The Active Volcano on Tana, Neiv Hebrides. 79 



Two facts recorded by Mr. Neilson in connection with this 

 outbreak are worthy of notice. Ist. The earthquake which 

 accompanied the first great eruption on the 10th, and was 

 felt so severely at Port Resolution, was not felt at all 12 

 miles away. 2nd. That on the same day as the eruption on 

 Tana, a violent hui-ricane was raging at Efate 100 miles to 

 the north, which island is on the direct line which passes 

 through the various foci of volcanic activity in the group. 



April 1888. — Intelligence arrived recently of another out- 

 break of volcanic force on Tana, during April of the present 

 year. Full particulars are not yet to hand, but it appears 

 that the eruption was again accompanied by an earthquake 

 and further upheaval of the western shore of Port Resolution, 

 which fine harbour is now reported to be destroyed, nothino- 

 larger than a boat being able to gain admittance. 



So far as could be observed from the sea, no great change 

 had occurred in the appearance of the volcano itself, which 

 in June had again resumed its normal quiescent state. 



Somewhere about the same time, the volcano on Ambrim 

 also burst forth with great violence, and a great hurricane 

 was raging in the north of the group ; whether these three 

 events were synchronous or not, I cannot say. 



Having now placed before you all the particulars regardino- 

 this volcano available at the present tune, I wish to draw 

 your attention to certain conclusions which may, I think, be 

 naturally based upon the facts already recorded. These 

 conclusions refer to the position of the present focus of 

 activity, the depth at which the explosions causing the 

 eruptions take place, and the connection between the phase 

 of eruption and the state of the weather. 



On examining the plan of the district, it will be seen that 

 the present focus of activity is at the extremity of the area 

 affected by volcanic heat and pressure, the whole region 

 between it and the sea appears to have been raised at a 

 comparatively recent date, and has no connection with the 

 main island, which is of a different geological formation. It 

 would also appear probable, from the nature of the deposits, 

 that either Port Resolution itself has been at one time an 

 immense crater, or that there has been one about its entrance, 

 Tiie bed of twisted lava on the eastern outside coast-line 

 would appear to strengthen tliis idea, as it is difficult to 

 believe that it could have flowed from the present position 

 of the volcano, with Port Resolution intervening in a direct 

 line between. 



