Wakulla Volcano facts for kids

The Wakulla Volcano was the name given to a strange column of smoke. People saw this smoke, sometimes with bright light, rising from the deep swamps of Wakulla County, Florida. This mystery lasted for a long time, from when Spain ruled Florida until 1886. Today, scientists believe the smoke came from a deep underground peat fire.

The Mystery of the Wakulla Volcano

For many years, a mysterious smoke cloud appeared in the swamps of Wakulla County. People called it the "Wakulla Volcano" because it looked like smoke from a real volcano. This strange sight was reported as far as 20 miles away. It was a big puzzle for people living in Florida during the 1800s.

What Was the Wakulla Volcano?

The "Wakulla Volcano" wasn't a true volcano at all. It was a tall column of smoke, sometimes glowing brightly. It seemed to come from deep within the swampy areas. People saw it for many years, making it a famous local mystery. Some even thought the name Wakulla, which might mean "mist" or "misting," came from this strange smoke.

Early Sightings and Beliefs

The first stories about the smoke came from the Seminole people who lived nearby. By the 1830s, new settlers had their own ideas. Some thought it was smoke from campfires of other settlers or Native Americans. Others believed it might be from pirates hiding in the swamps. Some even thought it was from outlaws or, most excitingly, a real volcano. Many different folk tales grew around this mysterious smoke.

Searching for Answers

Over the years, many people tried to solve the mystery. They offered different ideas, from old legends to more scientific guesses like deep-burning peat fires. Several groups of investigators went into the swamps in the late 1800s. They hoped to find the source of the smoke. The Smithsonian Institution, a famous science museum, even has old letters about one of these investigations. A man named A. W. Barber wrote about his experiences there between 1890 and 1894.

The End of the Mystery

The mysterious smoke disappeared forever on August 31, 1886. This was the same day as a very strong earthquake in Charleston, South Carolina, known as the Charleston earthquake. Many people have claimed to find the spot where the smoke came from. However, modern geologists are very sure that a real volcano cannot exist in Florida. Florida's geology simply doesn't support volcanoes.

What Was It Really?

Today, scientists believe the "Wakulla Volcano" was actually a peat fire. Peat is a type of soil made from decaying plants. It forms in wet, swampy areas like those in Wakulla County. Peat can burn slowly underground for a very long time. These fires can produce a lot of smoke and sometimes even glow. This makes a peat fire the most likely explanation for the mysterious "Wakulla Volcano."