The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-07-31
UhE dlAiig q lllRtin,
SATURDAY, JULY 81, 1886.
Kllsusk'S FRESH ACTIVITY.
INTERESTING DESCRIPTION FROM AN
EYE WITNESS.

We learn from Rev. j. A. Zahm,
G. :. c., who las just returned on
the steamer "W. G.. Hail." from a
visit TO kjlauea, that the great vol
c@uo IS again quite active. This
We are sure Will lie good news TO
every one. Father Zahm says that
the Is quitc IA extensive lava lake,
Jus. west o. the ruins of Halemau-
mau and bordering on the western
wall 81 The depression formed by the
recent break-Aowr As nearly as
could bc ascertaincd, this lake is
about four hundred feet wide and
seven hundred feet long. There is
ridge of lava crossing this lake
from west TO east, making in reality
Two lakes, one on the north and the
other on the south of the ridge. The
sides of this ridge or neck are occa-
sionally ovcrspread with bright
liquid lava, which comes from small
vents on various parts of its surface.
In the southwest corner of the
north lake there were two active fire.
fountains which were intermittently
but strongly active during the
whole of Monday afternoon and
evening. Indeed the light emitted
was so bright that it was clearly OBJ
served by several persons at Puma.
luu, us reelected from the clouds.
The lava from the fountains ordi-
narily rose to a height of only few
feet, but occasionally there were
more violent outbursts, when the
molten matter was elected to a
height of fully twenty-five or thirty
feet. AT these times the pyrotechnic
display was truly magnificent.
Occasionally, too, the whole of north
lake would break up, when the
scene was even grander. The guide
who accompanied Father Zahm was
quite enthusiastic over the display
and declared it was by all odds the
finest exhibition Pele had given
since last March. "Pele has re-
turned" he said, land Kilauea will
soon be grand as ever
From q scientific point of view,
Father Zahm regards Kilauea more
interesting now than it was before
the break down. There is not, it is
true, such a display of fireworks,
such huge pillows and such large
lakes of molten lava, as were to be
seen before, but there is much better
opportunity of studying the form
and nature of the crater, and the
workings of the volcano than could
possibly be had while New Lake and
Halemaumau were full. What with
the ruins of the old craters, the
yawning abyss that has been formed
by the withdrawal of the lava that
formerly filed it: the numerous
vents in various parts of the depres-
sion which continuously evolve i'm
mensc volumes of smoke and sui
phulous vapors, and the wonders of
north and south lakes--even the
non-scientific visitor will find as
much-probably more--to see and
admire, than was visible when XII
lauea was considered at its best.
Zone thing is quite CERTAIN" says
Father Zahm, ''no one will be dis
appointed in making visit to the
volcano rs it now is. 1t will
| fully equal the expectations of
even the most sanguine." lie
says his principal reason in coming
to ''the Islands, was to see Kilauca
and that he is fully satisfied with his
trip. lie could find only words of
praise regarding the facilities afford
ed for visiting the great volcano.
He went via the Inter-lsland Steam
ship Co., TO Punaluu, and thence by
an outfit furnished by Mr.. Peter
Lee, to the summit of Kilauea.
Everything, he says, was series of
surprises to him; the unvarying
courtesy of the officers of the
steamer "Hall !" the unexcelled
comforts of Mr.. Lees homelike
hotel at Punaluu and the charms
and conveniences of the Halfway
House. under the same manage
ment and last, but not least, the
noble animals, and intelligent and
accommodating guides placed at his
disposal. Father Zahm says he has
had considerable experience in
mountain climbing, but was never
able to make similar trip with less
discomfort or delay than was occa-
stoned by his journey up the lava
covered sides of Kilauea. He says
that the time required to 60 from
the "Volcano House" to Punaluu
was little less than four hours
exclusive of the time for lunch al
the Halfway House--and that he
reached the Pahala plantation in
four hours and quarter, and with
but little fatigue. For those who
are accustomed to riding-he is not
he says the descent can be made
in less time. The time of ascent
was little longer, but it was mad,
most comfortably.
Father Zahm is Professor O.
Physical Science at Notre Dame
University, Notre Dame, Indiana
u. S. A. He leaves for the Coas
on the steamer "Australia" to-mor
row Saturday. During his sta,
in Honolulu he is the guest of st
Louis College. lie expresses him