The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-08-04
VOLCANIC ACTIVITY.

The present year has been one Of I'M
usual volcanic activity over a large
portion of the earth's surface. With
perhaps the exception of Kilauea, this
volcanic activity has been Of the most
violent character, and in New Zealand
has been accompanied with more or less
loss OF human and animal life. Much is
at present being written on the subject
of volcanoes in the public press, and it
will doubtless be Of interest to readers
to have a few general facts concerning
volcanic eruptions placed before them in
a succinct form.
There are at the present time something
overthree hundred active and serni-active
craters on the earth's surface, exclusive
Of maLy thousands Of geysers and blow
holes The number OF active craters is
small, when compared with the almost
countless number of extinct volcanoes.
Volcanoes generally follow the coast
lines, or spring from the depths OF the
sea. 1t is also a fact that the highest
volcanoes become active only at rare in
tervals. Scientists account for this by
showing that nature prefers the lowest
chimneys for volcanic discharges, owing
to the difficulty of forcing the lava to
great heights. Consequently the vol
canoes Of South America, some Of which
are 10000 feet high, are seldom per-
trubed, while Stromboli, near Sicily, has
been constantly active since the days of
the ancient Greeks.
Another fact, seemingly connected
with volcanic eruptions, is that volcanoes
break out upon lines which some scien-
lists allege mark extended blind frac-
lures near the earth's surface. In proof
Of this theory, it is shown that straight
line will join great centers of volcanic
activity without reference to intervening
irregularities of the earth's surface. For
instance, straight line will join in the
Pacific Ocean six large volcanoes, and
may be extended to smaller volcanic
formations. Commencing with Mount
ST. Elias, in Alaska, a straight line pro-
duced will pass through Kilauea, and
carried further south, will cut White
Island, Tarawera, ,Tongariro and Rua-
pehu. Having this scientific theory be-
fore him, late writer in one OF the New.
Zealand n Q. res says: GAS it has been
rEa5orted that the burning lake of XII
lauea has lately covered its fires, and
that another Volcano has appeared be-
tween the Sandwich Islands and New
Zealand, there may be some relation be
tween these distant vents and our North
ern eruption"
Outside OF this specul alton, however,
it is fact in nature that volcanoes do
follow lines Of upheaval, which point
out with geographical certainty fractures
in that portion of the surface of the
earth which is raised above the sea
level. Besides this, the history Of vol
canic eruptions proves that outbursts
occur more frequently in the sea or IN
islands than upon mainlands, except in
few places along the coast lines. nproof
of this fact it is cited that Mount Dema-
wend in Persia is the only active volcano
inland, while there are at least ninety
active craters in Polynesia, with fresh
volcanoes periodically bursting from the
sea. Yet in the case OF Mount Dema-
wend, it can hardly be claimed as an
exception, owing to its situation on the
shore of the Caspian Sea.
The recent outburst of volcanic activ-
ity in New Zealand, from the accounts
at hand, may certainly be considered
the most wonderful OF modern times In
many respects, and it is expected that
scientific study of the continued activity
of that region will bring out many facts
concerning volcanoes, besides settling
some of the theories of the past. The
enormity of the late volcanic eruption in
New Zealand may be partially realized
when it is stated that in four hours
5000, 900 900 cubic yards OF matter,
weighing 5000, 900 tons, was thrown
from the cavities in the Lake district.