LITTLE-KNOWN SCIENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 444, 8 July 1922, Page 2

LITTLE-KNOWN SCIENCE.

LECTURE ON EARTHQUAKES,

The little-known science of seismology formed the basis of a lecture by Dr. Adams, Government Astronomer, which was delivered ip the Municipal Hall last, evening. Entitled “Earthquakes and their causes,” the lecture, although in parts highly technical, was followed with considerable interest by die large audience in attendance.

Cr. Oram presided, and in his introductory remarks ho said that it was a mailer for extreme gratification that Dr. Adams was the first native born New Zealander to lecture in the hall. It was a matter for congratulation that the New Zealand Government had seen fit to release Dr. Adams from his duties in order to take part in the scientific investigation lo bo hold in Australia in the very near tuluro, in connection with the' eclipse of tin sum It showed the practical interest the Dominion Government was taking in matters scientific,. • ■

Dr. Adam?, in the course of his lecture, pointed out I hat the earth was always on Iho mo.ve. Seismology was a difficult subject on which to base any definite assumption. The whole thing pointed to the earth, which was not quiescent, being subjected (o a strain released somewhere. The Rouble was to see what produced that strain, and that stage had not yet- been reached. Science was Hill ignorant of much data, on the subject, and.they might possibly have to look beyond their own globe for the primary cause of the shocks. _ It was very easy to make weird predictions

about earthquakes, gathered Iroin _ sunspots and the like, but it was quite a different, thing lo prove them. Seismology was, he continued, no new science, as history told that, ns early as 136 A.D. a -Chinesd. scientist invented' a most elaborate instrument for registering 'quakes. TleM lecturer went, on to point out that various countries (including' New Zealand) acted in close co-operation in the matter of recording earthquakes,_ ami by dint of an interchange of observations they were frequently enabled to locate the centre of disturbance. Much had been accomplished by study and diligent research, but much more remained yet to be discovered. In this connection he expressed the hope that New Zealand would procure suitable instrumental equipment, which at present it was actually in need of, so as to bo in a position of recording earthquakes with a higher degree of accuracy. Dr. Adams received a hearty vote of thanks for his lecture, which incidentally was profusely illustrated with lantern slides.