No. 2. Solfataras in the Vicinity of Santa Barbara. 53 



SOLFATARAS IN THE VICINITY OF SANTA BARBARA. 



BY PROF. HENRY CHAPMAN FORD. 



DURI NG the summer of 1886, two localities in the 

 neighborhood of Santa Barbara were visited 

 where heated gases were issuing from the earth in suf- 

 ficient quantities to merit attention. The first group 

 of so-called "Fire Wells" or "Solfataras" is situated 

 on the San Marcos ranch in the Santa Ynez valley, 

 near the margin of a bluff, about 175 feet above the 

 Santa Ynez river. 



The space where the action is visible covers an area 

 of from 75 to 100 feet in diameter, the whole being en- 

 tirely bare of vegetation. There is at this point an 

 outcrop of light colored shales, the stratification of 

 which is nearly vertical, and in many places disintegra- 

 ted on the surface. On approaching the localitx a strong 

 and intensely disagreeable odor, characterized evident- 

 ly by bitumen and sulphur, permeated the atmosphere. 

 By striking a pick into the broken shales or any por- 

 tion of the bare area after penetrating a few inches, 

 the temperature was found to be very warm to the 

 touch. Distributed over the surface were eight or ten 

 apertures from which rose visible sulphurous fumes to 

 the height of from two to three feet. Without a ther 

 mometer the temperature of the gases upon their issue 

 from their aperture, was undetermined, yet it was found 

 to be so high that the hand could not for a moment 

 bear the heat. The shales were much discolored at 

 the issue and were covered with beautiful sublimed 

 crystals of sulphur. During the cooler days of winter 

 the fumes rose to a much greater height and were visi- 

 ble at a considerable distance. The warm ground at 

 that season attracts the cattle, numbers seeking the 

 neighborhood for their nightly bed. At the time of 



