A VIGOROUS SHAKE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 82, 7 April 1941, Page 9

A VIGOROUS SHAKE

RUMBLING EARTHQUAKE

Preceded by a prolonged rumbling, quite a vigorous earthquake was felt throughout the city and suburbs shortly before 7 a.m. today. In the Hutt Valley the initial rumbling seems to have been more pronounced than elsewhere. The strength of the shake on the Rossi-Forel scale was about 4 or 5. varying in different localities. It is a considerable time since Wellington has had such a pronounced earthquake, but it was of comparatively short duration and no damage has been reported.

The seismological instruments at the Dominion Observatory recorded the shake very distinctly, and a preliminary analysis of the tracings places the centre of origin at between 80 and 90 miles from Wellington. This is a very common distance for shakes felt locally, but in what direction the centre lay cannot be ascertained until reports are received from other recording stations.

FELT IN OTHER CENTRES

Press Association messages from Christchurch. Nelson, and Hokitika report that a fairly sharp earthquake was fell, in those centres shortly before 7 a.m. today. Murchison had its heaviest shock for some years. There are no reports of any damage.

Christchurch observations place the centre of the tremors close to Murchison.