ORIGIN OF THE QUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1929, Page 6

ORIGIN OF THE QUAKE

NEAR MURCHISON

INVESTIGATIONS BY Mil SKEY

Mr H. F. Skey, siesmologist at the Magnetic Observatory in the Public Gardens, after visiting Murchison, is of opinion that the origin of the earthquake was inland, that it may have been more extended than was thought, and that it may have been chiefly vertical or chiefly horizontal, a question that will be settled after further investigations have been made. A new fault, thirteen feet wide, has been found by Mr Fytfe, an officer of the Geological Survey, who has been engaged on a geological survey of the unstable ■> district for some time This fault is seen eight miles west-north-west of Murchison. It runs across the valley. Its extent is now being traced by Mr Fyfe. Possibly, Mr Skey states, that is where the earthquake originated. Other faults may be disclosed, and there may be cross-faults. “ I do not think that the origin was at very great depth,” Mr Skey said. “I think that it was more extended than deep;” Records were taken by I 'Mr Skey of movements of the earth while he was at Murchison. He had an improvised seismometer for the purpose, but lie has not yet worked out' the results. These will be obtained. from the accurate times taken in observing the shocks.

- BOOMING NOISES: A soundTiianging apparatus is being used to determine where the ominous hoompig noises come from. The noises have been heard by residents 'for years. Until the big earthquake occurred, they ceased to create unusual interest in the district. In some cases, when Mr Skey was there, the noises were followed by shocks. In other cases, when the noises seemed to be some distance away, nothing followed. Some were fairly loud. One type began like “ Ziz, ziz, ziz,” rising and falling, resembling a motor-car starting, and then sorrfethi'ng was felt.'” I | , ‘ REPORTS NOT EXAGGERATED.

As far as 'the face of the' country is concerned; Mr Skey saw exactly what the newspapers prepared him to see. The reports 1 ‘ were in no way exaggerated. Particularly,’ the damage done to the countryside has not been exaggerated. 'Mr Skey was 'surprised to note that; while sorii’e house's'were very badly damaged, others escaped. It is probable that the , dam at the big fall on' the Matakitaki River will have to be let down, to allo'w some of the water to get away. Mr Skey does not think that there is danger of the Matakitaki dam being carried away. Tie was told that thd ,: dams on the Maruia came down arid' were completely washed away. . NO MORE BRICK CH IMNEYS.

The greatest: effort at present,' appar" ently, will' be on tlie rortds,' and on means of’ maintaining communications. Little rricoibitrnotion has bten done yet. A'feiV chimneys have I ’been reerected at’Glenhope. On'e df the lessons of tlfe Earthquake is that brick chimneys AiVe riot advisable; Ron ones now areMihe' fashion in the ’district. The m'airP feature of til'd (shocks felt by Mr Skdy’ is that they 'did not con-

ey much 'efiergy. There 'was very little nocelerhtion in mofet' of them, showing that they are not tiecoming worse, so Mr Skey still thinks, as a result of inquiries in the quaky centre, that it is settling down to normal, Every / day people are returning tr Murchison, but most .of the women are waiting until the kitchen chimneys are made available by temporary repairs.

The turbine used for lighting at Murchison was damaged, and some time wiT ’tnkfi-to replace it. Mr H. E. U.-ii«T, assistant at the Observatory. who helped in taking the records, w!” ‘Any in the district for a bon 1 4 ’ r 'n da; s. At present he is at Takaka.