The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-05-12
Miscellaneous,
The Great Volcano Of Mauna LOa,

description, in his narrative Of the Exploring Expedi-
ton, of this remarkable crater one of the most won
derlul natural cnrosilies on the globe:
Some Of the most interesting excursions made by
the explorers was certainly that to the crater Of the
great volcano of Mauna Loa, Hawaii; was UNDER
taken on scale never before uttempteJ beside two
hundred natives, the party consisted of several MEM
bers Of the expedition, including the commander;
they carried with them the necessary instruments,
provisions, tents, and FORTH for remaining two or
Three weeks, and to add 10 their comforts, maintained
communication by means Of established posts at in
tervals oil the route up the mountain, which is three
miles high. The details we omit. being only able TO
give the facts IN condensed form just they reach
ed the grent plain of the volcano, Mauna Loa burst
upon them in all its grandeur; the dome rose before
them from plain twenty miles in breadth; the
volcano appeared to be but partially in action; al the
further end was II cherryred spot from whence vapor
was issuing, and condensing above into cloud OF sill
very brightness, glorious than any they had ey-
er behed IIurryng to the edge ofthe cavity, vapor
was seen issuing from Numerous cracks, showing
that they were passing over ground beneath which
fire was raging. When the edge was reached, the
extent Ofthe cavity becomes apparent. end they be-
came aware CT It's great depth its vastness transxes
the mind with establishment, the impression of its
granduer and magnifcence increasing every moment.
To give an idea Of the cSpaciy Of this greatest known
crater, Captain Wilkes asserts that the city Of New
York might be placed within it, and when At it's bot
tom would be scarcely noticed. II is three and half
miles long, two aud half wide, and more than
thousand feet deep A black ledge surrounds it q,
the depth of six hundred and sixty feet, and thence
bottom is al md NH
this bottom looks in the daytime like heap Of smou-
derng ruins the descent 10 the ruin occupss an
hour
They pitched their tents in full view of the volca-
no; all usual ideas of volcanic crates are dssipated
upon viewing this, there being elevated cone, no
igneous matter rocks elected beyond the rim; the
banks look as if built Of massive rocks which are in
places clothed with ferns, Shedsby the issuing va
Pors. What is wonderful! by day, becomes ten
times more so by night; the immense pool Of cherry
red liquid lava, in state Of violent ebulon illu-
inmates the whole eGpanse, and flows about in all d.
rectons like water The party under the direction
OF Mr. Drayton, who had visited the ground the day
before, endeavored to reach the bank nearest to- and
over the boiling lake OF fire; they succeeded in get
ting directly over IT, at the distance Of about five hum
dred feet above it, where the light was so strong to
enable them 10 read the smallest print; this pool Or
lake is fifteen hundred feet long, by one thousand
wide, and of un oval figure.
They were now struck with the absence of noise
except low murmuring, like that which is heard
from the boiling of thick liquid: the vapor and steam
constantly escaping rarefed as not to impede
the view, and only became visible in the bright cloud
above. Occasionally stones, or masses of red hot
matter were elected 10 the height of about seventy
feet, and fell back into the lake. The feelings of the
party may be imagined in an insecure position. the
vast fires beneath, the high basac walls encompass.
ing them on all sides, the sulphurous fumes and |
broad glare, enormous of stone bounding up;
they found it difficult to comprehend how such res
ervoir thus be pent up, and be viewed in such
close proximity, without accident or danger. The
whole party perfectly silent, the countenance of
each individual expressing the feeling of awe and sub.
Unity, which the wonderful scene was so well cal |
culated to excite.
The party employed themselves in making obser- |
vatons and sketches about two thirds of the dis
from the north end, they found extensive sui
phur banks, from the assures in which, much steam
is constantly escaping. Some of the gentlemen final
y reached the bottom of the crater was not found
to have the level and surlace it appeared from
above to possess; hillocks and ridges from twenty to
perpendicular, 10 make it difficult to pass over
them. They raversed the distance from the north
extreme Of the bottom, to the margin Of the large lake
in two hours; it is extremely difficult 10 reach this
lake, account of its overowing at short Intervals
too brief to allow the fluid to cool; the nearest
approach was about fifteen hundred two thousand
feet, never going enough to burn their Shoes
light their sticks in the lava which had overhowed
during the preceding night. The heat was so great
however, they laid down their sticks to stand upon
in short time the fluid mass began to enlarge; pres
emily portion would crack, and exhibit bright red
glare, and in few minutes the lava stream would
issue through, and portion would split off, and sud
denly disappear in the liquid mass. This action
went on, until the lake had extended itself to its outer
bank, and had approached to within fifteen feet of
their position, when the guide snid it was high time to
retreat; he declared the fire would often ten
Or more in few moments As ong the Wis
ter remains he feels in a state of great insecurity,
md in danger of undergoing orthc most horrible
leaths in being cut off from all escape by the molten
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