The Hawaiian gazette., 1881-06-22
THE LAvAFLo
Interestinr Letter from D. Il. Hitchcock

Interesting Letter from ID. H Hitchcock.
EDITOR GAZETTE: Since my last visit 10 the pres
eut lava flow in February last, when Prof. Alexan-
der and myself went far up the side OF Mauna LOa
to meet this present flow, it has made good pro-
rress towards Hilo II followed down the island
mentioned in former letter and crossed the flow
Of 1856 some five miles outside of the upper edge
of the woods 1t has followed the old how down,
leaving strip of woods from one-fouTth 20 one
half a mile in width between the two flows. About
ten miles from town it met the old flow OF 1856,
and running to its southern edge followed down
until near Laumais (61S miles from Hilol, when
il took q sOuth-easterly turn behind a rldge o.
woods, which course il had been following (excep.
one small branch which still continued along the
old fow) for several weeks aud then apparently it
took turn again toward the northeast.
On Saturday last. IN company with my brother,
Mr. Richardson and two others, we started up 10
hud out how the flow wGs coming on. Going up
the old kaumana trail we struck INTO the woods IN
a south-eastely direction, following an old trail
After riding an hour about two miles we hitched
our horses, and striking south soon reached small
uulch, up which We went IN few minutes struck
the lower end of the lava flow, which, strange to
say, had followed down the course OF this small
gulch over half mile, filling 1t up but not over
flowing it. The TOW averaged perhaps % feet IN
width and 5 feet deep. 1t must have been very
fluid to have pushed itself so far in such narrow
and shallow stream. 1t was now quite cool and we
walked the whole length to where it joined the
main flow, which was Gaming down on the right.
For some time previous to our reaching the juno
ton we heard the report of the steam and gas ex-
blossoms and could see the fiery front of the TOW
as it slowly pushed its fiery tongues under the ferns
and around the forest trees
After striking up this arm of the flow, which was
about 800 feet wide, we walked out INTO the how
northwards and saw where 1t had made quick
rush down the declivi:y through the heavy forest
and had parted into two main streams The second
one about 900 feet wide and running parallel
10 the first one. The whole front edge for several
10 n~f1y
fiery arms the enormous trees and gigantic ferns,
only in a few hours to cut them on and lay them
back on its cooled surface. Behind this some $40
or more feet came a second How, which made short
work OF the trees and ferns laid low by the first
flow, and left the surface clean of debris In many
places in front the trees lay so thick that II woui
be impossible to get through them. The greatest
danger we met was the falling trees. Not 50 much
from the running lava, although wherever we
crossed the flow the liquid lava was to he seen on
all Sides and the cooled surface was uncomfortable
even through the so.es of our heavy boots But
pahoehOe flow after seven months travel IS not
vicious monster 10 face. The lava is so thick that
it would almost bear any ones weight as 1t Is How
ing, and in five minutes after 1t is exposed to the
air is thick enough 10 bear walking on.
We followed down this second arm aboct one
fourth of mile and found it had crossed two small
gulches, on the second of which we took our lunch
We had to go down the stream before we could
find water cool enough to drink. In many places
the water vast boiling up furiously through holes
in the lava, cooling the flowing mass and forming
.
chlmneys.
After our lunch we again crossed this arm of
| tho flow and striking through the woods $50 feet
reached another arm of the dow, which had broken
out OF the main flow above, about one mile from
where the first flow left it. The two flows had run
towards each other and will soon join forces. We
again cut through the woods and met another arm
Of this latter flow running in the same direction,
and which is the arm of the flow spoken OF by
1 Lidgate. We went up this arm to where 1t joined
/ the other and near where it bad broken through
] IL. Eratc hfla
/ front line of the flow is active, and the second
4 overflow is quietly pressing over the first, but
/ the whole mass moves slowly. Some arms move
quickly for few hours and then await the oncon'-
! ing of the main flow We chained the distance to
I John Hall and found it by the road to be ~
miles, or about 2 miles in direct line The first
mile from the flow the descent is very eaBy, only
200 feet, the woods very thick and the grcund very
/ swampy. After that to John Halls there d about
$50 feet fall This place is about 80 miles in a
! direcs line back of Halai Hills.
The ground is very hiily and uneven, and flow
will be long in making mile. In fact there 10 at
the present time not much cause for uneasness on
account of Hilo. 1t will be months before the flats
back of the Halai Hills are reached, unless very
much greater activity tskes place. and after the
flats are reached the ordinary turn of the flow Will
/ be towards Waiakea. The Mauna Kea flows have
seldom run over a year or thirteen months and 1t
is now seven months since this one started on its
fiery journey. 1t is my belief that it will die out
before IL crosses the above mentioned flats. 1t has
! too great a frontage(o over a mile) to make quick
progress. If all its forces were massed into any
] one of its numerous arms it might i'll time reach
the sea; but at its present outlook Ho friends
need not feel greatly alarmed for our little town.
But it will well repay any one to visit it and see a
live flow in the woods. One can camp within leo
feet of it. and see it by night without the least
danger of being covered up with hot lava. But my
paper has perhaps been already too long and will
close. When it gets out of the woods will let you
/ know again all about 1t. ID. II. HITCHCOCK.
Hilo b. 1881.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.