Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-05-14
The Great Volcanic Eruption OF Mauna Lea, In the
Sandwich Islands. ~


The Great Volcanic Eruption OF Mauna Lea, In the
Sandwich Islands. ~ |
We have given. lately, brief accounts of grand
eruption on the Mauna Loa, the Island OF Ha-
wall. received by way of California. The latest ae-
counts from the of the fiery visitation are to
the 9th of March, at which time the spectacle is said
to have been sublime beyond anything of the kind
ever witnessed. The eruption exceeds in grandeur
any of the volcanic commissions of Mauna Loa ever
before seen by white men on the islands and great
fears entertained for the safety of the beautiful
town of Hilo We subjoin accounts of its action
from the "Pelynesan p
I'VE have received verbal information in regard
to the state of the eruption late to the 9th of
March. from the leeward side of Hawaii. At that
date the light from the flowing current as bright
it had been at any former period sufficient to en-
able person to pick up needle from the ground
at midnight from which fact the inference is drawn
that the current is still flowing towards the
The current seems to have broken out through
old assure, about one-thrd down the side of Maui
ma Loa on the northwest side, and not from the old
crater on the summit called Mokuoweoweo. The
altitude of the present eruption is about 10000 feet
above the level Of the and from the bay of Iiilo
(Byron's Bay.) must be some so or 60 miles. If it
succeed in reaching the ocean at the point supposed
after having filled up all the raynes, gulches and
inequalities of very broken country, it will I'M
doubtedly be of the extensive eruptions of
modern times.
1T would seem, from the last note from Mr. Coan,
that the stream had divided-one part taking an
easterly towards Puma, while the other took
northerly one towards Hilo. This may divide
the volume of lava that neither branch will reach |
the but from the latest accounts the northerly
branch was still burning its way through dense
forest: and if the supply holds out long enough. it
will naturally fall into the course of the Wailutu
River and follow it to where it disembogues into the
bay, at Hilo We anxiously wait further intelli- !
gencen
An abstract from correspondents letter. in the
Polynesian, is of much interest that copy it en-
tire. jet of lava playing five hundred feet in air
must be indeed magnificent and sublime sig CHIT:
| "By an accurate measurement of the enormous
jet of glowing lava where it first broke forth the
side of Mauma Loa, it ascertained to be five
hundred feet high! This was upon the supposition
that it was thirty miles distant. We of opinion
that 1T was greater distance. say from forty to six
ty miles. With glass; the play of this Jet at nj ht
was distinctly observed and more sublime sight
can scarcely be mag ned. A column of molten lava,
glowing with the most intense heat, and projecting
into the air to distance of five hundred feet,
sight and at the time so awfully grand.
to excite the most lively feelings of and ad
mration, when viewed at distance of forty or
fifty miles How much more awe-inspiring would it
have been at a distance of one two miles, where
the sounds accompanying such an eruption could have
been heard. The fall of such column would doubt
less cause the arth to trembe and the of the
rushing mass would have been like the mighty waves
of the ocean beating upon a rock bound coast.
The diameter of this jet is supposed to be over
one hundred feet and this easily believe,
when reflect that from it proceeded the river OF
lava that flowed off from it toward the sea- In some
places the river is mile wide, and in others
contracted. At some points it has filled up ravnes
one hundred, two hundred and three hundred feet in
depth, and still it flowed 1t entered heavy for
est, and the giant growth of centuries is cut down
before it like grass before the mowers scythe! No
obstacle arrest it in its descent to the sea-.
Mounds are covered over, ravines filled up, for
ests destroyed and the inhabitations of
t consumed like flax in furnace Truly, He touch
S eth the hills and they smoke
eve have not yet heard of any destruction of life
from the eruption now in progress. A rumor has
reached that small native village has been de-
stroyed but of this we have authentic intelligence.
Should it reach the without destroying life or
property, it will be matter of thankulness and al
0 most nnhoped for exemption. large number of
the residents of Honolulu had gone to Hawaii to wit
t ness the upheavings of Mauna Loan
Another letter, after stating that the lava had
burned through the woods to within fifteen miles of
b ailo, and was still progressing, adds
The side OF the mountain has opened about mid
way its dome and the lava pours out with unrestran-
ed effort and comes rolling tumbling. and flashing
: on towards Hilo. 1t is accompanied with frequent
= explosions AT night, the imagination cannot
b ceive spectacle more awfully grand. The immense
flow of lava reflects upon the clouds its cherry red
hue, and as they gather in density about the noun
TAIN caught up By the upward current Of atmos-
phere, and hurried with rapidity into every magna-
s. BILE shape representing in the heavens wild pic
l. turesque scene.'
. The eruption, it appears, commenced on the 18th
L of February, at O'Clock in the morning.