Evening star., 1928-04-29
Washington Explorers Penetrate Line of Alaska Vocanoe

Katmais eruption in 1912 was fol-
lowed by cold, damp Summer all over
the United States The world had bril-
liant sunsets as a result of the finely
divided volcanic dust in the atmosphere.
But all Of Katmais dramatic per-
formance was spent along the barren
Aleutian coasts, deserted even by native
fishermen. According to their Summer
custom, they had gone TO distant fishing
grounds.
DR.. Robert F. Briggs. Washington
botanist, was the first TO lead an expe-
dition to Katmai and discover That the
volcano had accomplished. An area
larger than Delaware was found COW
cred with volcanic ash that destroyed
most Of the plant life. Before the mon
sters fuming began, a suffocating
blanket of sand broke through joints in
the valleys. With the explosion, cubic
miles of rock were blown off the top
Of the peak like so much dust. Wind
currents carried particles TO all corners
Of the earth.
At some distant geologic date, when
subantarctica has tropical weather and
the geClogist pokes his hammer into a
rock formation, he may uncover a dust
film, remnant Of Katmais eruption Of
1912 AID. BY that time geochemistry
and other geological sciences may be so
ldA ddFdlECA hlAdk liz MAY Uc dDiE 10
correlate the dust with Alaskan sedi-
ments.
But the immediate result Of Katmai's
pyrotechnics was the creation Of a ma
tiOnal monument where none had been
before. The subterranean disturbance
had opened countless cracks and vents.
Underground waters vaporize and now
issue from pots, craterlets, crevices and
fumaroles in shapes ranging from
vaporous mists to great rolling clouds
Of billowy, putting steam.
Since its creation. the Valley Of Ten
Thousand Smokes. as Dr. Briggs called
it. has added new attractions 70 itself.
Around the openings the steam and
heated waters have deposited crystalline
coats of yellow sulphur as well as gilt
tering white layers Of quartz. Chemi-
cal action has turned the chunks Of
ash and cinders to variegated shades Of
blue, red and green.
Over hundreds of acres in this
amazing valley ,he ground glovs with
the most exquisite colors. There are
yelvety browns and silky greens, pearly
whites and ochraceous yellows. Walk
I ing over the area. ones shoes become
coated with these colorful pigments,
until they look like an artists palette.
THE Valley OF Ten Thousand Smokes
would be paradise for Roman
epicure whose tastes ran TO baths and
bathing. In this wonder park there Is
q hot-and-cool bathing pool. At one
end ice water melts directly from a
snow bank. while at the other END
steaming water issues from the hot
interior. Between these extremes. one
has the choice Of any temperature be-
/ tween freezing and boiling.
Like other scenic beauties OF the
Aleutians, the Valley Of Ten Thousand
Smokes is neglected. 1t is a far more
/ interesting and inviting spectacle than
VeSuvius. which annually attracts
thousands of American tourists.
Or. Briggs also brings word Of
slowly falling mountain. whose rurs-
bling can be recorded by a phonograph
or radio. Near Katmai is an extensive
forest that can provide a place for o
good game preserve. Novarupta. .
nearby volcano. baskS quietly IN tbs
upper atmosphere. hiding behind gos-
samer wells Of smoke like a bsShfu
bride.
But such natural beauties need not
remain unseen. They are accessible.
Fifty miles from the peak Is a good
natural harbor. All one needs is con-
Meeting road Adventurous spirits need
not await building of the road. Kodiak.
the nearest settlement of consequence.
is drowsy village OF 500. the leading
metropolis in an area as large as Ohio.
A noslue-like Russian church there Is
a relic of RuSSia's control before the
country became United States territory.