Scientists On White Island
(Special) WELLINGTON, This Day. Observers from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have returned from a six-day stay- on White Island.
The expedition marked the changes in hydro-therman activity since the last visit by scientists 20 years ago, and carried out a preliminary exploration of deposits.
Describing some of the changes since last visit, Mr C. A. Fleming, geologist, said that Little Donald, one of the blowholes formerly mapped, had now become cfiiiet. Big Donald, however, was again the centre of a boiling green lake. THERMOMETER BUCKLED This was not nearly as large as the lake which formerly occupied much of the crater, but it was strongly acid. After a strong hapuka line had been in it for a few minutes, the threads could be pulled apart.
When an attempt was made to examine one fumarole, a thermometer reading up to 350 degrees centigrade buckled and broke.
Knives corroded overnight and a gunmetal watchcase carried in the pocket of one of the party, was now completely black. Gypsum, he said, appeared to be the most obvious product of the island's hydro-thermal activity. It was showing in narrow seams and crystals in a great many places in the crater bed.
These deposits, however, were scattered and some were obviously impure.
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Northern Advocate, 23 January 1947, Page 2
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214Scientists On White Island Northern Advocate, 23 January 1947, Page 2
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