HEAVY EARTHQUAKE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 185, 20 July 1934, Page 7

HEAVY EARTHQUAKE

Kew Observatory’s Record CLOSE TO NEW ZEALAND Dy Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON, July 19. The seismologist, Sir Napier Shaw, who recorded two earthquakes, says that they were severest in the Antipodes, close to New Zealand. They may have happened in the Pacific Ocean bed, but the possibility that they occurred in New Zealand itself cannot be overlooked.

RECORDED AT WELLINGTON Long Way From New Zealand By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, July 19. Dr. C. E. Adams, Dominion seismologist, referring to Sir Napier Shaw’s record of two earthquakes in the Antipodes, said that excellent records were secured of both earthquakes on seismological instruments at Kelbnrn. The first occurred on July IS at 1.20 p.m. New Zealand mean time, and the second on July 19 at 7.16 a.m. ■The first was about 7700 miles away from New Zealand. Notice of this earthquake was cabled from Kew Observatory, stating that it was about 5000 miles away in the Pacific. Calculations made with the aid of local records showed that the 'quake must have occurred somewhere in Central America. The second was closer; nevertheless, it was 2000 miles away from New Zealand. It is difficult to understand how Sir Napier Shaw came to be 2000 miles out in his estimate. The records were quite distinctive and they represented the biggest earthquakes that have been recorded for some time. However, neither were anywhere near New Zealand, and it is unfortunate that this country is being credited with them.

CHRISTCHURCH RECORD Eight Varying Shocks By Telepragh—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, July 19. Eight earthquake shocks of varying intensity were recorded by the seismometer at the Christchurch magnetic observatory to-day in slightly more than half a day. Three were classed as local shocks, but these were of quite insignificcnt magnitude. The other five, which were from varying distances, were of greatly varying intensity. Much the heaviest shock was recorded at IS minute s 48 seconds past. 7 o’clock this murniug, and it is calculated that the origin must have been 2200 miles from Christchurch. The

source is believed to be in a north* westerly direction, but this cannot be stated definitely. The record was put on the instrument at 4.30 p.m. on We& nesday afternoon and was taken off at 9.30 o’clock this morning, and. it was between those hours that the eight shocks were shown on the record. SYDNEY RECORDS SHOCKS SYDNEY, July 19. The Riverview Observatory record*! three earthquakes, the first at nooa yesterday, the second at 3 o’clock thia morning, and the third, which was the most severe, at 5.40 a.m. The latter was approximately 1950 miles north-east of Sydney in the vicinity of the San Cristobal Island in the Solomons Group. Later shocks were recorded from the same locality.