THE CAUSES OF THE EARTHQUAKES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 28 November 1901, Page 4

THE CAUSES OF THE EARTHQUAKES.

Mr J. T. Stevenson’s Theories,

Wellington, Nov 21.

In connection with the earthquakes at Cheviot, Mr J. T. Stevenson, P.8.A.5., of Auckland, calls attention to the conjunction of the three planets, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uonu 1- , which was to have occurred on Wednesday night and which was expected to perturb, if only in a slight degree, the conditions affecting the gravitation of the planet on which we live. It is also worth noting in this conconection that the earthquake and other terrestrial disturbances occurred at the exact time that the famous Leonids were due to appear, and did appear as per cablegram of yesterday. Professor Milne in his work on earthquakes, states that a greater number of earthquakes happen in November, and are attributed by some authorities to the passage of meteors, and it may be remembered that the passage of a brilliant meteor recently recorded in the Australian cable news was coincident with remarkable earth tremors

The following is Mr Stevenson’s statement :—“The unique phenomena of the conjunctions of the bright planets Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn, will be visible during the next few nights. Venus will be in conjunction with Jupiter to-night, and also with the planet Saturn on the afternoon of November 19th. Jupiter and Saturn will be in close conjunction on the 28th November, and will be visible through a telescope at that time. The distances of the planets from the earth will, however, vary greatly, Venus being about 74 millions of miles away. Jupiter some 538 millions, and Saturn about 1000 millions of miles distant. Of the planets, Venus will appear the most brilliant, Jupiter next, and lastly, Saturn, shining with a pale golden lustre. The gradual approach of the planets can bo watched from night to night. It is twenty years since Jupiter and Saturn have been in conjunction, and on this occasion they are much closer.”