The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1923-12-20
Crater
TO AID SCIENCE:
Doctor Fenner Gees 1900 Feet
Below Katmai Rim.
VALUABLE DATA IS OBTAINED

DR.. Clarence \. Fenner, volcano eX-
pert of the geOphysical laboratory of
the Carnegie Institution at Washing
ton, returned after a descent into the
steaming crater of Mount Katmai, on
the Alaskan peninsula, which a few
years ago spouted forth one of the
greatest eruptions known in history.
Doctor Tenner's descent of about
1000 feet was the first attempt ever
made to penetrate the mountain, and
he made Il number of observations on
volcanic phenomena which will he of
value to science. He spent the rest
Of the summer in the famous Valley
Of Ten Thousand Smokes, near the
base Of Katmai, where he continued
observations which have been in prog
reSs for number of years.
In comparatively few years he found
the valley, which now is one of the
natural wonders of the world, will be
a lifelesS mass Of cold lava. 1t is one
Of the national parks, but before tour
lists have chance to see it the fuma-
rolls and steam geysers will have gone
forever.
Huge Mud Bubbles Explode.
Scientists have considered the de-
scent into Katmai impossible Pre-
viOus expeditions have approached the
crater from the south and have looked
over the brink down a sheer precipice
for 5000 feet through steam. Doctor
Fenrer found one spot on the western
side where the slope was such as TO
afford a foothOld. With one guide he
made his way down the snOw-covered
slope, which at one place became a
very narrow trough in the path of
falling rock, so that the two We're
in constant danger
The last eruption blew off the top
of the mountain so that the crater is
about three miles in diameter at the
start. 1t narrows until it is about q
mile in diameter at the bottom. From
the top previous expeditions had seen
a great natural lake which covered
almost the entire floor Doctor Fen
ner found this almost dried up or
filed by rocks falling from the sides.
He found one unique phenomenon
a mud geyser erupung at the rate of
one blast a second irregularIy. Some
times it shoots up great balloon-like
bubbles which explode in midair,
scattering mud. Again it shoots Jets
straight in the ar. The explosions
are so loud that they can be heard
mile away
cc Na-aA,4fr.
The floor Of the crater has become
soliditied since the last eruption, but
still great volumes Of volcanic gases
seep up through the mudpOts and
fumarols.
The theory Of the origin of the Val
ley Of Ten Thousand Smokes is that
subterranean eruptons of Katmai oc-
Cured at the sane time as the main
eruption, pushing great volumes Of
molten lava and gases under the sur
face of the valley. These found their
way out through points of least resist
ance as mudpots and Jets of steam.
Doctor Fenner tried to determine
the extent Of the Subterranean mass,
and the rapid cooling off indicates, lie
claims, that it is much smaller than
was commonly supposed.
For the first time this summer the
valley was entered by persons besides
scientific eXplOrers-a party of Alas
kan tourists, who remained for three
days. otherwise the Washington man
and his guide We're alone. 1t was
necessary to take in everything need
ed, since the valley is absolutely devoid
of vegetation, and animal life is almost
unknown. Only an occasional Alaska
bear ventures into the steam cloud
that covers the land.
Other Experts Return to U. S.
Doctor Fenner was obliged to send
back his horses because there was
nothing for them to live on. Cooking
was done in the steampOts, which
acted as fireless cookers. Two months
in all was spent in the valley. which
is about fifteen miles long by four
miles wide and is almost impossible
of access, since it lies over the noun
tains from a harborleSs coast without
trails Of any kind.
GeOphysical laboratory experts, who
were scattered over the world this
summer engaged in the study of land
movements, are drifting back to
Washington. DR.. A. L. Day, director
of the laboratory, has been at Mount
Lassen, California, collecting samples
of lava for analysis this winter.
DIR. F. +. Wright has returned from
a summer spent in studying the great
lava deposits in eastern Oregon. Dr.
E. S. Shepherd spent the summer
studying the movements of intrusive
masses in Montana and southern Utah.
DR.. n l.. Bowen will return soon
from Norway, where he has been en-
gagged in study Of the intrusive earth
masses, which he started in the high
lands of northern Scotland
The data gathered will be system
atiZed here during the winter and
most of the scientists will leave for
other explorations next spring.