The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-05-07

nSulluS forest 0FeS are
very clearly shown in a
picture of an airplane flying over the
crater of the sleeping volcano Lassen,
In California, taken by another air.
plane phOtographing the one below"
said Senator George E. Chamberlain
Of Oregon, the other day in debate
IN the senate over an appropriation
item in the sundry civil bill.
We'll, the picture to which he re-
ferred is given herewith. And it is
lucky for the aviators from Mather
Field, California, that they were not
doing their peeking act a week or so
later. Lassen Peak, which had been
sleeping for months, suddenly walked,
sent up columns of smoke and steam
for thirty minutes and then settled
down for another nap.
Lassen Peak is the crowning touch
OF Lassen Volcanic National park. 1t
rises lO,437 feet and it's chief claim
10 lame is that it is the only active
volcano in the United States proper.
our national park system contains
hVe volcanic parks: Lassen Volcanic,
Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, Yellow
stone and Hawaii. Crater Lake National
park in Oregon contains the most won
dertul lake in all the world-that in
the crater of Mount Mazama. a 10000.
1oot volcano that sank within itself
IN the prehistoric past. Mount Rain
Ier' 1850 feet in altitude. is a DOR
hiant volcano, with steam Jets issuing
from vents in its icy crown. Yellow
stones volcanic origin is shown by
us geyserS, the finest in the world.
ahd Its boiling springs, pools and paint
pots. Hawaii, in the Hawaiian is
Iands has three of the most impress
sI'e volcanoes in the world-Mauna
Loa' which erupts every ten years and
nus Just finished a spectacular per-
1orlhance; Kilauea, with it's everlast-
ing lake of molten lava, and Haleakala,
"ilich has not erupted for 200 years
"nu mas crater eight miles across
and 5000 feet deep.
Lassen Peak until recently has been
quiet for 200 years. 1t is, however,
81 interesting and important scien-
ulncaiiy and so scenic that President
Aalt made it national monument in
1'oo' Then, in the spring of 1914 it
""heu up from its long sleep and
" 'he out in a series of eruptons
u'at were practically continuous. In
august 1916, congress created the
peak and 124 square miles of its en-
nlFonment the Lassen Volcanic Ma
.ionaI park. Four months later Las
sen ceased activity with its 212th
Eruption. The crater gradually cool
" OH and scientists predicted that
~ would not resume operations for a
long time.
Ane activity of Lassen aroused great
interest all over the nation; it was
'i'e hrSt thing of the kind in our his
.ory The spectacle was magnificent
Ds'auSe Of the heavy columns of
s sm By March of 1915, lava had
ar me crater and had overlooked
y, ,1e west slope for a thousand feet.
nay z was the climax of the many
1up'lons. A great mass of smoke,
rose four miles in
W 'he air. At night, with this mass
~ SMOKE and vapor lighted by the
Sive. was ipi %
All exceedingly interesting phe-
Oliienon was a blast of superheated
1"S mat swept down the valleys of
nOst and Hot creeks. This blast de-
so noyed every living thing in it's PATH
- .eh miles. Forests were scorched |
" c'naers. Snow fields were Instant
y turned to water and the lower val |
ieys were flooded.
., haSsen Peak, the scientists seem to
~ LINK Is the last exhibit of activity |
M lhe Volcanism of the Cascade, range. |
49,, say that in ancient days the
.uisnty peaks of the Cascades that are
NV, crowned with snow and ice were
n volcanoes. Mount Rainier,
:. Baker Mount adams, Mount
=, helens, Mount Shasta, and van
'shed Mount Mazama.
Lassen Volcanic, whether it sleeps
= wakes, is an attractive national
p ~, with great possibilities as q peo-
M pss playground. 1t contains several
Soo tair-sized mountains and a T,-l
u 0so.leet symmetrical heap Of volcanic
: called Cinder Cone. It has
" e forests and fine lakes and