In the Volcanic Region i55 



outer crust of earth in consequence of an explosion of the gases 

 pent up in the subterranean centre, without any loose or solid 

 volcanic sputum having amassed around the mouth of the shaft. 

 Consequently no volcanic cone has formed, and so, to some 

 extent, these explosive products are the youthful stages in the 

 life of a volcano. For if it is assumed that every eruption is 

 introduced by volcanic explosion, the existence of an explosive 

 canal under all the burning mountains of the earth, whether 

 extinct or still active, must be taken for granted. 



So far as the eruptive shafts in the vicinity of Namlagira, 

 which were investigated and accurately surveyed by Kirschstein, 

 were not choked up by the stone, rock and rubble scattered by 

 the explosion, they proved to be extremely deep. In any case, 

 the hundred-metre rope used by Kirschstein did not suffice to 

 probe their depth, and on throwing largish stones down, the 

 rumbling and rattling could be distinctly heard for at least ten 

 seconds. 



The results of his other researches may here follow in his 

 own words : 



" It matters not whether we proceed on our way over the lava 

 fields of Namlagira or, standing on the summit of Ninagongo, 

 we direct our gaze over the gaping depths of the Graf Gotzen 

 crater, the knowledge that we have newly-formed volcanic soil 

 under our feet remains. There is a feeling of surprise that the 

 earth does not suddenly begin to quiver and tremble. In truth 

 the possibility of any surprises of such a nature is not altogether 

 excluded. This is shown by the new volcanic formations found 

 at quite a recent date in the western group of the Virunga 

 volcanoes. 



"Thus a small volcanic cone formed itself suddenly one day 

 in the month of May, 1904, to the south of Namlagira, and 

 spouted out a stream of lava 250 metres broad as far as to the 

 northern end of Lake Kiwu. The glowing river buried trees 

 and bushes in its course, and hurled lava blocks and bombs, six 

 feet or so in height, as far as the lake, ten kilometres away. 

 When Weiss and I visited the newly formed, and until then 



