On March 27, five years ago, a
series of earthquakes began, and became more startling from day to
day, until their succession became so rapid that "the island
quivered like the lid of a boiling pot nearly all the time between
the heavier shocks. The trembling was like that of a ship struck by
a heavy wave." Then the terminal crater of Mauna Loa (Mokuaweoweo)
sent up columns of smoke, steam, and red light, and it was shortly
seen that the southern slope of its dome had been rent, and that
four separate rivers of molten stone were pouring out of as many
rents, and were flowing down the mountain sides in diverging lines.
Suddenly the rivers were arrested, and the blue mountain dome
appeared against the still blue sky without an indication of fire,
steam, or smoke. Hilo was much agitated by the sudden lull. No one
was deceived into security, for it was certain that the strangely
pent-up fires must make themselves felt.
The earthquakes became nearly continuous; scarcely an appreciable
interval occurred between them; "the throbbing, jerking, and
quivering motions grew more positive, intense, and sharp; they were
vertical, rotary, lateral, and undulating," producing nausea,
vertigo, and vomiting.
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