THE EARTHQUAKE

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18371, 2 May 1925, Page 12

THE EARTHQUAKE

seismograph record. The seismograph records in connexion with Thursday night's earthquake were developed at the Christehurch Observatory yesterday. Mr H. F. Skey, officer in charge, made the following report yesterday:— "There were two 'quakes, both of which were felt in Christehurch. The first tremor was a comparatively mild one and struck the city at 21 hours 36.3 minutes (9.36.3 p.m.). The maximum shake was felt at 21 hours 37.2 minutes, and the laßt tremor at 21 hours 42.7 minutes. The total amplitudo was five millimetres—a comparatively small shake. The second 'quake occurred 55 minutes later, and the total amplitude on the recorder was 45 millimetres. The shock struck Christehurch at 22 hours 31.3 minutes, and the maximum movement was recorded on the seismograph at 22 hours 33.7 minutes, the last tremor shown on the record being at 22 hour 3 46.8 minutes."

The major shock was, therefore, of a milder character than that which occurred on Christmas Day, 1922, when the bar of the seismograph at the local Observatory was thrown completely out of alignment and rendered useless. In the case of Thursday's disturbance there was a slight dislocation of the seismograph bar, but not, sufficient to hinder fairly accurate recording. Mr Skey stated that the seat of the earthquaka was evidently somewhere off the Cheviot coast or in the vicinity of the Cheviot district, but it would be some time before the actual locality of the fault could bo located. DAMAGE IN THE NORTH. ROADS CRACKED AND TREES UPROOTED. (special to "Tint rum.") KAIKOURA, May 1. Two severe earth tremors occurred last night, the first at 9.35 and the second at ■ 10.30. There was a little*, rumbling with the first shock, which continued for about ten seconds, but tho second shock caused wallß to bond, crockery to shake, and chimneys to sway. So far, only one chimney is reported down lierc, but considerable damage was done in most pantries. Further north, the quake seems to have been more sovere. From Halfmoon Bay to tho Clarence Bridge trefts have been uprooted, slips of rock brought down, and cracks formed in the road from two inches to eight inches wide. Chimneys are down at Messrs E. Harris's, Parkef's, and Todhunter's places, and at Woodbank. Slips occurred on the Pulii Puhi road, and a temporary blockade of traffic was occasioned. .

Telephone communication with Christchurch last night was interrupted. At Clarence the tremors occurred throughout the niglit, and residents; state that the second shock last' night was the most severe felt in. this district. CONTINUOUS TREMORS. ) SEVERE SHOCKS ON EAST COAST. , (•PSOIiX TO "in PMM.'I BLENHEIM, May 1. The second of the earthquakes experienced in Blenheim last night was noteworthy for the prolongation of the vibrations for quite an appreciable number of seconds, but was not accompanied by the jerky movement which made the recent heavy quake in Blenheim a rather terrifying experience for some people. T.he East Coast experienced the shocks to a much • greater extent. Mr J. W. Trolove, of The Shades, who was in town this morning, stated that three distinct earthquakes were experienced, the second one. at 10 p.m., while there was a series of jolts in addition. Some damage was done to Mrs Ticlove's cr ckery. . Further down the coast, in the neighbourhood of t!i« Clarence Bridge, over forty shocks, large and small, woro counted by one settlor during the night, and it is reported that one or two residents left their homes. The driver of a car which arrived in Blenheim this morning stated that lie had observed several cracks in the road, which he attributed to it he earthquake.

SUSTAINED SHOCKS. PANIC OVER EARTHQUAKE. Ispbcul to "fata rasas. ') KAIKOURA, May 1. Sustained fcarth tremors, tha.t have lasted for a day, have given concern to residents in the district of Kekerahgu, Which is about half-way between Kaikoura and Blenheim. It is stated that 47 separate shocks had been felt up till lai>t night and that some people hud deserted their houses and were; sleeping outside. Mr A. Kittson Thomas, sheep-farmer, of "Woodbank," about 26 miles l'rom Kaikoura, stated aver the telephone hist/ night that his family was so concerned over the tremors that they were about to bivouac in the drive to his residence, the open space having been considered a good deal safer than the house. IN OTHER PLACES. Our Culverden correspondent writes: Two sharp earthquakes were felt here on Thursday night, one at 9.30 and the other at 10.30. The first was not as severe as the second, which lasted for about three quarters of a minute, and started with slight wave-like movements. No damage is reported and the only notable feature was the stopping of clocks.

A somewhat prolonged, but otherwise slight shock oi' earthquake was experienced about 9.30 p.m. on. Thursday night (writes our Hanmer correspondent). This was followed an hour later by a further shock, more prolonged than the first, and no more violent. The direction seemed to be cast and webt.

The earthquake at Leithfield was severe enough to cause clocks to stop and to .waken light sleepers. Two shocks of earthquake were felt at Sc«rgi)l on Thursday evening, the first being at 0.-35 p.m., and lasting only a few seconds. The second shock was felt about an h'our later, and wfs of much longer duration, but was not severe enough to do any damage. An earthquake lasting for a few seconds was felt at Bakaia on Thursday evening, shortly after half-past ton. The shock was severe enough to cause pictures to sway and dishes to rattle, and was preceded by a sound like a rising wind. Te Pirita residents also felt the tremors.