FALCON ISLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1927, Page 4

FALCON ISLAND

AN ACTIVE VOLCANO. AUCKLAND, Oct. 15. Falcon Island, which lias vanished and reappeared several times within the last fifty years, is now well a hove tho surface and has shown exceptional activity as a volcano during this month. When seen by the catninander and men of 11.-M. sloop Laburnum, a fortnight ago, the volcano was belching forth great columns of steam and lava to a height of 3000 feet. II was playing lor about a minute at twenty minute intervals. I>;iring the time it was under observation by the Laburnum. from October 4th to 7th, a careful examination was made and the island was found to be be approximately 173') yards long in a northerly

and southerly direction and 1430 yards broad in an easterly and westerly direition. Tlie sides sloped up gradually to the edge of the cater, which was ,'lO5 feet above water level. Nautical records in the Laburnum, which returned to Auckland last night, show that the island has undergone many changes. It was first seen as a breaking reef from H.M.S. Falcon in 18(55, and again in 1877 smoke was seen issuing from the sea by H.M.S. Sappho. It appeared as an island in October, 1855. and was surveyed by H.M.S. Egeria. It was found to ho about one mile and a half long and one wide with a height of 153 feet and was formed of loose volcanic ashes and cinders, which material was constantly slipping down as the action of the sea undermined the coast until the island was finally dispersed. In April, 1894, Falcon Island had disappeared to such an extent that at a distance of two miles it had the appearance of a low streak of black rock. Tn December, 1894, volcanic action was found to have taken place quite recently, with a result that- the island was then 50 feet high and three miles long and If miles broad. In 1889 it had disappeared again, and its place was occupied by a shoal. Two years later it was showing about nine feet above water and in 1913 it was reported by the ship Cormorant to have disappeared. In 1921 it was oilserved by H.M-.S. Veronica. which made an inspection and reported that about three feet of water was breaking over a submerged volcano. An area of green water was seen stretching in all directions for about a mile. Tho Laburnum sighted the volcano in action at- 5.45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4th, and at that time its action was visible from Nukualofa. Tonga. Falcon Island is situated 20 deg. 20 min. south lgtitpcje by 170 deg. 20min. west, about 45 miles north of Nukualofa,