The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-11-20
GREAT ERUPTION ON HAWAII.
MAUNA LOA, THE VOLCANO KING,
SENDS FORTH RIVERS OF FIRE.

The Royal Fire Mountain of Hawaii has
broken forth with comparative quietude, though
with tremendous effect, this year.
OF the eruptions especially recorded, that of
1852 was exceedingly magnificent and terrible.
The lava jets of the summit crater of Mauna LOa
spouted forth flaming matter upward of
600 to 1000 feet above the rim of the crater /;
whilst earthquake shocks and deafening detona-
tions OF escaping volcanic forces shook the great
island from summit to sea.
The eruption of 1855 somewhat resembled the
present outbreak, bursting forth however far down
the flank of the mountain, being without previous
shocks, and by its flows in subterranean ducts,
bearing along masses of scoria and rocky debris.
The succeeding flow of 1889 continued for
several months ; several streams issued from the
summit crater, one stream of lava flowing about
sixty miles, till it poured into the sea at Kiholo.
But the eruption of 1868 has left the most
vivid impression upon many eye-witnesses, and
now residents of these islands. This grand erup-
ton commenced the latter part of March of that
year with great shocks of earthquake, and re-
markable Gibbs and flow of the sea. On the End
April the sea rose. and swept away villages and
a multitude of people. The top of the hill lpuu.
~ Np "OS INV 70 O0S
break, and whelmed almost instantly a village
containing about sixty people, who lie buried as
they were-eating or sleeping, with their Gala
bashes or cooking utensils by their side-to be
exhumed some day as a Hawaiian POmpeii, to
satisfy future antiquarian study of this archi-
pelago. And the mud stream of Keiwa flowed
about three miles with the velocity of u feet
locomotive, as it captured and submerged fleeing
animals-wild cattle and goats. At the same
time great flows of lava took place in Kahuku,
shocks of earthquake tossed the land to and fro,
throwing down all the stone walls of Kau, and
compelling Rev. j. F. Pogue to preach out on the
open plain, as he had reason to fear that his
church would tumble down upon the heads of
himself and congregation. Then the shocks of
earthquake were sensibly felt on Maui, Molokai,
and Lanai. The air was also obscured with
smoke, and watchers ON the SUBMITS of these
islands observed not only the glare of the mighty
lakes and rivers of flame 70 to 100 miles distant,
but witnessed remarkable gaseous and electric
phenomena, darting coruscations OF light from
the mighty fiery dome. And whilst the summit
crater, at an elevation of IA, 900 feet, and the
lower flank craters were pouring forth their rivers
of fiery earth, the ever-constant crater Of Kilauea
at an elevation of only 1000 feet on the flank of
the same mountain, was comparatively quiet.
The floor of its Halemaumau, or eternal abode of
the fire goddess Pele. had sunk about 500 feet
below its usual level, and was still.
According to all information now received, the
eruption of this year breaks forth without any of
the wonted terrific volcanic heraldry-yet males
tically. AS in 1859 the flaming reservoirs of the
mountains enceinte have found easy vent,-and
as then, the vast volume of molten matter FORM
ing several rivers of fame are flowing in different
directions, and may continue to flow for several
months, as occurred during that year. The vast
plain, or divide, lying between Mauna Kea and
Mauna Loa, has been overlooked. over-spreading
some of the lands of the ranch of Mr.. Gay and
from thence rivers flow Town the Waimea side
and the Kona side of the mountain. The remark
able flow Of scoria and rocky debris. described in
the correspondence we publish, is the effect of
lava flow in a covered or subterranean duct. You
see a mound or ridge of dark scorie, or debris, |
so or 100 feet wide, by 10 to Is feet high,
moving along even as some one may have OBJ
served the effect of the underground working of
a mole; as he burrows and tunnels EDWARDS, the
observer notes the onward movement of q ninia-
ture ridge of earth - so the mighty volcanic
mole is working a passage through subterranean
channels near the surface and as it marches, the |
observer sees the heaving movement of the sur
face. In places the lava flow is more apparent, |
and it's white flaming liquid is mingled with
tumbling masses of rocks and earth hurled on
wards The lava which sometimes is very rapid,
at its first issue from a vent or crater, moving at
the rate of ten or more miles an hour-sometimes
slaekens its speed as it progresses-until q slug
gish course of two or three miles a day 10 attained.
So these rivers of molten lava now flowing DOWN the
slopes of Mauna Loa may continue for some time
to come their flaming course, and afford an oppor-
tunity for the wonder-seekers to come from afar
to witness the greatest natural wonder of the
world. ]