The Hawaiian gazette., 1914-12-22
HAWAII VOLCANOES
ARE b CALLED FREAKS
Geological Survey Bulletin Says
They Are Abnormal In
Many Respects
BY ERNEST q. WALKER

| AMdl rpeflal TO lhe Advertiser 4 .
WASHINGTON, December lo.-GThe
geological survey has been giving some
study TO the volcanoes Of Hawaii. In
a press bulletin, just given 10 the pub
lie, these volcanoes are discussed in in
teresting terms. The official bulletin
says:
"The lofty volcanoes Of the Ila-
waiian Islands, rising above the ocean
from 5000 TO nearly 1900 feet, al,
only the SUBMITS Of gigantic mountain
masses that rise abruptly from the bot.
tom Of the Pacific, Mauna l.oa, on the
island Of Hawaii, stands 1858 feet
above sea level, but its slopes descend
beneath the sea, as shown by deep.soa
something's, Nah O grade iully equal to
Il not greater than that of the visible
slopes. The same is generally tive Of
the submarine slopes Of the other
islands, and the DEPTHS attained by
these CONTINUOUS slopes, within thirty
to fifty miles Of the shores, vary from
$4,000 to 10000 feet. Manna Iioa
and Mauna Kea, if their true bases are
considered 70 be az the bottom of the
Pacihc, are therefore mountains Of as
great an altitude as Mount Everest, or
approximately 10000 feet. In general
the Hawaiian Island group consist OF
SUBMITS Of gigantic submarine noun.
tain chain which pro. Gets only its Ioftier
peaks and dome above the water On
the Island of Hawaii the Volcanic
forces are still in operation.,,7
kilauea Continuously Active
THE one Continuously active vol.
canic vent Of. the Island of Kilauca,
far down on Pie eastern lank Of Mauna
Loa--' the great mountain No other
volcano. IN the world approaches Mama
Loa in the vastness OF its mass or In
the maghitude Of its cruptive activity.
There are many volcanic leaks highe,
IN the air, but most of them are planted
upon. elevated platforms; where they
lappear as mere cones Of greater OF less
size, II is not yet known at what lcvci
the base Of Mauna Loa is situated, but
II Is below the sea---probably far below.
Mauna Kea-r' the white noun
tain '--is also colossus among vol.
canoes. Its summit--l3,S25 feet--is a
trihe higher than that Of Muuna Loa
but its slopes are sleeper and its base
Is therefore much smaller The mag.
uitude Of Mamma Loa is due chiefly to
the great area of its base, which Is
nearly elliptical in shape, with major
diameter of seyenty-four miles and a
minor diameter of dfty-three miles,
measured at sea level.
IN the aggregate of its eruptions
MaYna Loa is also unfivaled. Some Of
the volcanoes of 1geIand have been
lltnown TO ilisgorge al 4 single outbreak
niasses Of lava fully equal to those of
Mauna Loa. But such outbursts are
l,lnfrequent in Iceland, and century
las elapsed since any Of such magni-
tude have occurred, though there have
been several minor efuptions. The
eruptions Of Mauna Loa are all Of great
Iyolmnej and occur ifregularly, .at an
average interval of about eight years.
IN view Of the total quantity of mn
terial it has disgorged during the last
'entpry, no other volcano Is at all com.
parable to it. I fT&
Are Abnormal Volcanoes
Mama Loa aud SKilauea are in
many respects abnormal volcanoes.
The most notable feature is the singular
Auietness Of their eruptions. Rarely are
these events attended BY any of that
extremely explo1ive action which is
Characteristic Of nearly all other vol
cienoeE Only once or twice within the
historic period have they been accom-
panied by earthquakes or subterranean
rnmblhgs, The vast Jets of steam
blown miles high, hurlipg stones, Gin,
ders and lapilli far and wide, filling
The heavens with vapor and smoke, ana
Ihailing down ashes and fragments over
lhe surrounding regions, have never
been observed here. Some action Of
this sort IS Indeed represented but only
in a feeble way. The lava wells forth
like water from a hot, bubbliBg spring,
hut 50 mid are tho explosive forces that
the observer may stand to the wind
ward Of the efahdest eruptions, so near
The S1uree that the heat win make his
face tipgle, yet without danger. Ordl
narily the outbreak takes places without
warming and without the knowledge Of
the Inhabitants, who first become aware
Of IL ut nightfall when the sky is aglow
and the fiery fountains are seen play
ing. AS the Dcws spreads, hundreds
Of people flock 70 witness the sublime
spectacle, displaying almost as much
eagerneas to approach the scene Of an
erpptiou 40 the people Of other coun
triea show 70 got AWAY from one, ;,
. y w "a . 4 II . t. b y . ! Il