EARTH TREMOR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 18, 17 December 1938, Page 8

EARTH TREMOR

IN SOUTH ISLAND. SEVERE AT QUEENSTOWN. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Dec. 17. A prolonged earthquake shock was experienced throughout Southland at 5.23 o’clock this morning, the shake lasting approximately a minute. It was preceded by a rumbling and was accompanied by several sharp jolts which disturbed sleepers. No damage is reported though clocks stopped. In Queenstown it was more severe, lasting for 2i minutes. Windows were broken and several chimneys displaced, requiring their demolition. The shake’s intensity was six on the Rossi-Forel scale. A sharp shake was also felt at 11.16 o’clock. SWAYING MOVEMENT. FAIRLY SEVERE IN DUNEDIN. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Dec. 17. A fairly severe earthquake was experienced in Dunedin at 5.25 o’clock this morning. There was no jolt, but a swaying movement for some seconds. Many school bells were set aringing. BUILDINGS SWAY IN GORE. INTENSITY OF SIX Per Press Association. GORE, Dec. 17. An earthquake of unsual severity, sufficient to sway buildings, was perienced in the Gore district at 5.20 o’clock this morning. No damage is reported. The earthquake’s intensity was estimated to be six on the Rossi Forel scale. IN TIMARU AREA. NO DAMAGE REPORTED. Per Press Association. TIMARU, Dec. 17. An earthquake shock was felt in Timaru this morning at 5.22, but no damage is reported. It was also felt at the Hermitage (Mt. Cook) and in the Mackenzie Country. SHOP WINDOW BROKEN. SHOCK IN ASHBURTON. Per Press Association. ASHBURTON, Dec. 17. An earthquake shock, the first for very many years, was felt here at 5.24 a.m. to-day. ' A long, quivering movement was preceded by a rumbling sound. One shop window was broken. FELT AT HOKITIKA. NO DAMAGE DONE. Per Press Association. HOKITIKA, Dec. 17. An earthquake lasting for several seconds with a long swaying motion was felt here at 5.20 o’clock this morning. It was fairly heavy. There was no damage done.