The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1911. EARTHQUAKES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 277, 13 April 1911, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1911. EARTHQUAKES.

Dr. Malcolm McLaren, the eminent geologist, lately mentioned that it was folly to build in Wellington at all, and that it was wickedness to defy the common principles well understood in regard to structures in order to make them resistant to seismic disturbances. Presumably tile geologist selected the capital city for his warning, not only because of structural imperfections, but because Dr. Bell some years ago, after careful re-' search, discovered tremendous faults both in the harbor and on shore. As usual, no notice whatever was taken of the Government geologist. Geologists who constantly study seismology have' during the past thirty years done much useful work, the most useful being to definitely decide lines of fault in the earth's crust and to warn the people of populous cities to protect themselves. Among the earth's greatest seismologists 'is Professor John Milne, the mining engineer and geologist, a capacity in which he worked for the .lapanese Government for twenty years. He established a seismic survey of Japan, a country extremely liable to earthquakes, and extraordinarily like New Zealand in regard to earth faults. Professor Milne has been engaged for many years on a seismic survey of the world, has produced works of profound interest in regard to earthquakes, and may—if people take his warnings—save millions of lives. Regarding the warning of Dr. McLaren, it is interesting to read Professor Milne on building: "Remember, there are two types of structure you can put up. One may be compared with a steel box and the other with a wicker basket. You can kick either of them about, and both will withstand the trials to which they : are subjected. It does not matter whether it is the steel box built for the rich, or the wicker basket built for the poor. If you have a good site, no earthquake which has occurred in historic times, unless the ground opens beneath your feet, can do more than disturb the ornaments on your shelv.es and the plaster on your walls." The great earthquake in 1855 entirely changed the conformation of the coast in the vicinity of the capital city. It raised much land manv feet, and dammed the sea back from portions of it. As far as can be gathered, onh; one man was killed in this visitation, and he happened to be inside the only brick building in the budding town. Presumably all the other dwellings were of the "wicker basket" type. It has been scientifically asserted that an earthquake of similar intensity would to-day practically annihilate Wellington. A definite .seismic survey of Xew Zealand, therefore, discloses faults a knowledge of which might prevent earthquake catastrophes. Bv the exertions of Professor Milne, the British Association has sent all over the world delicate seismometers, which record the far-reaching tremors of earthquakes in regions in which they are too feeble to affect the senses. The use of the "Milne pendulum" has established the fact that every violent, earthquake sends tremors throughout the whole word and probably through its whole substance. A Japanese seismologist laboriously constructed an instrument which in reality initiated the motion of a piece of ground affected by earthquake, and it has been ascertained by this the excessive complexity there is in the motion. Science, therefore. has been able to reproduce oil a model sca'e earthquake movements anil to erect structures in order to test their resistance to the artificial movements. At the Osborne Naval College, in the Tsle of Wisrhl. there i- a model village built on principles. Xew Zealand authorities may insist on earth-quake-proof principles of building—after the earthquake. What has occurred in

the i»ifit may occur in the future, and we give the following list of recorded earthquakes in proof of the widely scattered nature of the visitations and the devastation they wrought. Year, place and number of lives lost are mentioned in order: —1031, Naples, 3000; 1092, Ja- ( maica, 300(1; 1093, Sicily, 00,000; 1724, | Limn, 18,000; 1755, Lisbon, 50,000; 1783, j Calabria, 00,000; 1707, Quita, 41,000; i Caracas (year unrecorded), 12,000; 1822,1 Aleppo, 22,000; 1855, New Zealand (dur-j ing the "wicker basket" period), 1; 1857, | Calabria. 10.()00; 1800, Mendoza, 12,000; 1808, Peru and Equador, 25,000; 1880, Manilla, 3000; 1883, Ischia, 2000; 1883, Krakaton, 35,000; 1880, Charleston (deaths not recorded); 1896, Japan, 20,000; 1902, Mont Pelee, 20,000; 1905, India, 15,000. There was also the San Francisco earthquake, which, together with fire, destroyed practically the whole city, and there have been innumerable violent earthquakes occurring in uninhabited places. The eminent seismologists and engineers who have studied ■this complex question do not understand earthquakes. Thoy understand the faults that produce them, and the means j that may be taken to minimise their de- j structiveness. One very useful fact was I demonstrated bv Professor Milne in Japan. He found that the character of the soil affected the violence of a shock, and that earth motions were less on rocky escarpments- than on alluvial around. It is interesting in relation to Dr. McLaren's warning to remember that much of Wellington is built on reclaimed land, and on piles driven into what is really sen-bed. There are many buildings in the capital which have been erected on the principles laid down rendering them theoretically earthquakeproof, but one earthquake-proof building here and there will not save a city in time of seismic trouble. The probability is that earthquake-proof buildings would he destroyed hv fire by being in close proximity to those that were not earthquake proof. The question of architectural insurance against earthquake is really one for the State, and not one merely for individual local bodies. The knowledge that almost any part of these islands is liable to earthquakes is com- ' mon to all, hut there has never been concerted action. It is no use "shutting the stable door after the horse has escaped," and a stern building law which must he obeyed throughout New Zealand is necessary. We may potter along in safety for a thousand years, but we get constant reminders of the terrific forces at work under the thin crust of the land we live in. Now and again a ■ quake comes along and shakes a few ' chimneys down. We cannot gauge the t size of the next shake, but concerted 1 action instituted by the Government ' would make centres of population less - dangerous to live in.