Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition (excerpts)

Author:

Wilkes, Charles

Title:

Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition (excerpts)

Year:

1970

Pages:

160-162; 197-231.

Subject:

United States Exploring Expedition (1838-1842) Oceania discovery and exploration Hawaii description and travel Hawaii Island history Mauna Loa Mauna Kea Hilo Hawaii

Summary:

Contains descriptions of Kilauea Caldera during December, 1840, and January, 1841, of the 1840 lava flow from Kilauea, and brief descriptions of Mokuaweoweo and South Pit (termed Pohakuohanalei), as well as a brief account of an ascent of Mauna Kea by Messrs. Pickering and Brackenridge. The term "pit crater" is used for the first time, and defined as: "that description of crater of which there is no appearance whatever until one is close upon it, and which never throws out lava." They were believed to be formed by collapse of lava tubes. Wilkes considers the craters of Kilauea and Mauna Loa to be not connected. The lava lakes within Kilauea Caldera were also said to rise and fall independently. Activity was reported in Mokuaweoweo not long after Cook's visit (1778), and 5 years before Wilkes' visit.

URL:

http://archive.org/details/narrativeunited10wilkgoog

Collection:

Monographs