162 
outbursts of lava from vents and fissures some thousands 
of feet below. After the eruption has ceased the lava in 
the crater reposes for a time into comparative quietude. 
The volcano of Kilauea does not appear to have any con- 
nection with Mauna Loa. The crater is about 34 miles in 
length and 600 feet deep. The greater part of this expanse is 
covered over with a thick crust of cooled and consequently 
solidified lava, but from numerous points clouds of steam issue 
forth.* 
Occasionally masses of the crust break away, and an area 
of molten lava is exposed. For a description of what goes on 
I cannot do better than again quote from the very able report 
of Captain Dutton.+ 
‘* Gaining the summit, we find ourselves upon a brink of a pool of burn- 
ing lava. The pool is about 480 feet long, and a little over 300 feet wide. 
Its shape is uniform. It is surrounded by vertical walls 15 to 20 feet in 
height. When we first reach it the probabilities are that the surface of the 
lake is coated over with a black solidified crust, showing a rim of fire all 
round its edge. At numerous points at the edge of the crest jets of fire are 
seen spouting upwards, throwing up a spray of glowing lava drops and 
emitting a dull, simmering sound. The heat for the time being is not 
intense. Now and then a fountain breaks out in the middle of the lake, and 
boils feebly for a few minutes. It then becomes quiet, but only to renew 
the operation at some other point. Gradually the spurting and fretting at 
the edges augment. A belch of lava is thrown up here and there to the 
height of 5 or 6 feet, and falls back upon the crest. Presently, and near the 
edge, a cake of the crust cracks off, and one edge of it bending downwards 
descends beneath the lava, and the whole cake disappears, disclosing a naked 
surface of liquid fire. Again it coats over and turns black. This operation 
is repeated edgewise at some other part of the lake. Suddenly a network of 
cracks shoot through the entire crust. Piece after piece of it turns its edge 
downwards and sinks with a grand commotion, leaving the whole pool a 
single expanse of liquid lava. . . . . Gradually the surface darkens 
with the formation of a new crust, which grows blacker and blacker until 
the last ray of incandescence disappears.” 
Such then is the normal condition of this wonderful volcano; 
but beyond what I have described large quantities of steam 
are given off from the crater, and the lava is also charged with 
* United States Geol. Survey, Fourth Annual Report, p. 104, 1882-3. 
+ United States Geol. Survey, Fourth Annual Report, 1882-83, p. 106. 
