EARTHQUAKE & TIDAL WAVE

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 13, 16 July 1917, Page 7

EARTHQUAKE & TIDAL WAVE

IN THE SAMOA GROUP

MUCH DAMAGE DONE.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PHESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Particulars received of an earthquake 1* and tidal wave in the Samoa Group on, 25th June show that there were alarming tremors, extending over a period of two minutes. Buildings were violently shaken, and the Customhouse, a concrete building, was considerably damaged. Residences and stores also suffered, but to" a less extent. Many subsidences occurred, oaa near the principal stores being about 30ft square. ■ The earthquake reached the maximum, in the- mountains of the interior. The ground was agitated like.the waves of the ocean. Acres of trees were uproot.cd and -masses of rock hurled down the mountain sides. A tidal wave followed, the full force of which was experienced on- the side opposite to Apia. It was also severely felt on the Alerpata coast, at Lolofaga, Savaii, and Pagopago. The tide was dead low, but the sea swept over the beach into the adjacent native houses, carrying everything before it. The inhabitants fled terror-stricken to the hills. The Mormon Church at Pagopago was demolished. , ' The wave was almost spent on reaching Haapai,. where it caused the loss of several cutters and flooded shops and! dwellings.