South Australian Earthquakes 1910-1919 – Seismological Association of Australia

by Kevin McCue

Introduction
This study of earthquakes in South Australia using newspaper reports began, for the author, in 1975 and is not finished yet as more newspapers are digitised by the National Library of Australia. It confirms that earthquakes of the modern instrumental period following on from the International Geophysical Year in 1957/58 occur in the same regions as the earlier historical earthquakes and at about the same level of activity, apart from the far north which was not populated by Europeans as early as the southern half of the State.

We are still no closer to explaining why the earthquakes occur where they do, nor identifying where the next large earthquake will occur. They do not seem to rupture large ancient pre-existing faults.

Epicentres have been taken as the centre of the felt area and magnitude is correlated with that area, strictly with the radius of a circle with the same area as the felt area which is rarely circular. The origin time has been taken as the time shaking was first reported felt and the focal depth is assumed to be in the crust, the top 40 km thick layer of the Earth in continental South Australia. Two large earthquakes, M≥6, occurred in South Australia in 1897 and 1902. An earthquake near Adelaide on 1 March 1954 put South Australia firmly on the earthquake risk map of Australia. The earthquake, originally thought to be magnitude 5.6, has been upgraded to 6.0 based on the lsarge felt area. Fortunately no lives were lost with the damage bill in today’s dollar terms exceeded $100M, the highest earthquake insurance loss until December 1989. The uninsured damage has not been taken into account. This earthquake confirmed the vulnerability of unreinforced masonry and buildings founded on expansive clays in some suburbs of Adelaide in exacerbating damage and dollar loss.

It took a very similar sized earthquake under Newcastle NSW on 28 December 1989 to convince most engineers that buildings, even domestic buildings, could and should be designed and built to resist earthquakes everywhere in Australia. Prior to that and following the 1968 Meckering earthquake, only Commonwealth Government buildings in Adelaide and Perth were constructed to resist earthquakes from about 1979 at the direction of the then Director of Engineering in CommWorks, Charles Bubb (Bubb, 1971).
The question arises as to how often such damaging earthquakes occur. If, for example, a one-off event in any building’s lifetime occurred, then perhaps the cost of casualties and building damage would be less than designing and constructing every building to resist such infrequent events, depending on the acceptable cost of a human life.
To look at the frequency of damaging earthquakes you need to have a long history of earthquakes, or a physical model that forecasts how often they might occur, like weather forecasts. To date, the science of earthquake prediction has not progressed much in the last century. We have plate tectonics, a framework for explaining where most of the World’s earthquakes happen, which is useful in San Francisco USA or Wellington NZ on plate boundaries where plate movement takes place on mapped faults, but not helpful in continental Australia, which is wholly within a plate and where earthquakes are widely distributed in space and time. Even on plate boundaries though, earthquake prediction is not a fait accompli. No one knows when the next earthquake will happen, where it will happen nor how big it might be. And we don’t know the limit to an earthquake’s size.
Grappling with this problem in Australia, we are only left with the possibility of interrogating the earthquake record over the last nearly 200 years since European settlement reinforced with paleoseismological studies. A Milne seismograph suitable for recording large distant earthquakes was finally installed in Adelaide in 1909 and about the same time in other capital cities, including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Unfortunately they were incapable of usefully recording local earthquakes, as reflected in the following print media comment only two years later:
Critic (Adelaide, SA : 1897-1924), Wednesday 1 November 1911, page 8 ADELAIDE.
There were two earthquakes last week, but the expensive seismograph records nothing closer to hand than five hundred miles. Humph! Charity begins at home.
World War I started in the middle of this observation period but does not seem to have dampened peoples’ interest in their local earthquakes, reporting large and small events to their local newspapers or the Adelaide Observatory.
This need for improved monitoring was not fulfilled until the late 1950s, following the International Geophysical Year and local interest spurred on by the 1954 Adelaide earthquake. David Sutton at the University of Adelaide established a small network of high gain 1Hz seismographs, the data from which has been used to educate and train many young seismologists. Accordingly, we have about 60 years of modern seismological data (date, time location and magnitude) which is about the average lifetime of a house – not enough. However, anecdotal information about earthquakes abounds in local, regional and national newspapers, which sprang up during and after colonisation. From this information it is possible to compile an earthquake database with all the required parameters (date, time, location and magnitude). This pushes the earthquake records to nearly 200 years more than three times longer than current instrumental databases, but, without the paleoseismological data, still inadequate to make reliable estimates of the frequency of damaging ground motion anywhere.
The advent of the internet and new tools has made the systematic searching of newspapers for earthquake accounts, hundreds of times faster, more accessible and more convenient than ever before. One such tool, called Trove, is a masterful achievement of the Australian National Library and has made possible this current research which builds on similar studies done so laboriously by reading through newspapers at the State library. This decade 1910 to 1919 is immediately after the Milne seismograph was installed at the Adelaide Observatory in 1909 but that had no impact as it was useless for recording most local earthquakes. The starting point was the study by Dix (2013, nee Malpas, 1991). Not all of Dix’s earthquakes were recovered in the Trove search and others were found that were not reported by Dix.

Here we document 125 earthquakes (Figure 2) compared with 84 by Dix (2013), not quite 50% more, but we have managed to fill some of the missing details like time, or changed dates, times and magnitudes where more observations were discovered. Unfortunately Trove is still a work in progress so we can expect in future to find more events to improve locations and magnitudes with yet more observations, but at the smaller earthquake end of the spectrum – events larger than magnitude 4 have probably all been counted. Where useful, we have drawn maps of felt areas to demonstrate the extent of reports and the intensity or strength of shaking, whether damaging or not, frightening or not, and the cause; earthquake, meteorite or man-made events such as mining induced, sonic booms, navy or army exercises, quarry blasts or other explosions.

Magnitude
Magnitude is computed as per Richter’s (1958) suggestion that magnitude scales with felt area and we have adopted a simple equivalence from McCue’s (1980) equation derived from Australian earthquakes in the range 3≤ML/Ms≤6.8
M=1.01lnRp+0.13
where ln is the (natural) log to base e and M is the Richter magnitude derived from the radius of perceptibility Rp (the radius of a circle equivalent to the area in km2 enclosed by the MM3 contour). It is felt that increasing complexity is not warranted in the stated magnitude range.

The recurrence relation for earthquakes per year in the decade-long study period 1910 -1919 is shown in the graph (blue line and diamonds). It is surprisingly linear, and can be expressed as:

LogNc/T = 3.0 – 0.73M
where Log is log to base 10 and Nc/T is the cumulative number of earthquakes per year above magnitude M. This equation predicts a once-per-year earthquake of about magnitude 4.1 and a one-in-10yr event of magnitude 5.5. The slope of the line or ‘b’ value is 0.73. Also plotted are data for the previous decade (orange) and that for the instrumental period 1965- 2020 (green).
The decade from 1910 was slightly more active than the most recent 60 years although still missing earthquakes below magnitude 4. The question then is can we ignore this enduring level of seismicity, especially in Adelaide, or is it sensible to spend a small amount, less than 5% of the structural cost, to make buildings more robust.

Figure 1 Recurrence relation for the 1910-1919 decade (blue diamonds) in South Australia, compared with that for the previous decade and the instrumental period 1965-2020 (green squares).

On Time

A certain amount of care and judgment has to be made in corroborating the reported time of an observation with any particular earthquake, the reported times can vary an hour or even more, or may be expressed as ‘sometime between 11 and 12 pm’. Occasionally an earthquake may be reported at similar times at localities hundreds of kilometres apart, with no reports from towns in-between, or reported by a single person from a suburb in Adelaide but nowhere else. The latter are ignored.

The Earthquakes

The largest earthquake in the 10 years, magnitude 5.5 (Dix, 2013) was that near Cleve on Eyre Peninsula on 26 October 1911 at about 7.20 pm local time. This was the second earthquake in 3 days to noticeably shake Adelaide buildings. Parliament house is reported to have heaved perceptibly. Damage was reported near the epicentre at Cleve and nearby localities. At Cleve:

There was a general exodus for the doors. Several buildings were cracked and Messrs

Smallacombe’s had their ceiling buckled, and crockery and glassware were smashed. The lights went out in Mr Gillings’ store, and also at the hotel. Mr. Johnson (the local manager for the National Bank) had a good deal of glassware broken. It is considered to be the sharpest shock felt on Eyre’s Peninsula.

At Port Lincoln articles were thrown off shelves. Reports gleaned using Trove show that the earthquake was also felt at Althorpe Island off the southern tip of Yorke Peninsula and on Kangaroo Island requiring a small extension of the isoseismal map by Dix (2013).

The earthquake two days earlier, magnitude 4.8, that also rattled Adelaide is here located south of the city in Gulf St Vincent off the Fleurieu Peninsula, not far south of the 1954 earthquake location.

Figure 2 The decadel earthquakes, 1910-1919, listed here from Dix(2013) and this study, the average 12.9 shown by the red bar.

The year 1911 was abnormally active, the two largest earthquakes of the decade occurred that year, the Oodla Wirra earthquake in the mid North of South Australia struck on 19 February and it too was felt in Adelaide.

At Booyoolee and Caltowie, plaster was shaken off walls, the maximum extent of damage.

The least seismicity of any year in the decade was in 1912, eleven earthquakes were located and the maximum magnitude was just 3.1.

Earthquakes felt in Adelaide in 1910-1919

Three earthquakes in 1911 were felt in Adelaide, a record for any single year. In addition to the three mentioned above, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake in the eastern suburbs on 28 May 1914 was felt from Kapunda in the north to Strathalbyn in the south. The centre of the felt area is near Chain of Ponds, close to, if not on, the Eden-Burnside Fault:

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 6 June 1914, page 46

ADELAIDE VISITED. CITIZENS ROUSED FROM THEIR BEDS.

On 28 June 1917 at 10:39pm local time, a fifth earthquake shook the city and suburbs causing alarm but no damage. The epicentre was near Lobethal, its magnitude 3.6.

Aftershocks and swarms

A textbook description of an aftershock sequence followed a widely reported magnitude 4.6 mainshock in the mid-North at 11:15 am local time in April 1917.

BOOLEROO CENTRE, April 17.— Several severe earthshocks have been felt in this district. On Sunday morning at 11.15, whilst many people were worshipping; they were startled by a distinct vibration, which shook the buildings. Another tremor was experienced at 12.15, and though those that followed were not so distinct it is practically unanimously agreed that there were nine distinct shocks during Sunday. Today at 3.10 p.m. there was another shock fairly severe. The first shock on Sunday was by far the most severe of all, and it caused a good deal of consternation.

Few SA earthquakes seem to have aftershocks, the 1897 Kingston earthquake, magnitude 6.5, a notable exception. A few occurred after the 1902 magnitude 6.0 earthquake and only two very small aftershocks followed the destructive 1954 earthquake.

The cause of earthquake swarms is not understood but they occur throughout Australia, typical was the one in late November to early December 1919 in the mid-North of South Australia (Advertiser 4 Dec 1919):

Reports have been reaching the city for some time from the Booboorowie district that there were being experienced there a succession of slight earth tremors…… The tremors appeared to extend for about a 20-mile radius round Booboorowie.

Bundaleer Springs, December 1.

During the last two weeks we have had numerous earth shocks. There have been a many as six and seven in one day. Some were fairly heavy, while others were mere rumbles. The residents are much worried by their experience.

Spalding, December 2.

For over a fortnight we have been experiencing three and four earth tremors each day; some are only slight, while others are very pronounced. Last night, about 9 o’clock, we experienced the severest of the lot. Travelling in an easterly direction the rumble could be heard for two or three minutes before it reached the town. The ground shook violently, and the rumble was like the roar of a big flood as it rattled through the hills to the east of the town. It lasted fully ten minutes. Buildings quivered, windows rattled, crockery jingled on the shelves, walls were cracked, and plaster and pictures fell to the ground. This was quickly followed by three more tremors of less violence.

Minor non-structural damage was observed during this earthquake swarm butthe overall energy release has been small and they are not considered in earthquake hazard assessments nor as sites for future larger earthquakes. This could change.

Primary and Secondary Effects of Earthquakes

There were no reports of faulting or ground cracking, none of liquefaction and no landslides associated with earthquakes. There were four reports of damage, wall and plaster cracking, ceilings down etc, on 26 October 1911, 25 March 1912, 06 November 1918 and 01 March 1919 (estimated to cost £50). In other earthquakes strong shaking was indicated by reports of things being thrown off shelves etc.

GLADSTONE, March 2—On Saturday morning at 10.15 o’clock, a severe earth tremor occurred here. It appeared to be travelling from west to east, and rumbled like a passing train. Crockery and glassware clattered, and other articles moved perceptibly. The teachers and scholars of the Methodist Sunday School had a surprise when they went to open the school on Sunday. They found the front door would not open, and when finally an entrance was effected it was ascertained that half the ceiling of the premises had fallen, class partitions had been broken, forms smashed, and the lighting arrangements disarranged, lath and plaster filled practically half the hall. The school adjourned to the church. The damage is estimated at about £50. It is most fortunate that the occurrence happened when it did, for if the mishap had taken place when school was in progress a large number of scholars would have been injured.

The damage at Gladstone in the March 1919 magnitude 3.6 earthquake is puzzling as Gladstone is near the edge of the mapped felt area, not the middle. Either the location is wrong and should be under Gladstone or the magnitude is too small, or the school ceiling was on the brink of collapse.

At least 4 of the earthquakes were large enough to have caused considerable damage had they occurred under Adelaide.

References

Bubb, C.T.J., 1971. On the seismicity of Australia (with particular reference to South Australia). Commonwealth Department of Works Report. pp.70.

Dix, Katherine, L. 2013. South Australian Historical Earthquakes in the Pre-Instrumental Period 1873-1963: A Comprehensive Chronicle and Analysis of Available Intensity Date. A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy, The University of Adelaide, September 2013.

Malpas, K.L. 1991. Seismic Risk in South Australia. Unpublished Honours Thesis, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide

McCue, K.F. 1980. Magnitudes of some early earthquakes in South-eastern Australia. Search 11(3),78-80.

McCue, K. 2017. Historical Earthquakes: the 1920s in South Australia. AEES Earthquake Engineering Society Conference, Nov 24-26, Canberra ACT.

Richter, C. F. 1958. Elementary Seismology. Freeman.

1910

Several events described as earth tremors were probably mine induced or the shock wave from a meteorite and are not tabled here as earthquakes. A miner was tragically killed in a rockburst at Moonta Mines on 6 October.The largest earthquake on 4 April at Leigh Ck. warranted a magnitude of 4.3.

1910 02 18 at 13:43 UTC, Woodside/Gawler

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Monday 21 February 1910, page 4

AN EARTH TREMOR.

WOODSIDE, February 21.—An earth tremor was felt here, and also within some miles of the township, about 4.30 a.m. on Saturday. The rumbling noise seemed to travel from east to west. The windows of many houses rattled considerably.

Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 25 February 1910, page 4

A slight earth tremor was felt shortly before sunrise last Saturday morning.

Figure 3 Felt area of a small earthquake near Woodside on Saturday morning 19 February CST.

1910 02 26 at 22:00 UTC, Hamilton

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 11 March 1910, page 7

HAMILTON, March 1

A slight earth shock was felt at 7.30 a.m. on Sunday last.

1910 03 26 at 15:35 UTC, Booleroo Centre

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 2 April 1910, page 13

BOOLEROO CENTRE, March 27. — A shock of earthquake was felt here shortly after 1 o’clock on Sunday morning. The earthquake seemed to pass from north-east to south-west, and was accompanied by a heavy rumbling noise.

1910 04 02 at 14:15 UTC, Booleroo Centre

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Tuesday 5 April 1910, page 12

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

BOOLEROO CENTRE, April 4.–A severe earthquake shock was experienced here about 11.45 p.m. on Saturday. It shook the buildings, and made the crockery-ware rattle on the shelves. It appeared to be travelling from south to north, and lasted several seconds.

1910 04 23 at 00:00 UTC, Peters Hill (Riverton)

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Tuesday 26 April 1910, page 3

RIVERTON, April 23.—A slight earth tremor was experienced at 9.30 this morning at Peters Hill, some five miles from Riverton.

1910 04 23 at 01:00 UTC, Robertstown

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 30 April 1910, page 14

ROBERTSTOWN, April 23.—A severe earthshock was experienced here this morning a little before 10.30. It seemed to be travelling from north-west to south-east. It started with a loud report, and the rumbling could be heard for a considerable time after the shock had passed. Crockery and anything movable shook for some time.

These two reports (above) are probably related to the same event, a magnitude 2.9 event nearer Robertstown than Riverton.

Figure 4 Google Earth image between Farina and Leigh Creek, centred on Lyndhurst approximate centre of the April 1910 earthquakes. The long axis of the ellipse is about 75km.

1910 04 24 at 09:30 and 10:30 UTC, Leigh Creek

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Friday 29 April 1910, page 9

EARTHQUAKE AT LEIGH CREEK.

LEIGH CREEK, April 24.—At the Eveline mine on Sunday, about 7.45 p.m., there was a severe earthquake shock. The tremor was distinctly felt underfoot. It lasted for several seconds, and appeared to come from a south-westerly direction, and passed north east. The noise was like a heavy clap of thunder.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wednesday 27 April 1910, page 6

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS NEAR LEIGH’S CREEK.

LEIGH’S CREEK, April 24.—Two earthquake shocks were experienced at the 383½ Mile Camp, near Leigh Creek, this evening. The first, a slight one, occurred at 7 o’clock, and the second, which was much more severe, happened a minute before 8 o’clock. The latter shock lasted for 12 minutes, and appeared to be travelling from north to south.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 7 May 1910, page 13

OUR BURRA LETTER

— Reported Earthshock. —

A resident from World’s End reported a few days since that a very distinct earthquake shock was experienced in the World’s End Range on Sunday evening last a little after eight o’clock – no date.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 7 May 1910, page 34

EARTH SHOCKS.

Our Farina correspondent wrote on April 26:—”Few residents of this town had any idea on Sunday evening that anything unusual was occurring. Some heard a faint rumbling noise, but did not attribute it to anything so serious as an earthshock until news afterwards came from Leigh Creek of a severe shock there. A curious incident occurred at that time, a few minutes before 8 p.m. All the birds—cockatoos, galahs, crows—who had long settled down to roost in the gumtrees in the creek, rose suddenly en masse in the air with frightened shrieks, and appeared to be much agitated and excited.”

EARTHQUAKE AT BELTANA.

BELTANA, April 25.—A distinct earthquake shock was felt on Sunday evening at about five minutes past 8, lasting about five seconds. It was apparently travelling from east to west.

1910 04 25 at 21:00 UTC, Second Valley

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 6 May 1910, page 6

EARTHQUAKE AT SECOND VALLEY.

SECOND VALLEY, April 26.—Early this morning an earthquake shock was felt. It was travelling from north-east to south-west, and lasted about 30 to 35 seconds.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 7 May 1910, page 34

Our Second Valley correspondent wrote on Tuesday:— “This morning, at about 6.30, the heavy rumbling of an earthshock was heard. The vibration was from north-east to south west, and its duration was about 35s. The shock was more pronounced than the one last year.

1910 04 28 at 08:30 UTC, Moorowie – near the heal of Yorke Peninsula

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 5 May 1910, page 2

YORKETOWN, April 30—Saturday. An earthquake shock was felt at Moorowie at about 6 o’clock on Thursday night.

1910 05 19 at 19:30 UTC, Dawson

Quorn Mercury (SA : 1895 – 1954), Friday 27 May 1910, page 3

DAWSON, May 23. Was it the Comet ? — Residents were awakened early on Friday morning by a deep rumbling noise like an earthquake, but as there was no tremor with it, some have suggested that it was probably caused by the Comet shifting its quarters from east to west.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Thursday 26 May 1910, page 13

DAWSON, May 21.–Local residents were awakened by a deep rumbling noise resembling that made by an earthquake but without any tremor.

1910 06 14 at ~19:00 UTC, Moonta probably mining related

People’s Weekly (Moonta, SA: 1890 – 1926), Saturday 18 June 1910, page 2

A number of local earth shocks have been experienced at Moonta Mines during the week. An exceptionally severe shock early on Wednesday roused many from their peaceful slumbers.

1910 06 29 at 09:25 UTC, Booleroo Centre

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Friday 1 July 1910, page 8

EARTHQUAKE IN THE NORTH.

MELROSE June 29. A decided earthquake tremor was felt here to-day at about six minutes to 7 p.m., its duration being from 15 to 20 seconds. It appeared to be travelling from north to south, and was distinctly felt by many residents. It was very noticeable at the Mount Remarkable station and in the township. There was a rumbling noise such as would be caused by a runaway team drawing a heavily-laden waggon.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Monday 4 July 1910, page 10

EARTHQUAKE AT BOOLEROO.

BOOLEROO CENTRE, June 30 – A sharp earthquake was experienced here last evening at 10 minutes to 7. It appeared to be travelling in a north-easterly direction, and was sufficiently marked to cause cups and saucers to rattle on the tables in some houses.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Saturday 2 July 1910, page 3

EARTHSHOCK.

MELROSE, June 30.— At five minutes to 7 last evening a sharp earthquake shock was felt in this district. The direction in which it was travelling was apparently from north-east to south-west. People were startled by a rumbling noise, somewhat resembling distant thunder. This was quickly followed by the shaking of doors and windows, and crockery on the shelves rattled. The shock lasted only for a few seconds.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Friday 1 July 1910, page 8

EARTHQUAKE IN THE NORTH.

MELROSE June 29.–A decided earthquake tremor was felt here to-day at about six minutes to 7 p.m., its duration being from 15 to 20 seconds. It appeared to be travelling from north to south, and was distinctly felt by many residents. It was very noticeable at the Mount Remarkable station and in the township. There was a rumbling noise such as would be caused by a runaway team drawing a heavily-laden waggon.

