Letters from the Sandwich Islands
- Author:
-
Goodrich, Joseph
- Title:
- Letters from the Sandwich Islands
- Periodical:
- American Journal of Science
- Year:
- 1829
- Volume:
- 16
- Pages:
- 345-350
- Subject:
-
Geology Mauna Kea
Lake Waiau
Scientific expeditions Mauna Kea
- Summary:
- Excerpts from two letters written by Joseph Goodrich, an American missionary to the Sandwich Islands, include brief statements related to Mauna Kea.
Goodrich states, in a letter dated October 25, 1828, that, since 1825, Kilauea caldera had been filling up, the inner pit being 300 or 400 ft shallower. He revises the depth of the black ledge below the rim from 500-900 ft on the basis of measurements by Lord Byron's party. Mauna Loa is described as a huge pile of lava. A second letter from Goodrich, dated June 12, 1828, describes rock and mineral specimens sent to Silliman, which include "granite" inclusions from Mauna Kea, and sulfur, siliceous sinter, reticulite, Pele's hair, Pele's tears, and stalactites from Kilauea. Goodrich describes a lava tube exposed in section, correctly identifying it as having contained molten material after the layers above and below had solidified.
- URL:
- https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/53833#page/358/mode/1up
- Collection:
- Periodicals