KILAUEA FROM 1868 TO 1879.
After the great disturbance of 1868, the volcano seemed to take a rest.
Nov. 6, 1868. D. H. Hitchcock wrote that a chain of lakes had formed around the pit. Since the earthquake the whole cen tral part had sunken three hundred feet. The greater part of Halemaumau had fallen into the South lake, which is more than five times larger than in December, 1867. The high ridge of rocks has disappeared. The fire is entirely confined to the South lake. The center of the pit is now lower than the South lake, and will evidently receive the lavas flowing from the higher level. The great chasm about the border was not found till several days after the earthquake. For three weeks the action at the South lake has been increasing. It was two hundred and fifty feet deep at first, and is now only one hundred feet deep and it continued to fill for three weeks longer (Nov. 26). Four earthquake shocks were also noted at this time.
In July, 1869, Mr. Coan states that the great lake was so cool on the surface that he was able to measure its dimensions without difficulty. It was five-sixths of a mile wide at the bottom four hundred feet below the rim, and more than a mile in length from north to south at the top. The lava was still molten fifty to one hundred feet below the surface, as seen in deep fissures.
Sept. 8, 1869, Prof. J. D. Butler saw nine cones in the south lake.
Sept. 13, George Jones of Kahuku spoke of lava flowing from these cones. There were two earthquake shocks on the 13th and five the next day.
Nov. 9 Kilauea was visited by H. Bingham 2d. He mentions the South lake, North lake and a third in the southeast section of the pit. There was no visible flowing lava, but stones thrown into the chasms from seventy-five to one hundred feet down splashed into a liquid mass.
Jan. to, 1870. D. H. Hitchcock reports the South lake nearly solid with a little fire. The center of the pit seems to be sinking, and is below the level of the South lake. Pele has not yet re covered from the effects of the agitation of 1868.
Feb. 2. Kilauea very active ; several lakes opened. Mrs. S. J. Lyman.
Judge Kaina is quoted as saying that the south lake overflowed on Feb. 19, 1870, for the first time since 1868, and ran mauka for fifty feet. March 6 the flow was rather quiet.
March 28. South lake filled up. It is one level mass beneath which fire is visible.
April 26-28. D. H. Hitchcock reports the filling up of South lake ,around which a mound is forming. Lava is flowing into the deep basin northward.
June 4. Crater quite lively. Ten cones in action.
July 22. Fresh lava from which impressions of coins were ob tained.
Aug. 22. Crater rather inactive. J. H. Coney.
Oct. 5. Noise like report of cannon. One lake formed where there had been three. Of these the South lake was the largest. Severe earthquake coincident. There was boiling and surging for five minutes after which quietness ensued. Lakes not well shown because they were so low down.
March 20-29, 1871. Dense clouds ; no fire except deep down in crevices.
April 13. Halemaumau being built up, forming a dome as in 1857. General level of South lake about up to that of the main crater. Little fire but dense smoke. D. H. Hitchcock.
July 6. Nothing but smoke to be seen. E. Bailey.
Sept. 13. No fire. Miss M. A. Chamberlain.
In 1871, Mr. Coan says there had been discharges that filled the central basin to the depth of fifty feet and also flowed two miles northerly since his report of 1869. In August Halemau mau had again become empty, hut a year later it was full again and discharged into the basin of 1868.
Jan. i 1872. D. H. Hitchcock says that the main pit has been overflowed from the South lake, a descent of two hundred and fifty feet. There are three larger cones in this lake, which are about seventy-five feet lower than the summit of Halemaumau. There are deep pits with these lakes. Fire is being concentrated in the vicinity of where the South lake has been.