The Colfax chronicle., 1904-05-14
RAINIER ONCE IN ACTION.
Lofty Mountain Peak in Washington
Was at One Time . Fiery
Volcano.

L
II is now the generally accepted be-
lief among men of science that Mount
Rainier, one of the. loftiest mountain
peaks on the continent of North Amer
lea, was once an active volcano. belching
out immense volumes of fire, smoke and
lava. Only short time ago this great
peak gave forth very perceptible trem-
blings. These tremors were accompan-
led by low rumblings that came from
far up toward the summit of the peak.
The agitation and mutterings of the old
peak were felt and heard for many
leagues in all directions.
For great many years Mount Rainier
was known to have been an active volca-
no. in the long, long ago. There is an
extinct crater near the summit of the
mighty peak.
| Once the mountain must have belched
forth fire and smoke. The Puget Sound
Indians declare that their ancestors
saw Mount Rainier when 1t was in an ac-
tive state of eruption. Biologists and
scientists who of later periods have
made a careful investigation of the SUBJ
ject claim there are abundant evidences
to show that the mountain in the re-
mote past was an active volcano
At intervals during the past 80 or 40
years steam and smoke have been seen
to issue from the ragged summit. Those
who in the years past have ascended
Mount Rainier have found hot springs
gushing forth from the rocks, have dis
covered places where the heat had melt
ed away the snow and ice! Sulphurous
fumes issued from countless assures and
crevices along the mountain, that had
at times half-stified the intrepid climb
ers. -ais, fu4aff s...a
From these known facts 1t is practic-
ally certain that Mount Rainier was once
In an eruptive condition and that deep
down in the heart of the peak the fires
are still smoldering. Whether or not
the mountain will ever become an ac-
tive volcano again must remain ques-
lion over which scientists may well pom
der. ta ar, SIS
When, therefore, this. old mountain
very recently gave forth unmistakable
signs of travail the general conclusion
was that it was all due to some internal
conflict; that the long pent-up and
slumbering fires were again threatening
to burst out.
At the time of these ominous mutter-
lnes the summit was enveloped with
great clouds. supposed to be falling
snow. For time after the crest was OBJ
scured by this bank. At length, when
all had cleared away, the cause of the
agitation and rumbling was quickly de-
termined
Then. it was discovered that there had
been vast slide of rocks, earth and
snow from the very apex of the peak
The full extent of this colossal avalanche
has not been and cannot be determined.
At this season of the year the ascent Is
impossible owing to the great depth OF
snow and the rigors Of the climate at
such great altitude.
Through the aid of powerful field and
marine glasses the crest of the peak has
been very closely scanned by hundreds
of eager and curious people. These in
vestigations made at long range reveal
very surprising condition. So vast
was the avalanche that it has changed
the entire aspect and configuration of the
summit
1t is estimated that hundreds of acres
--stupendous masses of rock and earth
must have slid away from the crest in
order to produce such an altered appear
cnce. Where once the mighty glittering
dome was pure white with snow and ice
Is now great black blotch. This
sweeping, Irresistible avalanche and the
great changes it has wrought may prove
to be serious or insurmountable OBJ
stacle to future attempts to reach the
apex.
To what cause this vast slide is due
Is as yet matter of conjecture among
scientists of the Pacific coast Whether
heat or an earth shock produced the
mighty precipitation is not yet known.
The real moving cause may always re-
main a mystery. AS soon as Mount
Rainier can be safely ascended an effort
will be made to determine the extent and
.ause Of the avalanche.