Under Suspicion

Eruption?

Rabaul's Volcanoes Under Suspicion

From Our Own Correspondent Rabaul, Jan. 3.

WHEN, after the Rabaul eruption (May 29, 1937) it was decided to retain the capital at Rabaul, a chain of ob servation stations was set around the town to keep watch on the volcanoes, and a vulcanologist (Dr. N. H. Fisher) was put in charge, to give warning of any unusual activity.

Lately, Dr. Fisher has been leporting increasing heat in certain of the fuma roles (volcanic vents). His report for the week ending December 18 contained notes which gave residents something to ponder over. He said, inter alia:— “It is to be expected either that the rising temperatures referred to will reach a stable level, and then remain more or less constant, or on the other hand, if the rise should be continuous and accompanied by local tremors, an outbreak of eruptive activity must be considered possible. No sign of any local tremors has yet been recorded by the seismograph. ”

The following week he amplified his remarks by saying that the possibility of eruption depends on continued increase in temperature, combined with local tremors, and went on to say that erup tive activity might mean only such a degree as was experienced in March of last year, and did not necessarily indi cate a major eruption The northwest season seems to have set in. now, and, even if there were an erup tion. the town of Rabaul would not suffer to the extent of May, 1937, when the prevailing south-east winds carried masses of ashes and dust over the town.