Earthquake Danger

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 1, 16 January 1937, Page 7

Earthquake Danger

— Press Association

MAINLY IN MARCH More Violent Disturbances in N.Z. Than in Japan AUCKLAND NOT IMMUNE

Bv Telesrranb-

AUCKLAND, Jan. 16. The generally current opinion thalr Auckland is immune from the danger of earthquakes was referred to by Mr R. C. Hayes, acting Dominion Seismologist, in addressing the physics section of the Science Congress. That Auckland is not lmmune from such shocks was amply demonstrated by the particularly Violent earthquake which occurred near the town in 1934-35. In fact, said Mr Hayes, places wbich are continually experiencing small tremors are more likely to avoid any serious upbeavals than places where no sboeks have been recorded over a long period. Minor tremors aet as safety • valves. Tbe importance of earthquakes in the Dominion was fully realised by tbe autborities and, apart from tbe two main observatories at Wellington and Cbristcburcb, tbere were eleven subsidiaTy stations in New Zealand and one in «fche Cbatham Islands. In addition a seismograph would be installed sbortly at Kaitaia, providing valuable coverage in tbe extreme nortb. In investigating past earthquakes in tbe Dominion, Mr Hayes has found tbat they tend to occur mainly in Mareh, with a secondary maximum in September, wbile tbe month of January is most free from disturbances. Earthquakes tend to occur most frequently over tbe central portion of tbe North Island and in Nelson, wbicb account for from 15 to 30 per cent of tbe total. Tbe most violent earthquakes occur in tbe Hawke's Bay and Wellington provinces and over tbe northern portion of tbe Soutb Island from Kaikoura nortbwards. Tbe possibility tbat we were living in a "fool's paradise'' and tbat the gravity of tbe earthquake problem was not sufficiently appreciated in tbis country were stressed by Dr. L. Bastings in a subsequent paper, Dr. Bastings urged tbat our model "earthquake building" by-laws were far from satisfactory and tbat scientific consideration sbould be given to the type of subsoil upon wbich buildings were erected as tbe nature of tbis vitally affected tbe ^afety of tbe building in a severe tremor. "Most people believe tbat, altbougb we experience some earthquakes bere, Japan is a far more dangerous place to live in," added Dr. Bastings. "As,a matter of fact, New Zealand experiences more violent earthquakes for its area than does Japan."