THE MENACE OF EARTHQUAKES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22005, 1 February 1937, Page 10

THE MENACE OF EARTHQUAKES

MINIMISING CHANCES OF DAMAGE MINISTER FAVOURS BUILDING CODE REMOVAL OF PARAPETS SOUGHT [From Our Own Reporter.] WESTPORT, January 31. The desire of the Government to do everything possible to minimise the chance of damage from earthquakes in New Zealand was emphasised by the Minister for Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in an interview here when commenting on statements made to the press by Major Edgar Booth, an Australian scientist. Major Booth suggested that New Zealand could study more extensively earthquake phenomena with the idea of being able to predict the incidence of earthquakes. In his reply, Mr Sullivan indicated that the New Zealand authorities felt that certain precautionary measures which could be taken, such as the enforcement of the building code, might be of more value in the long run in reducing risk than immediate big expenditure on research. "My department considers that Major Booth is rather optimistic about the degree of accuracy which can be obtained in predicting earthquakes," said Mr Sullivan, who is in charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. "I have spoken, for instance, to Dr. E. Marsden, director of scientific and industrial research, who incidentally knows of the valuable work Major Booth has done and who appreciates his attitude. Major Booth's suggestions, of course, are a goal which we might reasonably hope to reach in due course, and, in fact, we have gone some way in achieving what Major Booth has suggested. Nevertheless, we are not putting our faith in our ability to predict eai.hquakes as much as in our ability to take precautionary measures to reduce risk. For instance, the provision of the building code offers one way of minimising danger by making structures better able to resist the effects of earthquakes. Using the Tentative code which has been prepared, investigations have been made to prove its efficacy, and on the basis of those investigations simplifications have been made. Soon we hope to be able to issue a revised code. We consider this measure as being by far the best answer to the earthquake menace. Research Into Incidence "Apart from that, we are doing a good deal of research work into the incidence of earthquakes along , the lines mentioned by Major Booth. I Continuous seismograph records are kept at the Dominion Observatory at Wellington, the Magnetic Observatory at Christchurch, and at subsidiary stations at East Cape, Arapuni Tuai, New Plymoutn, Stratford,' Hastings, Bunnythorpe, Greymouth, and Chatham Islands. There is also a seismograph at Takaka, one at the Lake Monowai power station, and two privately-owned stations at Dannevirke and Glenmuick, in Marlborough. Of the 16 stations, 12 are under the direct control of the Dominion Observatory, and, of course, there are 110 non-instru-mental reporting stations distributed throughout the Dominion providing us with valuable reports as well. "It has also been suggested that in view of the recent seismic activity off the east coast of the North Island a detailed marine survey should be carried out over the whole of the east coast. The department, as well, publishes preliminary seismological bulletins each month giving data for the determination of the epicentres of the most important earthquakes. At the moment work is in hand on a scheme which will involve the expansion of seismological research. There are three instruments under construction at Wellington for recording earthquakes, and new ones have already been established at Kaitaia and Rotorua. The department has a scientist investigating the migration of epicentres along the lines of incidence, and the interesting results already obtained from this work show the necessity for better timing at local recording stations. In addition to the general tracing of epicentres, special study is being made by officers of the Dominion Observatory in conjunction with Dr. A. L. Day, of the Carnegie Institute, on problems associated with volcanic regions with a view to being able to predict such phenomena as the Tarawera eruption. Dr. Day is a world-famous volcanologist. Thermal Phenomena Explained "In a few weeks, incidentally, an ! important publication on the thermal regions wilt be issued, giving ! for the first time a complete explanation of our thermal phenomena. However, we regard the work on the building code as of great im.; portance. 1 would emphasise in this respect that one way in which the provision of safer buildings along the lines involved in the application of the code can be accelerated is by the provision of cheaper cement and steel building materials, and I can say that at the moment in the case of both of these commodities the Bureau of Industries is investigating the position. -In the meantime there is one thing which can be done in all localities, and particularly in the closely settled areas, to assist in securing greater safety—that is by the removal of much of the unnecessary so-called architectural super-structure on buildings, such as parapets and heavy embellishments of that kind. A good deal of this has been done, but there is scope for much more."