Severe Earthquake Shock

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1938, Page 6

Severe Earthquake Shock

[Special ,to “Northern Advocate”l PALMERSTON NORTH, This Day. A severe earthquake shook the Palmerston North district at 9.13 o’clock last night. No major damage has been reported, but a number of chimneys were brought down, and movable objects were dislodged from shelves and mantelpieces. The earth movement was recorded at a magnitude of seven on the Rossi Forel scale. There was no panic at such places at the picture theatres, although a number of people left for the open air. The ’quake lasted for about half a minute. It commenced with a rumble and slight tremor that gave time for people to wonder whether there was going to be a climax or whether it would gradually die down. Employees at the Wairarapa Farm-, ers’ Co-operative Association’s shop were stock-taking at the time, and made a hurried exit, to the accompaniment of falling tins and other goods. A report from Pahiatua shows that the earthquake was felt at a strength of about half that of March, 1933. Masterton also felt the shake badly, and Taihape reports that it was severe in that area, and possibly the heaviest they have experienced. Dannevirke felt the shake equally as severely as Palmerston North, and in shop windows articles were disturbed. A loud rumbling noise was a feature of the tremor, which appeared to come from a south-easterly direction. Feilding reports having experienced a severe shake, but there was no major damage.