The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-08-01
Dartmouth COLLEGE Scientist Talks
on Ash Formations.
xAuNA loA's new GROWTH
Views on 'hs r -iat,oo of Earth
ouakss with Lava Flows Soil
investigations.

Professor c. II. Hitchcock. the geol-
ogist OF Dartmouth College, who has
been on Hawaii for the past two
months, returned on the Kinau. His
visit to the Islands at this time was
mainly to investigate the ash forma-
lions on Hawaii, but he was fortunate
in being able to include the recent
eruption OF Mokuaweoweo in his trip.
He found in all parts Of the island
evidence that prior to this century
there had been explosive eruptions by
which great volumes Of volcanic ash
have been blown out and distributed
generally over the island.
ION the other side Of Hawaii" he
told the Hawaii Herald, sit is quite
apparent in the soil. though 1t is Of a
lighter color than on this side owing to
the lack Of rain. On the Olaa road 1t is
in plain view in many Of the cuts and
my Investigations showed that funda-
mental base of the island formation is
aa. In subsequent years there was an
explosive eruption which sent out
ashes in the form Of smoke, 80 fine was
| 1t In texture. This settled over the
island and years afterward these ashes
became soil and seeds carried by the
wind or by birds were dropped on 1t
and took root. Then came another
ash flow and that Is what appears on
the surface. 1t was many years ago,
Ievidently, when this took place, as the
vegetable growth on this side Of the
Island bears witness. This combina-
| ton Is what makes the soil of Olaa so
wonderfully rich and the fact that 1t
has not packed enables people to run
sticks into the ground a number Of
feet without an effort. would say that
the large quantity of smoke noticeable
lover these islands and far out at sea
lcontained a percentage of this same
!; ash. though l do not know positively
81 THAT such Is the case. AS to the date
|, of the last flow of this character, 1t
!, would be hard to determine. l am not
: familiar with the history Of the islands
. as to the reign OF kings, but we know
: that what Is known as the Uni road
D which was built under the direction
: OF that sovereign, is on top Of the most
l recent ash-fow.
+ 1T is possible that damage has been
/ done by them to the extent of covering
up buildings, primitive ones, OF course
, though 1t probably was not accompa-
MED by loss Of life. Unlike the flow
: at Pompeii, which was Of gravel, and
, came suddenly, this came gradual, and
persons had time to get out OF the
, way. 1t Is easy to imagine the de-
!, struction of the native houses Of that
|, time because they were frail compared
? with those OF today. 1t is barely pos
, sible that these explosive eruptions
from Mauna Loa have ceased. and tina
there will be but one kind, such a.
the recent one, in the future"
Questioned regarding the relation o
the earthquake Of Monday with thu
!. subsiding of the lava flow, Professor
!. = Hitchcock said:
1T Is difficult to fix the connection
1t may be that the explosion Of the gas
= which caused the shock, opened VI
heretofore closed channels under tn
lsurface Of the mountain side, and tina
the lava IL escaping somewhere. On
1.-The other hand, 1t may mean that Their
Is flow going In another direction
possibly into the sea by distinctivel
u underground channels. Kilauea W
know is active during long or shor
,periods and then surface activit
ceases. The fire and lava disappea
somewhere, but scientists have not We
discovered the direction. Eruption
, may continue from time to time o.
d this island for many years to come
It but look for them to be principally o.
a Mauna Loa because that Is the young
est mountain. Biologists have rul
D. for determining the relative differenc
l.. in the age Of islands, and followin
s this rule we find that the end of Ha
: wall around Kohala was made first
then came Mauna Kea, and finall
Mauna L0a. The process of formation
e has continued through thousands O
s years. We obtain our results by meas
| lurement OF the ravines and calculatin
the time necessary for the water to GU
through the lava and earth. Except
n Ing the Waikiki, you have no ravine
i In this part OF the island. Mauna Lo
r has no water courses. consequent
:. there are no canyons. As condition
lchange these may In a sense, develop
We studied the building Of Mauna Lo
and find that II 10 by layers Of Law
which have come In flows precisely a
the last one. II you will listen to tn
accounts given by persons who hay
watched the growth OF the new con
from almost nothing TO It's present dl
mensions. you will hear the duplicate
ALMOST. OF the story OF the building q
;" Mauna L0a AZ scientists have prove
l. by their Investigations. Should thes
"a lava flows continue the shape Of IN
- mountain must surely change"