South Westland As Centre Of Sharp Earth Movements

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1947, Page 4

South Westland As Centre Of Sharp Earth Movements

The West Coast last night experienced its sharpest earthquake ihock for a considerable time, the centre of the disturbance apparently being located in South Westland, near Jacob’s river, which is 1?7 miles,south of Hokitika. In Greymouth, the shock was estimated to be of an intensity of three on the modified Mr rcali„ scale—felt most noticeably indoors, without structural damage.

The major shock, which was the one felt in Greymcuth and over the whole of the northern part of Westland, occurred at 7.34 p.m., but nearer the centre of the earth movement, the first jolt was followed by a succession of smaller shocks which lasted over an hour and a-half. .

The only damage reported occurred in the Fox Glacier-Jacob’s river area, but it was much less than was reported this morning. A report that the guests at the Fox Glacier hostel “spent a terrifying* two hours” was described today by the postmistress at the Fox Glacier, Miss Sullivan, as “utterly ridiculous.” Miss Sullivan said that the first shock was certainly severe and it resulted in a small amount of crockery at the hostel being broken, but there was no damage to chimneys or other parts of the building and there was no suggestion of panic among the guests. There were several smaller shocks later .in the night, but they did not have the intensity of the earlier movement,’the worst being at 8.50 p.m. A.t Jacob’s river, apparently the centre of the disturbance, three water tanks were burst and furniture slid across the floor, but no severe damage to houses occurred. Elsewhere in the same locality, a few cracks appeared in chimneys but there have been no reports of chimneys having fallen. At Greymouth, the movement appeared to be circular and was sharp indoors. Crockery rattled and liaht fixtures swung visibly, but there was no damage. Most parts of the Grey Valley felt a similar shock but its intensity was less in the north. Murchison felt a slight shock, but Nelson and Wellington did not report any movement.

Press Association messages report that an earthquake shock varying in severity in different districts was felt in Otago and Southland last evening. The shock was slight in Dunedin. sidents in some parts of Central Otago, notably Naseby, Ranfurly and Queenstown, said it was the most severe for years. In Ipvercargill a swaying motion continued for about a minute, causing doors and windows to rattle and lights to sway. In Timaru the tremor lasted for a few seconds, causing lights and pictures to sway.

In Christchurch, only a slight tremor was recorded and was not noticed by many people.