NIGHT IN VESUVIUS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 221, 27 October 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

NIGHT IN VESUVIUS.

PICTURES TAKEN OF THE LAW FOUNTAINS.

A weird night at the bottom of the crater of Vesuvius has been spent by Professor Malladra, of the Royal Observatory on the mountain, and Mr. Frank A. Ferret, the American volcanologist. They descended the crater on August -1 to take scientific observations and note recent changes. They foun 1 that the lava which burst from the internal cone en July 150 was still red-hot in various places. The cone was casting out incandescent scoriae, which rose more thin 30Uft., fornvng v agnificent fountains of fire. I'he tow explorers took observations of temperatures, gases, etc, and photographs and cinematographs of the principal phenomena. finding so much to do. they determined to pas stho whole night in the (rater, which is so large that military division could manoeuvre in it. They declare that it is impossible tc describe all the impressions of their adventure. fc From tlic little con.?, lire spiang 12ft. "ligh and was reflected by great clouds of smoke above, while the in< andescent fountains spouted up every second, some in a vertical, others in rn oblique direction. The floor of the crater was so brightly lit up that the observers could read the hour on their watches at midnight. Dense smoke above prevented any view fro mthe edge or the crater, but at dawn the smoke diminished and the stars could be seen. The bottom of the great crater is now more than 180 ft. above the level of last year, which proves that it is gradually filling up. The little cone is ISOft. high. After 24 hours' work th ' two observers arrived safe and sound at th ■ top of Vesuvius, enriched with abundant volcanic material.