Geology 



were reached, while at the same time its velocity was 

 checked. 



The surface of this lava-stream soon began to crust 

 over and to lose its brilliancy, becoming dull red in 

 colour. From time to time rifts would open in this 

 cooler surface and the white-hot liquid below appear as 

 a network of fire. Later the surface appeared to have 

 become solid, but the molten lava was still visible through 

 the cracks. Enormous clouds of steam escaped from the 

 lava along the whole length of the stream, and at several 

 points on its surface miniature volcanoes established 

 themselves, emitting steam and occasionally showers of 

 fiery spray. The lava still continued to pour from the 

 rift near the summit, while the front of the stream 

 advanced now slowly, now with greater rapidity towards 

 the valley between the two cones. 



We now got into our sleeping-bags, which had been 

 sent up from last night's bivouac, leaving one man on 

 watch, with instructions to awaken us all immediately in 

 case of any change taking place, but in any event at the 

 first streak of dawn. With the escape of the lava the 

 violence of the eruption seemed to diminish and we were 

 undisturbed during the remaining two hours of darkness. 



As soon as the light was strong enough we were 

 again at our look-out station and observed that the lava 

 was still flowing from the rift, though in lesser quantities 

 than at first. The front of the stream had entered and 

 partially filled the valley between the two cones, its 

 surface being everywhere covered by huge masses of 

 slag resembling gigantic clinkers. On the edges of the 

 stream these appeared to be in motion, tumbling one 

 over another in a most curious manner. 



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