GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF HAWAII. 185 



year by the U. S. Exploring Expedition party. In 1842 the crater was filling, 

 with a dike built up fifty feet above the surface. 1843.* Unusual activity in 

 Kilauea. The year 1844 saw the large lake ^ overflowing on every side. In 1846 

 continued overfJows had built the floor of the crater up higher than it was prior 

 to the breakdown in 1840. During 1847 the main crater continued much as in 

 the previous year. In 1848 the lake crusted over, and the dome-shaped crust rose 

 two or three hundred feet high in the center: this is the first dome to be noted 

 in the history of Kilauea. 



In May, 1849* the crater was completely emptied by a hidden discharge. 

 The lava dropped from 350 to 1,030 feet below Uwekahuna. During 1852 great 

 quiet followed the eruption, but in due time the crater began to fill again. In 

 1852* it showed no sign of sympathy with the Mauna Loa eruption. During 

 1854 it still remained quiet, but in 1855* activity returned, and by mid-summer 

 there were many fountains of leaping lava. In October it was less active, and 

 the dome over Ilalemaumau had fallen in; the lava was about 1,200 feet below 

 the datum point. 



By 1856 there was little sign of activity, and during 1857 similar conditions 

 continued; the lake was about 600 feet in diameter. The following year (1858) 

 there was sluggish action in the pit beneath what was the old dome. In 1862 

 the lava pool in the pit had increased again to 600 feet in diameter. 



The year 1863 saw continued and increased activity. During 1864 Hale- 

 maumau was 800 feet in diameter with the lava but fifty feet below the crater 

 floor. A cone was then active in the locality now marked by escaping steam 

 to the northwest of Halemaiunau. In 1865 conditions wei'e much as in the 

 previous year, but dnrinu' lS(i6 a lava flow in the crater two miles in length 

 was reported. 



In 1868* the crater slowl,\- filled up by overflows from the "Xorth Lake" 

 and from Halemaumau, until the whole central portion was considerably ele- 

 vated. By April the crater was very active. Earthquakes were numerous. 

 Eight lakes were in ebullition in the crater, and were frequently overflowing. 

 The great earthquake of April 2nd threw down fragments of the outer wall of 

 the crater, cracks opened and the lava flowed out, leaving two-thirds of the 

 bottom caved in from one to three hundred feet below the remaining floor, so 

 that the lava dropped from 600 down to 1,200 feet below Uwekahuna, and Hale- 

 maumau was emptied in three days. The discharge was at a point thirteen miles 

 southwest of the crater, and reached the ocean in Kau. Kilauea-iki was at this 

 time flooded over its floor with black, shining lava, the first to enter it since 1832. 



' Halemaumau. 



Description ok Plate. 

 1. The "Little Begger"; a spatter cone by the trail on the way to the pit. 2. A tall 

 spatter cone near the northwest eilge of Halemaumau. 3. The entrance to Mme. Pele 's 

 reception room. 4. Popping corn over heat cracks in the crater. 5. The "Great Crack" 

 which opened in the floor of Kilauea in 1889. 6. The fire-place at the Volcano House — a 

 shrine famous for its hospitality, its history and its past associations. Before it have gathered 

 many of the world 's most distinguished men of science. 



