciones, que vienen del Sur,
25th…” desde el día 25…”
Mexico City, El “…These explosions were so “…Tan espantosamente atronadoras 24– Diario del Hogar
Salvador, terrifyingly thunderous that they fueron dichas detonaciones, que 25/10/1902 (1902d)
Honduras were clearly heard, as like artillery alcanzaron á oírse claramente, como
rounds, in this capital [Mexico salvas de artillería, en esta capital; y
City]; and even in El Salvador and aun en El Salvador y región limítrofe
the bordering region of Honduras de Honduras fueron percibidas como
they were perceived as dull sordos retumbos…”
rumblings…”
(continued on next page)H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734 13
Table 5 (continued)
Date "-"
denotes
Location Report (English) Report (original, if applicable) unknown Source
Unspecified “…At the same time as these “…A al mismo tiempo que tales 24– Diario del Hogar
detonations were heard the detonaciones se escuchaban, el 25/10/1902 (1902d)
horizon became gradually darker horizonte iba gradualmente
in a terrifying way, the oscureciéndose de un modo pavoroso,
surrounding temperature increased subía con toda rapidez la
so quickly to the point that it felt temperatura del ambiente hasta
difficult to breathe…” hacerse fatigosa la respiración…”
Comitán “…Detonations can no longer be “…Ya no se escuchan 27/10/1902 El Imparcial
heard…” detonaciones…” (1902b)
Tuxtla “…It is understood that a volcano “…Se da por hecho que existe un 25/10/1902 El Imparcial
Gutiérrez is erupting; but where it is being volcán en erupción; pero se ignora (1902b)
ignored. Loud underground noises dónde está. Desde ayer se oyen
have been heard since fuertes ruidos subterráneos…”
yesterday…”
Managua “…Detonations can be heard in “…Se oyen detonaciones como de 27/10/1902 El Imparcial
(Nicaragua) various parts of Nicaragua, San cañonazos en diversos lugares de (1902b)
Salvador and Costa Rica. Nothing Nicaragua, San Salvador y Costa rica.
has reached here, other than Hasta aquí no llega nada, si no es la
alarm…” alarma…”
Mexican “…The volcano Santa María is in “…El volcán de Santa María está en – El Imparcial
Embassy, eruption. The rumbling can be erupción. Los retumbos se oyen hasta (1902b)
Guatemala heard from here…” aquí…”
Oaxaca “…Detonations like artillery fire “…se oyen detonaciones como 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
can be heard…” disparos de artillería…” (1902a)
Cintalpa “…The population of Cintalpa “…De la población de Cintalpa 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
inform that … underground noises avisan que … se escuchan ruidos (1902a)
can be heard…” subterráneos…”
San Juan “…underground noises can be “…se oyen ruidos subterráneos en 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
Bautista heard in this capital [San Juan esta capital y aun en las poblaciones (1902a)
Bautista] and even in the coastal de la costa de Comalcalco, Paraisoy
populations of Comalcalco, Paraiso, demás. No así en Teapa y
amongst others. That isn’t the case Pichucalco…”
in Teapa and Pichucalco…”
Macuspana “…Explosions could be heard “…Detonaciones desde las 2 p.m. – El Imparcial
strongly since 2 pm…” dejáronse oír fuertes…” (1902a)
Cruzada “…Many explosions can be heard “…se oyen muchas detonaciones – El Imparcial
due to the eruption of Mt. San debido á la erupción del cerro de San (1902a)
Juan…” Juan…”
Juquila “…At 1 am the night before last, “…Anteanoche, á la una, comenzaron 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
we began to hear strong a oírse fuertes detonaciones como de (1902a)
explosions as if from cannonfire, cañón, rumbo al Sur. Continuaron
coming from the south. They hasta las tres de la tarde de ayer…”
continued until 3 pm yesterday…”
Tuxtla “…Since the morning of the 25th “…Desde la madrugada del día 25 se 26/10/1902 El Imparcial
Gutiérrez strong and continuous han escuchado fuertes y continuados (1902a)
underground noises have been ruidos subterráneos, por el rumbo del
heard coming from the south. At 3 Sur. A las tres de la tarde cesaron del
pm they stopped completely…” todo…”
Comitán “…Explosions have stopped…” “…Acabáronse detonaciones…” 27/10/1902 El País (1902)
Tuxtla “…Underground noises were heard “…Ruidos subterráneos oyeronse 26/10/1902 El País (1902)
