A SEVERE EARTHQUAKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2296, 30 June 1921, Page 3

A SEVERE EARTHQUAKE.

NO MATERIAL DAMAGE

REPORTED,

An unusually severe earthquake was experienced at about 1.30 o’clock yesterday morning. The shock commenced with a series of intermittent tremors, which developed into a good rocking motion, fortunately without any twist, which latter would have resulted in the crashing of chimneys and resultant serious damage to life and property. Windows' rattled, and loose odd;* and ends were precipitated to the floor. The water in the household tanks were swished from side to side, and various noises accompanied the rumbling. The shocks lasted several seconds, followed by a tremor. No serious damage is reported locally. It was a strange co-incidence thr.4 we shoukVuive reproduced an account of a big earthquake in our last issue,, which happened on June 2Gth, forty years previously. Telegrams from other placeshow that the shock was widely felt, and in some places did a good deal of minor damage.

Hastings reports that the shock lasted altogether 75 seconds. Several chimneys came down, plateglass windows of shops were smashed, and bottles in shops and hotels were smashed; but no serious damage was reported. The residents were badly frightened, and people ran out into the streets without waiting to dress. Time, 1.30 p.m. In Napier, the shock lasted 60 seconds, and frightened people out of their beds. One resident declared that the trees and shrubs about his residence .swayed as if dancing a hornpipe. Time, 1.30 p.m. Gisborne described the shock as the most severe felt for many years. Time, 1.28 a.in. A Masterton mes-.->age describes the shock as a double one, and states that there was another light tremor at 3 a.in. The earthquake was felt at Auckland, but was very light, and was felt by few people. Passengers sitting in the Main Trunk train felt the shake while the train was at the station.

A Greymouth report refers to the shake as the first for a long period. The tremors lasted twenty seconds, and another slight shock followed. No serious damage is reported. At Tauranga, the vibrations lasted' for over a minute. The direction was the usual one for this locality, about 66 degrees east of north. No damage was reported. Christchurch felt the shock described as the heavy one, at 1.35. No damage.

Wairoa states that the shock was severe and prolonged, and was accompanied by loud* noises. There was “no noticeable wave action, but an upward and then a radiating motion, and a distinct sensation of settling down.” Beyond damage by falling plaster, the smashing of crockery, and the falling of a few chimneys, no damage is reported. The tower at the Post Office was cracked by the strong pull in one direction, and a lot of plaster came down. The postmaster’s son had a narrow escape.

STROMBOLI IN ERUPTION,

SCENES OF INDESCRIBABLE

TERROR

PANIC-STRICKEN PEOPLE

Rome, June 28,

After ominous rumblings, Stromboli erupted, and it was one of the worst in its history. There were dense clouds of steam and violent explosions, while streams of incandescent stones were hurled to a great height, causing tires on the mountainside. Showers of ashes obscured the horizon for hours, and the population of the neighbourhood had difficulty in breathing.

Panic spread, increasing at night, when indescribable terror reigned, the people rushing to the shore, entering the sen, and crowding the boats, several of which were

swamped. It is believed that a number were drowned, but the impenetrable darkness prevented details from being obtained.

Torpedo boats rushed from Messina, with orders to send wireless news of the island’s needs.

Stromboli is a volcanic island in the Mediterranean off the north coast of Sicily. The volcano, of which the island is mainly composed, and which rises to about 3,040 feet above the sea, is remarkable, in that it is virtually perpetually active, having been in this condition for the better part of 200,0 years,