THE EXTINCTION OF KILAUEA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2325, 19 June 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE EXTINCTION OF KILAUEA.

On March 6 the active volcano of Kilauea, in the sandwich Islands, composed of the old Lake Halemaumau and,the New Lake, sank from the bed of the crater, leaving a bottomless abyss about four miles in circumference. The volcanic eruption which has been so active in the past was utterly extinguished. During the latter part of 188-5, both lakes were very active, and boiled and surged from side to side with unusual violence. In the middle of Decembei the New Lake commenced building a wall for itself, which by March 1 bad covered its surface. On the evening of the 6th, both lakes were full of boiling and surging lava, and were particularly brilliant up to half-past 9 o'clock. At that time a series of earthquake shocks began, forty-three in number, which lasted until half-past seven the next morning. After the fourth shock, the fires of the New Lake had entirely disappeared, and only a slight reflection from Halemaumau was visible. During several days following, cracks and rents were made in the surrounding wall, and immense quantities of steam and vapour rose above the crater. Several upheavals occurred to change the entire configuration of the surroundings. Large portions of the edge of the crater fell into the gulf with a sound like thunder. The cone in the New Lake disappeared entirely, while the bottom of the lake can still be seen five hundred to six hundred feet below its former level; but of Halemaumau nothin is visible but a gaping abyss four miles in circumference. It is possible that the volcanic fires willnever be renewed,and that Kalauea will be classed with that large list of extinct volcanoes which tell of past energy and - fire. The Islanders, it isreported, do dot admit this probability as it would rob them of one of their great attractions for tourists. They hold that the lava has found some temperoiy subterranean outlet where it may be expected soon to solidify, and being thus cut off from other escape will again fill the crater of Kilauea and recall its dispersed students.