TAUPO QUAKES

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 744, 4 July 1922, Page 5

TAUPO QUAKES

ORIGIN ASCERTAINED. MILES BELOW THE SURFACE, In Rotorua for the past three weeks the main subject of coriveirsa-' tion is, and only naturdfy sot the one primary topic of conversation is wha/t is now generally known as the “Taupo Quakes.” There is a great deal of speculation as to 'the cause arid origSn of the earth tremors and earth nerve shakes that have of late become almost part and parcel of the Wairelki, Taupo and Oruanui areas. For the past two weeks Government scismoloigists have been making investigations \n the districts concerned, endeavouring 'to ascertain the cause of such earth shakes. Many of those who have been resident in these areas have staged that although hifherto there have been periods of seismic activity, none been spread over such a period of time as is this time the case,

Some interesting remarks las to the origin of these “quakes and ermbles” of the earth were made a few days agd by Professor Mars den, of Victoria CoMege. The professor has just completed investigations in the earthquakes regions conducted by him on behalf of the Zealand Government.

The professor took up with h!!m some specially constructed seismographs for the purpose'of f rying to discover {the origjin of the trouble. These instruments were made in Wellington in a very short time and he was fortunate to arrive in Taupo just in time to/ experience the fast big series of shocks, Actually he reached his destination at 6 o’clock on Saturday evening. After working al nigljt he was able by 2 aun. on Sunday to have his instruments all set up for the purpose of making (the investigations, Speaking an general terms, Professor Marsden said that his investigations pointed to (the conclusion that there was no danger threatening the country. Discussing the fissures and cracks which in some quarters had led to a good deal of apprehension, he said that these were simply the resif.t of aiuvial, earth beitag thrown , up, These openings in ithe earth’s crust had occurred at Ohuanui and Nga-

ngiho. The earthquakes were mostly confiend to !an area of six to "eight rrjiles west of Taupo, a bare region with fishermen’s huts (untenated in winter) as practicality (the only s'.'gns of habitation. ' The quakes were accompanied byword noises, which had the effect of putting “the wind up” among the people, whereas i)i point of fact it would not seem that', there was any cause for alarm On Saturday night, for instance., a camping party of surveyors courted 57 “quakes” ,in five hours. In reiterating his belief that there was no fear of impending disaster, the professor sa/jd £hat by of hits intmments he had been abl« to ascertain that the disturbances sufficiently deep down -: n , ’the bowels of the earth .tq allay apprehension. As a matter of fact they were from four to five miles below the surface, which served to indicate that there was no alarming possibility of a Wow out. Anyhow, he smi.Vngly added he would not be afraid to stay on the spot. Another Important point made by Another important point made by the professor was that he had succeeded in locating the seat of the disturbance, but pending his official report he did not feel at {liberty. disease its whereaboults.