The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-08-05
Rivers of Molten Lava.

Private adyices from the Sandwich
Islands report that the famous volcano,
Mauna Loa, is still in eruption, and has
been continuously so since the early part
of October The inhabitants say that the
present eruption exceeds in grandeur,
extent and activity any that they can re-
member, or of which there is any record.
The American residents say that the spec
tacle is magnificent, and well worth
voyage thither. The principle crater,
some 10000 feet long and 5000 to
10000 feet wide, is constantly belching
forth smoke, steam and flames, and oc-
caslonally throws up vast rocks, while
the lava pours down the sides of the
mountain, nearly ID, 900 feet high in broad
streams A letter received some time
ago from Honolulu said: "For some
months the people of the island of Ha-
| waii have been greatly excited by the
eruption of the volcano Mauna Loa which
far exceeds any former outbreak of that
celebrated mountain of fire The erup-
ton began early in the evening on the
9TH of October, a few miles north of the
summit crater, and flowed rapidly down
to the plateau lying between Kea and
the Mauna Loa. 1t formed two branch
es, one running toward the old crater of
kilauea, and the other toward the east
On being first observed, it was seen that
the great stream of liquid fire was
making its way toward Kea. But early
on Saturday morning, some twelve hours
after the outbreak, it was noticed that a
second flow appeared, and was rapidly
running in the direction of the beautiful
town of Hilo. Immediately there was
the utmost alarm, and for a time there
was every fear that the place was des-
tined to be overwhelmed. But before
the strerm had reached half the distance
to deep ywood, which stands in the
way, it suddenly,and without any appar-
ent reason, turned abruptly to the north
ward So the flow continued until We'd
nesday, Oc-ober 18th, when the two
streams ran beside each other for a con.
siderable distance, presenting one of the
grandest sights which could possibly be
witnessed From both rivers of red hot
matter there assembled dense columns OF
steam and smoke, and these, as they
went upward and united for time
formed an arch-like avenue, through
which there could for miles be seen the
dull glare of the boiling and bubbline
mass which steadily moved on its way
Suddenly, here and there, great cones
would be thrown up, and again streams
of lava, as if unable to find vent il
any other direction, We're forced upward
in columns to the height of scores O
feet. For more than thirty miles from
the outlet the liquid fire rolled on, tn,
width of the streams being from on,
hundred to two hundred yards, and thei
depth varying from six and eight t.
twenty and thirty feet, according to tn,
nature of the ground over which the,
made their way. In places, too, thei
, front edge rose to a height of thirty feet
presenting the appearance of an ad
vanced wall of fire. From this mas
great blocks of matter continually crum
, bled and broke off, falling with dul
crash which cannot be described. A
has been intimated, if the lava continue
to flow in the direction which it has nov
taken, there will be hardly any DANCE
of its doing any damage to Hilo. Run
ming as it does, it would have to fill u
the great valley of Pun Olo and Wallu
ku swamps before reaching the neigh
borhood of the town. Still there is
danger that a stream may strike an,
follow the course of the GLOW" of 1856
SO, which lasted thirteen months, an,
sent the burning lava over an area est
mated at three hundred square miles
If it should take this course it would il
all probability go to and beyond Hilc
Still, it is at present twenty-one mile
p from that place, and the prospect is tina
the town will escape. Holealoh, on tn
contrary, is in the greatest danger, Bu
while there is in any event more than
probability that much fixed propert
will be lost, there is but little danger @
loss of life The flow of lava is so slo,
and regular that it can easily be avoide
) and all movables of value taken out G
2 lis course.