THE EARTHQUAKE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16549, 13 May 1914, Page 9

THE EARTHQUAKE.

. CAUSE OF THE DISASTER. OPINIONS OF EXPERTS. By Telegraph—Press ■ Association—Copyright. ROME, May 11. Experts at Catania attribute the catastrophe to the subsidence of a vast subterranean cavern, due to the activity of Mount Etna. The disturbance was nearer the surface than in 1908. Father Alfani, of Florence Observatory, also points out that tho early shocks were faint, showing that tho earthquake, was not deep seated; hence tho area was restricted. The record of the Sicilian earthquake was registered at the Christchurch Seismologies] Observatory cm Friday evening. 'lhe beginning was oqhrs drains, and tho maximum attained at 23h, S 24 3mina with a complete amplitude of boom hiotion of six minutes. It is evident that the shock was a severer one than the last Messina earthquake The end of the large waves was at 031 rs 26.9inins. . There were, however, two minor 23hrs 39.9mins and at 231 us 41..