188 NATURAL HISTORY OP HAWAII. 



previous years at the pit contioiied throughout 1890 and gradually increased 

 during the year. Early in the year 1891 "Dana Lake" on the west, and the 

 "new lake" on the east of the main pit were in constant ebullition, but on March 

 7th the lava dropped out of the pit, which "smoked from the bottom." A month 

 later the fire had returned and the lava in the pit continued to rise and fall dur- 

 ing the year. By July, 1892, overflows from the edge of the pit occurred and 

 activity continued to the end of the year. Similar conditions continued through- 

 out tlie year 1893. By March 6th, 1894, Halemaumau, still very active, had 

 built itself xip in a retaining Avail, formed by the solidification of molten lava 

 splashing over the edge of the pit, until its surface was but 282 feet below the 

 Volcano House— the highest lake recorded in the history of the crater. The 

 floor of the crater had been added to by overflows from the pit during the pre- 

 ceding year. 



In July the lava subsided in the pit, dropping 250 feet in ten hours. The 

 fire finally disappeared in December, leaving the pit empty during the following 

 year (1895). On January 3rd, 1896,* the fire returned, but on January 28th 

 disappeared. It reappeared on the bottom of the pit, 600 feet below the rim, 

 a few days later. After three weeks of very slight activity, it disappeared. 

 The fire returned for three days in June, 1897. In 1898 the pit was estimated to 

 be 800 feet deep. 



A breakdown in the walls of Halemaumau occurred in 1900, filling the bot- 

 tom of the pit. By August 15th, 1901, a like had formed in the floor of the 

 pit. During 1902 the condition of the previous year continued with some varia- 

 tions for several months. At the time the writer made a survey for the model 

 in the Bishop Museum, the pit was 825 feet deep. During 1903* some slight 

 activity was noted far down in the pit. The crater was quiet during the year 

 1904, but in 1905 fire was again seen in the pit in ]\Iarch, and slight activity 

 continued throughout the year. The fire disappeared in 1906 leaving the pit 

 576 feet deep, but in December the pit became active. 



By January, 1907,* the lake was more active, with the lava steadily rising. 

 Later it receded, but by May it had become active again. The amount of fire 

 to be seen varied from day to day, but the lava continued to fill up the pit until 

 during the month of May the pit was estiiiinli'il to be only 200 feet deep, with the 

 molten lake 800 by 400 feet. In the early part of 1908 the pool continued to 

 rise slowly and irregularly until it was within ninety feet of the level at the edge 

 of the pit. Later the lava receded, leaving a black ledge about the inner edge 

 of the pit. Since that time up to January, 1913, the lava was constantly boiling 

 with varying intensity, and at different levels. 



Diu'ing this long period of activity the crater has been visited by thousands 

 of tourists. Early in 1910 the new automobile road by way of Kilauea-iki was 

 completed into the crater, to a point within oiu^ hundred yards of Pele's abode 

 in the inner iiit. ^lany have made use of it in making their visits to her 

 sanctuarv. 



