Gilpin observer., 1914-09-24
ON ERUPTION
Geological Survey Expert Of Mt.
Lassen's Outbreak.
0eolosist Suggests a Connection Be-
tween the Volcanic Disturbance
and the Worlds Expedition in
San Francisco In 1918.

GeOlOSlSt j. .. Dlller suggests q con-
nection between the Lassen peak erup-
ton and the San Francisco 1915 ex-
position.
Mr.. Diller was ordered to visit the
scene Of volcanic eruption and his de-
tailed statement was made public by
the United States geological survey
The geologist points out that old Vul-
can may be preparing an American
Vesuvius for the Panama-Pacific ex-
position. The Pacific ocean is girdled
by volcanoes. and live ones are COM
mon in the Central American coun-
tries to which Panama belongs. Mr..
Diller reasons thus: so 1t is up to
Vulcan to prepare a nearby exhibit
for the occasion, and he evidently sees
his duty and Is rejuvenating the en-
ergy of Lassen peak as kind of vol
canic moving picture.
Mount Rainier and Mount Shasta,
the beautiful cones SO much in evil
dence to the traveller on the Pacific
coast north of San Francisco. are now
finding an up-to-date rival in Lassen
peak, which is plainly in view fronr
the railroad for many miles in the
Sacramento valley between Redding
and Red Bluff. Lassen peak is the
southern end OF the Cascade range.
and 1t stands between the Sierra Ne
vada on the southeast and the Kla-
math mountains on the northwest Its
lavas erupted in past ages reach the
Sacramento valley on the one side
and on the other form a part OF the
vast volcanic field. one OF the greatest
in the world, that stretches far across
California, Oregon. Washington and
Idaho to the Yellowstone National
park.
"Of all portions of the Cascade
range Lassen peak still retains the
largest remnant of its once vigorous
volcanic energy Morgan and Suppan
hot springs and Bumpass heil on the
south as we'll as Hot Spring valley and
the boiling mud lake Tar;arus on the
southeast have long attracted the at
tention not only OF Californians. but to
some extent the tourists to whom the
region is growing more accessible
every year II to these already es-
tablished attractions be added a fire.
quent occurrence of the recent vol
canic plays of Lassen peak the region
will take high rank among natures
wonderlands.
But what is the nature OF this new
activity of Lassen? Is it really vol
canic? VIII it soon dwindle and be-
come wholly quiescent or on the other
hand is it the precursor of more pro
found eruption like that of Kralatoa?
The excellent photographs that have
been taken of the outburst, especially
those of G. F. Milford and the series
by B. F. Loomis of Viola, taken from
point six miles northwest of Lassen
peak. leaves little doubt in the mind
Of any one familiar with volcanic phe-
nomena that the outburst is essential
ly volcanic. These photographs are
strikingly similar to those taken by
Johnston-Lavis showing the progress
of an eruption in the Pipari islands,
whose volcanic character is we'll
known.
THE eruptions OF Lassen peak b.
gan May 80 at $3.50 p. m. with an out
burst of steam which. according to
Forest Supervisor w. ]. Rushing. con.
a crater in the snow-covered summit
Of Lassen about 25 by 40 feet in extent
and covered the encirclng snow for
distance of 300 feet with a mantle OF
dark wet dust. Harvey Abbey, a forest
ranger, visited the scene and reported
the facts.
"On the following day at s a. m, an
other eruption occurred and on June s.
week later. the third and much
larger outbreak took place. 1t lasted
80 minutes and the yolling column of
dense black smoke rose to the height
$500 feet. Stones were hurled from
the crater and the forest service out.
look house, a quarter of mile away
on the tip-top of Lassen peak. was
broken by some Of them. Blocks and
smaller fragments accumulated about
the crater to depth Of several feet.
The dust and sulphurous gases carried
southwark by the wind were observed
at Mineral. the forestry station, and
the dust was noted five miles beyond.
Forest rangers who were In the neigh
borhood of the summit during the erup-
tion heard the rushing steam and the
falling rocks. but report no rumbling
Or subterranean noises. earth shocks.
electrical phenomena or great heat be-
yond that Of steam. The dust was
practically cold when 1t fell. Consid.
erable volumes Of water were elected.
probably wholly In the form OF steam.
The water condensing from this steam
washed a gully In the snow to the
adjacent lakelet. which occupies what
prior to this latest eruption had long
been regarded as the youngest crater
Of the Lassen volcano. The new era
ter Is not quite over the throat OF the
old. but is a few hundred feet to the
northwestward.
I'm all there haye been II eruptions