THE REGENT EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1917, Page 1

THE REGENT EARTHQUAKE

It is a remarkable fact that the recent series of earthquakes has been most evident and most persistent m the Wairarapa district. An explanation, of this was sought from a leading geologist (says the “Evening Post’’). He stated that the centre of the earthquakes had not yet been fixed, as tlio records were, not available, but it was thought that its centre lay out to sea. It' so, it might he that the Wairarapa was the nearest land. There was a fault, or earthquake line, running in the direction of the Chatham Islands to New Zealand, parallel with the Ruahine. Tararua and Kaikoura Ranges If the centre of the recent disturbances was at the northern dud of that line, oh which many earthquakes have been plotted, Wairarapa would be affected The' line was aproximatelv 100 miles in length, and recent earthquakes m the vicinity of Gisborne indicated the fault extended as far north as that dis- ; trict. Earthquakes are a more fundamental phenomena than volcanic action, but tile latter also indicates lines of weakness. On the line referred to there are evidences of volcanic activity, hut not in the Wairarapa. Volcanic signs are all oii' the west of the Ruahine Range, except for some very ancient volcanic rooks (of thy tertiary period) #n the East Coast.