Vol. 6, 1920 
GEOLOGY: COMMITTEE REPORT 
713 
Besides the study of the active volcanoes it is recommended that the 
Weather Bureau should include in its field of observation all minor phe- 
nomena, such as fumaroles, steam vents, hot springs, local seismic shocks, 
etc., which indicate either the dying out or renewal of volcanic action 
at other places. A complete record of such activities in all islands of the 
Hawaiian group should be kept and observations made from time to 
time. Thus it is reported that fumaroles exist on the southern slopes 
of Haleakala, the great volcano of eastern Maui, at points not readily 
accessible. The evidences of relatively very recent eruptions within the 
crater of Haleakala and the existence of these fumaroles show that the 
volcanic fires cannot be assumed to be quite extinct, and may possibly 
flare up at any time. Facilities should be provided for visiting all places 
where traces of subterranean heat are found. 
Seismologic work at Kilauea, or in the immediate vicinity of any active 
volcano, is mainly an adjunct to the study of that volcano, and it is a 
part of the work deserving of careful attention. It will also throw light 
on the nature of so-called "volcanic earthquakes." By adequate instru- 
mental record of shocks originating in the volcanic field it is certain that 
valuable information of increasing or declining activity may be obtained 
which will be an important factor in forecasting future eruptions. This 
would be of special importance as regards eruptions of Mauna Loa. It 
will be necessary, however, to place seismographs adapted to this work 
at several places about the mountain in order to locate approximately 
the point at which an outbreak may be anticipated. If a relatively 
cheap instrument which can be attended to by a volunteer observer 
becomes available, this observation of local shocks originating beneath 
Mauna Loa should be provided for. 
The seismographs hitherto in use at the Kilauea Observatory are not 
of the best models obtainable at the present time. Some of them have 
been loaned by private institutions or individuals. It is, of course, 
highly desirable that the observatory should be equipped with its own 
instruments, of types best suited to the purpose. 
The Kilauea Observatory is, manifestly, not the most favorable site 
for seismometers designed to record earth tremors originating in other 
parts of the Hawaiian Islands or at still more distant sources. For such 
instruments an installation at the island of Oahu would be much more 
suitable. If a study of the seismic disturbances of the Hawaiian group 
as a whole is to be carried out, it would be necessary to establish secondary 
stations with appropriate instruments, at selected points on other islands 
of the group. 
III. General Conditions Afecting Future Direction oj Work by the 
Weather Bureau. — It was pointed out in Part I of this report that the 
advancement of volcanology and seismology, especially in the funda- 
mentally important matter of accurate observation of phenomena, would 
