REPORT ON THE PETROLOGY OF OCEANIC ISLANDS. 157 



XIIL— ROCKS FROM THE VOLCANO OF TERNATE. 



The magnificent view at the entrance of Molucca Pass is well calculated to exhibit 

 the great share which volcanic forces have had in building up the archipelago. The 

 naturalists of the Challenger Expedition who explored these islands were greatly struck 

 by the scene ; when fairly in the straits they saw before them on the east coast alone 

 ten volcanic cones, several being in an active state. 1 The volcano of Ternate was 

 then in eruption, and is one of the most important in the group. It has been 

 described in detail by Mr. Moseley, who made the ascent along with Mr. Balfour in 

 October 1874. The rocks they collected on the summit are now to be described. 



The island of Ternate, situated close to the equator, in latitude 0° 48' 30" N. and 

 longitude 127° 19' E., is separated by a narrow sound from the island of Tidore. It 

 might be described as a huge volcanic mountain rising from the bottom of the sea 

 and attaining an elevation of 5600 feet above its level, as determined by the Challenger 

 Expedition. The ascent of this volcano is rarely attempted, and the nature of it was 

 hardly known before Mr. Moseley's expedition, the results of which may be summarised 

 thus : — 



The island is formed of three superimposed cones, the highest, at the summit of 

 which the actual crater is found, being surrounded by the second, which is in turn 

 planted in the ancient crater that crowns the great basal cone of the mountain. After 

 traversing the cultivated fields and woods which spread over the flanks of the 

 mountain, one reaches the ridge of the ancient crater, at a height of 4800 feet. This 

 crater is about 100 feet deep, and from it rises a second cone to a height of about 

 4850 feet, from which the cone of eruption springs. The second crater, which may be 

 termed the intermediate, is encumbered with masses of lava thrown out by the crater 

 of the superior cone. The solidified streams are formed of reddish lava cracked in all 

 directions by contraction. The superior cone planted in the intermediate crater is 

 destitute of vegetation. Its height from base to summit is 350 feet ; the cliff-like slope 

 rises at an angle of about 30°, and at the summit of the cone descends by a similar 

 slope of 30° into the upper crater. The superior cone is not formed of volcanic ash, 

 but of masses of basaltic lava ; the blocks scattered over the surface appear very fresh, 

 as if they had been recently ejected. Messrs. Moseley and Balfour vainly endeavoured 



1 Amongst the volcanoes of the Moluccas we may mention, besides that of Ternate, the little cone of Hieri, an 

 island situated iu the north of the group. The cone is about 2200 feet high, circular, aud about three-quarters of a 

 mile in diameter at the base. The island of Tidore has the highest and most perfect cone (see Narr. Chall. Exp., vol. i. 

 fig. 199, p. 594, for a view of this volcano). Its height is 5900 feet, and it is situated in latitude 0° 39' N., longitude 

 127° 23' E. The volcano of Mareb, from 700 to 800 feet in height, is formed by two peaks. The volcanic cone of 

 Metir, in latitude 0° 28' N., longitude 127° 23' E., is 2800 feet high. The island of Mitara is also surmounted by a small 

 cone, the form of which is remarkably regular. For the natural history and geographical details of these islands, 

 see Narr. Chall. Exp., vol. i. pp. 592-000. 



