MORE EARTHQUAKES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 52, 25 November 1929, Page 10

MORE EARTHQUAKES

WELLINGTON ONLY SLIGHTLY DISTURBED SEVERE AT WESTPORT Wellington was slightly shaken at 3.45 o’clock on Saturday morning by an earthquake which appears to have originated in the Westport district. The shock was of brief duration only, but was quite sufficient to wake light sleepers. A few clocks were stopped, but no damage has been reported. “It was quite a characteristic record,” said the Government Seismologist (Dr. C. E. Adams), when referring last evening to the record of the shock on his seismograph. “It was of greater intensity than any we have had here for some time, and was about three on the Rossi-Forel scale.” Dr. Adams explained that such after-shocks might be expectetl for some months while the earth gradually settled down after the disastrous upheaval on the West Coast in June last. These after-shocks relieved the strain. The gradual settlement would be marked by little fluctuations at times. “There will be a general tailing-off with a few rises,” he said. Fairly Pronounced in Christchurch. “A Dominion” Special Service message from Christchurch states that a fairly pronounced earthquake was recorded there, and that the records of the Christchurch Observatory showed that the amplitude of the earth movement in the city was less than one millimetre, and that the duration was just under a minute. The actual time of the shock was 3.44.3 a.m., summer time. The movement was sufficient to cause electric lights to swing from north to south, but there was no twisting motion as recorded at Westport. The origin of the ’quake lay to the north-west of Christchurch. The director of the Christchurch Observatory (Mr. H. F. Skey) is of opinion that it had its centre between Greymouth and Murchison. It was not very serious, however, even at the place of origin.' The shock was not felt at Arthur’s Pass. LOUD RUMBLINGS HEARD By Telegraph—Press Association. Westport, November 23. The worst earthquake for the past three months shook Westport at about 3.45 this morning. Its coming was heralded by loud rumblings, and the houses were well shaken, crockery rattling, and In some cases falling on to the floor. The shake lasted the best part of a minute, and finished with a nasty twisting movement Last night, at about 11 o’clock, very loud booming was heard, but no shake accompanied the noise. Many people are feeling nervous as the result of this morning’s shake. FELT AT ROTORUA. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Rotorua, November 23. A slight earthquake tremor was felt at. 2.20 p.m. at Waimangu and the Tarawera lakeside to-day. Three sharp shocks were felt in Rotorua at 5.15, one fairly severe. No damage resulted. _________