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Putaruru Press, Volume I, Issue 5, 15 November 1923, Page 1

Tlie modern theory of earthquakes, (says the Daily Mail) is that thpy are due to shrinkage in the earth’s crust,’ which grows smaller as it contracts on cooling. In some cases the shrinkage takes place at a great depth, and the disturbance may be almost explosive in its violence, affecting a large area. From causes which are not yet clear great earthquakes are usually accompanied by strange electrical ' and atmospheric phenomena. They are generally preceded by a period of stillness and intense heat, as before a great thunderstorm. Then comes a rush of wind, which may be of cyclonic' intensity, accompanied by grinding noises and a sound like that of thunder deep in the earth. Before the actual shocks become perceptible the animal world shows signs oi distress and terror. The shocks rise to a maximum and then dimmish, but sometimes weeks pass before the area over which shrinkage is taking place ceases to tremble.