The year's progress in volcanology

Abstract

The progress of volcanology suffered in two important respects as a result of the War. The German undertaking, under the leadership of Branca of the Berlin Academy, which in many respects was the most comprehensive plan for volcano study ever seriously contemplated, was dropped. A second plan, almost equally imposing, was started just before the War by Friedlaender at Naples. A beautiful laboratory overlooking the city and within sight of Vesuvius was constructed and a journal, the Zeitschrift für Vulkanologie, now in its ninth year, was started. This splendid laboratory was taken over by the Italian Government during the War, and, although its return has been promised, its resources have been so considerably impaired that it will be some years before a full return to the pre‐war plan is possible. The Zeitschrift was continued by Friedlaender from Switzerland by the issue of occasional numbers, but here also a considerable time must elapse before its pre‐war status is fully re‐established. It is altogether likely that Friedlaender's recent visit to the volcanoes of Mexico and Hawaii will give new impetus to the activities both of the laboratory and its journal.