1910 07 16 at 15:00 UTC, Booleroo Centre

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 20 July 1910, page 11

EARTHQUAKE AT BOOLEROO.

BOOLEROO CENTRE, July 18.—Another earthquake was felt here at 12.30 a.m. on Sunday. It appeared to travel from south to north, and caused windows and doors to rattle. The valley lying between the Flinders Range to the westward, and the Tarcowie and Pekina Ranges on the east, is peculiarly susceptible to these earth shocks.

HORNSDALE. September 3.—A terrific thunderstorm broke on Saturday morning, accompanied by heavy rain. An earth-shock was also felt, and substantial stone buildings rocked mildly. (Ed. assume it was thunder).

1910 09 02 at ~23:00 UTC, Hornsdale, mining related

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 6 September 1910, page 7

An Earthshock.

HORNSDALE. September 3.—A terrific thunderstorm broke on Saturday morning, accompanied by heavy rain. An earthshock was also felt, and substantial stone buildings rocked mildly.

1910 09 30 at -8:30 UTC, Moonta Mines Rockburst

People’s Weekly (Moonta, SA: 1890 – 1926), Saturday 1 October 1910, page 3

A rumor was abroad last night that a serious accident occurred at Taylor’s shaft at 6 o’clock, but on enquiry at the mines’ office we learned that a local earth shock had occurred at the 300 fathom level, and that Messrs C. Hosking, F. Spangler, and R. Pryor sustained slight abrasions, but not sufficiently serious to warrant the attendance of a doctor.

1910 10 06 at 23:30 UTC, Moonta Mines Rockburst

People’s Weekly (Moonta, SA: 1890 – 1926), Saturday 8 October 1910, page 2

MINER KILLED AT TAYLORS’ SHAFT.

A fatal accident occurred at Taylor’s shaft, Moonta Mines, at about 9 o’clock yesterday morning, the victim, being Mr Fred Prout, aged 25 years, son of Mr Thomas Prout, of Karkarilla. He was at work with his mate, Mr J. Simmons, at the 280-fathom level and while they were standing close together talking, an earth shock occurred, throwing down some tons of earth. Simmons was struck on the shoulder and knocked under the hanging wall out of harm’s way, but Prout was buried with the debris. Simmons heard his mate groan twice, but his injuries were of such a nature that he must have been killed almost instantly. When the body was recovered some time afterwards, life was found to be extinct…….

The earth shock which brought about the death of Frederick Charles Prout yesterday morning was severely felt in some quarters on the surface. Captain Hayes’ residence perhaps suffered most —a distinct crack being opened in the wall of the front rooms.

1910 10 24 at 20:40 UTC, Willochra

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Monday 31 October 1910, page 11

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

WILLOCHRA, October 26.—An earthquake shock was felt here yesterday morning at 6.10 am. It was not severe, though it shook the walls of houses. It lasted about half a minute.

1910 12 01-04 Small swarm south of Mount Bryan

Burra Record (SA : 1878 – 1954), Wednesday 7 December 1910, page 3

MOUNT BRYAN Dec. 4;

Earth Shock. Several times since our last issue reports have come to hand that slight earth tremors have been experienced to the south of Burra. In the town, however, nobody seems to have noticed them.

1910 12 11 at 11:30 UTC, Adelaide, not an earthquake, probably a meteorite shock wave

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Monday 12 December 1910, page 4

A METEOR AND AN EARTHQUAKE.

A brilliant meteoric display in the heavens on Sunday night was the subject of much comment among those who were fortunate enough to see it. It began as a bright ball of light in the zenith a few minutes before 9 o’clock, and fell westwards, being visible for about half a minute. The glare of light which emanated lit up the whole sky, and turned the night of the city into day. Curiously enough a slight earth tremor was felt immediately afterwards. This was distinctly felt at Henley Beach about three minutes after the occurrence and lasted about 15 seconds, much to the wonder, and in some cases consternation, of visitors to the seaside.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Tuesday 13 December 1910, page 3

ROSEWORTHY, December 11.—A severe shock of earthquake passed over the town at 8.57 p.m. today, travelling from north-west to south-east, shaking the windows in the houses and crockery on the shelves.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Tuesday 13 December 1910, page 11

SHOCKS OF EARTHQUAKE.

SUTHERLANDS, December 12. — On Sunday evening a slight shock of earthquake was felt here, and shortly afterwards a magnificent sight appeared in the heavens. If appeared to be a comet with a big head and a long tail. The head was a lovely blue. Many children who were playing outside were panic-stricken, and rushed indoors. Another shock of earthquake was felt here at 3 a.m. today.

Areas’ Express (Booyoolee, SA : 1877 – 1948), Friday 16 December 1910, page 4

MANOORA, Dec. 12.

A brilliant meteoric display in the heavens on Sunday evening was the subject of comment by those who were fortunate enough to see it. It began with a bright ball of pale blue light, which lit up the country round for half minute, then it travelled west-ward, having a long tail of reddish light. Before it disappeared the tail parted in two. An earth tremor was felt here distinctly a few seconds after. It is the largest, meteor ever seen in the sky from Manoora.

Similar stories of a spectacular meteor and earthquake were reported widely, from Mintaro, Nuroootpa, Belalie North and Lobethal.

1910 02 18	19:00	-34.75	138.9	3.2	Woodside/Gawler	Dix/This paper
1910 02 26	22:00	-34.26	138.9	2.5	Hamilton	This paper
1910 03 26	15:30	-32.9	138.4	2.5	Booleroo Centre	This paper
1910 04 02	14:15	-32.9	138.4	3.0	Booleroo Centre	This paper
1910 04 23	01:00	-34.04	139.00	2.9	Robertstown	This paper
1910 04 24	09:30	-30.3	138.3	2.5	Leigh Ck	This paper
1910 04 24	10.30	-30.3	138.3	4.3	Leigh Ck	Dix/This paper
1910 04 25	21:00	-35.5	138.2	2.5	Second Valley	This paper
1910 04 28	08:30	-35.1	137.5	2.5	Moorowie	This paper
1910 05 19	19:30	-32.5	138.6	4.2	Quorn/Dawson	This paper
1910 06 29	09:25	-30.4	138.8	3.0	Booleroo Centre	Dix/This paper
1910 07 16	15:00	-32.9	138.3	3.0	Booleroo Centre	This paper
1910 10 24	20:40	-32.2	138.2	3.0	Willochra	Dix/This paper

Table 1 Earthquakes in South Australia, 1910

1911

For the year 1911, the Geoscience Australia on-line database lists just a single Australian earthquake, none in South Australia whereas Dix (2013) lists 11 events in South Australia, 2 of them of magnitude 5 or more. Dix (2013) left a few crumbs for history buffs, as more data become available on Trove. We can add another 7 small previously unknown earthquakes (Table 2) and improve the location and size of the Oodla Wirra earthquake on 19 February, Dix’s magnitude estimate 4.8, ours 5.0. Three of the local earthquakes were felt throughout Adelaide.

Incidently, a magnitude 8.2 (ISC) earthquake occurred in February1911 in Kyrgystan:

Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 – 1912), Saturday 11 February 1911, page 1

A SHAKEN LAND.

IMMENSE FISSURE FOLLOWS EARTHQUAKE. ST. PETERSBURG, February 10.

The stricken people of Russian Turkestan have again been visited by terrific earthshocks. Messages from the provincial capital of Vyernyi, which suffered so severely a few weeks ago, state that following a severe quake a fissure opened up in the earth 24 ft. wide and fully 33 miles in length. It was reported on January 5 that the town of Prshevalsk, in Turkestan, situated near Lake Issik Kul, had sunk with all its inhabitants, and that its site was occupied by a new lake. Some 10,000 persons perished in the foundering of the town.

Examples like this probably coloured the attitude of Australian media and geologists to Australian earthquakes, their comments so often downplayed the local earthquakes in the media.

1911 02 11 at 21:45 UTC, Mount Bryan

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 15 February 1911, page 11

EARTHQUAKE AT MOUNT BRYAN.

MOUNT BRYAN, February 13.—A slight earthquake was felt here yesterday at about 7.15 a.m.

1911 02 19 at 13:42:30 UTC, Oodla Wirra/Auburn

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Monday 20 February 1911, page 1

THE EARTH SHOCK.

FELT THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

The seismic disturbance felt at Adelaide at about 11.15 on Sunday night appears to have been experienced over a considerable portion of South Australia. The duration of the shock was probably from 10 to 20 seconds. Many people are reported to have been awakened from slumber by the unusual occurrence, and not a few were more or less frightened by the uncanny rattling of crockery, windows, and various articles of household furniture. As far as can be ascertained, however, no serious damage has resulted. The tremors were not nearly so violent as those which occurred in this State in 1897 and 1902, the centres of which disturbances were considered to be a point in the ocean at the entrance to St. Vincent Gulf and Robe respectively. Apparently Sunday night’s shock was purely a local one. That is the opinion held by the Assistant Government Astronomer (Mr. W. L. Brown). A curious feature is that while it was felt most distinctly in some parts of the metropolitan area, people who were abroad at the time in other suburbs were unaware that anything uncommon had happened. At the Observatory, on West-terrace, the officials noticed nothing in the way of a shock, but at the Central Telephone Exchange business was temporarily interfered with. A resident of Woodville heard a rumbling sound shortly after 11 o’clock, which he thought was caused by a passing train, but when his daughter, who was in an adjoining room, screamed and complained of having been disturbed by her bed vibrating, he concluded that an earth tremor was responsible for her fright. The superintendent of the Magill Reformatory Mr. J. F.Button was aroused from his slumbers by a severe earth shock, and another officer of that institution had a like experience.

About 40 or 50 telegraphic messages were received by the Meteorological Department, intimating that the shock had been felt over a wide area. The reports to hand are somewhat conflicting as to the apparent direction of the tremors, and the Assistant Government Astronomer prefers to wait for further particulars before expressing an opinion as to the probable centre of the disturbance. The telegrams show, however, that the greater part of the Mount Lofty Ranges was affected as far south as Strathalbyn. The whole of the Adelaide Plains were visited, and the northern agricultural areas up to Hammond and Petersburg

Figure 5 Felt area of the Oodla Wirra earthquake of 19 February 1911. The spot points are Modified Mercalli intensity estimates, F where it was felt without elaboration (redrawn by David Love).

Shocks were also notified as far east as Morgan, and west as far as the Spencer Gulf side of Yorke Peninsula, the mining towns being included among the places where the tremor was felt.

Mr. Brown reported on Monday afternoon that he had developed the seismographic record, and found that a very slight disturbance had been recorded at 12½ minutes past 11 o’clock on Sunday night. It lasted for about 30 seconds, and was evidently connected with the tremors experienced locally. The seismograph, he said, was specially designed for recording distant earthquakes, including submarine disturbances, which were not felt in Adelaide. For instance, the Adelaide seismograph gave a capital record of the devastating Turkestan earthquake, which recently did great damage on the other side of the globe.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Monday 20 February 1911, page 8

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

At about 13 minutes past 11 o’clock on Sunday night an earthquake shock was experienced in Adelaide, and it was severe enough to shake crockery and furniture in houses. The movement was distinctly felt in “The Advertiser” office, and within five minutes telephone messages were received from the south and western suburbs enquiring whether the shock had been noticed. One resident of Mile-End was sitting in a chair reading, when he heard the rumbling noise, and almost immediately afterwards felt his chair swaying from east to west. He realised at once what was the cause of the trouble, when the shock became more intense and articles on shelves in the house and on cupboards began to rattle. He has an aviary full of small birds, and when he went outside the birds were in a state of wild excitement, evidently having been frightened off their perches by the severe shaking of the cage. The shock was one of the most distinct felt in Adelaide for some years. At both the old and the new telephone exchanges the boards shook violently, and at Port Adelaide shutters fell. Fortunately no damage resulted, and there was no dislocation of the service. From all parts of the city and suburbs anxious enquiries were made by subscribers, and for half an hour afterward the officers on duty had only a few seconds of spare time.

Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 – 1912), Monday 20 February 1911, page 4

TWO QUAKES.

Widespread Disturbances.

A reporter called at the Observatory on Monday morning with regard to the earth-shock experience at about 11.15 on Sunday evening. From Mr. W. L. Brown (Assistant Government Astronomer) it was ascertained that the earthquake appeared to have covered a wide area. On account of the lateness of the hour when the shock occurred telegraphic reports to the Observatory are rather incomplete. Messages however, have been received from 40 or 50 stations confirming the report in The Register. Evidently what was felt at Adelaide was experienced at many country places. The shock extended over the greater part of the Mount Lofty Ranges as far south as Strathalbyn. The whole of the Adelaide Plains were affected. The shock occurred throughout the northern agricultural areas as far as Hammond and Petersburg, and stretched out eastward to Morgan on the Murray and westward to Yorke’s s Peninsula. Several stations in the latter district, including the mining towns, have reported quakes. Mr. Brown preferred to await more detailed reports be-fore expressing any opinion regarding the locality of the centre of the disturbance. He estimates that the shock lasted from 10 to 20 seconds. Reports received from country correspondents of The Evening Journal generally corresponded as regards the direction in which the shock travelled. At some places, however, the duration of the quake was much longer than at others. For instance, at Rhynie it is estimated that it lasted about 5s., while a Caltowie report gives the duration at about 40s. The times given for the shock vary from about 11 o’clock to 11.20. Two correspondents— those at Maitland and Manoora—state that a second quake was felt at about 4 o’clock on Monday morning. Mr. J. H. Cooke of Unley, said that his wife had noticed a tremor, and heard a crash early in the morning. A cup was subsequently found broken on the floor. It had fallen from the shelf above, and Mr. Cooke was positive that it was there all right after the midnight shock. A correspondent from the Grange writes:—”The earth vibration was very pronounced at the Grange at 11.10. I noticed a distinct rattle of the windows and things in the house. It was not severe, but lasted for several seconds.”

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Monday 20 February 1911, page 1

Excitement at Caltowie Caltowie, February 20.

A severe shock of earthquake was experienced here last night at 11.10 o’clock. Apparently it was travelling from north-west to south-east. The houses shook and the plaster fell from the walls. People left their beds in their excitement. The shock was the most severe experienced here for years.

Georgetown, February 20.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt here at 11.14 last night. Crockery and furniture rattled violently. Persons in bed were startled by the visitation, and awakened by the noise of the spring blinds going up and everything in the room being in a state of agitation. The rumbling sound appeared to be travelling north and south. The weather during the day had been fine and warm, with a pleasant south-west wind, but before the earth tremor the wind had died down and the weather was warm and sultry. Auburn, February 20.

A very heavy earth shock occurred here at 11.10 last evening. Its duration was about 50 seconds, and its direction apparently south to north.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Monday 20 February 1911, page 7

A representative of The Register happened to call up the Central Exchange at about a quarter past 11 on Sunday night, and found that matters at that busy centre were somewhat disconnected. The officer in charge stated that something of an unforeseen nature had happened, and that in consequence the whole of the service had been temporarily disarranged. All the shutters in the exchange shook violently, and for a few seconds thoroughly disorganized the working of the office. He had received a report also from the Port Adelaide exchange to the same effect. It had previously been reported on Sunday that a distinct earthshock had been felt in Adelaide on Friday last. It was noted specially by the caretaker of the Art Gallery on North Terrace at 1.10 p.m. His observation was such that he was able to state that some coins and porcelain ware in the institution were displaced by the tremor.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 22 February 1911, page 14

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

Our correspondents at Springton, Echunga, Palmer, Mount Bryan, Stock-well, Watervale, Hallett, Mintaro Central, Port Germein, Everard Central, and Whyte-Yarcowie state that they felt the earthquake shock on Sunday evening.

Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 – 1940), Thursday 23 February 1911, page 3

MANOORA, Feb. 20.

A severe earthquake shock was felt here on Sunday, at 11.15 p.m. Crockery and windows rattled. Many people jumped out of bed and ran outside when they understood what it was. Another shock was felt between 3 and 4 a.m., but was not so severe.

Quorn Mercury (SA : 1895 – 1954), Friday 24 February 1911, page 2

Petersburg News.

EARTH TREMOR.—On Sunday night last the residents of Petersburg, in common with many other places, were startled by what sounded like a rising wind accompanied by rain and a rumbling noise similar to thunder. Most people rushed to close doors and windows but before anything could be done the rattling of crockery and the creaking of furniture made it evident that a severe earth tremor was passing.

Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 24 February 1911, page 2

Earth Shock.— On Sunday night, between 11 and 11.15, an earthshock was experienced in Gawler and felt throughout the Adelaide Plains and extending from Morgan in the east to Strathalbyn in the south and Terowie in the north. Windows, doors, and crockery rattled and buildings shook with the vibration. At Kangaroo Flat a resident is of opinion that it was more severely felt than others that have been experienced, and lasted by the clock for 30 secs., but generally it is conceded that the earth tremor was not any-thing like as severe as those experienced in 1897 and 1902. At the Adelaide Observatory on Monday the seismographic record showed that a slight disturbance had taken place at 12 minutes past 11 o’clock the previous night and lasted about 30 secs.

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 24 February 1911, page 3

Iron Mine

On Sunday night last a severe earth tremor was felt. It seemed to travel eastward.

Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 – 1954), Friday 24 February 1911, page 3

A strong earth tremor was felt at Mount Barker last Sunday night. Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 24 February 1911, page 2

Local and General Topics.

Earth Shock.— On Sunday night, between 11 and 11.15, an earthshock was experienced in Gawler and felt throughout the Adelaide Plains and extending from Morgan in the east to Strathalbyn in the south and Terowie in the north. Windows, doors, and crockery rattled and buildings shook with the vibration. At Kangaroo Flat a resident is of opinion that it was more severely felt than others that have been experienced, and lasted by the clock for 30 secs., but generally it is conceded that the earth tremor was not anything like as severe as those experienced in 1897 and 1902. At the Adelaide Observatory on Monday the seismographic record showed that a slight disturbance had taken place at 12 minutes past 11 o’clock the previous night and lasted about 30 secs.

Areas’ Express (Booyoolee, SA : 1877 – 1948), Friday 24 February 1911, page 3

A sharp earthshock. At exactly ten minutes past eleven on Sunday night, the unusual experience of a severe tremor of the earth was felt by every citizen of the town. The night was cool and clear with a light breeze, The first approach of the shock was heralded by what sounded like a sudden squall or whirl-wind which shook doors and windows violently, and in some cases damaged the plaster on the walls of houses. The duration was over half a minute. As in all these cases the opinion of the direction varies. Most people, who were awake make the direction West to East—others exactly the opposite. The experience was an unusual one and may be classed as of greater intensity than the majority of these shocks.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Wednesday 22 February 1911, page 6

THE EARTHQUAKE AT GREEN’S PLAINS.

Our Green’s Plains correspondent wrote on Monday:— A distinct and decidedly cheerful earthshock was experienced here at about 12½ minutes past 11 o’clock last night.

Several residents, in accordance with their usual Sunday night’s habit were reading a chapter before going to sleep, and enjoyed the rocking greatly. A man awaking suddenly from his sleep ……… Doors and windows shook and rattled, as if under the influence of a strong wind, and crockery jumped about, in a most cheerful and musical manner. ….… The quake seemed to be travelling in a north-easterly direction.

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 24 February 1911, page 3

Hanson

A severe earthquake passed over the neighbourhood on Sunday evening about 11 o’clock, lasting several seconds. Doors and windows rattled with great force. The sound seemed to be travelling from south to north.

Eudunda

A severe earthquake shock was felt about 11.15 p.m. on Sunday. It appeared to be travelling from west to east. Crockery on shelves was shaken. This is the most severe shock that has been experienced here for years.

Iron Mine

On Sunday night last a severe earth tremor was felt. It seemed to travel eastward.

1911 02 20 at 04:30 UTC, Tothill’s Belt

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 25 February 1911, page 43

ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE.

News was received on Tuesday from our correspondent at Tothill’s Belt to the effect that another earthshock had been experienced there about 2 o’clock on Monday afternoon. Our correspondent stated that the Sunday night shock was followed shortly afterwards by two other tremors.

1911 04 05 at time?, Moonta mining induced

People’s Weekly (Moonta, SA: 1890 – 1926), Saturday 8 April 1911, page 2

A severe local earth shock emanating from the underground workings at Taylor’s shaft, Moonta Mines, was experienced on Wednesday last. The effect was also distinctly felt in the town. All the men in the vicinity were ordered to the surface and the afternoon and night shift men were instructed not to go down. Luckily no one was hurt, beyond one of the men sustaining a few scratches. When the workings were inspected on Thursday morning a good deal of stuff was found to have come away.

1911 05 13 at 18:40 UTC, Wirrabara

Areas’ Express (Booyoolee, SA : 1877 – 1948), Friday 19 May 1911, page 3

WIRRABARA, May 14.

The rumbling of an earthquake, was distinctly heard here this morning at about 4 o’clock.

1911 06 20 at 13:20 UTC, Wirrabara

Laura Standard (SA : 1889 – 1917), Friday 23 June 1911, page 2

A sharp shock of earthquake was felt in Laura on Tuesday night at 10 50 p m. Buildings shook and windows rattled in a very uncanny manner.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Friday 23 June 1911, page 5

MELROSE, June 21— An earth tremor occurred here at 10.50 last night. Its approach was heralded by a loud rumbling like distant thunder, and for some seconds doors and windows rattled, and a distinct swaying movement was felt.

