San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-22
HALEMAUMAU's VIOLENCE.
The Great Hawaiian Volcano in Act
i've ErupttOn

The Great Hawaiian Volcano in Act
i've Eruption.
The latest news and photographs
from the volcano, supplemented with
reliable stories of eye witnesses, tes.
tlfy that Hawaii's natural wonder is
probably at present the greatest vol
canic phenomenon in the entire
world. Much has been written and
many views and paintings have been
made of the volcano, but nothing
heretofore comes near equa!ling
the present increasing state of
frightful and continued activity.
Halemaumau is surrounded by a de-
pressed circumference of about two
and half miles. of intermediate &C.
tivity. 1t is within this radius that
many late visitors have thought they
discovered new lakes, when, in fact,
they were deceived by appearances.
Blow holes are constantly forming
around Halemaumau-at one time
thirteen were counted by Mr.. J.
J. Williams, of Honolulu-which
discharge an intermittent stream
of molten lava. This discharge
is caught upon the thin shell
of lava formed over the surface of a
bell of fire, and. consequently, only
partially cooling, forms temporary
tableland of lava, which is given a
lakelike pulsation by the terrible
heat ben cath. But as soon as the
center of actity shifts the tableland |
sinks into the crust and the suppos-
ed new lake melts away.
But it is not here that the real CEN
ter of volcanic activity exists, nor
does the historic Halemaumau eXhib-
1t the same state of red-hOt displace-
ment that is exhibited in Dana Lake,
the real center of disturbance. AS all |
know, this lake is situated some
what to the west of Halemaumau,
and has for long time been gradual
~ becoming more noticeable fea-
ture of the volcano, and while, as
around Halemaumau, the cooling
t1oor is in constant state Of change
and increasing activity. Dana Lake is
1t all times in fury storm of molten
beyond word description,
beyond painters brush, beyond even
The literal exactness of the photog-
'apher's camera.
IA series OF five exposures, made as
'apidly as the plates could be ex-
changed, show some of the wonderful
md unparalleled changes which are
going on. In this lake
hundred fiery fountains, ranging from
8 to 40 feet in height, are in constant
)lay and change. The lake is sur
ounded by levee formed by the
play of the fire fountains,
which deposit the lava in shreds and :
masses. This levee is wall of black,
lava, which at night, as
resh lava falls upon it, flashes into a
iery embankment, marking the en-
ire circumference of the lake.
The usual scene of volcanic action
has been the gradual breaking up
md reforming of centers of activity,
While now the entire depression of
wo and half miles in circumference
mentioned containing both Halemau-
nau and Dana Lake as centers of
'reatest activity, is in constant and
Increasing state of frightful and I'M
commotion. The trail 7
cross the original floor of
he crater is, however, in no dan
er, and tourists are enabled to get
ne of the best views possible of the
olcano. There is great danger on 9
ne floor of the lower depression, and /
Dme of the incidents related by Mr..
Villains, who has furnished the
alta for this short sketch, are full of
lrilling adventure