404 W. T. BRIGHAM ON THE VOLCANIC PHENOMENA 



it is impossible to say. Dana seems to incline to the opinion that some vast rending of 

 Mauna Lda, similar to that of Haleakala, gave birth to this lateral crater, and accounts for 

 its lasting operation by supposing the rent of immense depth. The other theory, that 

 Kilauea is coeval with the other members of the Mauna Loa chain of volcanic peaks, 

 supposes its sides to be too weak to sustain the pressure of a column of lava high enough to 

 overflow the upper rim, and thus increase the height of the mountain by successive dis- 

 charges. An examination of the lava-streams in the valley between Kilauea and the slopes 

 of Mauna Loa, gives the following result : the valley is deeper than the ancient black ledge 

 of the crater, narrow, and the wall towards Kilauea is much broken by rents, some of which 

 have taken place in the last two years, and the layers which have run over Kilauea pass 

 under those from Mauna Loa, although the latter seem of equal antiquity. Again, in look- 

 ing for traces of a rupture like that on Maui, or like the smaller one on the south-western 

 side of this same mountain, mentioned in the description of Ka-ii, no signs of dislocation can 

 be found at all commensurate with the supposed size of the fissure ; the mountain is quite 

 as even and regular on this side as on the others. 



Whether Kilauea was formed before or after Mauna Loa its action has been generally 



independent of the summit crater, and while an eruption has been taking place on the top, 



Kilauea, ten thousand feet below, and only sixteen miles distant, exhibited no signs of 



sympathy. A history of the recorded eruptions will make this independent action of the 



two volcanoes more evident. The first of which any authentic account has been 



1789 



preserved took place in 1789, and was observed by many natives who were march- 

 ing to battle under the chief Keoua. On their way from Hilo to Ka-ii they encamped by the 

 volcano. 1 "In the night a terrific eruption took place, throwing out flame, cinders, and even 

 heavy stones to a great distance." Thunder and lightning accompanied this outburst, and 

 the terrified natives dared not proceed. But on the second and third night similar dis- 

 turbances took place, and they resolved to move on, separating for safety into three com- 

 panies. The party in advance had not proceeded far, " before the ground began to shake 

 and rock beneath their feet, and it became quite impossible to stand. Soon a dense cloud 

 of darkness was seen to rise out of the crater, and almost at the same instant the electrical 

 effect upon the air was so great that the thunder began to roar in the heavens, and the 

 lightning to flash. It continued to ascend and spread abroad until the whole region was 

 enveloped and the light of day was entirely excluded. The darkness was the more terrific, 

 being made visible by an awful glare from streams of red and blue light variously combined, 

 that issued from the pit below, and being lit up at intervals by the intense flashes of light- 

 ning from above. Soon followed an immense volume of sand and cinders which were 

 thrown in high heaven and came down in a destructive shower for many miles around. 

 Some few persons of the forward company were burned to death by the sand and cinders } 

 and others were seriously injured. All experienced a suffocating sensation upon the lungs 

 and hastened on with all possible speed. 



" The rear body, which was nearest the volcano at the time of the eruption, seemed to 

 suffer the least injury, and after the earthquake and shower of sand had passed over, 

 hastened forward to escape the dangers which threatened them, and rejoicing in mutual 

 congratulations that they had been preserved in the midst of such imminent peril. But what 

 was their surprise and consternation, when on coming up with their comrades of the centre 



1 History of the Sandwich Islands, by Sheldon Dibble, Laliainaluna, 1843, p. 65. 