Areas’ Express (Booyoolee, SA : 1877 – 1948), Friday 23 June 1911, page 3

CALTOWIE, June 21. Earthquake. At 10.50 on Tuesday night a sharp shock of earthquake was felt by several residents of the town. No particulars as to the direction can be obtained. Duration was about 20 seconds.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Monday 26 June 1911, page 3

WIRRABARA, June 22.—Last night at 11 o’clock a very severe shock of earthquake was experienced here. It was the most severe tremor that has visited us for some years, and appeared to be travelling in a north-easterly direction.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Saturday 24 June 1911, page 7

A BRILLIANT METEOR.

BUTE, June 22.—A very brilliant meteor traversed the sky last night at about 9.15. It lighted up the place like a full moon. It was of a bluish color, and travelled from south-west to about north-east, nearly from horizon to horizon. There was a short tail, and it travelled at a great speed.

About two minutes afterward there was an explosion like a couple of heavy guns being fired, in the direction in which the meteor was last seen. It was like a slightshock of earthquake, and was distinctly felt by several people in Bute.

1911 08 20 at 06:35 UTC, Waukaringa

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 26 August 1911, page 15

WAUKARINGA.

Wednesday, August 23.

Earth Tremors.

On Sunday last at a few minutes past 4 o’clock in the afternoon two distinct earth tremors were experienced here, following in close succession. Inhabitants within a radius of seven miles also felt the shocks at about the same time. A low rumbling noise preceded the slight shaking of buildings.

1911 09 06 at 04:25 UTC, Penneshaw

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 – 1951), Saturday 9 September 1911, page 6

DISTRICT OF DUDLEY. ECHOES FROM HOG BAY (Penneshaw).

AN EARTHQUAKE A very loud report of an earthquake has but passed which lasted some seconds. No tremor was felt but the loud mysterious rumbling lasted sufficiently long to leave the uncanniness of it felt.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 16 September 1911, page 15

EARTHQUAKE AT SECOND VALLEY.

SECOND VALLEY, September 7.—On Wednesday (Ed. 6th) at 1.55 p.m. a distinct earth tremor was felt here. The noise was as loud as ordinary thunder. The tremor appeared to be travelling from north to south, and lasted several seconds.

The following reports refer to an earthquake in Victoria, on Saturday evening.

Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 – 1954), Wednesday 6 September 1911, page 2

A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Balmoral (Ed. Victoria) on Sunday morning.

Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), Friday 1 September 1911, page 2

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. — An earthquake shock of rather unusual severity (writes the Balmoral “Spectator” correspondent) was experienced here at a quarter-past seven on Saturday evening. The tremor shook the dwellings and very much frightened some of the inmates. Others understood the nature of the disturbance, and took things quietly. It was apparently felt all over this district, as accounts to hand show that it was experienced for some distance away from the town. It appeared to travel from North-West to South-East, and was accompanied by loud rumbling. It is some years since we had a tremor before, and this one appears to have been confined to the local district.

1911 09 18 at 11:34 UTC, Appila

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Friday 22 September 1911, page 8

BOOLEROO CENTRE, September 18. An earth tremor was distinctly felt here this evening at 9 o’clock. It lasted for about half a minute, and there was a loud rumble as of a heavily-laden waggon on a metal road, while a strong vibration could be felt in the houses. It was travelling from south to north.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 20 September 1911, page 13

EARTHQUAKE IN THE NORTH.

LAURA, September 19.—A severe earthquake shock was felt here last night at 9.13 o’clock. It lasted for about a minute and a half. Some of the townsfolk hastily quitted their dwellings, thinking the street much safer. In one store goods rattled, and quite a cloud of dust rose from the floor. The earthquake was travelling from east to west.

Figure 6 Felt area of the Appila earthquake on 19 September at 9:13 pm CST.

Laura Standard (SA : 1889 – 1917), Friday 29 September 1911, page 3

Wirrabara Forest.

September 23, 1911.

The earthquake shock on Monday was the most severe felt here since 1897. The tremor was apparently travelling in a north-easterly direction and shook things to a remarkable way.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Thursday 21 September 1911, page 3

AN EARTHSHOCK.

HORNSDALE, September 19.—At 8.30 last evening a sharp earthshock was felt here. It was travelling from north to south, and lasted for about three seconds.

WIRRABARA, September 19.— The loud rumbling of an earthquake was heard last evening at 10 minutes past 9 o’clock.

1911 10 24 at 12:05 UTC, Gulf St Vincent

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wednesday 25 October 1911, page 6

It was reported to the Observatory last night by a lady residing in North Adelaide that an earthquake shock was felt at 9.35 p.m. It was accompanied by a rumbling noise, and caused the doors and windows to rattle. A similar report was received from Hahndorf.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 28 October 1911, page 11

MOUNT COMPASS.

Wednesday, October 25. Earth Tremor.

A sharp earthquake was felt here last night at 9.35. A loud rumble was heard approaching from the north-west, and soon the roofs began to rattle and the crockery dance, but no damage was done. The shock lasted only a few seconds.

Figure 7 Isoseismal map of the Gulf St Vincent earthquake on 24th October 1911, felt Adelaide.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 28 October 1911, page 1

PROSPECT HILL SOUTH.

Thursday, October 26.

Earth Tremor.

On Tuesday night at about 9.40 a rather severe earth tremor was felt here. It lasted several seconds, and appeared to travel in a north-westerly direction. It was the loudest rumbling noise we have heard since the very severe tremor of nine years ago.

Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 – 1954), Friday 27 October 1911, page 2

EARTH TREMOR.

An unwelcome visitor in the shape of an earth tremor came after dark on Tuesday. The forerunner was the dull rumble which seemed to emanate from the bowels of the earth. This was closely followed by a slight tremor which lasted about two seconds, after which it passed on its way still growling. While it lasted windows rattled and swinging lamps swayed, but beyond temporarily disturbing the equilibrium of mind of the nervous no damage was done.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 26 October 1911, page 5

AN EARTH TREMOR. COUNTRY REPORTS.

On Tuesday evening the Government Astronomer as reported in “The Daily Herald” received reports of an earth tremor having been felt at North Adelaide and at Hahndorf. On Wednesday he received two telegrams, one from the postmaster at Yankalilla as follows:—”At 9.40 last night distinct earth tremor was felt here.” The other was from the post-master at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island: —”An earth tremor was distinctly felt here at 9.45 last night, travelling from north to south.” The following reports respecting the earth tremor felt in Adelaide on Tuesday have been received from the country districts:—

ALDINGA, October 25.—A slight earth tremor was felt here, on Tuesday night at 20 minutes to 10, lasting for a few seconds.

VICTOR HARBOR, October 25.—A distinct earth shock was felt here last night, at about 9.30. It was going from north-west to south-east.

DELAMERE, October 25.—A slight earthquake was experienced here at about 9.30 last night, and appeared to be traveling from north-west to south-east.

BALHANNAH, October 25.—A slight earth tremor, accompanied by a rumbling noise, was experienced here last evening, about 9.40.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Thursday 26 October 1911, page 12

THE UNSTABLE EARTH. EARTHSHOCK FELT TUESDAY NIGHT.

On Tuesday evening the Government Astronomer received reports of an earth tremor having been felt at North Adelaide and at Hahndorf. On Wednesday he received two telegrams, one from the post-master at Yankalilla, as follows:— “At 9.40 last night a distinct earth tremor was felt here,” and another from the postmaster at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, which read—”An earth tremor was distinctly felt here at 9.45 last night; travelling from north to south.” Echunga, October 24.

An earth tremor was distinctly felt here to-night at 9.35 o’clock, windows were shaken and crockery in kitchens rattled, in one of the local stores articles suspended from the ceiling swayed to and fro.

Belair, October 25.

A distinct earth tremor was experienced here at 9.35 o’clock last night.

YANKALILLA, October 25.—A sharp earth tremor was felt here on Tuesday evening at 9.35. It appeared to be travelling from south-west to north-east.

BUGLE RANGES, October 25.—Last night a shock of earthquake was felt here at about 9.40, causing the doors and windows of houses to rattle. It lasted about two seconds.

BALHANNAH, October 25.—Last evening about 9.40 a slight earth tremor with a loud rumbling noise was experienced here.

WOODSIDE, October 25.—A slight earth tremor was felt here last evening about 9.40. The rumbling noise continued for some time.

MOUNT BARKER, October 25—At about 9.49 last night an earth tremor was distinctly felt, and lasted for two or three seconds. The first sign was the rumble, which could be heard approaching, and then the window rattled and swinging lamps swayed.

MOUNT COMPASS, October 25.—An earth shock was felt here last evening at 9.35, travelling, apparently, from west to east, with a rolling and rising motion.

SELLICKS HILL, October 25.—An earth shock was felt here last night about 9.35. It caused the houses to shake considerably. The noise appeared to be travelling in an easterly direction. The shock lasted several seconds.

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 – 1951), Saturday 28 October 1911, page 6

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

Somewhere near the hour of ten Tuesday night (one can’t be too positive in the matter of time in a place where no two clocks are quite alike at the same time) a loud earthquake shock startled all in this district who were not too fast in the arms of Morpheus. There is something of uncanniness in these ominous rumblings which are so often heard and it leaves one with an indescribable sort of feeling of dread, fear or uncertainty, you hardly know which, for in con-templating the very mystery of it an awesome feeling takes possession for the time being. Last night’s report was very loud and appeared, as every report has yet appeared to me, to be travelling from S.E. to N.W.

1911 10 26 at 09:40 UTC, Cleve

Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 – 1954), Saturday 28 October 1911, page 3

Earthquake Shock.

A very distinct earthquake shock was felt in Adelaide on Thursday evening at 7 o’clock. The Althorpes Island light-keepers and residents at Port Wakefield also felt it. It was not felt at Yorketown.

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Friday 27 October 1911, page 2

HOUSES SEVERELY SHAKEN.

Moonta, October 26.

A severe earth tremor was experienced here to-night at about 7.20, and the rumble of its approach was heard more than half a minute before the tremor was felt. The whole lasted over two minutes, and appeared to be travelling from south to north. Houses were severely shaken, and the occupants ran outside. Sharp local shocks are of frequent occurrence here, caused through explosions and ground bursts from natural causes at Taylor’s shaft, Moonta, but unless someone is hurt underground as a result little notice is taken of them. To-night’s shock, however, seemed to have been a decided earth tremor.

THE GAS WAS EXTINGUISHED.

Port August, October 26. A severe earth shock was felt here at about 7.20 to-night, lasting about five seconds. Houses rattled and doors banged, and in one instance the gas was extinguished.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 28 October 1911, page 11

WALLAROO.

Thursday, October 26.

Earth Tremor.

A sharp shock of earthquake was felt here at 7.20 to-night. It caused the windows to rattle and startled the people. It appeared to be travelling from south-east to north-west.

Figure 8 Isoseismal Map of the 26 October 1911 earthquake near Cleve on Eyre Peninsula (from Malpas, 1991, with additional observations in red).

Yorke’s Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 – 1922), Friday 27 October 1911, page 2

EARTHQUAKE.—A most pronounced earth tremor lasting several seconds was felt shortly after 7 o’clock last evening.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Friday 27 October 1911, page 7

ANOTHER TREMOR.

Alarm Without Damage

The quake appears to have been more severe further afield. Mr. R. McEwin telephoned that the tremor was sufficiently severe at Glen Ewin to induce him and his wife to run out of the house. Before it occurred there was a rumbling noise, which caused the dogs to bark. At first Mr. McEwin thought the sound was that of a passing vehicle, but when the windows began to rattle and the house to shake alarm was set up. The vibration lasted for about two minutes. Mr. Dodwell received telegrams reporting the occurrence from Maitland, Green’s Plains, Auburn, Port Wakefieid, Port Augusta, Wallaroo, Snowtown, and St. Peters. The information from Maitland said that windows and doors shook violently, and the Port Augusta report indicated that the tremor was equally severe there.

PORT LINCOLN, October 26.—A severe earth tremor occurred here at 7.25 this evening. People were greatly perturbed. It travelled from south to north. Houses were shaken to their foundations, and articles on shelves were thrown off.

MOONTA, October 26.—An earthshock of exceptional severity occurred here to-night. It was preceded by a rumble as of a passing wagon, and lasted more than two minutes. Buildings and furniture shook, and rattled to almost an alarming extent. People made for the open air. WALLAROO, October 26.—A slight earthshock occurred at 7.21 this evening. It lasted several seconds. It was sufficient to shake windows, but not severe enough to do any damage.

PORT PIRIE, October 26.— A slight earthquake was felt here at about 7.25 p.m. It lasted only a few seconds.

PORT AUGUSTA, October 26.—An earthshock was felt here this evening at 7.20. It lasted about four seconds, and extinguished the lights in the Methodist manse. Doors and windows shook, but no damage was reported.

PORT BROUGHTON, October 26.—A pronounced earth tremor was experienced here at 7.21 p.m. to-day. The rumbling lasted fully one minute. Windows and crockery rattled.

Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune (Cowell, SA : 1910 – 1950), Friday 3 November 1911, page 2

CLEVE. Nov. 1. EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

An earthquake shock was felt here on Thursday, Oct. 26th at 7.15 p.m. It lasted for 20 seconds, and seemed to be travelling north to south. There was a general exodus for the doors. Several buildings were cracked and Messrs Smallacombe’s had their ceiling buckled, and crockery and glassware were smashed. The lights went out in Mr Gillings’ store, and also at the hotel. Mr. Johnson (the local manager for the National Bank) had a good deal of glassware broken. It is considered to be the sharpest shock felt on Eyre’s Peninsula.

Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 – 1912), Friday 27 October 1911, page 1

ANOTHER TREMOR.

Alarm Without Damage.

An earthquake was experienced in South Australia at about 7.23 on Thursday evening—the second within three days. A gentle oscillation was felt in The Register Office, but again the Observatory was immune from the shock. Operators on duty in the Telegraph Office felt it distinctly. Mr. Commissioner Russell stated that he was in his room in the new Government Buildings, when he actually saw a movement of the walls, which continued to vibrate for some seconds. He went to an officer in another room, who said that plans and racks had shifted. The solid Parliament House heaved perceptibly, and Ald. Cooke remarked that at Unley there was a quivering for 62 seconds. The quake appears to have been more severe further afield. Mr. R. McEwin telephoned that the tremor was sufficiently severe at Glen Ewin to induce him and his wife to run out of the house. Before it occurred there was a rumbling noise, which caused the dogs to bark. At first Mr. McEwin thought the sound was that of a passing vehicle, but when the windows began to rattle and the house to shake alarm was set up. The vibration lasted for about two minutes. Mr. Dodwell received telegrams reporting the occurrence from Maitland, Green’s Plains, Auburn, Port Wakefield, Port Augusta, Wallaroo, Snowtown, and St. Peters. The information from Maitland said that windows and doors shook violently, and the Port Augusta report indicated that the tremor was equally severe there.

PORT LINCOLN, October 25.—A severe earth tremor occurred here at 7.35 this evening. People were greatly perturbed. It travelled from south to north. Houses were shaken to their foundations, and articles on shelves were thrown off.

MOONTA, October 26.—An earthshock of exceptional severity occurred here to-night. It was preceded by a rumble as of a passing wagon, and lasted more than two minutes. Buildings and furniture shook, and rattled to almost an alarming extent. People made for the open air. WALLAROO, October 26. —A slight earthshock occurred at 7.24 this evening. It lasted several seconds. It was sufficient to shake windows, but not severe enough to do any damage.

PORT PIRIE, October 26.—A slight earthquake was felt here at about 7.25 p.m. It lasted only a few seconds.

PORT BROUGHTON, October 20.—A pronounced earth tremor was experienced here at 7.21 p.m. to-day. The rumbling lasted fully one minute. Windows and crockery rattled.

ELLISTON. October 27.—We experienced two shocks at about 7.18 last night. The first was slight, but the second more severe and caused crockery to rattle. The duration of the shock was about three seconds, and it appeared to be travelling east to west.

MAITLAND, October 27.—A slight earth tremor was experienced last evening at 7.21. It was of short duration, and was travelling from west to east.

TRURO, October 26.—An earthshock was felt here last evening at 7.18. It lasted for some seconds, and shook windows and crockery. It appeared to be travelling from north to south.

PORT GERMEIN, October 27.—A fairly severe earthshock occurred last night at 7.25. It was travelling in a southerly direction.

Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 – 1954), Saturday 28 October 1911, page 3

Earthquake Shock.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 4 November 1911, page 44

EXPERIENCES IN THE COUNTRY.

Moonta, October 26.

A severe earth tremor was experienced here to-night at about 7.20, and the rumble of its approach was heard more than half a minute before the tremor was felt. The whole lasted over two minutes, and appeared to be travelling from south to north. Houses were severely shaken, and the occupants ran outside. Sharp local shocks are of frequent occurrence here, caused through explosions and ground-bursts from natural causes at Taylor’s shaft, Moonta, but unless someone is hurt underground as a result little notice is taken of them. To-night’s shock, however, seemed to have been a decided earth tremor.

Port Augusta, October 26. A severe earthshock was felt here at about 7.20 to-night, lasting about five seconds. Houses rattled and doors banged, and in one instance the gas was extinguished. CLARENDON, October 26. — On Tuesday evening a distinct earth tremor was felt here at 9.35 o’clock. It lasted about 30 seconds, and appeared to be travelling in a south-easterly direction. The tremor was preceded by a loud rumbling sound. Another shock was felt here tonight at 7.22, it lasted for one minute and a half.

PORT VICTORIA, October 26. — One of the most severe earthquake shocks experienced here for a considerable time was felt about 7.30 this evening, accompanied by a rumbling sound. The vibration lasted from 10 to 15 seconds, during which time doors, windows, and crockery ware rattled.

PORT WAKEFIELD, October 27.-A slight earth tremor was felt here at 2.40 p.m. yesterday and was followed by a more severe one at 7.17 p.m., when household articles shook with considerable violence and the trembling treetops caused the slumbering birds to leave in hurried flight. COWELL, October 27.— A severe earthquake shock was felt here last night at about 7.15. Houses were shaken and cracked, and iron places rattled as if falling. The disturbance came from the northwest, and it startled many people.

BUTE, October 27. —A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Bute about 7.30 last night. It travelled from west to east, and sounded like a roaring wind. It lasted for several seconds. Crockery rattled in the shelves, and the houses quivered. Several bottles were thrown down in Mr. Gas-kin’s fruit shop. The residents were very, much startled.

EUDUNDA, October 26.— An earthquake was experienced here at 7.24 p.m. The tremor, which lasted over a minute, was not very severe, although strong enough to cause windows to rattle. it was travelling from north-west to south-east.

ECHUNGA, October 27— The earth tremor last evening, at 7.21 o’clock, was more severe than that on Tuesday. No damage was done, but windows rattled and inhabitants were alarmed.

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Friday 27 October 1911, page 2

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. FELT ALL OVER THE STATE.

A moderately severe earth tremor was felt in the city at about twenty-two minutes past 7 last night. Its direction was from north to south, and it lasted for about two seconds. Doors and windows rattled violently. It was felt all over the State, and the Government Astronomer received the following telegrams from country towns:—

MAITLAND.—Severe earthquake shock felt here 7.23 p.m. Windows and doors shook violently.

GREEN PLAINS.—Earthquake shock felt here 7.22 p.m.

AUBURN.—Earthquake shock felt here 7.20 p.m. Accompanied by rumbling and windows shaking, duration about four seconds, direction uncertain.

PORT WAKEFIELD.—Slight earthquake felt here 7.21 p.m.

PORT AUGUSTA.—Severe earthquake felt here 7.13 p.m. Shook post-office building. Appeared to travel north-west to south-east.

WALLAROO.—Severe shock of earthquake felt here 7.24 p.m. Duration five seconds. Apparent direction north-west to south-east.

SNOWTOWN—Earth shock felt here 7.25 p.m. Apparent direction east to west.

A telephone message was received from St. Peters that an earth tremor had been felt there at 7.23 p.m., lasting 15 seconds, and travelling from south to north, accompanied by windows rattling. The shock was also distinctly felt in “The Advertiser” office and the operating room of the G.P.O.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Tuesday 31 October 1911, page 13

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE.

BUTE, October 27.—A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Bute about 7.30 last night. It travelled from west to east, and sounded like a roaring wind, it lasted for several seconds. Crockery rattled in the shelves, and the houses quivered. Several bottles were thrown down in Mr. Gaskin’s fruit shop.

The residents were very much startled.

EUDUNDA, October 26.—An earthquake was experienced here at 7.24 p.m. The tremor, which lasted over a minute, was not very severe, although strong enough to cause windows to rattle. It was travelling from, north-west to south-east.

CARRAW. October 27. Last night a severe earthquake was felt here.

ECHUNGA. October 27.—The earth tremor last evening, at 7.21 o’clock, was more severe than that on Tuesday. No damage was done, but windows rattled and inhabitants were alarmed.

YALLUNDA FLAT, October 27.— A slight shock of earthquake was felt here at 7.20 on Thursday evening. It lasted for about 10 seconds, and was travelling from north-east to south-east.

Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 – 1954), Wednesday 1 November 1911, page 3

COUNTRY NEWS

Tickera, Oct. 27.

A very decided earth tremor was experienced here last night at about 8 o’clock. The shaking lasted a few seconds, and seemed to pass from east to west. It was accompanied by the rumbling usually connected with such a disturbance.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Monday 30 October 1911, page 6

THE EARTHQUAKE AT GREEN’S PLAINS.

Our Green’a Plains correspondent wrote on October 27:— “An active and decidedly businesslike earthquake visited the Plains at about 7.25 last night, and in the brief time at its disposal gave the place a thorough shaking up. It rattled doors and windows, rang bells, shook down crockery………”

Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 – 1912), Monday 30 October 1911, page 1

THE SHOCK.

MORE COUNTRY REPORTS.

