The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1929 THE ’QUAKE—AND SEISMOLOGY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 692, 18 June 1929, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1929 THE ’QUAKE —AND SEISMOLOGY

EARTHQUAKES are among the few phenomena and violent disturbances for which no Government can be blamed. This proves at once that man is helpless against them. Indeed, there, is nothing like an earthquake in man’s experience with the same quick power to reveal his insignificance. So the best that the lords of the earth may do in the throes of a seismic shock is to hope for the minimum of destruction. With that truth vividly in view there is more reason for gratitude over the results of the severe earthquake which yesterday shook the greater part of New Zealand than there is for vexation. The shock was an exceptionally bad one, and actually caused loss of life and extensive material damage, but it is not trite wisdom to say that the havoc wrought might easily have been much worse and appallingly more tragic. Only five lives were lost in the West Coast district of the South Island, where the violence of the ’quake was such as to load circumstances, with potential disaster on a terrible scale. In addition, several children were injured slightly, some people suffered from shock and nausea, and many buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. All that was bad enough to evoke sympathy and sad regret, but relatively the stricken districts were fortunate in their terrifying experience. Compared with the remembered disasters at San Francisco, Messina, North and Central Italy and, more recently, at Tokyo and Yokohama, the New Zealand earthquake yesterday was happily not of disastrous magnitude. Though the series of shocks yesterday was destructive enough to become memorable, it is doubtful whether, as many people have suggested, it was the worst in this country’s European history. Undoubted!y it has no parallel in modern experience within the Dominion, but the shock that rocked Wellington in its pioneering days, raised the coast-line five 01six feet, and instantaneously transformed a swamp into dry ground, apparently was a great deal more violent. Its results in havoc were much less, however, merely because there was very little habitation and property to destroy. If one reviews the possibilities of lamentable disaster in Westport and Nelson yesterday, the outstanding impression must be nearer thankfulness than any other emotion. There are many lessons to be learnt from the sensational upheaval of the earth’s crust over a large area of territory. First of all the State and education authorities should instruct their architects to observe the possibilities of violent earthquakes in many New Zealand districts, and build accordingly to their needs and risks, avoiding towers and heavy superstructure. This is the only precaution that intelligent men may take against earthquakes. Then all householders should make a close study of their insurance policies and see to it, though more expense will be involved, that their property at least is covered against the risk of fire which frequently is caused by the havoc of seismic disturbance. As for scientific observation of earthquakes New Zealand is, of course, a notoriously backward country. There is a seismograph at the Ivelburn Observatory in Wellington, but it appears usually to be put out of action, proving that the instruments respond readily to seismic influences. But since Wellington is perched precariously on the Dominion’s earthquake “belt,” it is obvious that its seismograph service ought to be supported by similar instruments at all the other main centres. Seismology practically owes everything to Japan, where experts for years past have made a valuable study of the phenomena with which it deals. Within seven years no fewer than 8,000 shocks were recorded in Japan. It has to be realised, of course, that seismology neither prevents nor modifies earthquakes, but, under competent guidance, it certainly enables an earthquaky country to bnild against the worst effects of seismic shocks. Auckland, which probably is the firmest territory in New Zealand, having the advantage of many safety vents in the province, does not possess a seismograph. Its University College is too poor to afford £3OO for so useful a service. So, the greatest city in an earthquake country has to obtain seismological records from Ottawa, Sydney and Melbourne. It should make a quick effort at removing this reproach.