The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-03-12
American Volcanoes.


can Geographical Society, W. F. Em-
mons delivered an interesting address
on the volcanoes Of the United States.
After \ few remarks about volcanoes
in general, their geographical distribu.
tion, and the theories of their for ma
tion, the speaker described the princi-
pal volcanoes Of the Pacific Coast Of
the United States The western range
Of the great Cordilleran or Rocky
mountain system is formed by the chain
of the Sierra Nevada, and its northern
continuation, the Cascade mountains Of
oregon and Washington Terri.ery,
which run parallel to the present coas,
line. In former geological periods the
Pacific ocean extended up 10 the wcs-
tern base OF the Sierra Nevada. whose
geological continuation To the north
ward is fennd Ia the Blue mountains of
eastern Oregon. North OF the parallel
of 40 degrees north there is break in
the continuity of the Sierra Nevads
chain, viii a finds its Typographical
continuation in series of high VOL
canic peaks. capped with perpetual
snow. standing at distances of about
% miles apart and which in northern
Oregon and Washington Territory rise
out If the very SUBMITS of the Cas-
cade mountains. These are Lassel :
Peak and Mount Shasta in northern
California, about 10000 feet In hight
forms the northern extremity of the
Sierra Nevada; the latter, peak of
surpassing grandeur. rises to an eleva-
tion Of II, ,i40 feet above sea level, and
stands. as it were. isolated. being sur
rounded on the east by low. forest COW
cred ridges. and on the west by broad.
open valleys between 200 aud 800 feet
above the sea level, through which runs
the projected line of the Californla
and Oregon Railroad. II has two sum
mits. the westernmost being perfect
crater, its interior being one thousand
feet deep. and its wall narrow rim of
rock. about 1000 feet below the main
summit. On the main summit are
found traces of recent soltataric action
hot springs. from which issue sui
phugous gasses aud steam-whilc on
the northern slopes are severa, active
glaciers. Mount Shasta, while rank
ing among the highest PEAKS in the
United States Is ot comparatively easy
access, and its ascent is, although some
what lAborion>, hy no means danger
ous undertaking, aud. when she rail
road reaches..its base. it will no doubt
he fayorite resort OF tourists
The volcanic peaks OF Oregon are.
commencing at the southwark. Mount
Pitt. the Three Sisters. Mount Jefferson.
and Mount Hood. While the three for
mer present outlines of great beauty,
raising their snow-white orests above
the pine clad ridges Of Oregon. they
reach elevations of less than 0,000 feet
and are surpassed in majesty and grace
o. outline t,y Mount Hood. which rests
anon the summit of the Cascade range.
about - miles south of the Columbia
river. Whea first discovered by Van
couver is was estimated to be at least
-, 900 fee. IN height. Recent measure
mcnt bv the barometer has reduce |
this 10 II .225 feet II Is All exceeding.
ly sharp peak. rs summit being formed
by single block OF lava. Its ascent.
though difficult and even dangerous.
has been accomplished several times,
/ ewing TO the fact that is base T. # COM
. psra,iveiv easy progress
Washington Terr'tcry east o; the
/ Cascade mountains, except IN she re-
rion Immediately bordering Puget
( sound and the valley stretching south
war,l ,o the Columbia river. u covered
with dense. almost impeuetfablc for
e>ts. which render the exploration q!
I il. mountains extremely difficult, US-
iuc to their higher latitude an,i still
more ;o the greater fail ot rain anti
snow. the ,olcaglc pvaks oi tni> region
are rendered more imposing thsa their
norc southern brethren by the great
masses of snow and ice Which cloth,
their slope, and send OCT great glaciers
In the surrounding forests The pFin.
ripsl ones are Nouut -. Hesen<. Mount
! Adams. Mount Rainier. AMI Moun'
/ Baker. The tWo former are in ahoa'
the same latitude. ahou, 30 niles rorif
cs the Columbia river. and probably no'
mere than lo.Usa Zee: in be- gh. ~
Helens $ SAID IL havy h<-sn IL eruption
in i>42 TAoss seen fronl pgSei Sound
which Is an arm Of the ssa. are snaet
mere imposing. Aoont RaAeg, near sh'
boundary OF British Columbia, though