SHARP EARTHQUAKE IN DUNEDIN AND PROVINCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27092, 28 May 1949, Page 6

SHARP EARTHQUAKE IN DUNEDIN AND PROVINCE

Dunedin had its most severe earthquake for some years last night and though no damage is reported, the shake was of sufficient intensity to set lights swinging violently, particularly in the hill suburbs, and to rattle doors and windows. The shock was also felt with varying intensity throughout the province.

The shock commenced it 8.55. with a preliminary tremor. This lasted for about 30 seconds, and it then became much more violent for about five seconds, though judging by the estimates given by many telephone callers to the Daily Times, this period appeared to be much longer. The shock was accompanied by a cracking noise, which was heard much more distinctly in some parts of the city than others. It was a distinctly rotary movement, the ground appearing to be rolling in very similar manner to the swell of the sea. Although there was a wide divergence of opinion about the direction of the earthquake, a Dunedin authority states that it was from the south-west. It was fortunate that the more severe movement lasted only a few seconds, because there is no doubt about its severity, and it is estimated that it was of a force of between 4 and 5 on the Mercelli scale, the standard now adopted by seismologists in the Dominion. Had it lasted for a more appreciable time it is more than likely that a good deal of damage would have been done. Reports of the earthquake were received from the Daily Times correspondents at Cromwell, Alexandra, Ranfurly and other centres in Central Otago. No damage was caused in any of these places, but it was agreed that the main part of the shock was the most severe experienced for years. In these places a rumbling noise was also heard. The shock was also felt at Balclutha and at Oamaru, where the final stages were also fairly severe. Reports from country districts in North Otago suggest that the shock was more pronounced than in Oamaru itself. At Port Chalmers the shock and the accompanying rumbling noise left the impression on the minds of many residents of a tram rushing at full speed through the tunnel. FELT IN THEATRE Mr Stanley Holloway, the wellknown British comedian, was last on tour from Britain 33 .years ago. It was a tour of South America, and while in Valparaiso a performance was interrupted by an earthquake. Last evening in Dunedin he discovered that overseas tours can have unexpected similarities. Mr Holloway had just left the stage when the earthquake struck, and Mr Ossie Cheeseman continued to play the piano without giving any indication that he had noticed the quake. Some members of the audience, however, did not exhibit the same aplomb, one elderly woman leaving the dress circle as though assisted by jet-propulsion. The quake was particularly apparent in the circle, and was accompanied by a loud rumbling. Two tubular braces across the dome of the theatre trembled violently for several seconds and the central roof light swayed x or some minutes. TEMPORARY ALARM AT INVERCARGILL PA INVERCARGILL, May 27. A short but sharp earthquake at Invercargill at 8.55 to-night was sufficiently severe to cause temporary alarm in picture theatres and other places. The shock, which lasted for about 15 seconds, was preceded by a rumbling noise. No damage was reported.