MOUNT HOPE. October 28.—On October 27 an earthquake was felt here. Doors and windows rattled, and buildings shock. The disturbance apparently travelled from west to east.

BOOTHBY, October 27.—A severe earthshock occurred on Thursday evening at half-past 7. There was a slight shock also on October 9. Both seemed to travel northeasterly.

CLEVE, October 27.—A severe earthquake was felt on Thursday evening at about 7.30, travelling south to north. Crockery was shaken off shelves and broken, and stone houses sustained injuries. A heavy storm of wind rushed through the camp at the weir, end an iron tank was lifted and carried some distance.

YALLUNDA FLAT, October 27.—An earthshock was experienced here yesterday at about 7.23 p.m. It lasted for about a minute. Doors and windows rattled, and in some instances glassware was shaken from shelves. The disturbance seemed to travel in an easterly direction.

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 3 November 1911, page 3

Owen

A sharp shock of earthquake was experienced here at 7.25 on Thursday evening Oct. 26, which lasted about ten seconds. Windows and doors rattled, and crockery was disturbed by the movement.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 4 November 1911, page 44

MOONTA, October 26. A severe earth tremor was experienced here to-night at about 7.20, and the rumble of its approach was heard more than half a minute before the tremor was felt. The whole lasted over two minutes, and appeared to be travelling from south to north. Houses were severely shaken, and the occupants ran outside. Sharp local shocks are of frequent occurrence here, caused through explosions arid ground-bursts from natural causes at Taylor’s shaft, Moonta, but unless someone is hurt underground as a result little notice is taken of them. To-night’s shock, however, seemed to have been a decided earth tremor.

PORT AUGUSTA, October 26. A severe earthshock was felt here at about 7.20 to-night, lasting about five seconds. Houses rattled and doors banged, and in one instance the gas was extinguished.

CLARENDON, October 26. — On Tuesday evening a distinct earth tremor was felt here at 9.35 o’clock. It lasted about 30 seconds, and appeared to be travelling in a south-easterly direction. The tremor was preceded by a loud rumbling sound. Another shock was felt here to night at 7.22, it lasted for one minute and a half.

PORT WAKEFIELD, October 27.—A slight earth tremor was felt here at 2.40 p.m. yesterday and was followed by a more severe one at 7.17 p.m., when household articles shook with considerable violence and the trembling treetops caused the slumbering birds to leave in hurried flight.

COWELL, October 27.— A severe earthquake shock was felt here last night at about 7.15. Houses were shaken and cracked, and iron places rattled as if falling. The disturbance came from the north-west, and it startled many people.

BUTE. October 27. —A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at Bute about 7.30 last night. It travelled from west to east, and sounded like a roaring wind. It lasted for several seconds. Crockery rattled in the shelves, and the houses quivered. Several bottles were thrown down in Mr. Gas-kin’s fruit shop. The residents were very, much startled.

ECHUNGA. October 27— The earth tremor last evening, at 7.21 o’clock, was more severe than that on Tuesday. No damage was done, but windows rattled and inhabitants were alarmed.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 28 October 1911, page 8

LOCAL AND DISTANT EARTHQUAKES

The seismograph at the Adelaide Observatory recorded a large distant earthquake on October 24 (Ed. – not listed in ISC) . The time of the first preliminary tremor was uncertain, being confused with micro-seismic movements, but was probably at 9.21 p.m.; the second preliminary arrived at 9.24.7 p.m., and the long waves at 9.28 p.m. The displacement of the boom reached a maximum of three millimetres at 9.30 p.m. An indication is seen on this record of the local earthquake which was felt at various parts of South Australia on Thursday night. The photographic line traced out by the boom of the instrument shows a little blurred thickening at 22 minutes 4 seconds past 7 o’clock, followed by very small oscillations for five minutes. The appearance is as if the whole instrument were shaken to and fro, not tilted as in the case of the long earth waves from the large distant earthquakes which are ordinarily recorded. No trace of Tuesday’s earthquake is to be seen, on the seismogram. The period of swing of the beam is 14 seconds. It is thus tuned up to record the longer earth waves in accordance with the requirements of the seismological committee of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and does not respond to the waves of shorter period due to small local earthquakes. When, however, the local earthquake is severe enough to actually shake the instrument as in the case of the tremor on Thursday evening the shaking produces its effect on the seismogram, but the record is quite different in its character from the records ordinarily obtained.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Tuesday 31 October 1911, page 13

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE.

The residents were very much startled.

EUDUNDA, October 26.—An earthquake was experienced here at 7.24 p.m. The tremor, which lasted over a minute, was not very severe, although strong enough to cause windows to rattle. It was travelling from, north-west to south-east.

West Coast Recorder (Port Lincoln, SA : 1909 – 1942), Wednesday 1 November 1911, page 6

Eyre’s Peninsula.

Petina, Oct. 19.

A slight earthquake tremor was experienced here to-night at about 7.20p.m. It was unnoticeable by outside pedestrians, but those inside were made aware of the fact by the rattling of ornaments, etc. , Tumby Bay, Oct. 26. A severe earth tremor was experienced here on Thursday night at 7.15, accompanied by a loud noise like thunder, but resembling more nearly the rolling over and over of many iron tanks. This preceded the tremor by a quarter of a minute, and appeared to come from the north-west, passing on to the south-east. Some, however, state positively that it travelled in quite the opposite direction, so that there are doubts regarding the matter. During the tremor the earth seemed to move horizontally, describing a small segment of a circle backward and forward several times. People got scared and rushed out of their houses, but no damage was done. The disturbance lasted altogether about a minute.

Lipson Cove, Oct. 27. A sharp earth tremor was felt throughout this district last evening at about 7.15. There seems to be a diversity of opinions as to the direction it was travel-ling, but the majority favor from south to north. It lasted about 20 seconds, and made the windows and doors rattle. A lot of people ran outside to await their fate.

Yallunda Flat, Oct. 27. At about 7.20 p.m. on October 26 a rather severe earthquake shock was felt here. It made houses and crockery rattle, and apparently was travelling northwards.

Lipson, Oct. 27. A severe shock of earthquake passed through here Thursday evening at 7.30 p.m. It caused a bit of commotion generally.

Cleve, Oct. 27. Cleve still exists. A large earthquake was seen in the vicinity last night, and smashed some crockery and exceeded the speed limit, besides not having its lights out. One resident noticed it, and, after dodging falling bricks and plates, seized the poker and chased the intruder over the park lands, but missed it in the hills.

Charlton Gully, Oct. 26. While seated at the tea table this evening at 7.30 the members of the writer’s household were startled by a sudden rumbling noise and trembling of the house and sundries, which 1 surmise was an earth tremor, as there were no indications of thunder, and the sky being cloudless and bright at the time. The tremor seemed to be moving from east to west, and lasted about eight to ten seconds: atmosphere calm, chilly, and dewy. This tremor, though distinct, was neither so severe nor prolonged as the one I experienced at Lake Hamilton in September, 1902, and at about the same hour of the evening, when poultry and monkeys were said to have been shaken from their perches! On that, occasion the seat of the disturbance was thought to be in the ocean southerly from Yorke’s Peninsula. It will be interesting now to know what the seismograph at the Adeaide Observatory has recorded of the present event, and to hear the account from others.

Carrow, Oct. 27. A very severe shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday evening about 7.30, and lasted nearly two minutes.

Mortlock, Oct. 30. The residents of this quiet old place received quite a shaking up on Thursday evening in the form of a severe earth tremor, which occurred at about 7.30 p.m. and lasted for over a minute. The direction the tremor appeared to travel was from south-west to north-east.

Mitchell, Oct. 30. A very severe shock of earthquake was felt last Thursday evening about dusk, it being one of the most severe experienced on the Peninsula. With the exception of cracking a looking glass, no damage was done.

Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune (Cowell, SA : 1910 – 1950), Friday 3 November 1911, page 2

ARNO BAY.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. A severe earthquake shock was felt here at half past seven o’clock this evening and lasted about 30 seconds. It appeared to be travelling from south to north. Buildings rocked and glass and furniture rattled. The first experience was like a thunder clap followed by a low rumbling sound which seemed to die away to the North. Numbers of people were frightened and ran out into the open. One lady here fainted.

Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle (SA : 1885 – 1916), Friday 10 November 1911, page 2

Country Letters

PORT BROUGHTON, Nov 3. An earthquake shock was plainly felt here about 7.30, on Thursday evening, Oct. 26th, differences there were of opinions as to the directions in which it was travelling.

IRON KNOB, Nov 3. An earthquake shock was plainly felt here about 7.30, on Thursday evening, Oct. 26th, differences there were of opinions as to the directions in which it was travelling.

Blyth Agriculturist (SA : 1908 – 1954), Friday 3 November 1911, page 4

A slight earthquake shock occurred here on Thursday evening of last week at 7.24. It lasted several seconds, and was sufficient to shake windows, &c., but not of sufficient severity to cause any damage.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 4 November 1911, page 16

INMAN VALLEY, October 26.—On Tuesday evening an earthquake shock was felt about 9.30 p.m.

CARROW. October 27.— Last night a severe earthquake was felt here.

YALLUNDA FLAT, October 27. — A slight shock of earthquake was felt here at 7.20 on Thursday evening. It lasted for about 10 seconds, and was travelling from north-east to south-east.

Areas’ Express (Booyoolee, SA : 1877 – 1948), Friday 3 November 1911, page 3

CALTOWIE, Nov. 2. An Earthshock. On Thursday night a sharp shock of earthquake was experienced about 7.20 p.m. About 45 to 50 seconds was its duration.

1911 11 01 at 19:00 UTC, Apoinga swarm event

Burra Record (SA : 1878 – 1954), Wednesday 8 November 1911, page 3

The Quivering Earth.

During the past two or three weeks we have reported several earth shocks of a slight nature, and since our last issue other light disturbances have been felt in different parts of the district. A visitor to the town on Friday said a very distinct shock was felt in the Apoinga district early on Thursday morning; he put the time down as between 4 and 5 o’clock. He said at the time there was not the slightest wind, and everything was remarkably still.

1911 11 17 at 02:30 UTC, Mt Serle

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 2 December 1911, page 13

MOUNT SERLE, November 21. —An earthquake shock was felt here on Friday last about mid-day. It lasted for several seconds, and appeared to travel in a south-westerly direction.

1911 12 03 at 21:47 UTC, Farina

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Monday 4 December 1911, page 1

EARTHQUAKE AT FARINA.

A Severe Shock.

FARINA, December 4.—A severe earth shock was felt here at 7.17 this morning, travelling north to south.

1911 01 15	21:24	-32.23	138.71	3.1	Carrieton	Dix
1911 01 27	12:30	-34.03	138.68	3.6	Auburn	Dix
1911 02 11	21:45	-33.6	138.9	2.5	Mt Bryan	McCue, 2017
1911 02 19	13:42:30	-34.0	138.5	5.0	Oodla Wirra/ Auburn	Dix/McCue, 2017
1911 02 20	04:30	-34.0	138.5	2.5	Tothill’s Belt	This paper
1911 03 28	07:58	-34.09	139.17	3.1	Eudunda	Dix
1911 05 13	18:30	-33.03	138.27	2.5	Wirrabara	McCue, 2017
1911 06 20	13:20	-33.03	138.43	3.6	Wirrabara	Dix/McCue, 2017
1911 06 21	13:20	-33.03	138.27	2.6	Wirrabara	Dix/McCue, 2017
1911 08 14	–	-34.15	138.42	2.8	Mt Templeton	Dix
1911 08 20	06:35	-32.30	139.44	2.6	Waukaringa	McCue, 2017
1911 09 06	04:25	-35.78	137.88	3.3	Penneshaw	Dix/This paper
1911 09 18	11:34	-33.05	138.43	3.6	Gulf St. Vincemt	Dix/This paper
1911 10 24	12:05	-35.3	138.3	4.1	Aldinga	Dix/McCue, 2017
1911 10 26	09:40	-34.0	136.6	5.5	Cleve	Dix/This paper
1911 11 01	19:00	-33.85	138.97	2.5	Apoinga swarm	McCue, 2017
1911 11 17	02:30	-30.4	138.8	3.0	Mt Serle	McCue, 2017
1911 12 03	21:47	-30.07	138.28	3.0	Farina	Dix/This paper

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1911

1912

This was a very inactive year, the largest event magnitude 3.5, caused minor non-structural damage at Appila on 16 August.

1912 01 01 at 11:50 UTC, McLaren Vale

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wednesday 3 January 1912, page 6

EARTH TREMOR SHOCKS FELT IN THE COUNTRY.

McLAREN VALE. January 1.

A severe earth tremor, accompanied by a loud noise was felt here this evening at 9.20 o’clock. The tremor lasted about seven or eight seconds.

MEADOWS SOUTH, January 2.

A distinct earthquake shock was experienced here last evening shortly after 9.20 p.m. The tremor lasted only two or three seconds and was very slight, although the rumble was plainly heard.

PROSPECT HILL SOUTH, January 1.

About 9.20 o’clock this evening a distinct earth shock was felt here. It seemed to be travelling in a south-south east direction, and the evening being calm and still it was the plainest which has been heard here for a long time. It lasted about four or five seconds. Enquiry at the Observatory last night regarding the above elicited the fact that the tremor had not been felt by any of the members of the staff. Whether or not it was recorded at the Observatory will not be known until the instruments are examined to-day.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Friday 5 January 1912, page 8

MOUNT COMPASS.

Tuesday, January 2. Earth Tremor.

A sharp earth tremor accompanied by a loud rumbling noise took place here at 9.15 p.m., causing the roofs to rattle and beds to shake, but no damage being done.

Yorke’s Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1878 – 1922), Friday 22 March 1912, page 3
Wallaroo and Moonta Mining & Smelting Company.
The directors’ report, which is to be submitted to the shareholders in the Moonta and Wallaroo Mining and Smelting Company, Limited, at the annual meeting to be held on Wednesday next, states : Operations on Taylor’s arches in the Moonta Mines, were prejudicially affected by a series of earthshocks, which occurred during September. An arch at the back of the 1,680, between the fourth and fifth winzes, and two arches at the back of the 1,440, between the first and second winzes, were so badly affected that, besides involving severe risks, the cost of putting them in repair, and making the approaches safe, would have far exceeded the value of the ore which might have been won from them, and so they had to be abandoned. The large excavations adjoining these arches had to be filled, and this, with the damage to the other parts of the levels and workings, entailed a large expenditure of money in addition to the loss of veinstuff. The recurrence of these shocks has had a serious effect in contracting the ore reserves. Approximately 40,000 tons of filling material as well as some 100,000 feet of timber were used during the year in the work connected with these arches.

1912 03 24 at 18:00 UTC , Jamestown

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wednesday 27 March 1912, page 4

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK

A sharp earthshock was felt here (writes our Gladstone correspondent on Monday) about 3.20 this morning. Those who were in slumberland were mostly quickly wide awake, while those who happened to be out or about heard the ominous subterranean rumblings for several seconds before and after the actual quake. The vibrations were more severe in some parts of the town than others. Several residents report bits of ceilings and plaster from walls having dropped….…

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 26 March 1912, page 8

JAMESTOWN, March 25.— At about a quarter to 2 o’clock this morning a severe earthquake was experienced here. It started with a low, rumbling sound. Doors and windows were distinctly shaken, and in some places plaster fell from the ceilings. It appeared to be travelling from a north-easterly direction.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wednesday 27 March 1912, page 4

SEVERE EARTHSHOCK.

Our Jamestown correspondent writes on Monday as follows:— A severe shock of earthquake was experienced here at half past 3 on Monday morning. Buildings shook severely, and furniture and crockery rattled, startling many people.”

Areas’ Express (Booyoolee, SA : 1877 – 1948), Friday 29 March 1912, page 2

Stone Hut

An Earthquake. A long rumble and severe shaking of articles in houses marked our latest earth shock at 3.30 on Monday morning. Some did not wake from sleep, but those who did give its duration as about 40 seconds, and its direction from S.E. to N.W.

1912 04 24 at 01:25 UTC, Booleroo

Petersburg Times (SA : 1887 – 1919), Friday 3 May 1912, page 1

Booleroo News.

An earth shock was felt here on the 24th at five minutes to 11. It lasted about 15 seconds, and there was a loud rumble as of a train going over a bridge. Houses also vibrated distinctly. The shock appears to have been felt even more severely at Booleroo Whim and towards Willowie, and several people from that part tell of the houses rattling.

1912 05 10 at 16:00 UTC and 20:30 UTC, Yarcowie

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Monday 13 May 1912, page 4

EARTHSHOCKS AT YARCOWIE

Two earth shocks were felt by the residents of Yarcowie on Saturday. The first occurred at 1.30 a.m. and the second, which proved more severe, was felt about 6 a.m. The shocks were travelling from north-west to south-east. It is worthy of notice that about the same date in 1807 there was a severe earthquake in South Australia.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 18 May 1912, page 37

Two earth shocks were felt by the residents of W(Y)arcowie last Saturday. The first occurred at 1.30 a.m., and the second, which proved more severe, was felt about 6 a.m. The shocks were travelling from north-west to south-east. It is worthy of notice that about the same date in 1807 there was a severe earthquake in South Australia.

1912 05 20 at 10:00 and 10:05 UTC, Petersburg

Petersburg Times (SA : 1887 – 1919), Friday 24 May 1912, page 2

Local and General News.

EARTH TREMORS.—Some residents of Petersburg state they felt a slight earth tremor on Monday evening last at 7.30 followed a little while later by a second one.

1912 08 05 at 12:30 UTC, Adelaide

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 6 August 1912, page 6

SLIGHT EARTHSHOCK.

Shortly after 10 o’clock on Monday night several residents of North Adelaide telephoned to The Register that an earthquake had been experienced in the district. The shock lasted about 30 seconds, and, as one gentleman related, “things tumbled about some.”

Unlikely that this was an earthquake unless it was very small.

1912 08 16 at 04:10 UTC, Appila

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 17 August 1912, page 8

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

A shock of earthquake was felt at Belalie North, at half-past two yesterday afternoon. During the shock, which lasted several seconds, residents were somewhat alarmed, and the rattling of crockery, caused by the disturbance, added to their perturbation.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 20 August 1912, page 3

EARTHQUAKE.

WIRRABARA, August 17.—The heavy rumbling of an earthquake was heard here yesterday at 1.30 p.m. It caused doors and windows to rattle.

LAURA, August 17.—Yesterday afternoon at 1.27 the residents were startled by a distinct earthquake, which lasted for several seconds. Buildings shook, and pictures on the walls rattled. The direction of the earthshock was from west to east.

BOOLEROO CENTRE, August 17.—On Friday, about 1.40, this district was visited by a distinct earthshock, accompanied by heavy rumbling. A new farmhouse, built about four years ago, was severely cracked.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 24 August 1912, page 17

EARTHQUAKE,

CALTOWIE, August 16.—An unusually sharp shock of earthquake occurred at 1.40 this afternoon.

The duration was 20 seconds, and the direction east to west.

WIRRABARA, August 17.—The heavy rumbling of an earthquake was heard here yesterday at 1.30 p.m. It caused doors and windows to rattle.

1912 09 24 at 10:10 UTC, Hyde Park – not enough corroborating evidence.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 26 September 1912, page 4

EARTH TREMOR AT HYDE PARK.

A slight earth tremor was noticed at Hyde Park at 7.40 on Tuesday evening. Windows rattled and ornaments vibrated slightly. A second tremor was felt a minute later.

But there were no other reports so this event has not been listed.

1912 10 12 at 04:26 UTC, Rapid Bay

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Tuesday 8 October 1912, page 2

TUMBY BAY.

October 4.– Earthquake Shocks.

A number of slight shocks of earthquake have been experienced during the past week.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 15 October 1912, page 10

SECOND VALLEY, October 12.—A distinct earthquake was heard and felt at 1.56 p.m. to-day by the residents in various parts of Rapid Bay district. The shock lasted for about 15 seconds, and appeared to be travelling in a south-easterly direction.

1912 11 22 at 11:38 UTC, Hergott Springs

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Monday 25 November 1912, page 6

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK

Mr. Price, postmaster at Hergott Springs, forwarded the following message to the Deputy Postmaster-General (Wr. R. W. M. Waddy) on Friday:—9.8 p.m. slight shock earthquake, apparently travelling south-west to north-east.

1912 12 11 at 10:15 ITC, Hawker

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Friday 13 December 1912, page 11

HAWKER, December 11.— A slight earth tremor was experienced here by several residents at a quarter to 8 o’clock this evening. It lasted about two seconds, and seemed to be travelling from west to east.

1912 01 01	11:50	-35.25	138.65	3.0	McLaren Vale	This paper
1912 03 24	18:00	-33.2	138.4	3.1	Jamestown	This paper/Dix
1912 04 24	01:25	-32.8	138.4	2.8	Booleroo	This paper
1912 05 10	16:00	-33.2	138.9	2.5	Yarcowie	This paper/Dix
1912 05 10	20:30	-33.2	138.9	3.0	Yarcowie	This paper/Dix
1912 05 20	10:00	-33.0	138.8	3.0	Petersburg	This paper
1912 05 20	10:05	-33.0	138.8	2.5	Petersburg	This paper
1912 08 16	04:10	-33.07	138.43	3.5	Appila	This paper/Dix
1912 10 12	04:26	-35.5	138.2	2.5	Rapid Bay	This paper/Dix
1912 11 22	11:38	-29.6	138.1	2.5	Hergott Springs	This paper/Dix
1912 12 11	10:15	-31.9	138.5	2.5	Hawker	This paper

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1912

1913

Thirteen small earthquakes were located on the basis of their felt reports, the largest magnitude 4.2 at Robe in the South-east.

1913 01 13 at 05:13 UTC, Kapunda

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 17 January 1913, page 5

News of the Week.

