Earthquakes In 1966

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31261, 6 January 1967, Page 3

Earthquakes In 1966

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 5. Dr R. D. Adams, superintendent of the Seismological Observatory, in a review of the principal earthquakes in New Zealand last year, said the heaviest of the year was on August 28. It originated at sea about 100 miles north of East Cape, at a depth of about 60 miles. It had a magnitude of 6} (Richter scale) and was felt in the Bay of Plenty and as far north as Dannevirke, but it caused no damage. “Two shallow earthquakes, of not unusually large magnitude, caused significant damage at Gisborne and Seddon, the severity of the felt effects at these places being largely 'due to the closeness of the earthquakes,” said Dr. Adams.

“The Gisborne earthquake, on March 5 had a magnitude of 6.2 and originated within 15 miles of Gisborne, where the cost of damage is estimated at £130,000. The earthquake was felt as far afield as Taupo and Central Hawke’s Bay. “The Seddon earthquake, of magnitude 6.1, occurred on April 23 and had its centre in Cook Strait, 25 miles southwest of Wellington and 15 miles from Seddon. The earthquake damaged many chimneys at Seddon and caused minor damage at Blenheim and at Wellington, where it was felt more strongly than any earthquake since the Wairarapa shocks of 1942. The felt area extended from Banks Peninsula to the centre of the North Island.

“Two large deep earthquakes occurred 11} hours apart on June 27-28. The first originated 140 miles beneath Northern Taranaki and was felt throughout the south of the North Island. Its magnitude was SJ. “The earthquake of June 28, of magnitude 6, was centred near Opotikl at a depth of 70 miles and was felt in the Bay of Plenty and the East Cape Peninsula. “On December 1, an earthquake occurred beneath Lake Te Anau at a depth of 80 miles, the greatest depth that has been established for an earthquake in the southern seismic region of New Zealand.

“This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.5 and was felt extensively in Otago and Southland.

“Other earthquakes felt widely in this region took

place on February 27 (magnitude 5.7) and March 21 (magnitude 5.4), and on July 8 an earthquake of magnitude 4.8, centred near Omarama, was felt in North Otago and the Mackenzie Country. “Small earthquakes in areas where they less commonly occur took place on July 5 near Waitakaruru in the Hauraki Plains (magnitude 3}), and on May 11 near Waipu, Northland (magnitude 3). “During January there was a swarm of small earthquakes in the Coromandel Peninsula. More than 100 were felt, but few were large enough to be recorded instrumentally.

“A steam eruption from Mount Ruapehu occurred on July 24. The seismograph at the Chateau recorded tremors from this event, but no increase in earthquake activity.”