Geological Notes on Certain Islands in the New Hebrides

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Abstract
So far as can be judged at present from the soundings obtained, it appears that the New Hebrides are probably situated on a bank lying from 350 to 400 fathoms below the surface of the ocean and running in a N.N.W. and S.S.E. direction, with a deep valley between it and New Caledonia. The only soundings obtained between these two groups are 2375 and 2730 fathoms respectively, the former within a short distance of the New Hebrides. 1. Tanna .—On the east side of this island is situated a volcano which has been in constant activity for many years, and on ascending its sides one is struck by the fact that so little lava is to be seen. The cone itself, which rises to a height of nearly 1000 feet above the sea, appears to be formed entirely of more or less fine ash, and there are no signs of any lava-flow. In November 1890 the crater appeared to be about 300 feet deep, and was split into two nearly equal parts by a kind of rocky wall or partition which rose to a height of about 100 feet from the bottom. There were five fire-holes, three on one side and two on the other side of the partition, where the molten materials were bubbling and pulsating with a subdued roaring sound; but every few minutes a tremendous explosion took place, throwing up the molten seoriæ, etc., to heights varying from 100 to 300 feet above the summit of the crater.

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