EARTH TREMOR

On Monday at 2.43 p.m. an earth tremor was felt in Kapunda. It was a fair shock, and several people noticed the rattling of windows, and crockery as well as the rumbling noise.

1913 02 10 at 01:30 UTC, Oodnadatta

Quorn Mercury (SA : 1895 – 1954), Tuesday 18 February 1913, page 3

FINE RAINS IN THE FAR NORTH.

(By Wire). Oodnadatta, Feb. 13.

On Monday a shock of earthquake was felt about 11 a.m. It at first sounded like thunder, but when things began to rattle it was realised that a tremor was being experienced.

1913 05 08 at 16:30 URC, Burra

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Monday 12 May 1913, page 8

BURRA.

About 2 o’clock last Friday morning several residents were awakened by a slight earthshock, which lasted several seconds.

1913 06 07 at 18:30 UTC, Wirrabarra

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 10 June 1913, page 9

WIRRABARRA, June 8. —The loud rumbling of an earthquake was heard here this morning, at 4 a.m. The shock lasted a considerable time, and appeared to be travelling from north to south.

1913 06 18 at 02:18 UTC, Cowell

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Friday 20 June 1913, page 8

COWELL.

June 18.—An earth tremor was felt here to-day at 11.48 a.m., which lasted for a couple of seconds, causing glassware to rattle slightly.

Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune (Cowell, SA : 1910 – 1950), Friday 20 June 1913, page 7

COOLANIE.

June 18. EARTHQUAKE. A slight earthquake shock was felt here this morning at about 11 o’clock. At some places the shake was quite noticeable, while at others it was very slight.

1913 06 19 at 15:00 UTC, Tumby Bay

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Tuesday 24 June 1913, page 10

EARTHQUAKE AT TUMBY BAY.

TUMBY BAY, June 20.—A sharp shock of earthquake was felt here at 12.30 this morning, accompanied by a loud noise. It appeared to be travelling from S.E. to N.W. Three loud reports after a 10 minutes’ interval followed the tremor.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 28 June 1913, page 39

EARTHSHOCK.

SINGULAR TUMBY BAY.

TUMBY BAY, June 20.

A loud earthshock was heard at 12.30 a.m. on Friday. The vibration was not great, but the rumbling was unusually severe. At intervals of from two to three minutes for half an hour afterwards there were peculiar sounds which resembled a load of stones being tipped from a dray. No tremor could be felt. Some months ago a large number of earth tremors were experienced here. Several were recorded in one day. Most of the shocks, were light, but a few were sharp. The odd thing was that they occurred only close around Tumby Bay. Lipson, seven miles, north, and Port Lincoln 30 miles south, escaped. A few years ago there was a similar experience, and for some time shocks were recorded daily. The theory, is that there is some local movement of the earth’s surface taking place. It would be interesting to have this district examined by an expert. No alarm is felt that anything serious may occur, but of course most people feel uncanny about it.

Referring to the above account, Mr. G. F. Dodwell, B.A., Government Astronomer, told a reporter on Tuesday that probably the noise was in the nature of sounds frequently heard in Central Australia, in the Port Lincoln district, and several other localities. They had been called “desert sounds,” or barisal guns.

They had been variously described as loud, rumbling sounds like the boom of distant cannon or the explosion of a quarry blast. Sir George Darwin had dealt with subterranean dislocation’s in Belgium and northern France. Professor Gregory referred to various other sounds in Central Australia. They were attributed to local earth movements. The country in the Flinders Range was repeatedly shaken by small earthquake shocks, which were due to slight earth movements along the geological fracture. In the Port Lincoln district the country largely consisted of limestone overlying granite rock, and it was well known that subterranean cavities were likely to exist in such a formation. The percolation of water caused a loosening of the material. At certain times that state readjusted itself and caused the noises. The tremors, referred to at Tumby Bay were of a minor character, and the residents had no need to be alarmed.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 25 June 1913, page 14

AUSTRALIA’S RIFT VALLEY.

Referring on Tuesday to earth-shocks reported as having occurred in the Tumby Bay district at the end of last week, Mr. W. Howchin, of the University of Adelaide, remarked that there was a rift valley running north and south across portion of the Australian continent, taking in both Spencer’s and St Vincent’s Gulfs. The valley went north to Port Augusta and followed the line of salt lakes to Lake Torrens, at the northern end of which it seemed to run out. Mr. Howchin’s theory is that originally the contour of the continent was not broken by the two gulfs mentioned, but that the coast continued in a more or less direct course from Cape Catastrophe at the southern end of Eyre’s Peninsula, to Cape Jervis, which is almost due south of Adelaide, the southernmost part of Yorke Peninsula being in a direct line with those two points. “There have been very considerable subsidences,” added Mr. Howchin, “on the western side of the Mount Lofty Ranges, where segments of the earth’s crust, have slipped down towards the Gulf of St. Vincent. The bore at Croydon shows that the old rocks have sunk over 2,000 ft. along the line of the rift. Spencer’s Gulf is probably a branch of the fracture of the earth’s crust, but I do not know much about the physical conditions of the gulf, inasmuch as there have not been any deep bores put down within its area or along its coastline. The local nature of the conditions that seem to have prevailed in connection with the earth shocks and rumbling noises reported from Tumby Bay would probably indicate that the earth movement, if any, was of a limited character. The earthquakes that we commonly have in South Australia follow for the most part this line of fracture running north and south, and of course the tremors that occur are sometimes local and at other times extend over a large region.”

1913 06 27 at 12:00 UTC, Mount Hope

West Coast Recorder (Port Lincoln, SA : 1909 – 1942), Wednesday 9 July 1913, page 5

Mount Hope,

July 1.

A slight shock of earthquake was felt here on the evening of the 27th ult., about 9 30. Some people declared that it was distant thunder, while those living in iron houses felt the tremor and heard the iron rattle.

1913 07 08 at 14:45 UTC, Mangalo

Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune (Cowell, SA : 1910 – 1950), Friday 11 July 1913, page 7

MANGALO.

A slight earthquake shock was felt, here again last Tuesday night about quarter past twelve.

1913 07 18 at 12:35 UTC, Carrieton

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 26 July 1913, page 15

CARRIETON, July 18.—A sharp earthquake was experienced shortly after 10 o’clock tonight. It lasted only about 10 seconds. It appeared to be travelling from north-west to south-east.

2013 11 04 at 11:06 and 21:13 UTC, Tothill’s Belt

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Friday 7 November 1913, page 14

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

Tothill’s Belt, November 5.

Yesterday evening, at 8.36, a.short but very severe earth shock was experienced here. It appeared to be travelling in a westerly direction. This morning at 6.43 another shock was experienced, accompanied by a low-rumbling noise, like distant thunder.

1913 12 01 at 18:15 UTC, Kingston SE

Narracoorte Herald (SA : 1875 – 1954), Friday 5 December 1913, page 3

Earthquake Shocks along the Coast

Robe, December 2.

A severe earthquake shock was felt here at quarter to four this morning. I believe Kingston and Beachport experienced it too. An occurrence like this revives memories of the big earthquake of sixteen years ago.

Kingston, December 2.

With the exception of a few very heavy sleepers, most people in the township were awakened about four o’clock this morning by a very distinct earth tremor which lasted some seconds and it was travelling apparently from the direction of Cape Jaffa towards the north-east. The weather conditions at the time were very sultry, with vivid lightning. No damage was done as far as I can gather.

Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 – 1954), Saturday 13 December 1913, page 3

Kingston.

December 6.

On Tuesday morning, the 2nd inst., about 4 o’clock, we received a forcible reminder that the store from which earthquakes are supplied to this end of the district, is not quite exhausted. It was a fairly robust one, which awakened us to that knowledge. However, further than a little shaking and a big noise, and the giving of a middling kind of temporary fright, no damage resulted, so far as I can hear.

Figure 9 Felt area of the Kingston earthquake on 2 December 1913 at about 4am CST. The epicentre marked ‘E’ was more likely further offshore and therefore larger than the computed magnitude of 4.2.

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Tuesday 2 December 1913, page 1

EARTHSHOCK.

IN SOUTH-EAST.

Our Robe correspondent telegraphed on Tuesday morning:—”Distinct earthquake felt here this morning, 3.50.”

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Tuesday 2 December 1913, page 1

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK AT KINGSTON .

KINGSTON, December 2.—A severe earthquake shock occurred at 3.45 a.m. to-day. The tremor appeared to be travelling from west to east.

1913 12 06 at 22:00 UTC, Whyte-Yarcowie

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 20 December 1913, page 14

Country News.

An earth tremor.

WHYTE YARCOWIE, December 7.— A severe earth tremor was felt here this morning at 7.45 o’clock, and was apparently travelling in a north-easterly direction.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 13 December 1913, page 41

AN EARTHQUAKE.

TEROWIE, December 7.—A rather severe earthquake was felt at about 7.30 o’clock this morning. It was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise resembling, thunder, and lasted for about 20s. The shock seemed to be travelling from north to south.

PETERSBURG, December 8.—A distinct shock of earthquake was experienced in this town yesterday about 7.45 a.m. It lasted about 20 seconds, and windows, beds, chairs, and so on rattled, and caused an alarm. The disturbance appeared to be travelling from west to east.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 13 December 1913, page 17

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

Terowie, December 8.

A severe earthquake shock was felt here this morning at about 7.30 o’clock. It was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise, resembling thunder, and lasted about 20 sec. The disturbance seemed to be travelling from north to south.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 9 December 1913, page 5

EARTHSHOCK.

PETERSBURG, December 8. A distinct shock of earthquake was experienced in this town yesterday about 7.45 a.m. It lasted about 20 seconds, and windows, beds, chains, and so on rattled, and caused an alarm. The disturbance appeared to be travelling from west to east.

Date	Time	Latitude	Longitude	M	Place	Reference
1913 01 13	05:13	-34.3	138.8	2.5	Kapunda	This paper
1913 02 10	01:30	-27.6	135.5	3	Oodnadatta	This paper
1913 05 08	16:30	-33.7	138.9	2.5	Burra	This paper
1913 06 07	18:30	-33.0	138.3	2.5	Wirrabarra	This paper
1913 06 18	02:18	-33.5	136.9	3.0	Cowell/Coolanie	This paper
1913 06 19	15:00	-34.4	136.1	2.5	Tumby Bay	This paper/Dix
1913 06 27	12:00	-34.1	135.4	3.0	Mount Hope	This paper
1913 07 08	14:45	-33.6	136.5	2.5	Mangalo	This paper
1913 07 18	12:35	-32.44	138.52	2.5	Carrieton	This paper/Dix
1913 11 04	11:06	-34.0	138.9	3.0	Tothill’s Belt	This paper/Dix
1913 11 04	21:13	-34.0	138.9	2.5	Tothill’s Belt	This paper
1913 12 01	18:15	-37.0	139.7	4.2	Robe/Kingston	This paper/Dix
1913 12 06	22:00	-33.1	138.8	3.0	Whyte Yarcowie	This paper/Dix

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1913

1914

Three of the 14 earthquakes located in 2014 had magnitudes of 4.3 to 4.7 marking this another active decade. Two earthquakes rattled Adelaide suburbs without causing damage, a sign of things to come. Earthquakes occurred in all the zones recognised in the instrumental period.

1914 01 22 at 07:45 UTC, Robertstown

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Friday 23 January 1914, page 1

AN EARTH TREMOR.

ROBERTSTOWN, January 22.—A slight earth tremour was experienced this afternoon at about 5.15. It appeared to travel from east to west, and was accompanied by a loud rumbling. The shock was very sudden and of short duration. Articles on shelves were shaken.

1914 05 11 at 10:35 UTC, World’s End

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Friday 15 May 1914, page 8

EARTH TREMOR.

An earth tremor was felt by the residents of World’s End on Monday, at 8.5 p.m. (writes our Robertstown correspondent). Buildings shook and roofs were heard to creak, and there was a rumbling noise of short duration. The whole occurrence lasted but a few seconds.

1914 05 28 at 13:21 UTC, Adelaide

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Friday 29 May 1914, page 5

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK TREMOR IN ADELAIDE

DISTINCT RUMBLINGS HEARD NO CAUSE FOR ALARM.

It is not often that Australia is troubled with earthquakes. Happily the continent is out of the zone of such phenomena which have proved so destructive in other parts of the world. From time to time earthshocks of more or less violence have been recorded, but these have not been of a nature to create great alarm.

A mild sensation was caused last night about 9 minutes to 11 when distinct earth tremors were felt throughout Adelaide and suburbs. The shock was only a mild one, but the Adelaide Observatory reported that distinct rumblings accompanied the visitation. It was of sufficient force to shake the buildings in the city but not to disturb pictures hanging on the walls, although there is at least one instance of the shock having caused some excitement. This was at a house in Norwood where a family was sitting down to supper. Suddenly they were startled by a quivering sensation, and the crockery and other articles of furniture were shaken.

Up till midnight there were no reports from the country districts, the telegraph stations at the majority of the towns being closed. Port Pirie, however, was open till 12 o’clock and that town’s silence seemed to indicate that no shock had been experienced there. From that it may be reckoned that the north was not affected.

The Observatory authorities expressed the opinion that in the present case the shock may have been merely of local origin, and may not have been noticeable over a wide area. It was probably caused by the readjustment of equilibrium of the geological formations be-tween the Mount lofty Ranges and the sea coast.

South Australia was visited by an earthquake of more serious consequences in May, 1897. In Adelaide the shock was not so great, and the south-eastern districts suffered most. There were frequent alarming shocks at Kingston, Robe, and Beachport, and people lived in tents for a week until the danger had passed.

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Friday 29 May 1914, page 1

REPORTS FROM COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

MOUNT BARKER, May 29.—About 10.50 o’clock last night a severe earth tremor was felt here. It appeared to be travelling from east to west, and its approach was heralded by a rumbling noise. Window frames rattled considerably. The duration of the tremor was not lengthy, nor was the movement so violent as that experienced here 12 years ago.

CHAIN OF PONDS, May 29.—A shock of earthquake was felt here last night about 10.50 o’clock. A loud rumbling noise could he heard, and for a time it resembled explosions in the tunnel of the reservoir. This continued for about half a minute, but little vibration was caused. The tremor seemed to be travelling in an easterly direction. Horses and other animals, to say nothing of human beings, were startled by the occurrence.

REYNELLA, May 2.—A sharp earth tremor was felt here at 10.55 p.m. yesterday. It was travelling, apparently, from south-east to north-east, and lasted for about 10 seconds.

PARACOMBE, May 29—A severe shock of earthquake was experienced here at 10.45 p.m.

yesterday. Crockery rattled upon the shelves, and pictures were disarranged. Horses in their stalls became exceedingly restive, and occupants of houses rushed out into the open.

ATHELSTONE, May 29.—An earthquake tremor was felt here at 10.50 o’clock on Thursday night. A rumbling noise was heard, the ground vibrated, and windows and roofs rattled and creaked under the strain.

BELAIR. May 29.—A sharp earthshock was felt at 10.51 o’clock last night. It was difficult to judge the direction in which the tremor travelled. The rumbling noise was very pronounced.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 30 May 1914, page 5

SHOCK AT HOUGHTON.

A severe earth tremor was felt here on Thursday night about 10.50, write our Houghton correspondent. Houses were severely shaken by the shock, which lasted about seven seconds, and seemed to be travelling from south-east to north-west.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 4 June 1914, page 12

CHAIN OF PONDS.

June 1.—Some residents of this township were disturbed from sleep by the earth tremor last Thursday night. The shock caused things to vibrate in the houses, and lasted from 10 to 12 seconds, it seemed to travel from south-east to north-west.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 4 June 1914, page 12

BALHANNAH.

May 31. —On Thursday night a shock of earthquake was experienced here.

SUMMERTOWN.

May 29.—A sharp shock of earthquake occurred here last night, 10 minutes to 11. It did not last long, but made a loud noise, and a sudden jolt, causing match-board ceilings to strain and creak, and windows and doors to rattle. Folks who had retired were wakened and beds shook, leaving a very unpleasant sensation afterwards.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 6 June 1914, page 46

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

ADELAIDE VISITED. CITIZENS ROUSED FROM THEIR BEDS.

At 10.51 p.m. on May 28 Adelaide was visited by the severest earthquake that has been felt here since the disastrous visitation in September, 1902, when the severity of the shock caused considerable damage to buildings throughout the State, and spread terror into all corners of the city. The convulsion was felt in every quarter of Adelaide, and within a few moments of its occurrence the city that had been so silent and still before seethed with life and animation. Nearly every house emptied its quota of inhabitants into the streets to stand shivering, and discuss their experiences. Lights sprang up in dwellings that had but a moment before been in darkness, because the inmates had retired to rest for the night, and whole streets seemed to have undergone a transformation through the very suddenness of the shock. The shock seems to have travelled from west to east and to have attained a considerable velocity. It lasted only a few seconds, but it shook every building in the city, and in the suburbs, where it was most severely felt, many people were actually terror-stricken. A woman, who was walking down her garden towards her house, declared that she saw the whole building rock and sway before her, and so vivid was her terror that she declined positively to enter it. It was not until half an hour later that she had been sufficiently calmed to go to bed. At The Chronicle office the shock seemed to lift the building up as on the crest of a wave and let it dip gently down again as it passed; but it was sufficiently violent to be felt in the rooms where even the rattle of the linotypes and the rush of preparation for going to press did not drown the evidence of its approach. It seems to have been felt particularly clearly at North Adelaide, Glenelg, and the Reedbeds, although reports from all quarters affirm the fact that it was distinctly perceptible in every direction. Its approach was heralded by a dull subterranean rumbling that sounded to some like thunder, while others received the impression that a heavy traction engine was passing; but the tremor and the rise and fall of the earth that accompanied the sound quickly dispelled all illusions, and, in fear of the possibility of a recurrence, all who had experienced the shock lost no time in quitting the perilous shelter of their homes. Nothing further occurred, however, .and the telephones were soon set ringing with friends comparing notes and residents of all the suburbs describing their sensations. It would seem that at the Reedbeds and Henley Beach the force of the shock was very intense. It was felt about 10.52 p.m., and the rumbling, so far as could be judged, came from a north-westerly direction. “It was like the rumbling of a mighty waggon,” remarked one resident. The iron on the roofs rattled, and the houses were shaken to their foundations. A hanging lamp at one place swung and shivered like a pendulum of a clock, and the vibration, which was very pronounced, lasted for about a quarter of a minute. The officer on duty at Henley Beach stated that he had heard a heavy and distinct rumbling noise resembling thunder and felt an earth tremor.

Government Astronomer Interviewed.

A reporter called upon Mr. G. F. Dodwell, B.A. (Government Astronomer) shortly after the tremor was felt. In the course of an interview Mr. Dodwell remarked :— “There is an indication of the shock on the barograph, an instrument used in recording atmospheric pressure. It occurred about nine minutes to 11, and in my opinion was of from five to ten seconds’ duration. I was in bed in an upstairs room at the time, and was therefore unable to judge the direction in which the wave was travelling. There was a slight tremor and a rumbling noise, denoting a mild shock of earthquake, but it was not of sufficient intensity to move any of the pictures on the wall. The shock would be of intensity three to four on the Rossi-Forel scale (appear-ing below). If complete records are made available by the various observers of the intensity of the shock in the different localities we will be able to form an idea of the seat of the disturbance. It was probably some adjustment of the earth between the Gulf of St. Vincent and the Mount Lofty Ranges. A slight tremor of a similar description was experienced about three years ago, but only a few persons noticed it. Before that there was a fairly severe shock in September.1902, and again previous to that in May 1897. The 1897 earthquake originated below the sea off our south-east coast, and there were repeated and severe shocks felt at Kingston, Robe, and Beachport. On that occasion they were of sufficient intensity to cause the residents in those parts to leave their houses and live in tents for about a week. In Adelaide on that occasion the shock was of about equal intensity to that felt to-night.”

REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY.

Kapunda. May 29. A distinct earth shock was felt by residents at about a quarter to 11 o’clock on Thursday night. The tremor, which appeared to travel from east to west, was of some seconds’ duration. Owing to the goods traffic at night time when a number of trains run through the town, many thought the vibration was caused by passing trains. It was also felt at Koonunga, about six miles out, on the Truro-road.

Bugle Ranges, May 29. A very severe earth shock was felt here a little before 11 o’clock last night. It was accompanied by a low rumbling noise, which could be heard for some seconds. The vibration was severe enough to cause buildings to shake and windows to rattle. It was the severest shock felt in this district for many years.

Meadows South, May 29. A slight earthquake shock was experienced in this locality on Thursday night shortly before 11 o’clock. It was of short duration, and appeared to be travelling from west to east. Although the tremor was very slight, it was sufficient to shake the walls and rattle dishes on shelves.

Gumeracha, May 29. A distinct shock of earthquake was felt here last night about nine minutes to 11 o’clock. It seemed to be travelling from west to east. There was a noise which resembled the sound of a heavy vehicle passing along. Windows rattled.

Lobethal, May 29. An earth tremor here at about nine minutes to eleven o’clock last night alarmed the residents. The shock lasted about three seconds, and seemed to travel from east to west. The reports received from countrycentres by the State Meteorological Officer (Mr. E. Bromley), are as follow:—

Clarendon— Slight earth shock felt at 10.52 p.m. last night.

Meadows — Severe earthshock felt, travel-ling north to south, lasting four seconds, rattling all windows and crockery, and shaking the beds. Hahndorf— Shock felt at 10.53 last night.

Gawler— Earthshock at 10.50 p.m.

Kapunda— Slight earthquake at 10.50 last night, travelling west to east. Nothing special to note. Teatree Gully— Sharp shock of earth quake felt here about 11 last night.

