EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTH

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23944, 11 May 1943, Page 4

EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTH

HILLSIDES ROCKED IN NORTH OTAGO MAN NARROWLY ESCAPES HUGE BOULDER According to information received from the Magnetic Observatory in Christchurch, the earthquake which was felt in the city at 5.34 p.m. on Saturday, had an intensity of one degree on the modified Mercalli scale, and two degrees on the Rossi-Forel scale. The seat of the earthquake has been estimated at about 200 miles south-west of Christchurch.

From reports received at Oamaru the earthquake on Saturday seemed more severe inland than in coastal areas. In the Upper Waitaki Valley visible rocking of hillsides was reported, while boulders dislodged added to the noise of the earthquake. At Hakalaramea one station shed was struck by a piece of rock that came down from a high face, smashing in the weather boards.

Although earthquake damage at Oamaru on Saturday was confined to a chimney top and a small piece of stone which was dislodged from he Queen's Hotel building, Mr J. Genge, ,a well-known sportsman, had a remarkable escape from injury. When the earthquake occurred, Mr Genge was on a duck shooting expedition near Tcschcmakcr's siding, between Maheno and Oamaru. He was following a creek at the foot of a very steep boulder-strewn hill on Mr T. Perry’s property, when suddenly he heard an unusual noise. “I looked up just in time to see a huge boulder coming down above me.’’ said Mr Genge. “It passed within a few feet of me, and from its size I should estimate its weight as between two and three tons. Then I saw that the whole hill seemed to be rocking, with other boulders tearing down to the creek bed. It was a case of not knowing which way to move, but, fortuna'ely. the earthquake lasted only a few seconds. I consider mvsclf very lucky to have escaped unhurt.” DOMINION OBSERVATORY REPORT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 10. The southern earthquake at 5.35 p.m. on Saturday was recorded at the Dominion Observatory, the centre being about 320 miles away. A provisional estimate places it about 50 miles from Timaru. It was felt all down the coast southward from Akaroa. There has been considerable seismic activity recently in the southern part of New Zealand. This region, as a rule, is not greatly subject to earthquakes, comparatively speaking, and this activity has been centred chiefly round Lake Te Anau. The epicentre of this last shock appears to have been farther north than usual, the southwestern area of the South Island generally being the part affected.