Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-20
A RIVER OF FIRE.
Volcanic Eruption in Hawsii-Thunder-
ing Expiosions-White Hot Rocks and
Flowing Flame

ing ExpIosions-white Hot Rocks and
Flowing Flame
The Hawaii Gazette gives nm account
of an eruption of the volcano OF Manua
Loa. exceeding in violence any ever be-
fore known on the island. The grand
outburst of fire Is described as follows:
II broke out about Z. n. on Friday,
about six miles north of the summit
crater of Mokuaweoweo on Manua
I.oa, and flowed down tie elevated
plateau living between Mauna Loa and
Kea, sending out two branches, one
from near its source toward the old
crater of Rilauea, and another branch
further down, tending toward the east.
On Wednesday the flow could be seen
distinctly from Hilo winding its way
toward Puma, with n small branch
stream running toward Hilo. The
tream running toward Puma was about
thirty miles in length, and from 100 10
200 yards in width, with depth OF
about twenty feet. A correspondent of
the Gd,ette accompanied party to view
the grand sight, and they climbed the
mountain side Soon, he says, as the
fog gradually cleared off the sides of The
mountain, we saw tremendous river
of fire pouring down the steep sides.
We could see it distinctly down the
slope, till II ran into the fog bank, which
had settled like huge snow bed all
over the lowlands.
The fire was an intense white light
and was running fmiously downward.
They then went toward Puma to see the
molten river by night. and, he adds, the
moon set, and still it was light enough
to see to read. Away above us in the
heavens shone the brilliant fountain
head, and thence TO the end was con
tinuous stream OF liquid lava. There
lay river Of fire beneath us at least
thirty miles long, every inch of which
was one bright rolling tide OF fire.
There was not single break in the
whole length. The whole front edge,
being about three-fourths OF mile wiGe,
was most intensely brilliant light, and
as II slowly advanced and rolled over
the small trees and scrub, bright flames
would flash up and die out along the
whole edge. Then there were giant ex-
plosions, vast and terrible, as if the earth
was being shattered By earthquakes, and
all at once n huge dome of molten lava
was thrown up about half way up the
mountains side, and continue to flow
over like an immense fountain. The
next day the party crossed the old laws
beds for bout 1000 feet. Not twenty
feet distant was the immense bed of lava
slowly moving forward with irresistible
force, bearing on its surface huge rocks
and immense boulders OF tons weight.
The whole front edge was one bright
red mass Of solid rock incessantly break
ing off from the towering mass and roll
ing down to the foot Of it, TO be again
covered up by another avalanche OF
white.hot rocks and sand. The mass
Was at its front edge from twelve to
thirty feet in height. Along the line OF
its advance 1t was one crash of rolling.
sliding, tumbling red-hot rock. We
could see no fire or liquid lava at all,
but the whole advance line of red-hot
stones and scoria. There were no ex-
plosions while we were near the flow,
only a tremendous roaring like ten
thousand blast furnaces all Mt work at
once. Some tears OF the safety of Hiio
are still entertained. but the flow seems
turning in another direction.
A correspondent of the Honolulu
Press, writing from Hilo. says: The
sight on Saturday was indescribably
grand. All day, with or withou. tbs
glass, our eyes were turned toward tha
mountain. A fountain OF liquid lava
was pouring up from the summit line of
Mauna I,oa. Two fiery streams were
distinctly visible coursing down its side,
one toward Mauna Kea, the other nearer
Hilo. At night the sky was glare OF
light that made objects distinctly visible
in the streets and in our rooms. Wednes-
day night due sight of the mountain was
most glorious. The broken clouds lying
around the summit sides were irradiated
and sbone in wonderful splendor. The
force Of the eruption seems now dimir-
ishing.