Echunga— Earthshock about 11 p.m.

Stirling West— Sharp earth tremor 10.50 p.m. duration 10 seconds.

HOUGHTON, May 29.— A distinct earth shock was felt in this neighborhood last night at about 10 minutes to 11. A loud rumbling noise was heard, and many residents thought it was thunder till beds began to shake and doors and windows rattled. The shake lasted only a few seconds, but the rumbling lasted for nearly a minute.

Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 – 1954), Friday 5 June 1914, page 2

THE EARTHSHOCK.

Those residents of Mount Barker and District who went early to bed on Thursday night of last week, were rather rudely awakened from their slumbers at about ten minutes to eleven by an earth tremor, which rattled the window panes and in many homes the furniture and crockery with considerable violence: Even to those out of doors at the time the shock was perceptible, and it was stated that the coming of the visitant was heralded by a rumble which could not be mistaken. Although the occurrence had a disquieting effect upon the more nervous-section of the community it caused no sensationalising and was not nearly so violent of that which was experienced some 12 years ago. Such occurrences although few and far between in these regions are at any time unwelcome, and the fewer that happen our way the better pleased are those who fear them.

Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 – 1954), Saturday 30 May 1914, page 2

STARTLED ADELAIDE RESIDENTS.

Adelaide, Friday.

Reports from the country show that the earth shock which startled City residents last night was felt in various places in the Hills districts. The Adelaide Observatory reported that the seismograph had recorded a severe distant earthquake early on Wednesday morning.

The tremors continued for 4 hours and 20 minutes. The disturbance was identical with that reported from Sydney and its origin was probably somewhere near Java. Last night’s earthquake shock was also shown by the seismograph, but it only displaced the pendulum an eighth of an inch. “

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Monday 1 June 1914, page 17

The above is a facsimile of an earthquake record obtained with the seismograph at the Adelaide Observatory at midnight on Tuesday, May 26. The space between the first small preliminary tremor and the maximum phase, which can be readily recognised, indicates the distance at which the earthquake occurred, as the first, travelling at a higher rate of speed through the earth, outruns the second by an amount corresponding to the distance they both have to go. In the present case the seat of earthquake was between 2.000 and 3,000 miles from Adelaide. It is thought to have been in the Pacific Islands to the east of Australia (not in Java as formally stated), and, of course, had no connection with the local earthquake experienced last Thursday night. The earthquake here represented was of the class called “earth shakers”. The waves originating from it would be recorded by seismographs all over the world. These earth waves travel at great speeds, from one to three miles per second, some moving in straight lines through the earth, others round the surface. They are somewhat analogous to very long flat waves on the ocean but with this difference that at great distance from the seat of the disturbance there is very little rise and fall of the earth particles as they pass by, the principal movement being a translation forwards and backwards in the horizontal plane. At the larger distances, 400 miles and upwards, the earth movement is imperceptible to the ordinary senses and can only be detected by delicate instruments, specially designed to pick up waves of long period. At present there are between 50 and 60 seismological stations in the British Empire, whose continuous records are of great assistance in the advancement of our knowledge of the phenomena of earth movements.

The vibration of the pendulum caused by the earthquake shock on Thursday night began just about the spot where the above terminates, and the wave lines were so slight that they were hardly perceptible [Ed. In fact the light wasn’t functioning till well into the earthquake (red circle)].They appear to have been due to a bodily displacement of the instrument in the east and west direction, the waves not having lengthened out sufficiently to cause the typical harmonic swing of the boom of the horizontal pendulum.

Ed. Note: The seismograph at the Observatory is examined twice a week. The time marks are marked hourly by switching off the lamp, the rotation rate is 254mm/hr (10in/hr) or 4.12mm/minute. That seismologists located earthquakes accurately with this time scale is remarkable.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 30 May 1914, page 5

THE SEISMOGRAPH RECORD A SEVERE DISTANT EARTHQUAKE.

The Adelaide Observatory reported yesterday afternoon that the instrument barograph recorded a severe distant earthquake early on Wednesday morning. The first preliminary tremors commenced at 01.8 a.m. and long waves followed up to 05.7 a.m. The amplitude of vibration increased until 01.56 a.m, when its maximum value was 43.2 millimetres. Small movements continued for 4 hours 20 minutes. This disturbance is identical with that reported from Sydney. The origin is probably somewhere near Java.

Thursday night’s earthquake was also shown on the seismograph record, but it displaced the pendulum only one-eighth of an inch. The time of the displacement is shown as 10.50.6 p.m.

Figure 10 A rare seismogram of a local earthquake on 24 May 1914, felt Adelaide. The coda is ringed with a red circle, most of it missing. The other, earlier event, occurred in West New Guinea on 26 May at 14:23 UTC, magnitude Ms8.1(ISC).

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Friday 29 May 1914, page 6

REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY.

Now that the excitement of the first alarm has worn off; the exaggeration which was natural in the first impressions formed of Thursday night’s earth-quake has been displaced by a more ordered and more sober view of the occurrence, and those who felt in unwonted flutter in the region of the heart when the tremor was passing under them, now review, their experiences with equanimity. The terror of the night before seems unreal in the broad light of the day. The shock it seems, was comparatively restricted in area for reports from the country record it only as far north as Kapunda, and in most outside centres it was light in character and short in duration.

The sensation of a member of the audience at the Theatre Royal is worth recording. The performance of the pantomime “Aladdin” was nearing the end, when the tremor shook the theatre, and he thought the rumbling and shaking was caused by a few people leaving the gallery above him before the play was over. He remembers thinking that if a few people leaving the gallery, shook the building like that, a stampede would bring the whole house down. The suggestion that an earthquake was the cause of the disturbance did not occur to him. Nor, apparently, did anybody else suspect anything out of the ordinary, for he heard no whisper of it either there or in the crowded car in which he travelled home.

The reports received from country centres by the State, Meteorological Officer (Mr. E. Bromley), are as follow:—

Clarendon, Slight earth shock felt at 10.52 p.m. last night.

Meadows—Severe earthshock felt, travelling north-to south, lasting four seconds, rattling all windows and crockery, and shaking the beds.

Hahndorf—Shock felt at 10.53 last night.

Gawler—Earthshock at 10.50 p.m.

Kapunda—Slight earthquake at 10.50 last night, travelling west to east. Nothing special to note. Teatree Gully—Sharp shock of earth quake felt here about 11 last night.

Echunga—Earth shock about 11 p.m.

Stirling West— Sharp earth tremor 10.50 p.m; duration 10 seconds.”

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 30 May 1914, page 5

SHOCK AT HOUGHTON.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Saturday 30 May 1914, page 21

“ONE NEVER KNOWS.”

EARTHQUAKES AND ARCHITECTURE.

SOUTH AUSTRALIANS REFUSE TO BE FRIGHTENED.

Thursday night’s earth tremor startled many people, and the thoughts uppermost in the minds of many property-holders centred round their possessions. The question of earthshock resisting buildings is probably one that seldom troubles the average Australian, so immune is the country from earthquakes of a serious and destructive nature. Less fortunate countries, however, consider the subject in a more serious light. Japan probably worries over the matter more than any nation, and can it be said in that country’s favor that their interest does not end there? Realising their perilous position in the danger zone, they have availed themselves of the seismological calculations of Professor P. Omori of the University of Tokio, and have adopted safeguarding methods of building construction. They have profited by the disastrous earthquakes and sea-quakes in Sicily and Calabria, and are using more foresight than in the past. The question naturally arises, “Should not South Australia be equally on its guard? The solution of the problem is not, however so readily forthcoming. A representative of The Advertiser, fully seized of the importance of the subject, endeavored on Friday to gain expressions of opinion from different authoritative sources. Some were sceptical, others apathetic, others satirical, and, alas, very few serious. The reporter quoted such important treatises on the question as the work of Alfredo Montel; he recapitulated the warnings of a dozen authorities, and finally placed before his subjects the main points of an interview with South Australia’s Government Astronomer. Mr. G. F. Dodwcll, B.A.

“‘One Never Knows.”

When interviewed with reference to the question, the Government Astronomer (Mr. Dodwell) remarked:-“‘I have often thought it would be a wise precaution on the part of architects and builders to take into account the results of recent investigations on the question of earthquake proof houses. Much attention is being given to the subject in Japan, and to-day, largely as the result of the work of the late Professor Milne and the Japanese scientists he trained, and who have followed him, the loss of property in Japan through earthquakes, which are a common occurrence there, has been wonderfully reduced. I do not wish to convey the impression to your readers that human skill can defy the elements. I am dealing with general cases. It would be possible for some extraordinarily severe shocks to wreck the most solid buildings that architectural and building skill could devise. The points demanding particular attention are:-(1) Selection of site: (2) quality of the foundations; (3) the structural proportions of buildings: (4) lightness of the structures, thus enabling the rocking of the building without endangering the integrity of the walls; (5) joists and joinings to be constructed on such lines as have been found by the experience of builders in earthquake countries to be the safest. In conclusion, I would like for a moment to dwell upon the advantages of buildings composed of such material as reinforced concrete and the strength-giving qualities of the iron rods used in the erection of such.”

Do you really think South Australians need consider this question in so serious a manner? “One never knows,” was Mr. Dodwell’s smiling response.

“Life’s Too Short to Worry.”

The reporter took occasion to thunder out his message of warning in the ears of several leading architects and builders. He failed, however, to instil any great fear or dread into the souls of these cheerful home-designers and home-builders. There were no blanched faces or irregular heart beatings as the pressman delivered himself of Montel’s great message. One contractor puffed placidly at his cigar, and smiled pitifully at his interviewer. “Don’t worry, young man.” was his initial injunction. “Life’s too short. We are here for a span, and it takes us all our time to make the money we set our hearts upon. An elaborate system of building, such as you have explained to me this morning, would entail enormous, and, in my opinion, unnecessary expense. We could not do it. The public would not demand it, and therefore we would not supply it. I refer in that direction more particularly to residential houses. At the present time there is little wanting in skilful design and workmanship in the construction of the majority of any recently-erected big business houses. Of course, in a country like Japan there is need for such great precautions. Considering Adelaide’s practical immunity from earthquake shocks of a severe nature, such far-reaching precautionary methods would be not only unnecessary, but ludicrous.”

‘”Cause of Half the Trouble.”

Another big contractor, who swears he has never erected a “jerry-built” house in his life, curtly remarked that “there is certainly need for greater supervision in the erection of most houses.” “Why!” he continued, “a good hailstorm would crack up many of the houses one sees in Adelaide’s suburbs.”

Yes, but many people demand cheap houses.

“Quite correct. That is the cause of half the trouble. In my opinion, it would be a splendid thing to introduce more solidly built houses. Even if there were no fear of earthquakes occurring it would have its many apparent advantages.”

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 6 June 1914, page 47

COUNTRY REPORTS.

The earthshock which occurred on Thursday night was recorded as far north as Gawler and Kapunda. On Friday the Commonwealth Meteorological Officer (Mr. E. Bromley) received telegrams from a number of districts, intimating that the disturbance had been felt. The messages came from Teatree Gully, Kapunda, Gawler, Echunga, Hahndorf, Meadows, Clarendon, and Stirling. At Meadows the tremor was first noticed at 10.45, and lasted four seconds. The movement appeared to be from north to south. At Kapunda, where the shock was observed at 10.50, the direction seemed to be from west to east. The duration of the earthquake varied in different districts. In some it lasted for only a few seconds, while in others it continued for 20 seconds. Mr. Bromley stated that the barograph was the only instrument at the Adelaide Observatory which clearly registered the movement of the earth’s crust. The seismograph was designed for the purpose of locating deep-seated earthquakes, and especially those which occurred some hundreds of miles away, when the movement is slow, and thus allows the long boom of the instrument to oscillate. The barograph, continued Mr. Bromley, was a self-recording barometer, which registered the air pressure at all times of the day. It was so constructed that a movement of the earth caused the recording pen, which is attached to a long arm, to move up and down at right angles to the air pressure line. A straight line about three-eights of an inch long, was distinctly marked on Thursday evening’s barograph record at the Observatory.

MOUNT BARKER, May 29.—About 10.50 o’clock last night a severe earth tremor was felt here. It appeared to be travelling from east to west, and its approach was heralded by a rumbling noise. Window frames rattled considerably. The duration of the tremour was not long, nor was the movement so violent as that experienced here 12 years ago.

CHAIN OF PONDS, May 29.—A shock of earthquake was felt here last night, about 10.50 o’clock. A loud rumbling noise could he heard, and for a time it resembled explosions in the tunnel of the reservoir. This continued for about half a minute, but little vibration was caused. The tremor seemed to be travelling in an easterly direction. Horses and other animals, to say nothing of human beings, were startled by the occurrence.

Figure 11 Adelaide Earthquake 28 May 1914 at 10:51 pm CST, magnitude ML 4.4. Felt reports (red dots) and the Eden Burnside Fault (brown dashed line), epicentre near Chain of Ponds.

REYNELLA, May 29.—A sharp earth tremor was felt here at 10.55 p.m. yesterday. It was travelling, apparently, from south-east to north-west, and continued for about 10 seconds.

PARACOMBE, May 29.—A severe shock of earthquake was experienced here at 10.45 p.m.

yesterday. Crockery rattled upon the shelves, and pictures were disarranged. Horses in their stalls became exceedingly restive, and occupants of houses rushed out into the open.

BELAIR. May 29.—A sharp earthshock was felt at 10.51 o’clock last night. It was difficult to judge the direction in which the tremor travelled. The rumbling noise was very pronounced.

BUGLE RANGES, May 29.—A distinct earthshock was felt here just before 11 o’clock last night, and was accompanied by a low rumbling noise. The vibration was severe enough to cause buildings to shake and windows to rattle.

STRATHALBYN. May 29.—A slight earth tremor was felt here last night by several residents at a few minutes before 11 o’clock. Windows rattled slightly, but the disturbance was of such a nature that no alarm was caused.

KAPUNDA, May 29.—The earthquake was noted here at 10.50 p.m. It was sufficiently strong to shake windows and crockery, and to alarm many of the residents. The attendant at the telephone exchange was considerably surprised when half a dozen shutters dropped simultaneously.

The rumble and shock lasted several seconds, and appeared to travel from south-west to north-east.

MORPHETT VALE. May 29.—Last night residents were startled by a considerable shock of earthquake. The tremor did not last long, but was sufficient to rattle ornaments and crockery, and was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise. No actual damage seems to have been caused.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 4 June 1914, page 12

SUMMERTOWN. May 29.—A sharp shock of earthquake occurred here last night, 10 minutes to 11. It did not last long, but made a loud noise, and a sudden jolt, causing match-board ceilings to strain and creak, and windows and doors to rattle. Folks who had retired were wakened and beds shook, leaving a very unpleasant sensation afterwards.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 30 May 1914, page 5

A LADY’S EXPERIENCE WINDOWS RATTLE

Mrs. Agnes A. Milne, of New Hindmarsh, writes:—”I distinctly felt the shock at my residence, Jervois avenue, New Hindmarsh. About 10 minutes to 11 my bedroom window rattled as if a heavy wind was blowing, making a noise like a very heavy trolly passing the house, with a rumble, passing away toward the east. I experienced an earthquake shock about 30 years ago. I was living at Willaston, near Gawler, at the time. It happened on a clear moonlight night about 9.30. I have good cause to remember it, as it seemed to pass along our front path and take a north-easterly direction, splitting our underground water tank in two and shaking a chimney off a house near by.”

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 4 June 1914, page 12

BALHANNAH. May 31. —On Thursday night a shock of earthquake was experienced here.

Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1954), Friday 5 June 1914, page 14 Country News.

CLARENDON, June 1. The recent earthquake shock was distinctly heard and felt here.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 4 June 1914, page 12

URAIDLA. June 1. The earthquake shock last Thursday night was felt throughout this district. It was not very severe, although in some houses it made the windows rattle and disturbed the inmates’ slumber.

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Tuesday 2 June 1914, page 3

EXCITEMENT AT CAMPBELLTOWN.

….. The night previous to this accident the earthquake caused excitement in this vicinity…..

1914 05 31 at 16:30 UTC, Strathalbyn

Southern Argus (Port Elliot, SA : 1866 – 1954), Thursday 4 June 1914, page 2

On Monday morning about two o’clock another slight earthquake was felt by many residents in Strathalbyn, not nearly so severe as the one last week, but sufficiently pronounced to wake several people from their sleep. On this occasion very little rumbling sound was heard. The tremor was felt at Milang, Langhorne’s Creek, and elsewhere, but does not appear to have been noticed in the city.

Figure 12 Felt extent of the Strathalbyn earthquake, 31 May 1914 at 16:30 UTC, magnitude 3.0 from felt area.

1914 07 09 time?, Lyndhurst

Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle (SA : 1885 – 1916), Friday 31 July 1914, page 4

LYNDHURST. July 12th (Ed- Sunday)

We had a shock of earthquake on Thursday. The disturbance lasted about 16 seconds, and was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise travelling from West to East.

1914 07 14 at 03:05 UTC and 1914 07 14 at 15:05 UTC, Penneshaw KI

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 – 1951), Saturday 18 July 1914, page 4

DISTRICT OF DUDLEY. ECHOES FROM PENNESHAW

Wednesday, July 15, 1914. EARTHQUAKES.

” Did you hear the earthquakes ?” was a question asked by many on Wednesday morning. It isn’t often we are favored by two earthquakes, or tremors perhaps would be a better word to describe the occurrences on Tuesday and early Wednesday morning. The first, a very slight one. occurred about 12.25 p.m. on Tuesday, and was very like a rumble of thunder. But the second was more severe, and and of longer duration, commencing about 12.25 a.m. on Wednesday and continued for the greater part of a minute. It was travelling, apparently, from S.W. to N.E., and caused the roofs and windows to rattle.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Saturday 18 July 1914, page 7

AN EARTHSHOCK.

PENNESHAW, July 16.—The residents of Penneshaw were alarmed on Tuesday shortly after noon when a distinct earth shock was felt. At first some thought that a team had bolted, others that perhaps a severe explosion at Port Adelaide had occurred, but concluded at last that it was the unstable earth that had caused the tremor. Almost 12 hours later, just after midnight on Tuesday, another shock which rumbled for about one and a-half minutes, was felt. It was followed by a smaller quake. The conscience-stricken ones, who had not fallen asleep, or who were sleeping lightly, heard the rumbling with alarm.

1914 07 27 at 19:00 UTC Penneshaw

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 – 1951), Saturday 1 August 1914, page 3

ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE.

Another earth shock, or tremor was felt by all but the heaviest sleepers at 4.30 a.m. on Tuesday. We seem to be very much favored in this way lately, and some of those who look for signs and wonders are beginning to think seriously as to the meaning of these uncanny visitations.

1914 08 06 at 07:17 UTC, Whyte Yarcowie

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Friday 7 August 1914, page 14

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

DOORS AND WINDOWS SHAKEN

Port Broughton, August 6. A distinct earthquake shock was experienced here at 4.50. Doors and windows shook, but no damage was done.

Jamestown, August 6. A severe shock of earthquake passed from west to east at 4.55 p.m. It was one of the severest experienced, shaking buildings and causing consternation.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Monday 10 August 1914, page 11

MELROSE. August 6.—A slight earthquake shock was felt here this afternoon at about 4.50. o’clock. The tremor appeared to be travelling from north to south.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Friday 7 August 1914, page 4

AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

An earthquake shock was reported from the lower northern districts late yesterday afternoon. A message from Hallett stated that the tremor was felt at 4.50 p.m. The shock was severe, and appeared to be travelling toward the south. It lasted for several seconds. The following notices were received by the Deputy-Postmaster-General during the evening: —

Georgetown. — Severe earth-shock here at 4.48 p.m. to-day; appeared to be travelling west to east.

Petersburg.—Sharp shock experienced 4.50 p.m. to-day; duration, 30 seconds.

Redhill.— Slight earth tremor felt here at 5.12 p.m. to-day; apparently travelling north-west to south-east.

Jamestown.—Sharp shock earthquake at 4.50 p.m.; apparently travelling south-west to north-east.

Brinkworth.—Fairly severe shock here at 4.48 pm. to-day; appeared to be travelling west to east.

Clare.—Severe earthquake shock here at 4.55 p.m.; apparently travelling south-east to north-west.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Saturday 8 August 1914, page 19

THE EARTHQUAKE SHOCK FURTHER REPORTS:

The following additional reports have been received with reference to the earthquake shock experienced on Thursday:

PETERSBURG, August 7.—A severe shock of earthquake was felt yesterday at about 4.30 p.m., last about half a minute. It appeared to be travelling in a north westerly direction.

SPALDING, August 6.—A severe earthquake shock was experienced here about 5 o’clock this afternoon, lasting for about two minutes. It started with a loud rumbling sound. The tremor seemed to be travelling from the north-west to south-east.

CRYSTAL BROOK, August 7.—A severe earthquake was experienced here about 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Buildings, shook, crockery, pictures, &c, rattled, and many residents were alarmed. It was of several seconds’ duration.

WHYTE YARCOWIE, August 6. —A severe earthquake shock was felt here this afternoon. Bottles were shaken from shelves and water in underground tanks was splashed up the sides. The school building was cracked in several places. The tremor occurred at 4.47 p.m., and appeared to be travelling in a westerly direction. Some residents say that it is the worst they have felt. There were three other shocks resembling distant roars of thunder.

MANNANARIE, August 6.—A

shock of earthquake was experienced here to-day about 4.30 p.m. The vibration was considerable, and many persons rushed outside their houses. The report was loud, resembling a heavy roll of thunder.

Figure 13 Whyte-Yarcowie earthquake, 06 August 1914 at 07:17 UTC, magnitude ML4.7.

