155 
In the Volcanic Region 
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 Gbtzen 
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 
