The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-12-20
SOME HAWAIIAN VOLCANOES
ARE 10000 FEET HIGH

from 5000 to nearly 1900 feet, are
only the SUBMITS of gigantic noun
tain masses that rise abruptly from
the bottom of the Pacific. Mauna Loa
on the Island of Hawaii, stands 10,
615 feet above sea level, according
to the United States Geological Sur
vey, but its slopes descend beneath
the sea as shown by deep-sea sound
ings, with grade fully equal to II
not greater than that of the visible
slopes. The same is generally true
of the submarine slopes of the other
these continuous slopes, within 30 to
80 miles of the shores, vary from
1900 to 10000 feet. Mauna Loa and
Mauna Kea, if their true bases are
considered TO be at the bottom of
the Pacific, are therefore mountains
of as great an altitude as Mount Ev-
crest, or approximately 10000 feet.
In general the Hawaiian island group
consists Of SUBMITS Of gigantic
submarine mountain chain which pro.
Jects It's loftier peaks and domes
above the water, On the island c.
Hawaii the volcanic forces are still
in operation,
The one continuously active vol
canic vent of the island is Kilauea,
far down on the eastern flank of
Mauna Loa, the great mountain"
No other volcano in the world ap-
proaches Mauna Loa in the vasmess
of its mass or in the magnitude OF
its eruptive activity. There are many
volcanic peaks higher in the air,
but most of them are planted upon
elevated platforms, where they ap-
pear as mere cones of greater or
less size. 1t is not yet known at
what level the base of Mauna Loa
is situated, but it is below the sea
pTODdDly lar DelOW.
A Volcano 70 Miles in Diameter
Mauna Kea-"the white mountain"
is also a colossus among volcanoes.
Its summit-13,S25 feet-is a trihe
higher than that of Mauna Loa but
its slopes are sleeper and its base
is therefore much smaller. The mag
nitude of Mauna Loa is due chiefly
TO the great area of its base, which
Is nearly elliptical in shape with a
major diameter of "A miles and a
minor diameter of SO miles, measured
at sea level
In the aggregate of its eruptions
Mauna loa |. also unrivaled. Some
Of the volcanoes of Iceland have been
known to disgorge at a single out
break masses of lava fully equal to
those of Mauna Loa. But such out I
bursts are infrequent in Iceland, and
a century has elapsed since any of
such magnitude have occurred, al
though there have been several minor |
The eruptions of Mauna
Loa are all of great volume and |
occur irregularly, at ar average in
teryal of about eight years. In view
Of the total quantity of material it |
las disgorged during the last CEN
,ury. no other volcano is at all COM |
parable to it.
Mauna Loa and Kilauea are in
many respects abnormal volcanoes.
Ihe most notable feature is the sin
sular quietness of their eruptions.
Rarely are these events attended by
my of that extremely explosive ac-
ion which is characteristic of near
y all other volcanoes. Only once
n twice within the historic period
hey have been accompanied by !
or subterranean rum
,lings. The vast jets of steam
blown miles high, hurling stones,
'inders and lapilli far and wide, fill
ng the heavens with vapor and !
moke, and hailing down ashes and |
fragments over the surrounding re-
lions, have never been observed here.
some action of this sort is indeed
epresented, but only in a feeble way
The lava wells forth like water from
hot. bubbling spring, but so mild
re the explosive forces that the
observer may stand to the windward 1
f the grandest eruption so near
he source that the heat will make
is feet tingle. yet without danger.
ordinarily the outbreak takes place
'ithout warning and without the
nowledge of the inhabitants, who
rst become aware of it at nightfall.
hen the sky is aglow and the fiery