SPOT IN THE SUN

Otago Witness, Issue 3309, 15 August 1917, Page 7

SPOT IN THE SUN

' POSSIBLE CATTSE OF EARTH TREMORS. (From Ode Own CcmRESPOXDKxr.) WELLINGTON, August 9. A big spot in the sun haifi boon observed by Mr G. V. Hudson, a well-known Wellington astronomer. Mr Hudson discovered the spot on Sunday with an astronomical telescope. It is only one of several spots now visible, but it is Ihe largest; in fact it is only once in four or five years that one of such magnitude is observed. Mr Hudson states that it will bo opposite tho earth to-morrow, but it may bo a little above or below tho centre of the solar disc. The astronomer was asked if abnormal sun spots could be held responsible for seismic disturbances. He replied that this was possible. Sun spot's had been proved to have an influence on the magnetic poles, and it was conceivable that they exerted forces not apparent to us which might cause earth tremors. It is a remarkable fact that tho recent s'-ries of oarthqunkes has been most persistent, in the Wairarapa district. An explanation was sought from a leading geologist. He stated that tho centre of the earthquakes had not yet been fixed, as the records were not available, but it was thought that the centre lay out to sea. If so, it might be that the Wairapara was the nearest land. There was a fault, or earthquake line, running in the direction of the Chatham Islands to New Zealand, parallel with the Ruahine, Tararua, and Kaikoura Ranges. If the centre of tho recent disturbances was at tho northern end of that line, on which many earthquakes have been plotted, tho Wairarapa would bo affected. The lino was approximately 100 miles in length, and recent 'earthquakes in the vicinitv of Gisborne indicated that the fault extended as far north as that district. Earthquakes are more fundamental phenomena than volcanic- action, but the latter also indicates lines of weakness. On the lino referred to there are evidences of voVanio activitv, but not in the Wairarapa. The residents of North Wairarapa hftrr* had an uncanny experience since Monday's big earthquake, shocks having continued with monotonous regularity. Pronounced tremors were felt in Maistorton at 3.30 and 6.50 this morning.

Reports current that the sheep market further south is more stable than it is in this county (says the- Ashburton Guardian) are borne out by a. private sale of 1200 hoggets made on the 3rd to a southern buyer. The same line was offered at Tinwald a fow days earlier, but was passed in owing to the dull market.