Evening star., 1935-02-10

pass was level. But today 1t is so quilted
that it looks very much like the famed
bad lands of our Dakotas.
MOT far from Katmai Father Hubbard
discovered the weirdeSt-looking
forest he has ever seen. He nicknamed
it the ''Ghost Forest" because it was
composed entirely Of standing trees,
devoid of leaves and bark-grinf spectral
spires, killed and preserved by an enor-
NOUS blanket of sulphuric acid manu-
factured back in 1919 during Katmai's
mighty explosion.
The explorer spent three weeks visit
ing the famous valley of 10000 Smokes"
explored by a National Geographic ex-
petition in 1916. The valley at that
time was seething inferno of hot rocks,
steam and acid gases. Before the Kat
mai cataclysm it was magnificent belt
of valuable and lovely timber, abound
Ing in game animals like reindeer, foxes
and giant brown bears. Today 1t Is a
masterpiece of desolation and ruin, un-
like any other region in the world.
Viewed from three or four miles away,
Father Hubbard says, the valley pre-
sents very somber appearance. But
at close range 1t is a veritable riot Of
color, with nothing but long stretches
of mud, rock and baked ashes. There
are light pinks. bright scarlets passing
into purples and blacks and occasionally
cleaning stretches of white or faint
touches of pink and yellow.
Numerous changes in the geology OF
this unique region were noted by the
explorer. In the first place, there have
developed during the past few years a
great many lovely lakes, with waters
crystal clear and delicious to drink.
Furthermore, in place of the thousands
upon thousands of natural smokestacks,
made up OF steaming vents that pene-
trate far into the ground, there are now
probably only few dozen Of these fiery
evidences Of mother earth's red-hot in
terror.
Father Hubbard noticed considerable
plant activity where there was virtually
none only few years ago. Life has
started to return in the form Of swamp
plants, grasses and flowers swept in by
terrific blasts Of the Bering Sea. 1t Is
believed that this new information Will
throw important light on processes OF
plant formation in volcano regions, thus
helping in the solution Of some Of the
most perplexing problems Of agriculture.
It was not dangerous to walk near the
smoking fumaroles that belched forth
red-hot columns of steam, the scientist
points out. However, it was rather hard
on the "schnozzola." There was be-
wildering complex of odors that smelled
suspiciously like nostril- tickling COM
bination Of hydrochloric acid, hydrogen
sulphide and sewer gas. This was so
offensive at times that the party mem
bers, Just to play safe, donned gas masks.
Even the dogs were thus protected.
One of the new harbors discovered,
explored and charted by Father Hub
bard was located near the Valley OF
10000 Smokes at Shelikof Strait. This
is some so miles from Katmai on an un-
frequented coast. Shelikof separates the
well known Kodiak Islands from the
Alaska Peninsula. It has an especially
bad reputation, being counted one OF
the most treacherous regions in the
world for the navigator. Gales descend
without warning from the most prom
Using skies. It is, therefore, obvious that
the new harbor will serve as a much
needed place of refuge for vessels that
otherwise might be in dire peril.