The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-19
THE VOLCANOES OF HAWAII.
The Largest Active Volcano in the WorId-A
Crater Nine Miles in circumference.


The Largest Active Volcano in the WorId-A
Crater Nine Miles in circumference.
Rev. w. j. Smith, in Presbyterian Banner.
The Hawaiian Islands boast sof two natural
wonders, the largest extinct, and the largest
active volcano in the world. The former, Halea-
kala, is situated on the island Of Maui the sum
init being nearly II, 900 feet above the level of
the sea, The crater is 4 believe, over forty
eight miles i'm circumference You could drop
New York into 1t and still have some desirable
corner lots left for Ghica 60 and San Francisco.
As you stand on the summit yon lock dewninto
the crater 1000 feet, the sides now terTaeed and
covered with esandaEwood, giant ferns, sandia
wonderful Drofusion of tropical flowers and
fruits.
The latter the active volcano of Keleauweau,
IS situated on Hawaii, thirty miles from Hio,
which distance you make over a solid lava rock
road, on soreibacked horse. All the native
horses for hire have sore backs believe that
lssthe only way they get them to go, but it
makes 1T very interesting for the rider on that
rock road with his horse on a dead 4rot At
every football he is forcibly reminded of a pile
driver.
The crater is stuatadaorl: "a spur of Mamma I,oa,
the highest mountain Of the islands, nearly
l4tQ0O feet in altitude, but volcano is only
4 O00 feet above sea level The crater is not a
cone, but a great pit on thislevel bench, nine
miles IN circumference. You 60 down, down
over tins almost perpendicular wall, 500 feet and
stand on the floor of the crater This is the
place of eternal burnings, the Hale-mau-man,
the house Of everlasting fire. Of Hawaiian
mythology Although it is two years since
stood there, the awful and sublime picture rises
clear and distinct before me now. The area at
the bottom of the crater is mot a LIQUID.
mass, but for miles and miles all round you.
there spreads a scene of unearthly grandeur.
Five or six lakes of FIRE lie to left and right the
floor beneath is so hot you can scarcely walk
ever "; lavasoazesup ttfaueh the assures. You
can llghta match in any of the cracks. Huge
cones, 20 or 30 feet high, made by the bubbles of
lava, rise through the seams and are cooled by
theair. The fact that thespeints of eruption are
continually changing, gives one a very insecure
feeling as he walks over this burning floor.
AT last we stood on the verge of the newest
lake formed, about mile and a half in .circnm-
ference, and lying so feet below us. We peered
over the edge; the center lay solid and black be-
fore us hut all around the boundary beautiful
fountains Of bloed.red fire were playing sending
their spray so feet into the ain, We were on
the windward side or We could not stand the
lfeat.
After a while we rose to go. but the guide said
Not yet you haven't seen it yet" We waited
and waited; an hour passed. AT last the
guide cried, Look therete A eraek--a seam
of fire shot across the surface, q score
more followed in different directions, in
quick succession, the eestter began to
rise, the great cakes of lava drifted
toward the edgea and Disappeared. the centre
rose higher and higher, and IN a moment more
the pot was boiling The whole lake was a seeth-
black Shores and sending its fiery spray hun.
cred feetbieh.c oeling IN the atmesphereand drop
ping around us like fne-spun threads sof glass.
We fell back to respectful distance, and for an
honr watched in silence the most awe4inspiring
and terrible sight mans eye can rest npor.
Then the pillows began to subside, the waves
beat themselves to rest against the shore, the
whole centre cooled down as before to black,
solid mass while the fountains took np their old
vocation. playing around the edge.
After half a day among sneh scenes, it was
axith feelings of Reef. and with bliStered feet
that we again climbed the rugged sides Of the
crater and breathed purer air from the heights
above. The guide said: Last yeRr l accom-
panied a noted u nivePsalist preacher of Boston,
here. As We reached this point he took one last
look at the ayfnl scene be had left and said
We'll, can appreciate the feelings of some pee
pie who believe ina he'll after this. y / saw at
this time that wonderful river of fire that
flowed from the summit of Mauna Loa for fifty
miles down toward Hile, and its proud waves
were staid within three quarters of mile of the
town 1t was about three mikes in width and
from ten to fifty feethigh. 1t curt its way down
through the forest and carried everything before
it; being of the consistency of thick mush, and
forced bythe awful pressure behind, no obstr4ac-
ton could be placed IN it's way It looked
strange to see it rolling up hill and pressing on
in O straight line. The whole heavens were
ablaze at night, and by its light, miles away,
you could read the finest print