The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOVEMBER 19, 1901. EARTHQUAKES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 266, 19 November 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, NOVEMBER 19, 1901. EARTHQUAKES.

The information from tlio South in regard to the earthquake shocks is of a most distressing nature. Not only has great damage been done, but there has been created a reign of terror that only time and a cessation ' from shocks can allay. There is little wonder that the people are pamc-stricicen. There is something uncanny about earthquakes, and danger of that kind seems in every way different from the danger that is open and can be fought against. The severity of the shocks in the youth have indeed been alarming, and even in those parts of the c >iony where people have not boon disturbed, there must bo some who will entertain a feeling of dread, while all can deeply sympathise with the sufferers, The severity of the shocks will naturally cause many to more closely consider the phenomena of earthquakes. The science of soismology has now many students, though whether’it places us far ahead in the matter of investigation is open to question. An authority on the subject states: “ Whatever may he the real origin of the earthquake shock, it is convenient to regard its effects as proceeding from a concussion or sudden blow delivered underground at some definite centre — in nature a subterranean region, in many cases of very largo dimensions.” From the seismio cehlf ft waves are propagated in all directions through the solid materials of the earth’s crust; and il ■the focus bo situated beneath the sea, the vibrations of the ground will be accompanied by undulations of the water. We are told that those waves

which pass through the elastic materials of the earth consist, for the most part, of longitudinal vibrations, like those of atmospheric sound waves. The seismometer, by which the force of an earthquake is arrived at, is simply an instrument for showing the displacement of liquids by the shock, or it may bo in the form of pendulums which will record the direction and extent of vibration, i here are other and more ingenious instruments used as seismometers, but all having the same object, to make and retain a record. The startling statement made by Mr Hogben would be very alarming wtu-o it not for the knowledge that in any case the records would only have a very local application.