The diagrams provide information about how a port town in the Atlantic Ocean transformed after a volcanic eruption in 1706.
Overall, the natural disaster caused various changes to the town, with the most noticeable ones being the loss of inland housing as well as the hindrance of maritime activities.
The town was situated to the southwest of the island whereas the volcano was at the opposite end. More specifically, the town comprised a residential area, along with a castle, on its west while boasting a natural bay serving as a port. This natural port had the capacity to accommodate 60 ships, which travelled on a maritime route from America to Europe, per month.
In 1706, the volcanic eruption was reported. The unified lava flow traveled 8 kilometers to the opposite side and then split into 2 distinct flows upon reaching the edge of the town. The first flow devastated the coastal housing, burning most of the houses and destroying some, yet the castle remained standing. The second lava flow, however, damaged the port by engulfing a majority of the natural bay, rendering it inaccessible to vessels.