EARTHQUAKE FORECASTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20355, 9 September 1929, Page 12

EARTHQUAKE FORECASTS.

DEVISING OF METHODS. PRELIMINARY STEPS TAKEN. [I!Y TELEGRAM!.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. Preliminary steps toward/ devising methods which will give rcliablo forecasts of earthquakes havo been taken by tho Minister in charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Hon. 11. Atmoic. Tho problem has recently been discussed by the observatory committee of tho Research Council, and two members, Professor D. McL. Sommerville, Victoria University College, and Dr. C. E. Adams, Government seismologist, have been asked to investigate and report on a method of predicting earthquakes based on tidal action oil the plastic interior of the earth.

Arrangements have been made for obtaining certain tilt instruments which have proved efficient in Japan in forecasting earthquakes, and the Lands and Survey Department and other .departments concerned have been asked to initiate precise levelling and surveying measurements, particularly in tho neighbourhood of active faults, and to arrange for periodic rcsurvcys as required. Presumably such levelling and surveying could not be carried out on every small fault over the whole of Now Zealand, but possibly suflicient evidence will bo forthcoming to indicate the development of any strain in the crust such as preceded the earthquakes in California and Japan.

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