SHARP EARTHQUAKE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 35, 4 November 1933, Page 9

SHARP EARTHQUAKE

Centre in Cook Strait LITTLE DAMAGE DONE Most people in Wellington yesterday were awakened by a sharp earthquake which occurred at 5.17 a.m.. The biggest jolt was rather alarming in its rudeness, being of sufficient severity to make the rafters creak and to rattle some of the furniture, but after a couple of seconds tlie shake tailed off into a gentle swaying finish. Dr. C. E. Adams, Government Seismologist, reported that, the registration of the quake in Wellington was between 5 and 6 in intensity according to the Rossi-Forel scale. Blenheim had reported an intensity of 6 in the same scale. The centre of the disturbance was in Cook Strait, only .40 miles away. There was no very serious damage reported. A brick chimney fell in Bolton Street and several others were damaged. At Macduff's store in Cuba Street a dozen cups and saucers were broken. That was almost to be expected, as they were pyramided one upon the other in one of the show windows. At Kirkcaldie and Stains’s shop four vases were dislodged from their shelves and broken. Some atoms of plaster fell in the Central Public Library, and a couple of books were found on the floor. These may have been left partly overhanging the shelves on which they were lying. The definitions of shocks of intensity of 5 and 6 on the Rossi-Forel scale are;— 5— Shock of moderate intensity, felt generally by everybody, with disturbance of furniture, beds, etc., and ringing of some bells. 6— Fairly' strong shake generally awaking those persons who are asleep, shifting of unfixed articles, oscillating of chandeliers, stoppage of clocks and ringing of bells. Reports From Other Towns The Secretary, General Post Office, advises that the following earthquake reports were received : — Nelson.—Prolonged shoes earthquake felt at 5.15 a.m. to-day, preceded hj’ long rumble. No damage reported. Felt slightly at Murchison and more prolonged ii_t Motueka. -Postmaster, Takaka, advises fairly strong. Blenheim.—Fairly strong earthquake north-east to south-west preceded by loud rumbling experienced at 5.17 a.m. Duration, 6 seconds. No damage reported. Rossi-Forel scale, 6. Wanganui.—Fairly severe earthquake felt here at 5.19 a.m. Started with slight tremor and increased in intensity, causing doors, pictures and electric lights to swing very pronouncedly in eqst to west direction, then gradipiily faded away. No dam-, age reported. Shock lasted from 15 to 20 seconds. Palmerston North.—Slight prolonged trembling earthquake experienced- ac 5,18 a.m.