WHERE THE EARTHQUAKE STARTED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7257, 19 November 1901, Page 3

WHERE THE EARTHQUAKE STARTED.

CAPTAIN HUTTON'S OPINIONS. j Captain Hutton, as the result of his further calculations, is of opinion that the source or " centrum " of the earthquake | was probably at a point about twenty -five miles east of the mouth of the Hurunui River, and a similar distance down. i His reasons for arriving at this conclu» I sion are that the shock was felt in Wellington, Westport and Timaru at about the same time, showing that these places were, roughly, at an equal distance from the source' of the " waves." The point equidistant from the three towns lies out at sea off the Cheviot coast. j That the shock originated at a consider- ; able depth is shown by the distance to ' which it was felt. Had the disturbance been near the surface, its effects would have been dissipated over only a small area. , As Captain Hutton explained before, the strongest shake is not felt right over the seat of the disturbance, but at a sort, of border, where the waves rise at an angle probably of 45deg, and act with their full force, if the seat of Saturday's disturbance was, as Captain Hxtfcton calculates, Cheviot would be right upon this border, Waiau and Waipara a little outside, and Ohristchurch further off still. This coincides very well with the severity of the shock as felt at these various spots. The absence ctf any peTceptibk sea disturbance wouldl be accounted for 'by the fact that the movement was in reality very slight. Such an earthquake in a South American city would hardly command any notice. Captain Hutton explains that, of course, his calculations are made only roughly, with possibly inaccurate information, and a<re more suggestions than fixed! opinions. Mr Hogben will- work out the point of origin of the shock accurately later on. If Captain Hutton's calculation is correct, a new "centrum" will lave been discovered, as no previous shocks are recorded from the locality indicated. They have been traced to the Lake Sumner district and to a point south, of Banks Peninsula previously, but tlhe spot now under sus* picion had been firm and unmoved. With- regard to -the almost simultaneous occurrence of shock* on the other side of the world;, Captain Hutton said that it was not at present known whether any connection' between isuoh *Jhock» existed. It was for the purpose of gathering information upon the point that the National Seismograph Society !hadl been instituted 1 , in connection with whidh two seismographs had been imported into New Zealand', one at Wellington and the ether in process of erection at Ohristchurch. By collecting all obtainable facts and accurate, information with regard) to earth, tremors all over the world, it was hoped in time to decide- the points in doubt. Captain Hutton considers that the Canterbury people should 'be prepared for such shocks in future. They have come "before, and' «ire practically dertaiin, sooner or later, to ccane again. It is therefore of the utmost importance tfhat every precaution should be token to minimise the danger to life and property. Captain Hutton told a "Star" representative that, im his opinion]), it is meoessary that the Cathedral spire should either come down or be built in wood. If it is not taken down it will some day fall down, probably with disastrous effects. Sir Gilbert Scott's original deeign. of a wooden spire had better be followed out. In any case, Captain Hutton. says that the heavy iron cross Should be- removed, as it is the chief, source of the danger. Whan the spire swings the cross jars and loosens the stones. The nigh brick chimneys, which really have considerably less support than the spire, withstood the earthquake without damage, because they could swing freely, and had no heavy weight on top to disturb their equilibrium.