The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-07-03
HALEAKALA MAY
GET RANK WITH
WORLD WONDERS
George c. Curtis. Artist. Geolosist Of the Muse
um Staff Of Harvard University, Sees the
Volcanoes Of Hawaii.

I it's total bulk is extremely large, and
it is for this that Mauna Loa is IA
nous. The great uniformity and SYM
metry of the mountain show that the
long maintained, and the vast quanti-
ties of lava which have been elected,
and the time necessary for such con-
struction will appeal to all who give it
but moments thought.
The surface on the leeward side
shows scarcely any mark of the
destructive agencies of the atmosphere,
although there are some comparatively
slight ravines to be seen on the lower
slopes on the rainy side. This is ad
ditionaI evidence that the constructive
agencies completely overbalance those
of erosion. This is much more appar-
ent on Mauna Loa than on such active
volcanoes as Vesuvius, La Soufriere,
Pelee. Aetna and others.
Many volcanoes are both explosive
and effusive, as in the case of Vesuvi-
u.s. Pelee and Vulcano, in the Lapiri
| islands. But one of the marked char
| aCteristics of Mauna Loa is that it
has continued for many thousands of
years to send out lava alone
| "kilauea. however, which is probably
a comparatively recent outbreak on the
| lower flank of Mauna Loa, has been
the scene of explosive action of the
! fra gmental sort. evidence of which may
be seen in the northwestern part of the
quality of actual eruption, there is
much of interest about these volcanic
rents which may be observed at any
time
The smooth, uneroded slopes of
Mauna Loa, the various flow structures
which the lava has assumed, the rugged
a-a and the ropy pahoehoe, the lava
caves and far-reaching subterranean
tunnels, the driblet cones formed by
perfectly frozen lava, the crater pits
and the many interesting forms which
are included in the great open amphi-
theaters or caldera, are all interest
ing.
'''Haleakala appears to me to be a
great caldera, within which are situated
many volcanic cones and craterS. Per-
haps this may be the largest of its
kind in the world. To me- it is the
most striking scenic type in the Sand
wich Islands. But it is not, as is some
times stated, the largest volcano in the
world. It's imposing attitude, remark
able size, and stamp of great age that
it bears. the picturesqueness of the
erosion forms. the vegetation which
beauties its amphitheater slopes. all
make it a remarkable aggregate. There
is lofty rim, covered with a chaotic
mass of broken rock. From this, grace
full talus slopes, the waste of the
weather dip thousands of feet to the
floor. \ good portion of the slopes is
covered with ferns and vegetation,
making a surprising and extremely
pleasing contrast with the gray and
ash and rocks which surround them.
There is a wealth of volcanic forms
within the great depression, many
scoria and ash cones, some 1000 feet in
height. which of themselves offer
enough to attract the traveller.
Lava and driblet cones are fire.
quent. and various sorts of lava flows
cooled. Vast areas are covered with
scoriae and volcanic ashes. Bombs of
various types. enough to supply the
museums of the world. may be picked
up on every hand. The silver-sword
glistens and blossoms in this desert
waste. and vegetation of all kinds is
surrounded by the evidences of old time
fires. The animal life within this little
world, the wild dogs, wild cattle, wild
goats and birds, would be extremely
interesting to the naturalist. The scene
when the sky is free from clouds. the
rapid changes of their forms when the
clouds come, the rise and the set of the
sun from this his house, have always
been remarked by travellers. And the
contrast of the lofty, smooth slopes of
Haleakala with the deeply dissected
topography of West Maui is pleasing,
as we'll as remarkable.
'As to suggestions from travellers, if
the general visitor would suggest i'm
provements in facilities and accommo-
dations, their writings would be Of
more service to tie public than endeav-
ours to suddenly become writer's of
descriptive geology. By suggestions of
this sort. the visitor may be of real
service to those who follow him. 1t
seems to me that what is needed about
these volcanoes are good, comfortable
accommodations, conducted by compe-
tent persons sensible to the demands of
the region. There should be facilities
for supplying visitors with rational in
formation about the place, with facili-
ties for seeing the sights. The accom-
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