Vol. 6, 1920 GEOLOGY: COMMITTEE REPORT 707 
The request of the Secretary of Agriculture pertains on the one hand 
to the immediate conduct of the Kilauea Observatory under existing 
appropriations, and on the other to the general subject of investigations 
in seismology and volcanology under the auspices of the Weather Bureau 
which may be conducted elsewhere than at Kilauea if circumstances 
warrant. As prompt action was desirable regarding the observatory, 
while the broader subject required further consideration, the Committee 
submitted to you under date of February 12, 1919, a prehminary report 
with recommendation as follows : 
"The Committee recognizes the importance of the work hitherto accompHshed at 
the Kilauea Observatory under the auspices of the Hawaiian Volcano Research Asso- 
ciation and the direction of Dr. T. A. Jaggar, Jr. It also recognizes the great im- 
portance of maintaining continuity in the observations and records of the Observatory. 
This continuity appears to be endangered and the Committee earnestly recommends 
that the Department of Agriculture, through the Weather Bureau, should immediately 
take control of the Hawaiian Volcano Research Association equipment and provide 
for the uninterrupted continuance of the present program of observations and records 
until opportunity has been given for a thorough study of the opportunities for research 
in volcanism and seismology in this and adjacent regions, and the possible agencies 
through which a concordant and effective program can be carried out. The agree- 
ment already reached between the Department and the Hawaiian Volcano Research 
Association appears to furnish an appropriate basis upon which the Weather Bureau 
can assume control of the Kilauea Observatory. 
The broad request of the Secretary of Agriculture for advice as to the scientific 
problems involved in the conduct of the work in question, in order to secure the best 
results possible under the available appropriation by Congress, requires more mature 
consideration on the part of the Committee. It will give careful attention to this 
matter and submit its full report as soon as possible. 
This report was transmitted by you to the Secretary of Agriculture, 
and in accordance with its recommendation the control of the Kilauea 
Observatory was at once assumed by the Weather Bureau and has been 
maintained under the general plan of its earlier administration. The 
Committee now presents its complete report and recommendation on 
the subjects outlined in the Secretary's letter to you, giving particular 
attention to the broader aspects of researches in seismology and volcanology 
and the larger agencies devoted to promoting them. 
I. Scientific Questions Involved in the Conduct of Investigations in Seis- 
mology and Volcanology. — Seismology is the science of the causes and 
effects of earthquakes and the phenomena of their occurrence. Vol- 
canology deals with the causes and phenomena of volcanic action and 
the character of the volcano itself. Both sciences treat phenomena 
arising from disturbances of more or less deep-seated origin in the litho- 
sphere of the earth and are fundamentally branches of physical geology. 
Both belong to the group of the earth sciences, all of which are more 
or less intimately connected. 
In seismology the immediate subject of investigation is the shock, 
heavy or light, which is transmitted from its sources through rocks to 
