The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-03-08
IN CRATER
AFTER EXPLOSION
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see much in this new hole. There
were perhaps a dozen large vents or
fumaroles roaring and sending out
steam, and innumerable smaller ones
that remind one of some of the pic
lures in Dante's Inferno. We pro-
ceeded right up to the steeple of rock
so as to touch it and there was no i'll
effect whatever from the steam which
enveloped us internationally. At this
hole. and at the bottom we could see
rock we looked over into the roaring
hole at the bottom we could see
pool of water boiling so violently that
great waves of it were now and then
hurled against the sides. From the
west a stream of water Of about 30
cubic feet a minute was discharging
into the abyss. Where the water
came from one cannot say.
Crater's Terrible Aspect.
Returning to the rim by the way
we had come, we completed the cir
cult of the crater, and back to camp
at the shore Of the outer lake, On
Sunday morning we again inspected
the east crater rim and found point
at the southeast corner where it was
possible to descend to the interior. A
steep slope of mud reached the very
top Of the cliff. 1t was something
like a very steep railroad embanl0-
ment of very lose material. Mr.. Nash
had a ball of very strong Irvine IN
the camp outfit, and this we let down
the slope, so that the boatmen, whom
we stationed at the top, could assist
us in ascending as far as the strength
of the Irvine permitted. Once down
we proceeded to a point on the in
side of the old secondary crater rim
and Immediately over the center OF
activity. We crouched on a slope of
damp mud that was steaming slightly
and fairly hot right to the surface.
|
and emitted puffs Of steam here and
there. Below, the slopes plunged over
into the arena Of roaring vents where
the south lake had formerly been
From this point the crater presented q
more terrible aspect than have evel
before seen. AS we watched, a sud
den vicious little quake shook us, {
few landslides came down from thu
high cliffs of the south rim and Low
sullen roar could be heard comint
through the earth itself. The quak
was significant of nothing, but W
were ready to go back to our string.
No Lava Nor Fire.
We are able to confirm the report
of the sinking of the whole island b.
four or five feet, more or less, as wei
as the utter obliteration of the entir
coastal fringe of vegetation. Report
that have mentioned lava, molten roc
and fire are clearly in error. Taal /
mud volcano-not a fire mountain
We would like an authentic accoun
from any one who has seen flames o
incandescence on the mountain.
The great deposit of mud on Taa
island illustrates very we'll how CON
pletely a slight thickness of noncon
Quoting material may blanket a grea
store of heat. Down on the lake shor
l waded out to the banca and sud
denly went in soft spot in the mu
/ to the knee. The water and uppe
: layer of mud were cool, but my fot
! would certainly have been scalded ha
not taken 1t out in a hurry. Thi
after the mud had been dropped ST
days.
Sleep on Warm Mud.
Camping on the island was deligh
full by reason Of the determination Q
! the mosquitoes and the abundance {
driftwood for fires. The weather wa
cool and the warm mud was comfor
able to sleep upon. We felt perhap
Y a half dozen earthquakes, not a
severe as those already experience
Y in Manila. Save for the create
: amount of the issuing steam the vo
h cano is apparently normal, and sine
there was not the slightest increase