SHARP SHOCKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 292, 10 December 1925, Page 7

SHARP SHOCKS.

WIDELY FELT 'QUAKE. BOTH ISLANDS SHAKEN. TAUMARUNUI TO TIMARU. Sharp earthquake shocks, alarming, but not sufficient to cause damage beyond the wrecking of a few chimneys, were felt over the greater part of New Zealand early this morning, the affected area extending from. Taumaninui in the North to Timaru in the South. The initial shock extended across the South Island and was felt on both coasts. it was preceded by a loud rumble, and was of sufficient intensity to awaken sleepers. THREE SEPARATE SHOCKS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TAmiAIIUNUI, this day. Between 1.10 a.m. and 1.15 o'clock this morning a prolonged and sharp earthquake was experienced in Taumaru. nui, the direction being north and i south. Another shock was experienced at 1.55 a.m., and a. third at 5.20 a.m. NGAURUHOE ACTIVE. ; RAETIHI, this day. A severe earthquake- was felt nboufc 1 o'clock this morning. It lasted several seconds, the direction being north and ( south. This was the most severe , 'quake felt here for years. Ngauruhoe was emitting smoke for the ( greater part of yesterday and at the i time of the 'quake made some good shots, which were plainly visible from ', high points. : COMMOTION IN ELTHAM. : ELTHAM, this day. Three severe' earthquake- shocks were , felt in Eltham about 1.20 this morning. The shocks, which came from a wea- . torly direction, created general alarm. L Houses rocked sickeningly, movable ; articles wore thrown about, clocks stopped and general commotion was caused. The shakes lasted several seconds. Xo severe damage is reported. CHIMNEYS DAMAGED. WAXGANUI, this day. A severe shock of earthquake, accompanied by a loud rumbling, was felt at 1.15 this morning. Several chimneys in the city were more or less damaged, I SEVEREST FOR TEARS. NELSON, this day. ' The severest earthquake shock felt in \ Nelson for many years was experienced lat 1.15 this morning. Many chimneys were damaged. \ BELL SET RINGING. c CHRISTCHUIICH, this day. a A smart shock of earthquake was ex- -, perienced in Christchurcli at 1.15 this morning. * It was sufficiently severe to wake f sleepers and to ring the bell of the post j office clock. \ LASTLB TEN SECONDS. HOKITIKA, this day. A smart earthquake shock, lasting 1 about ten seconds, was experienced at 1.40 this morning. I FELT AT TIMARU. ' TIMARU, this day. An earthquake shock was experienced at 1.14 this morning, the direction being apparently west to east. No damage " was reported. ■ THEORY OF EARTHQUAKES. SHRINKAGE OP EARTH'S CRUST. I The Government Seismologist (Dr. 1 Adams), discussing the theory of oarth--2 quakes a "Post" reporter in We-1- ---> lington recently, said that they are due a to readjustments occasioned by changes I in the earth's crust. Where these readjustments arc delayed from one cause or another, the ensuing tremor or quake ia intensified. Readjustments in the caste of New Zealand are frequent, nnd, therefore, less severe in their effect tlmn elac- [ where. A novel and extremely interesting scries of diagrams, prepared l>y Dr. Adams for the Duncdin Exhibition, dales back to 1021. • Tile first diagram, showing the intensity of the shook and (lie month in which ' its occurred, hy moans of vertical linos on a horizontal scale of 12 month*, will 5 be most valuable, after a number of years, in pi/iving the much-diarusneil point of seasonal frequency «i earthquakes. The years 1021 and 11)22 show I greater seismologieul activity than their successors. In June nml September of 1021. nnd in June. July, nnd DooemboT ', rif H>22, there were, shocks of right, degrees of intensity. The yeniH 11)23, 1024, nnd 1025 hliow much limm netivily, PXCCpt in I lie ciiMf of a shock of ri(;li(. degrees severity in April, 11t2.v. Tim stronplli of oighl degree*, according to (lie .vale, \h "very sirong Hlmck, tlia fulling of chimneys, with cruck.i in Hie wit lls <if liuildingH," The second fliiiprnm evliihiled xhown (lie areas over which shocks were fell, in vnrions parts of New Zealand, l>y lin-iiiik of circles. The N'orlh Island, PHpc-liilly about its centre, hhows tha greiiUml; activity. Another rllaprram, taking In lln> ivhnln of tlie oarth'e Mirfnce, hliowh the pninlu of origin of world-shaking onrtliqiinkcn for pome 10 years, us recorded liy ilia instrumpnts of the X.X. Department., Records from various poinlH of oliwervation in Sew Zealand are foliated, nii.l comparison ehowa the exact point i»f the disturbance.. Tin; nrunt of Tlillinfc and its vicinity is shown to lie weak, but the majority of the disturbance*, indicated by small circles jit. the point, of greatest intensity, are clustered along the waste of the continent* bordering the Pacific. There is a theory that thU preponderance, of readjustment on tliono great coastal lines is caused by f.lirgradual removal of soil from l.be great mountain ranges and the detritus gradually being piled through the centuries on the sea floor in the deep water adjoining thes? continents; but they would not account. =.iid Dr. Adams, for the remarkable activity in the narrow Mexican and Isthmian coastline, nor, while the theory is applicable to vertical readjustments, does it 'explain the lateral readi"iiimeLits which ccenr.