Blyth Agriculturist (SA : 1908 – 1954), Friday 14 August 1914, page 4

SADDLEWORTH, August 10.

A slight earthquake shock was felt here by several of the residents at 4.50 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, but the bulk of the people did not know anything about it.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Tuesday 11 August 1914, page 8

BOOLEROO CENTRE

August 7.—Several residents of the town, felt the effects of the earthquake shock yesterday afternoon. It shook the windows and furniture in several homes, and some heard a loud noise, but the majority of the people seemed unaware of the disturbance.

Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 – 1940), Thursday 20 August 1914, page 1

GEORGETOWN, Aug. 12. On Saturday, Aug. 8, ………… Earthquake.

On Thursday evening a severe earthquake shock was felt here, the time being about 5 o’clock, it seemed to be travelling from east to west. Mostly everybody rushed out of their houses, as they could not for the moment what had happened.

Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail (SA : 1898 – 1918), Saturday 13 August 1914, page 4

SEVERE EARTHSHOCK.

A distinct earth tremor was felt at Port Pirie at about 8 minutes to 5 o’clock on Thursday afternoon. The shock was so severe that it cracked and occasioned a fall of plaster at the Barrier Chambers. At Gladstone, according to a local resident who was there at the time, the tremor was very severe and frightened a number of ladies who were taking tea in an upper story to such an extent that some of them were on the verge of collapse.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 15 August 1914, page 32

THE EARTHSHOCK.

Our Kadina correspondent wrote on August 6:—”An earthshock was felt at Kadina and Bute at 4.45 this evening. The tremor seemed to proceed from west to east. It was only light at Kadina, but at Bute the crockery in the houses was disturbed, and alarmed people sought the open. There was no repetition.” Other advices were received as follow:—

Terowie, August 7.—A rather severe earthquake was experienced here yesterday afternoon just before 5 o’clock. It was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise, and lasted for several seconds. It seemed to be travelling from east to west. Buildings were rocked, and many residents were greatly, scared.

Yongala, August 6.— A severe earthshock was felt here this afternoon at 10 minutes to 5 o’clock. It lasted for about half a minute, and appeared to travel, towards the north-east.

Yacka, August 6.—A distinct earth tremor was felt yesterday at about 4.45 p.m. Furniture rocked, and ornaments and crockery rattled for seconds.

Wirrabara, August 6.— A sharp, earth tremor was experienced this afternoon at about 4.45. It lasted for several seconds. An earthshock is the sort of thing that one would rather know nothing about. It makes one feel too keenly for the miserably selfish victim in the “Message from Mars.”

Caltowie. August 7. —A severe earthshock occurred yesterday afternoon at 4.50. Although of short duration, it was the most severe experienced here for years. No damage was done. Booleroo Centre, August 7.—An earthquake of unusual severity was experienced yesterday afternoon. At first a low rumbling sound, was heard, followed by a heavy tremor, which rattled windows, doors, and crockery. It was of about 45 seconds’ duration, and seemed to travel from south-east to north-west.

Morchard, August 8.— At three minutes past 5 o’clock this afternoon a severe earthquake, travelling nearly due north and south, was experienced. It shook buildings badly.

Belalie North, August 6.—A severe earthquake was felt at 4.26 this afternoon. It lasted for about 8 seconds. Many residents rushed outside their houses looking for the enemy, but to their great disappointment none was in sight.

Quorn Mercury (SA : 1895 – 1954), Thursday 20 August 1914, page 4

PORT GERMEIN.

An earth tremor was reported here last week but the shock was so slight that many residents did not remark it. In some of the houses, crockery, windows, etc., were rattled.

1914 08 21 at 18:41 UTC, Petersburg

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 29 August 1914, page 33

EARTHQUAKE.

Reports are to hand of a severe earthshock at several northern centres. An advice from Petersburg on Saturday morning stated that at 11 minutes past 4 a disturbance occurred there that lasted about 40 seconds, and travelled from north to south. Carrieton supplied—”A sharp earthshock was experienced here this morning at about 4.15. It lasted for a considerable time, but seemed to travel rapidly, and shook the buildings violently. The direction seemed to be from north-west to southeast.” From Orroroo came the report “Earth tremors have lately occurred with remarkable frequency in the locality. Last Wednesday, at about 8 p.m., a deep, muffled sound was heard by several persons in the town, but it was attributed to a train, as it was not accompanied by any perceptible vibration. The same noise, however, was heard away back in the country, where people are confident that it was due to some seismic disturbance. This morning, just before daybreak, a similar rumbling was heard, and was accompanied by a sharp tremor, which shook some people out of their slumbers. It continued for some seconds. Old residents, state that these occurrences are more frequent in times of drought, and they are curious to know whether they are in some way related as cause and effect.”

Figure 14 Felt area of the Petersburg earthquake 21 August 1914 at 18:45 UTC, magnitude 4.5.

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Thursday 27 August 1914, page 2

South Australian Disturbances.

Much larger forces than man are at war, yet in the din of human conflict the greater issues pass almost unregarded. They are recorded in the newspapers, of course, but what interest is there in an earthshock at Petersburg when it is placed in comparison with a shock of combat between British and Teutons in Belgium? Last week an extensive area in the middle north of South Australia was subjected to earth tremors. There must have been more than one such phenomenon, for different places had different reports to make, for instance, Orroroo stated that earth tremors have lately occurred with remarkable frequency. One very distinct disturbance happened on Wednesday, August 19, and another on Saturday last. Petersburg and Carrieton also were shaken on the Saturday morning. With a view to ascertain the extent of the “quake” a representative had an interview on Wednesday afternoon with Mr. A. E. Messent, senior assistant observer at the South Australian branch of the Australian Observatory.

—Other Tremors.—

So far as the manifestations of last week are concerned, the department has not yet any official records. As a rule postmasters when they send in their meteorological records include mention of such an happening as an earthshock, but there is no obligation on them to do so. Then the department sends out cards to them asking for particulars, such as the time, the direction, the extent, and the consequences of the tremors. In the latest case the cards have been dispatched, and Mr. Messent hopes to get the replies shortly. In support of the Orroroo statement that other tremors have been noticed recently it may be mentioned that on August 6 almost the same region was similarly visited. Clare, Redhill, Booleroo Centre, Terowie, Petersburg, Georgetown, and any other towns round about reported earth tremors, in some instances severe, in others slight. Indeed, the Yarcowie postmaster wrote on his card that three distinct tremblings were noted at 4, 4.48, and 5.57 p.m., [Ed. 6 August) the middle one bring severe.

—Records—

Whether or not the last tremors were marked by the seismograph on West terrace cannot be ascertained until tomorrow (Friday), when the roll will be inspected. Only once weekly is it looked at. All the rest of the time the delicate instrument pursues its steady course unless an earthquake comes along to agitate it, or the door of its domicile is opened by the observer. Yes, so finely balanced is it that the airwaves set up by the mere opening of the door causes it to make zig-zag marks on its sheet. Some of the records are so faint that none but the experienced observer would detect them. The happenings in the mid-north on August 6 were shown as a faint blur on an otherwise straight line. It is noteworthy that on the day before (Wednesday, August 5) very marked waves were made by the seismograph between 8.30 and 9 o’clock in the morning. An earthquake must have happened somewhere outside Australia (the strength of the record shows that), but there is not yet any report of it. It may have happened in some remote part of the world and scientists may hear of it as a legend. But there is no doubt of its occurrence; the seismograph cannot lie.

—The Weather Theory.—

Mr. Messent had much of deep interest to say. One theory must be discussed.

Many residents in earth-tremor areas hold the strong conviction that such occurrences are more frequent in times of drought. When the question whether such was really the case was put to Mr. Messent he said that while purely local earth-slips (which meant earth-tremors) might possibly be brought by droughty conditions, they could also be brought about by excessive moisture. In other words, there was no evidence that, during dry weather earth-shocks were more frequent than at other times.

1914 10 04 at 10:05 UTC, Cape de Coudie

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Saturday 31 October 1914, page 19

EARTH TREMOR AT CAPE DE COUEDIE.

The head keeper at the Cape de Couedie lighthouse has reported to the chairman of the Harbours Board that a severe earth tremor was noticed about 7.35 p.m. on October 4. It seemed to be travelling from west to east, and lasted about three seconds. The keeper reported that the shock caused everything to shake, but did no apparent damage.

1914 01 22	07:45	-27.6	135.5	3	Robertstown/ World’s End	This paper
1914 05 11	10:35	-34.3	138.8	2.5	World’s End	This paper
1914 05 28	13:21	-34.8	138.8	4.4	Adelaide	Dix/This paper
1914 05 31	16:30	-35.35	138.95	3.0	Strathalbyn	This paper
1914 07 09	–	-30.3	138.4	3.0	Lyndhurst	This paper
1914 07 14	02:55	-35.7	137.9	3.0	Kangaroo Island	This paper
1914 07 14	14:55	-35.7	137.9	3.5	Kangaroo Island	Dix/This paper
1914 07 27	19:00	-35.7	137.9	3.0	Kangaroo Island	Dix/This paper
1914 08 06	06:30	-33.4	138.8	2.5	Whyte Yarcowie	This paper
1914 08 06	07:17	-33.4	138.8	4.7	Whyte Yarcowie	Dix/This paper
1914 08 06	08:27	-33.4	138.8	2.5	Whyte Yarcowie	This paper
1914 08 19	10:30	-32.7	138.6	3.0	Petersburg	This paper
1914 08 21	18:45	-32.7	138.8	4.5	Petersburg	This paper
1914 10 04	10:05	-36.0	136.7	3.0	Cape de Couedie	This paper

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1914

1915

1915 02 24 at 01:30 UTC, Mining related

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 6 March 1915, page 12

LEIGH’S CREEK, February 24.— An earthquake shock was felt at the Jubilee mine on Monday at about 11 a.m. The rumble lasted for several seconds and was very loud. The writer was in about 400 ft. in a tunnel when it occurred and he lost no time in getting out into the open.

1915 03 03 Time? Mount Serle

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Friday 5 March 1915, page 11

Last Wednesday there was a severe earth tremor at Mount Serle and Angipena Stations. The blacksmith shop at Mount Serle was violently shaken.

1915 03 14 at 14:30 UTC, Mangalo

Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune (Cowell, SA : 1910 – 1950), Friday 26 March 1915, page 4

MANGALO.

March 17.

Last Sunday night a severe earth shock was felt at about 12 o’clock. Houses shook violently, but no damage was done.

1915 03 21 at 19:00 UTC, Warrina Lake Eyre

Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), Wednesday 24 March 1915, page 2

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. —The Commonwealth meteorologist (Mr H. A. Hunt) has received a message from Warrina, on the south-west side of Lake Eyre, South Australia, which reports that an earthquake shock was felt there, and also nine miles to the west, at half-past four o’clock on Monday morning.

Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 – 1954), Saturday 27 March 1915, page 2

An earthquake shock was felt in the neighbourhood of Lake Eyre (S.A.) on Monday.

1915 03 30 at 22:58 UTC, Snowtown

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Wednesday 31 March 1915, page 1

PORT VICTORIA, March 31.

A slight earth tremor was felt here at 8.25 this morning, travelling, apparently, from west to east.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 3 April 1915, page 35

SHOCKS IN COUNTRY. HOUSES CRACKED.

HALLETT, March 31.

There was a severe earth tremor here at 8.30 this morning. Windows and dishes rattled for about 20 seconds. The shock was apparently travelling from west to east.

CRYSTAL BROOK, March 31.

One of the severest shocks of earthquake experienced in this district was felt this morning, about 8.28. Work in places of business had begun, and the assistants came rushing out into the streets. There was a rumbling sound and a severe vibration. Household goods rattled, and cracks have appeared in several walls. The tremor appeared to be travelling from south to north.

PORT BROUGHTON, March 31.

A distinct shock of earthquake was experienced here this morning at 8.30. Doors and windows were shaken. The duration of the shock was eight seconds.

FROM VARIOUS CENTRES.

The following messages were received at the Meteorological Office on Wednesday morning:

BLYTH.—Earthquake shock felt here at 8.28 a.m., travelling west to east.

BRINKWORTH.—Slight earthquake at 7.27 a.m.

SNOWTOWN.—Earth tremor at 8.25, travelling east to west; lasted about 20 seconds. Shook crockery and doors.

KAPUNDA.—Sharp earthshock which was of several seconds duration experienced this morning. Crockery rattled and people ran out into the streets.

Figure 15 Felt area of the Snowtown earthquake on 30 March 1915 at 8:30am CST.

PORT BROUGHTON.—Slight earth shock at 8.25 this morning.

FOREST TOWN.—Earth tremor accompanied rumbling noise at 8.28 this morning; travelling south to north.

CLARE.—Slight earthshock at 8.30 this morning.

CRYSTAL BROOK. Sharp earthshock at 8.28, lasting 7 seconds; unable detect direction. LAURA.—Very decided earthshock experienced this morning, and lasted for several seconds: travelling from south-westerly direction.

APPILA.—Earthshock felt here this morning.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Thursday 1 April 1915, page 6

AN EARTHQUAKE.

Shocks in Country.

An earth tremor occurred in the lower north and on Yorke’s Peninsula on Wednesday morning. The direction in which it travelled was not very evident, for most of the towns which reported the happenings to the Commonwealth Observation Bureau in Adelaide made different statements. There was also a variance of opinions regarding the intensity of the earth-shocks. From the metropolitan area no reports were received of the disturbance, although an instrument at the Observatory recorded slight traces of the movement, which is timed at about 8.28 a.m. —From Various Centres.— The following messages were received in Adelaide on Wednesday:— BLYTH.— Earthshock felt here at 8.28 a.m., travelling west to east.

BRINKWORTH.—Slight earthquake at 8.27 a.m.

SNOWTOWN.—Earth tremor at 8.25, travelling east to west; lasted about 20 seconds. Shook crockery and doors.

KAPUNDA.—Sharp earthshock, which was of several seconds duration, experienced this morning.

Crockery rattled and people ran out into the streets.

FOREST TOWN.—Earth tremor accompanied rumbling noise at 8.28 this morning; travelling south to north.

CLARE.—Slight earthshock at 8.30 this morning.

CRYSTAL BROOK.—Sharp earthshock at 8.28, lasting 7 seconds; unable detect direction. LAURA.—Very decided earthshock experienced this morning, and lasted for several seconds; travelling from south westerly direction.

APPILA.—Earthshock felt here this morning.

KADINA, March 31.—A moderate earth tremor was felt here at 8.30 o’clock this morning. Doors, windows, roofs, and crockery rattled considerably. The shock lasted for 12 to 15 seconds, and seemed to be travelling from south-west to north-east.

Alford, Bute, and the vicinity of Kadina experienced the tremor.

YACKA, March 31.—A fairly severe earth tremor occurred about 8.30 o’clock this morning. Furniture, doors, and crockery and so on rattled for several seconds. It.was difficult to judge in which direction the tremor travelled.

JAMESTOWN, March 31.— This morning at 8.30 o’clock a severe earthquake was experienced here. Buildings were shaken perceptibly, and people rushed out from houses and shops. A low distinct rumbling was also felt, lasting for about five or six seconds. Apparently the tremor was travelling from a south-westerly to north-easterly direction.

YONGALA.—An earthshock was felt here this morning at half-past 8 o’clock. It lasted for many seconds.

BRAEFOOT.—At 8.20 a.m. to-day a severe earth tremor was felt here, and was of several seconds’ duration. A rattle was caused among household utensils. The tremor was apparently travelling south and north.

CALTOWIE.— A severe earthshock was experienced here this morning at about half-past 8. The tremor, which seemed to be travelling in a south-easterly direction, was even noticed in the flourmill above the vibration of the machinery. The duration was about 15 seconds. BURRA.— A pronounced earthshock was experienced here this morning.

HALLETT, March 31.—There was a severe earth tremor here at 8.30 this morning. Windows and doors rattled for about 20 seconds. The shock was apparently travelling from west to east. PORT VICTORIA, March 31.—A slight earth tremor was felt here at 8.25 a.m. the morning, travelling, apparently, from west to east.

CRYSTAL BROOK, March 31.—One of the severest earthshocks in the district was felt this morning about 8.28. Work in places of business had begun, and the assistants came rushing out into the streets. There was a rumbling sound and a severe vibration. Household goods rattled, and cracks have appeared in several walls. The tremor appeared to be travelling from south to north.

PORT BROUGHTON, March 31.— A distinct earthshock was experienced here this morning at 8.30. Doors and windows were shaken. The duration of the shock was eight seconds.

THE EARTHQUAKE. ADDITIONAL REPORTS.

The following further messages have been received in Adelaide:—

NARRIDY, March 31.—Shortly after 8 o’clock this morning a severe earthshock

was felt. Household utensils were rattled and considerable excitement was caused. MELROSE. March 31.— A sharp earthshock was felt here this morning at half past 8 o’clock, and lasted for nearly half a minute. The vibrations were preceded by a rumbling sound, which resembled distant thunder. The disturbance was sufficiently severe to cause doors and windows to rattle violently, but no damage has been reported.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 1 April 1915, page 4

EARTH TREMOR AT GEORGETOWN.

An earth tremor of several seconds’ duration was felt at Georgetown at 8.28 this (Wednesday) morning (writes our Georgetown correspondent). The residents were considerably alarmed. The shock was sufficiently severe to remove plaster in some dwellings and cause damage to crockery and glassware. The tremor was also felt at Port Pirie, the direction being north-west and south-east. The instrument at the Observatory, when examined last night, showed slight traces of an earth movement having occurred between 8.28 and 8.29 a.m. No reports of a shock having been felt were received during the day, so that indicated how slight the tremor was in the city.

Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail (SA : 1898 – 1918), Thursday 1 April 1915, page 2

Earth Shock at Port Pirie.

BUILDINGS SHAKEN.

A very pronounced earth tremor was experienced at Port Pirie yesterday morning shortly after 8 o’clock. There was a loud rumbling noise at first. This became fainter and then gradually increased until it resembled the heavy roll of thunder. Windows rattled and buildings were perceptibly shaken. About a fortnight ago, on several occasions, slight tremors, accompanied by sounds like those made by the passing of heavy vehicles, were noticed in Pirie South and by farmers in the south-west of Hundred of Pirie, but yesterday’s internal demonstration by Mother Earth was of a much more serious character. The visitation was very pronounced at Crystal Brook.

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 2 April 1915, page 2

EARTH SHOCK.

A distinct earth shock was experienced in Kapunda at 8.30 on Wednesday morning. Georgetown The tremor appeared to be travelling north-east. It was severe enough to rattle windows and crockery and to cause momentary alarm to the house-holders.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 10 April 1915, page 14

EARTHQUAKE IN THE COUNTRY.

SLIGHT SHOCK IN LOWER NORTH.

Reports received on March 31 from a number of country towns north of Adelaide, stated that a distinct movement of the earth had been felt that day a little before 8.30 o’clock. The tremor appears to have been centred in the Lower North, extending as far as Booleroo Centre and westward to Kadina, where it was only faintly noticed. The opinions of the post and telegraph officers who notified the Meteorological Department in Adelaide of the occurrence vary considerably in regard to the direction in which the rumbling travelled, but Port Wakefield, Snowtown, and Georgetown agree in setting it down as east to west. Booleroo Centre says north-east to south-west. At Kapunda, where the shock was severe enough to cause a number of persons to run out of houses, the belief was that the direction was south-west to north-east. Blyth states west to east, and Jamestown south to north. The duration of the shock is given as between 7 and 30 seconds. The messages received at the Meteorological Office were as follow: —

LAURA.— About 8.30 this morning a very decided earthquake shock was experienced here, lasting several seconds, and apparently travelling from south-westerly direction.

APPILA reports that the shock also felt there.

CRYSTAL BROOK.— Sharp shock of earthquake at 8.28 a.m., lasting seven seconds. Unable to detect direction.

CLARE— Slight earthquake shock at 8.30 a.m.

PORT WAKEFIELD.—Slight earth shook at 8.35 a.m. Think It travelling east to west.

GLADSTONE.— Sharp shock of earthquake at half a minute after 8.28 a.m.

KADINA.— At 8.30 a.m. there was a faint earth shock.

JAMESTOWN. — An earth tremor, accompanied by a rumbling noise, occurred at 8.28 a.m., travelling south to north.

PORT BROUGHTON.— Slight earth tremble at 8.25 a.m.

BOOLEROO CENTRE.— Earth shock at 8.26 a.m., apparently travelling from north-east to southwest. Lasted about 30 sec.

KAPUNDA.— At 8.25 a.m. sharp earth tremor experienced. lasting few seconds. Crockery rattled, furniture shook, and people ran out of houses. Shock thought to be travelling south-west to northeast.

SNOWTOWN.— Earth tremor occurred at 8.25 a.m., travelling east to west, duration about 20 sec., shaking crockery and doors.

GEORGETOWN.— Earthquake shock at 8.29 a.m., travelling from east to west.

SADDLEWORTH.—Slight earth shock at 7.27 a.m.

BLYTH.— Earthquake shock at 8.28 a.m., travelling west to east.

MAITLAND. March 31.— This morning, at 8.25 o’clock, a slight earth tremor was felt here. Windows and doors rattled. The shock was not severe enough to cause any damage. Our Jamestown correspondent wrote that the time of the shock was 8.28. It was travelling in a south-westerly direction and lasted for some seconds. The report from Whyte Yarcowie puts the time at 8.35. “It appeared to be travelling in a south-easterly direction.” Our Crystal Brook, correspondent says the shock was fairly severe. It caused crockery and pictures to rattle and shook the houses in a noticeable manner. Our Georgetown correspondent describes it as a violent earthquake of short duration. The tremors lasted about 10 seconds and appeared to be travelling south-east to northwest. Crockery rattled and houses vibrated considerably. Residents rushed from their houses in alarm.

