Deep ’Quakes In 1965

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30953, 8 January 1966, Page 1

Deep ’Quakes In 1965

GV.Z Press Association) WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. The largest of several deep earthquakes felt widely in New Zealand in 1965 occurred on December 9, at a depth of 140 miles beneath the eastern Bay of Plenty, the superintendent of the Seismological Observatory’, Mr R. D. Adams, said today. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.75 on the Richter scale and was felt extensivelv from Auckland to Christchurch. Another deep earthuuake in Bay of Plenty on June 15 was centred near the mouth of the Motu river at a depth

of 45 miles, and had a magnitude of 6.3.

On May 21, an earthquake of magnitude 6.2 originated beneath the northern end of Lake Te Anau at a depth of 65 miles.

“Although it has previouslv been suspected that some earthquakes in Fiordland occur at depths greater than normal, this is the first occasion on which it has been definitely established." said Mr Adams.

The “felt” area extended as far as Invercargill, Dunedin. Timaru and Hokitika. Another widely-felt deeo earthquake, of a death of 110 miles and magnitude of 5.75. occurred beneath the Wairakei region on December 7. It was felt as far south as Christchurch.

The largest shallow earthquake of the year, of magni-

tude 6.1. was that of April 11, which was centred off the coast 40 miles south-east of Kaikoura and was felt from the south of the North Island to Banks Peninsula.

A spate of small earthquakes in the Wairakei-Taupo region started in December, 1964, and continued at a reduced level of activity into January last year. Small local earthquakes occurred there at intervals throughout the year. More, than 30 earthquakes were recorded at Wairakei on November 6 and 7, the largest being of magnitude 4.1. An isolated earthquake of magnitude 4.6 originated near Wairakei on August 14. Earthquakes in areas where they are not commonly found occurred near Timar; on August 19 (magnitude 4) and near the Chatham Islands on April 10 (magnitude 4.25).