Gutiérrez since 3am yesterday, really desde las 3 a.m. de ayer, muy
frequently until midday…” frecuentes hasta el medio día…”
Palenque, “…strong explosions can be heard “…se oyen fuertes detonaciones, – El Tiempo
Salto de Agua as if some volcano were close to como si algún volcán estuviese (1902a)
erupting…” próximo á haber erupción…”
Tuxtla “…underground noises can be “…se oyen ruidos subterráneos…” – El Tiempo
Gutiérrez, San heard…” (1902a)
Cristobal Las
Casas
Macuspana “…In Macuspana strong and “…En Macuspana óyense fuertes y 25/10/1902 El Tiempo
frequent explosions can be frecuentes detonaciones…” (1902a)
heard…”
(continued on next page)14 H.C. Berry, K.V. Cashman and C.A. Williams / Data in Brief 35 (2021) 106734
Table 5 (continued)
Date "-"
denotes
Location Report (English) Report (original, if applicable) unknown Source
150 miles from "…The eruption must be huge, as "…La erupción debe ser tremenda, – El Tiempo
Santa María it has been heard 150 miles away cuando ha podido oírse á 150 millas (1902b)
from Santa María…" de Santa María…"
San Cristobal "…In the early morning of October "…En la madrugada del día 25 de – La Patria (1902d)
Las Casas 25th, several successive octubre próximo pasado, se oyeron
detonations, similar to those hacia el Sureste de esta población,
produced by artillery discharges, varias detonaciones sucesivas,
were heard southeast of this town semejantes á las que producen las
… that followed one after the descargas de artillería … que se
other and became louder each sucedían unas tras otras y eran cada
time…" vez más estrepitosas…"
San Cristobal "…at dawn … the detonations "…al despuntar el alba … se oían de – La Patria (1902d)
Las Casas could be heard from time to tiempo en tiempo las detonaciones…"
time…"
Guatemala "…underground noises have been "…los ruidos subterráneos se han – La Patria (1902b)
City heard in the Guatemalan capital…" escuchado en la capital de
Guatemala…"
Unspecified "…Detonations can be heard that "…Se oyen detonaciones que parecen – La Patria (1902a)
sound like artillery charges…" cargas de artillería…"
Guatemala "…When the underground noises "…Cuando los ruidos subterráneos y – La Patria (1902c)
City and tremors started, on the eve of los temblores comenzaron, la víspera
the eruption…" de la erupción…"
Guatemala "…The explosions have lasted four "…Las explosiones han durado cuatro – La Patria (1902c)
days and have been heard días y se han oído en toda la
throughout the Republic…" República…"
Tuxtla "…The underground noises in "…Los ruidos subterráneos en Tuxtla – La Voz de
Gutiérrez, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Comitán Gutiérrez y Comitán, previenen del México (1902)
Comitán come from the south and cover an Sur, y abarcan una extensión de
area of fifty leagues; they are of cincuenta leguas; son de tal
such a strong nature that in Tuxtla naturaleza fuertes que en Tuxtla
Gutiérrez the noises from Comitán Gutiérrez se oyen los ruidos de
can be heard; the distance that Comitán y la distancia que separa
separates these two cities is about estas dos ciudades, es de cerca de
fifty kilometres…" cincuenta kilómetros…"
20 leagues "…accompanied by horrendous "…acompañados de horrísonos – El Siglo Futuro
from the thunder…" truenos…" (1903)
volcano
(∼85 km), near
Quezaltenango
Guatemala "…At 5 a.m. yesterday there were – – Nottingham
City violent detonations which were Evening Post
heard 150 miles away…" (1902)
Guatemala "…detonations from the eruption – – New York Times
City were heard in the capital…" (1902a)
Quezaltenango "…The writer reports passing – – New York Times
through terrible hardships, and (1902c)
describes the outbreak of the
volcano, which started with a
sandstorm and broke with terrific
crashes of thunder and vivid
lightning…"
Ocos "…During the night of Nov. 6 a – 06/11/1902 New York Times
(steamship few hours before the City of Para (1902b)
City of Para) sailed out of the port, loud
rumblings of the earth were heard
and heavy reports as of distant
thunder came from the direction
of the volcano…"
La Union, near "…At La Union, not far from that – – The Caucasian
Tapachula place, subterranean noises have (1903)
been frequently heard…"
(continued on next page)You can also read
