SHARP ’QUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1931, Page 5

SHARP ’QUAKE

SEVERE AND PROLONGED EXPERIENCED IN NORTH ISLAND. A DOUBLE SHAKE. fJiyj Telegraph—Per Tress Association) WAIROA, September 22. One of the heaviest earthquakes experienced here since the February disaster occurred shortly a ter ' Y, one this morning, consisting of two heavy shocks in ciose succession. The people were greatly alarmed and rushed out in their night attire. Fortunately no damage is reported. FELT AT GISBORNE. i G TSBORNE, September 22. An earthquake, severe and fairly pro- , longed occurred at 1.6 this morning. No damage is reported. The displacement on the Miln Jogger recording machine was two and three quarter inches. , NOISY AND PROLONGED. t)ANNEVIRKj£, September 22. A noisy, prolonged and severe quake was felt at 1.10 a.in. It commenced gently, practically subsided and than increased in intensity and gave the town and country a vigorous shaking, Had it been daylight there would have been a scamper for the open but most people stayed in bed and hopeu for the best. It lasted unusually ; long and considering the severity it is surprising that no damage is reported. GIRBORNE REPORT. WAIPU WELL SHAKEN.

GISBORNE, September 22

The indications are that the earth movement this morning radiated from some centre not far from East Cape to seaward. The shock was preceded by a subterranean rumble culminating in a sudden lifting motion, the oscillations being too short, • however, for heavy weights to acquire momentum,' ' this fact probably accounting for the small amount of damage, even among goods in shop display windows andj shelves in Gisborne, , • V

No structural damage is reported from any centre on the Coast or south of Gisborne, though all reports indicate this was the most severe shake since February 3rd, excepting that on the early morning of May 9. • Y t Townships in Waipu County. report the Worst quake felt for years, these areas haying been outside the fcoiie influenced by the Hawke’s Bay quake ill 1 '* !1 - . lloads, bridges ami railways ate undamaged and there w«s ! bo renewal in Waii'OU'—Moliake area uf cracks in the hillsides, v

Telephonic reports from Opotikl and other Bay of Plenty townships indicate the worst effect was felt at Waiatain, whereas Waimana escaped lightly.

SEVERE AT OPOTIKI. OPOTIKI, September 22. A severe earthquake was felt at 1 a.m. Shop contents were damaged considerably, and chimneys are down. Some small buildings were skewed! The people ran into the streets terrified. .. SEVERE AT NAPIER. J NAPIER, September 22. ; : A rather severe earthquake shock occurred at 1.5 this morning. The indication appeared to he south-west to north-east. The total period was probably a minute and a half. The onslaught was fairly severe and as it died down in force, suddenly increased again to gradually cease. No damage was done although some ill supported shop fittings and goods fell.

AT WAIPUKURAII, WAIPUKUR AU, September 22. An earthquake was felt here this mornng at 1.5, mainly characterised by noise and severe vibration. It commenced with a slight shock which woke most of' the people, then a pause followed by a noise which preceded a second shock of greater intensity and length. Though clocks were stopped, no damage is reported in the Waipawa, Waipukurau and Porangahau districts. The general opinion is that it was not so severe as the shake on September 12th. RECORD AT OBSERVATORY. ' WELLINGTON, September 22. Records made hv the quake at the Dominion Observatory at Ivelburn, show the origin about 240 miles from Wellington, Tt was probably of very deep focus, hence widespread effect of deeper focus of-quake over which it: was felt. Tn Wellington the shock wasfelt as a, distinctly north to south

effect, the’pronounced jolt being Fol-: lowed by a prolonged tremor which lasted from 20 to 30 seconds before finally dying down. No damage- was done locally. Accompanying the beginning of the quake was a distinct subterranean rumbling.