The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-08-10
THE VERY LATEST FROM THE VOLCANO
Greatly Increased Activity.
HILo IN IMMINENT DANCER.
Brilliant Descriptions by Different Cor
respondents.

We are enabled to present our readers with some
graphic descriptions of the flow. We have the fiery
monster described by various pens.
TIE VOLCANIC CLOUD.
One of the most wonderful phenomena observed
in connection with the great eruption OF Mauna
Loa-ISSO-1-may be mentioned The Volcanic
Cloud. 1t is really most remarkable cumulus
cloud, having a rough serated lower edge not IN
like the corresponding portion OF thunder-cloud.
In color the volcanic differs from all other clouds,
and is exceedingly picturesque. It was first OBJ
served soon after the eruption occurred on Mauna
Ioa, Nov. 9Th. 1882. From that time up TO the
present the volcanic cloud has been almost as much
an object of interest as the lava flow which 1t
faithfully pilots down the mountain side. II can
be seen at all times lowering over the active por
tons of the flow, where vapor and sulphurous
gases constantly arise, forming sort of mist or
veil between the flow and the cloud. The yapor is
sufficiently transparent to disclose the view be-
yond. At the point of union with the cloud the
vapor takes on peculiar coppory color with vary
ing opalescent tints The cloud appears to be sta
tionary, that is 1t only the lava advances
It matters little how strong the wind may blow the
cloud will only sway a little and Is never blown
from its position over the active fires. When seen
opposed to a clear sky with the sun back of the OBJ
server the cloud appears to be exceedingly dense,
and sharply outlined with vivid white lights separ-
ting its cumulus caps from tho surrounding
azure. In general appearance the cloud might sug-
pest mountain peak capped with snow. Those
portions seen in shadow afford many ordinations
of gray tones while near the face the color becomes
a darker toned blue than the intermediate gray
tones varying IN color according to the density of
that part of the cloud producing the shadow. The
afternoon light furnishes quite different effect.
If the sky be clear, and the time about an hour be-
fore sunset, we then have Mauna kea on our right
vita its snow clad peaks. The volcanic cloud on
ths left quite like another mountain. Its cumulns
CAPS made golden by the rays of the setting sun.
As the shades of night creep on, this strangely
wonderful cloud becomes transformed into pillars
of light taking on a most vivid reflection from the
river of fire that moves so perslstently onward.
1t Is not a wavering or flashing light like that
caused by conAagration. Nor is 1t in color like the
reflections from any usually known burning sub
stance. In common with the lava, ii has color pc
culiarly its own-iquid lava is simply fire from no
apparent cause-original fire, the hottest kind Of
fire The reflection therefore Is strange IN color,
varying in intensity according to the activity OF
the flow.
In the early stage of the eruption, the volcanic
cloud being at a distance of thirty miles or more
from Hilo, received but little atteuton-few per-
sons looked upon it as anything so very remarka-
bic. but as the warning cloud by day and pillar of
fire by night approached the village 1t came to
be looked upon as indicating the amount OF the
work of destruction III progress An occasional
shower or of Hilo's noted rains might hide for
the time being this strange cloud only to have
it re-appear perhaps in Grander proportions and
even more threatning than before. Occasionally
the cloud becomes SO dense and hangs so low that
we feel il must surely settle down on the flow and
give ii good drenching, which II has done more
times than once. Near the rough edge
whirling motion is seem This increases till
funnel shaped cloud is formed having long end,
which extends down to the liquid fire and conducts
n large body of water relieving the cloud of its
undue burden. A waterspOut from the volcanic
cloud deluges the fire with material gathered from
the same womb which gave the fire birth, is rather
singular phenomenon
II is TO be hoped that this pillar of fire by night,
and the cloud by day, may have, as | think it has
been truly interpreted by the citizens of Hilo, a
reasonable warning given in tine that precautions
are not TO be neglected; the fiery monster is truly
coming but be has not come without warning, and
in that the good people of the city must find their
consolation