SHARP ’QUAKE

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 8

SHARP ’QUAKE

WIDE AREA ROCKED MINOR DAMAGE CAUSED I HOUSEHOLDS SUFFER LOSS (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON. Friday A sharp earthquake at about 2.20 this afternoon was felt over a wide I area from Manaia and Porangahau in i the north to Nelson in the south. Minor damage was caused in a number of places, but nobody was injured, i The shake was of intensity seven on ■ the Rossi-Forel scale at Dannevirke, I five at Wellington and three at Napier ) From general reports received by the ) Dominion Seismologieal Observatory at ■ Wellington, the centre of the earthjquake was about 95 miles from WelI lington. It appears to have originated | in Southern Hawke’s Bay, a little east of the Tararua Range. The following reports have been received from other centres:— Some Structural Damage Dannevirke.—Strong earthquake at 2.20 p.m.; intensity seven-: duration 40 seconds: direction south to north. Some structural damage was caused, the worst being an extensive crack in one corner of the front of the Dannevirke Power Board building. Chimneys fell down in outlying districts, and fairly heavy losses were suffered in some households. Water tanks also were damaged. Levin. —Fairly severe earthquake at 2,21 p.m., with rolling tendency; about 15 seconds duration. Manaia.—Sharp earthquake shock at 2.22 p.m., lasting approximately one minute. No damage reported. Norsewood.—Very heavy earthqauke shock at 2.22 p.m. No apparent damage. Palmerston North.—Heavy earthquake shock at 2.21 p.m.; direction west to east. Some chimneys down between Bulls and Greatford. At Pohangina several water tanks burst and shelves were cleared of their contents. Pahiatua.—The shock dislodged merchandise from the shelves of shops and wrecked window displays. A number of chimneys fell. Weber.—Two very severe shocks at 2.19 p.m. Three tanks sprang leaks; pendulum of post office clock broken; furniture moved out of position. In Other Centres Talhape.—Severe earthquake at 2.21 p.m. Several chimneys reported damaged. Wanganui.—Very sharp earthquake shock at 2.21 p.m.; apparent direction north-west to south-east. General stoppage of clocks and considerable movement within buildings, but little or no damage reported. The shock appears to have been felt fairly severely at Marion, Raetihi and Ohakune, but was less severe at Patea, Waverley and Waitotara. Napier.—Mild earthquake at 2.21 p.m. Porangahau. Heavy earthquake shock at 2.25 p.m. Some chimneys down; crockery broken; tanks down. Waipukurau.—Fairly severe earthquake at 2.22 p.m.: less intense than that of December 15; direction north to south. No damage reported. Hastings.—Earthquake of moderate intensity at 2.20 p.m. No damage reported. Most Severe Since Napier Bulls. —A shock of earthquake, the most severe since the Napier catastrophe was felt here. It did more damage than on that occasion, aLthough it was all of a minor nature. The shock was experienced as a sharp jolt, with an alarming upheaval. Reports from Taupo, Opotiki and elsewhere state that the 'quake was felt, hut no damage resulted.