The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-05
The Eruption OF pIaunn Loa.

Interesting reports appear Of the progress Of the
grand eruption on the Island Of Hawaii. The la
test accounts from the scene OF the fiery visitation
dated March The spectacleis said to have been
sublime beyond any thing of the llind ever wit
messed. The eruption exceeds in grandeur any
Of the volcanic convuslons of Mauna Loa ever
before seen by white men on the islands. We cub
Join accounts of its action from the P0lyr6sian:
awe have received verbal Information in regard
to the state of the eruption, as late as to the 9th
instant, from the leeward side OF Hawaii. At that
date the light from the flowing current
bright it had been at any former period, suiii-
Gent to enable person to pick up needle from
the ground at midnight, from which fact the in.
ference is drawn that the current Is still flowing
on toward the sea.
1.-THE eruption seems to have broken out through
old fssure about one-t third down the side Of
Mauna Loa, on the northwest side, and not from
the Old crater on the summit, called Mokuoweo-
weo The altitude OF the present eruption is about
10 900 feet above the level OF the eea and from the
bay Of Hio, (Byron's bay,) must be some fifty or
sixty miles Ii it succeed in reaching the ocean at
the point supposed, after having filled up all the
ravines gulches, and inequalities of very broken
country, it will undoubtedly be one Of tho most
extensive eruptions Of modern times.
at would SEEM from Ia C last note from Mr.. Coan,
that the stream had divided-onc part taking an
asterly towards Puma, while the other took
northerly towards Hilo This may divide
the volume Of lava that neither branch will reach
the sea- but, from the latest accounts the northcr
ly branch still burning it's way through denae
will naturally fall into the Of the Waikiki,
river. and follow it TO where it dsembogucs into
the bay at Hilo. We anxiously wait further intel
hgence."
Poyatsian, 10 of 30 much interest that we copy it
entire jet OF lava playing five hundred feet in
air must be indeed magnificent and sublime
sight:
'.By an accurate measurement of the enormous
jet Of glowing lava, where it first broke forth the
side OF Mauna Loa, il aeccrtaned to be five
hundrs cd feet hight This was upon the supposiion
that it was thirty miles distant We of the opin-
ion that it greater distance, say from forty TO
sixty miles. With glass, the play Of thia jet at
night was distinctly observed, and more sublime
sight can scarcely be imagined. column Of mol
ten lava, glowing with the most intense heat, and
projecting into the air to distance OF hive hundred
feet, was sight rare, and at the same time SO
awfully grand, as 10 excite the most lively feelings
OF awe and admiration, even when viewed at a dis
lance of forty or fifty miles. How much more awe
inspiring would 1t have been al distance OF one or
two miles where the sounds accompanying such
an eruption could have been heard. The fall OF
such column would doubtless cause the earth to
trembe; and the roar of the rushing mass would
have been like the mighty waves Of the ocean beat
ing upon rock bound coast
"The diameter OF this Jet is supposed to be over
one hundred feet; and this we can easily believe
when reflect that from il proceeded the river Of
lava that flowed of from it toward the sea. In some
places this river is mile wide, and in others
contracted. At some points il has filled up ravincs
one hundred, two hundred, and throe hundred feet
in depth, and still il flowed on. II entered heavy
forest, and the giant growth OF centuries Is cut
down before it like grass before the mowers scyhe!
No obstacle arrest it in its descent 10 the sea.
Mounds covered over, ravines are filled up, for
ests arc destroyed, and the habitations Of man
CO.. suued like flax in the furnace. Truly lie
touchcth the hills, and they smoke
awe have not yet heard Of any destruction OF
life from the eruption now in progress. a rumor
has reached that a small native village has been
destroyed, but of this have no authentic intelli-
gence Should it reach the sea without destroying
life or property, 1t will be matter OF thankiulnts'
and almost unhoped- for exemption"
A large number of the residents OF Honolulu bad
gone to Hawaii to witness the upheavings of Mauna
I.aa