1915 07 13 at 05:15 UTC, Millicent

Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 – 1954), Saturday 17 July 1915, page 3

MILLICENT. July 15.

We had a sharp earth shock on Tuesday afternoon at a quarter to 3. The tremor was travelling from south-west to northwest. It was plainly felt here, and caused a good deal of excitement. The shock lasted about four seconds. I have heard of no damage being done.

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Monday 19 July 1915, page 3

AN EARTHQUAKE.

MILLICENT, July 16. —An earth tremor was felt at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The disturbance appeared to be moving from south-west to north-east, and was of about four minutes’ donation. Many people in the town felt the shock. At Emerald the rumble was plainly audible, and at Rendelsham it appeared to have been felt more severely than at Millicent. Residents along the range between Millicent and the Canunda commonage state that the plaster on their walls was dislodged, and in at least one instance a wall was cracked.

Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 – 1954), Wednesday 14 July 1915, page 2

EARTH TREMOR IN THE SOUTH EAST.

Adelaide, Tuesday.

A telegram from Millicent states that a distinct earth tremor was felt there at 2.50 this afternoon. The disturbance lasted three or four seconds, and appeared to be moving from south-west to north east. People rushed out of houses and shops into the street. At Emerald, two miles from Millicent, the shock appeared to be very severe.

1915 08 27 at 15:45 UTC, Kingston

South Eastern Times (Millicent, SA : 1906 – 1954), Tuesday 7 September 1915, page 2

Kingston.

Earth Tremor.—A sharp shock of earthquake was felt here on the morning of the 28th August, at about 1.15 a.m. The tremor appeared to be travelling from east to west, and lasted about 15 seconds.

1915 09 07 at 20:50 UTC, Crystal Brook

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 11 September 1915, page 35

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

NARRIDY, September 8.— An earthquake shock was felt here this morning at 6.20 o’clock. The shock was fairly severe, and travelled in a north-easterly direction.

JAMESTOWN, September 8.— An earthquake shock was felt here this morning at about 6.20 o’clock.

GEORGETOWN, September 8.— An earthquake shock lasting 6 to 8 seconds occurred here at 6.20

this morning, causing considerable vibration in dwellings. Owing to its short duration the direction of its course was difficult to ascertain. The tremor was accompanied by loud rumblings.

Figure 16 Felt area of the Crystal Brook earthquake, 7 September 1915 at 6:20am, magnitude 3.8.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 14 September 1915, page 8

BUNDALEER, September 8.—A fairly severe shock of earthquake was experienced here at 6.25

this morning. Doors and windows rattled, and a rumbling sound could be heard for a few seconds as the earthquake travelled on, apparently in an easterly direction.

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Monday 13 September 1915, page 1

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

NORTH BUNDALEER, September 10. At 6.23 on Wednesday morning a shock of earthquake was experienced here. The rumbling lasted for several seconds, and the usual rattling of crockery and windows occurred.

Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 – 1940), Thursday 16 September 1915, page 1

CALTOWIE, Sep. 9th.

Earthquake.

An earthshock occurred here yesterday morning at 6.20. It was, apparently, travelling in a southeasterly direction. Its duration was about four seconds.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Tuesday 14 September 1915, page 7

WARNERTOWN. September 11. —An earthquake shock accompanied by loud rumbling and severe vibration occurred here about 6.20 on Tuesday morning.

1915 10 23 at 03:10 UTC, Yacka

Northern Argus (Clare, SA : 1869 – 1954), Friday 5 November 1915, page 4

YACKA, October 28.

An earthquake shock was felt here on Saturday morning at 12.37. Doors rattled and floors shook so as to be distinctly felt. It was the sharpest shock experienced here for many years, and several people were frightened by it.

BOWER, November 1.—A slight earthquake shock was felt here on Saturday at about 11 o’clock.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Monday 1 November 1915, page 6

EARTHQUAKE REPORTS.

At about 12.45 p.m. on Saturday rather a severe earth tremor was felt at Kapunda (reports our local correspondent), and caused considerable alarm among house-holders. Crockery and windows rattled noisily. The rumbling continued for three or four seconds, and the shock seemed to travel from east to west. Our Watervale correspondent, writing on Saturday, announced that a short earthshock had been experienced there at 12.50 p.m. that day, travelling from west to east. Our representative at Point Pass also reported an earth tremor on the same day.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 6 November 1915, page 33

EARTHQUAKE REPORTS.

1915 10 27 at 01:50 UTC, Oodnadatta

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 6 November 1915, page 11

A MYSTERIOUS NOISE.

OODNADATTA, October 28.— Yesterday morning, at about 11.20, residents were startled by a loud rumbling as of an earthquake, but no one felt any tremor of the earth. The disturbance was travelling from north-east to south-west, the sky being at the time cloudless. The unusual occurrence caused consternation among several blacks, who rushed about looking up to endeavor to locate the cause of their alarm.

1915 10 30 at 03:15 UTC, Marrabel

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Monday 8 November 1915, page 9

AN EARTHQUAKE.

STOCKPORT, November 4.—A severe earth tremor was felt here on Saturday last at 12.45. p.m. Crockery and windows rattled, and the shock was accompanied by a rumbling sound like thunder.

ROBERTSTOWN, November 3.

A severe earth shock was felt here on Saturday a little before 1 p.m. The tremor travelled from west to east. The shock was severe, causing windows and crockery to rattle. For some seconds afterwards a noise as of distant thunder could be heard fading away to the east.

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 5 November 1915, page 3

SADDLEWORTH.

The shock of an earthquake was felt here on Saturday at 12.37 p.m. Doors rattled and floors shook so as to be distinctly felt. It was the sharpest shock known here for many years and several people were frightened by it.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Monday 1 November 1915, page 6

EARTHQUAKE REPORTS.

At about 12.45 p.m. on Saturday rather a severe earth tremor was felt at Kapunda (reports our local correspondent), and caused considerable alarm among householders. Crockery and windows rattled noisily. The rumbling continued for three or four seconds, and the shock seemed to travel from east to west. Our Watervale correspondent, writing on Saturday, announced that a short earthshock had been experienced there at 12.50 p.m. that day, travelling from west to east. Our representative at Point Pass also reported an earth tremor on the same day.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 2 November 1915, page 3

BOWER, November 1.— A slight earthquake shock was felt here on Saturday at about 11 o’clock.

Figure 17 Felt extent of an earthquake with epicentre near Marrabel on 30 October 1915 at 12:45pm CST.

1915 11 08 at 09:00 UTC, Eurowie NSW

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Friday 12 November 1915, page 4

EARTHSHOCK AT EURIOWIE (NSW) BROKEN HILL. November 11.

The postmaster at Euriowie reports that on Monday night at about 6.30 o’clock, an earthquake shock was experienced. The tremour was apparently travelling south-wards, and lasted four or five minutes.

1915 11 13 at 13:18 UTC, Kapunda

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 16 November 1915, page 5

EARTH TREMOR. GREENOCK, November 14.— last night at about 11 o’clock an earth tremor awakened people from their slumbers. Crockery, doors and windows rattled and a rumbling noise seemed to be travelling south to north.

TRURO, November 14.—At 10.35 p.m. on Saturday a severe shock of earthquake was felt here. Doors and windows rattled, and the vibration was very marked.

KAPUNDA, November 15. At 12 minutes to 11 on Friday night another earthshock was experienced. The rumble was heard for about three seconds and doors and crockery rattled.

1915 12 05 at 06:30 UTC, McLaren Vale

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 18 December 1915, page 11

McLAREN VALE. December. 6.— A distinct earthquake shock was felt by the residents of this district yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock. It was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise.

1915 03 03	–	-30.5	138.9	3.5	Mount Serle	This paper
1915 03 14	14:30	-33.6	136.5	3.0	Mangalo	This paper
1915 03 21	19:00	-29.0	136.5	3.5	Warrina Lake Eyre	This paper
1915 03 30	22:58	-34.3	138.8	4.7	Snowtown	Dix/This paper
1915 07 13	05:15	-37.6	140.0	3.7	Millicent offshore	This paper
1915 08 27	15:45	-36.8	139.6	3.0	Kingston	This paper
1915 09 07	20:50	-33.3	138.3	3.8	Crystal Brook	Dix/This paper
1915 10 23	03:10	-33.6	138.5	3.0	Yacka	This paper
1915 10 27	01:50	-27.6	135.5	3.5	Oodnadatta	This paper
1915 10 30	03:15	-34.2	138.9	3.6	Marrabel	Dix/This paper
1915 11 13	13:18	-34.3	139.0	2.8	Kapunda	Dix/This paper
1915 12 05	06:30	-35.2	138.5	2.5	McLaren Vale	This paper

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1915

1916

The two largest earthquakes were magnitude 4.4 and 4.5, at Spalding and Kangaroo Island, the other six were small. No earthquakes were detected on Eyre Peninsula, nor in the South-east.

1916 01 09 at 01:35 UTC, Bugle Ranges

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 11 January 1916, page 9

BUGLE RANGES, January 9.— A distinct earth tremor, accompanied by a low rumbling noise, was heard this morning soon after 11 o’clock.

Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 – 1954), Friday 14 January 1916, page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

AN EARTH TREMOR.

Shortly after eleven o’clock Sunday morning there was a distinct earth tremor at Bugle Ranges, which was accompanied by a low rumbling noise, lasting some time, and causing doors and windows to rattle.

1916 01 20 at 18:30 UTC, Laura

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 22 January 1916, page 4

EARTH TREMOR AT LAURA.

A severe shock of earthquake was experienced in Laura yesterday morning about 4 o’clock. In several houses goods and chattels were heard to rattle. The tremor seemed to be travelling from north-east to south-west.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Saturday 22 January 1916, page 5

APPILA-YARROWIE, January 21.— An earth-shock lasting several seconds was felt here at 3.55 this morning. The tremor was fairly severe, and caused considerable vibration in buildings. Loud rumblings were also heard.

1916 02 16 at 19:30 UTC, Booleroo Centre

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 26 February 1916, page 10

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

BOOLEROO CENTRE, February 17.—At about 5 a.m. to-day a sharp earthquake shock was experienced here. It appeared to be travelling from north-east to south-west.

1916 04 05 at 10:50 UTC, Spalding

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 14 April 1916, page 3

BURRA LETTER.

At about 8.15 on Wednesday night an earthquake shock was experienced around the district. At Faraway Hill and Braemar to the east of Redcliffe the shock was fairly severe. Windows and crockery in houses rattled and it lasted for some time.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 15 April 1916, page 9

AN EARTH-SHOCK IN THE NORTH.

The following message was received at the G.P.O. from the postmaster at Petersburg, on April 6:—

“A sharp earthshock, accompanied by a rumbling noise, occurred at 8.20 p.m. last night,

apparently travelling south-east to north-west. Thirty seconds duration.” Our Terowie correspondent telegraphs:— “Yesterday, about 7.45 p.m., a strong earth-shock passed through this town. It was travelling from south-east to north-west, and could be heard after it had passed for quite a time. No serious damage was done.'” Our Whyte-Yarcowie correspondent puts the time at 8.17, and says the shock was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise. Crockery rattled and windows were shaken.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Friday 7 April 1916, page 4

SHOCK OF EARTHQUAKE.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. E. W. Bramble) has received the following telegram from the postmaster at Petersburg:—”Sharp earthquake shock, accompanied by rumbling noise occurred at 8 o’clock last night. It was apparently travelling south-east and north-west. Its duration was about 30 seconds.”

Figure 18 Felt effects of earthquake near Petersburg on 5 April 2016 at 8:20pm CST.

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide,

SA : 1867 – 1922), Thursday 6

April 1916, page 2

EARTH SHOCK AT PETERSBURG.

The following message was received at the G.P.O. from the postmaster at Petersburg on Thursday morning:—'”A sharp earthshock, accompanied by a rumbling noise, occurred at 8.20 p.m. last night, apparently travelling south-east to north-west. Thirty seconds duration.”

Petersburg Times (SA : 1887 – 1919), Friday 14 April 1916, page 2

DISTRICT NEWS, YONGALA.

April 8.—An earth tremor was felt here last Wednesday evening at a quarter past eight o’clock. It lasted for several seconds, and crockery, windows, etc., rattled. There is a diversity of opinion as to the direction in which it was travelling.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Monday 10 April 1916, page 10

TOTHILL’S CREEK, April 7.—A slight earth tremor was felt here last night. It appeared to be travelling eastwards.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 8 April 1916, page 8

SPALDING, April 5.—A severe earth tremor occurred about 9 o’clock last evening.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Monday 10 April 1916, page 9

NORTH BUNDALEER. April 6.—On Wednesday evening, at 8.20 o’clock, a sharp earthquake was felt here. It was of short duration.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Saturday 8 April 1916, page 10

THE COUNTRY. CLARE, April 5. — An earthquake was experienced here at 8.15 p.m., lasting from 15 to 20 seconds. People west, south, and north, as well as in Clare, felt a decided tremor.

1916 09 11 at 21:00 UTC, Laura

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 13 September 1916, page 11

LAURA, September 12.—An earthquake of medium severity was experienced here at 6.30 this morning. It appeared to be travelling from south-west to north-east, and the trembling lasted nearly 30 sec.

1916 09 30 at 18:18 UTC, Whyte Yarcowie

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Tuesday 3 October 1916, page 9

THE COUNTRY. AN EARTHQUAKE.

WHYTE YARCOWIE, October 1. —An earth tremor was experienced here to-day at 3:48 a.m. It was accompanied by a loud rumbling noise It was of short duration, and appeared to be travelling in an easterly direction.

1916 10 23 at 14:30 UTC and 21:10 UTC, Penneshaw KI

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Friday 27 October 1916, page 2

AN EARTHQUAKE.

Our Penneshaw (K.I.) correspondent writes:—At about midnight on Monday local residents were alarmed to hear a distant rumble like thunder. Soon afterwards a distinct trembling of the earth was felt, and windows and buildings were shaken. The disturbance lasted about 1½ minutes, and seemed to be travelling from south-east to north-west.

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 – 1951), Saturday 28 October 1916, page 2

Earth Shock.

A rather severe earth shock was experienced on Kangaroo Island about midnight on Monday. The tremor, which seemed to travel from east to west, lasted about twenty-five seconds and created considerable alarm, but fortunately no damage resulted. The shock was felt at several places on the Island and at Cape Borda a second tremor was noticed at 6.40 a.m.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 4 November 1916, page 46

DELAMERE, October 25.— A slight earthquake shock was experienced here shortly before midnight on Monday.

Figure 19 An earthquake felt across Kangaroo Island and at Delamere on the Fleurieu Peninsula on 23 October 1916. Similar to the Dix (2013) map but her location is off the north coast, apparently she found reports from Yorke Peninsula but the magnitude is similar.

1916 01 09	01:35	-35.1	138.9	2.5	Bugle Ranges	This paper
1916 01 20	18:30	-33.1	138.4	2.5	Stone Hut	Dix/This paper
1916 02 16	19:30	-32.9	138.3	2.5	Booleroo Centre	This paper
1916 04 05	10:50	-33.4	138.6	4.4	Spalding	Dix/This paper
1916 09 11	21:00	-33.2	138.3	2.5	Laura	Dix/This paper
1916 09 30	18:18	-33.2	138.9	3.8	Whyte Yarcowie	This paper
1916 10 23	14:30	-36.2	137.5	4.5	Kangaroo Is	Dix/This paper
1916 10 23	21:10	-35.6	136.6	3.0	Kangaroo Is	This paper

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1916

1917

Earthquake activity near Kangaroo Island continued on from October last year with the first reported earthquake in February 1917. The largest of the year’s crop of earthquakes occurred on 28 April, magnitude 4.6, its epicentre probably near Bruce in the mid North.

1917 02 28 at 11:40 UTC, Penneshaw

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Saturday 3 March 1917, page 12

PENNESHAW, February 28.—A distinct earth tremor was felt here on Tuesday eventing at 9.10, lasting about one and a half minutes. It appeared to be travelling from south-east to north-west. The happening caused a commotion at the time, and people all emerged from houses to ascertain whether neighbours had noticed it. Some persons thought it was thunder, but the majority were satisfied that it was the unstable earth.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wednesday 11 April 1917, page 4
MISTAKEN FOR AN EARTHQUAKE.
Several citizens of Adelaide were much perturbed by an apparent vibration of the earth about 10 o’clock last night. Some reported the matter to the officials at the Observatory and enquired as to the extent of the disturbance. They stated that the tremor was accompanied by a loud rumbling, which lasted about 45 seconds, and a light greater than that of the moon. The noise and vibration were noticed at the Observatory, where lamp glasses were shaken. It was believed that a large meteorite had exploded above the city and that it had caused the tremor.

1917 04 15 at 01:45 UTC, 02:45 UTC, Booleroo Centre – 9 felt events

1917 04 17 at 05:40 UTC, Booleroo Centre

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 28 April 1917, page 12

PETERSBURG.

MELROSE, April 17.—On Sunday there were some distinct earth shocks about 11:20 a.m. Buildings shook considerably for a few seconds. Another slight shock followed about noon, which was not so severe.

Transcontinental (Port Augusta, SA : 1914 – 1954), Friday 20 April 1917, page 1

Earth Tremor

A sharp earth tremor was felt in Port Augusta last Sunday morning at 11.15. It appeared to be travelling from south to north, and was accompanied by a rumbling noise.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Tuesday 17 April 1917, page 3

EARTH TREMORS.

Three distinct earth tremors were noticed at Booleroo Whim on Sunday. One was specially severe. It shook the houses severely, and was probably the worst experience for many years.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Wednesday 18 April 1917, page 6

TWO EARTH TREMORS.

Our Baroota correspondent, writing on Sunday, said:—This morning two earth tremors were felt here. They seemed to travel from south to north and both rattled household furniture. The vibrations each lasted for about 15 seconds.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 18 April 1917, page 9

EARTH SHOCKS.

MURRAYTOWN, April 16. — Several earth shocks were felt here yesterday between 11.15 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Two were very severe. Others were felt at 8.30 p.m. and early this morning.

1917 04 28 at 21:40 UTC, Bruce

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 5 May 1917, page 12

AN EARTHQUAKE.

Appila-Yarrowie, April 29.

An earth tremor occurred here this morning at about 7 o’clock, and was of several seconds’ duration. Buildings were shaken and doors and windows rattled.

EURELIA, April 30.— An earthquake shock was felt here on Sunday at 7.10

a.m. It rattled crockery and other glass. It appeared to be travelling from southwest to north-east and it lasted for nearly a minute.

JOHNBURGH, April 30.— A severe shock of earthquake was experienced here on Sunday at 7.8 a.m., accompanied by a low rumbling sound, which appeared to be travelling in a north-easterly direction.

PORT AUGUSTA, April 30.—A sharp earthquake shock was felt this morning at 7.10. Windows and crockery rattled. It travelled from south to north.

YONGALA, April 30.— An earth shock was felt here on Sunday morning about 7.8 a.m. It lasted for about 15 seconds, and appeared to travel from north to south.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Monday 7 May 1917, page 3

MAITLAND, May 4.—An earthquake shock was experienced here on Sunday morning, at 7.7 o’clock. The tremor was of short duration, but the shaking of walls was very perceptible.

Figure 20 Felt area of the 29 April 1917 earthquake at 7a.m. CST near Bruce, magnitude 4.6.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Friday 4 May 1917, page 7

EARTH SHOCK AT BELTON.

Last Sunday morning about 7.15 o’clock an earthquake, one of the severest locally for some time, was noticed. The tremor appeared to be travelling from south-east to north-west.

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 5 May 1917, page 31

AN EARTHSHOCK.

Reports from correspondents of The Register in various northern districts intimate that an earth tremor was apparent on Sunday morning. A statement from Appila Yarrowie says:—”A distinct earthshock was felt here at 7 o’clock this morning. The vibration caused windows and doors to rattle. The duration of the shock was several seconds.” A tremor, which lasted for about 15 seconds, was noticed at Yongala. Windows rattled, and the disturbance appeared to travel from north to south. A sharp earthquake was felt in Port Augusta at 7.10 a.m. Windows and crockery rattled. The tremor travelled from south to north. From Carrieton:— “A severe earthshock is reported, which shook buildings considerably.”

This earthquake was widely felt in the mid-North with no strong shaking or aftershocks and was widely reported at the time despite the dominance of news about the war effort in Europe. One surprising report in the Register of 7th May and well outside the felt area mapped here is that from Maitland on the Yorke Peninsula. Dix (2013) has an epicentre near Crystal Brook about 80 km to the south of our epicentre near Bruce but Maitland is another 120km in the same direction. I have found no reports from Crystal Brook. If we unearth more newspaper reports from the Yorke Peninsula then the magnitude would be considerably larger than 4.6 and the epicentre further south near Dix’s epicentre.

1917 06 28 at 13:09 UTC, Adelaide Hills

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Friday 29 June 1917, page 4

EARTH SHOCK FELT IN ADELAIDE

A NIGHT VISITATION Slight Earth Tremors

Many residents of the southern portion of South Australia have very lively recollections of the earthquake which startled them upwards of 20 years since. On that occasion great damage was wrought, more particularly in the south-east, where houses were wrecked, and huge gaping rents opened up in the solid earth. No such visitation has been recorded since; in fact, Adelaide itself and its immediate surroundings have been immune from serious earth shocks for some years past. Last night, however, shortly after 10.30 many residents in the city and suburbs were startled by a heavy rumbling sound, which appeared to be travelling from east to west, and which rattled doors and windows as if they were shaken by a heavy gale. The Observatory officials reported that the time of the occurrence, to be precise, was 10.39. There were two distinct rumbles, a slight tremor being followed immediately by a much heavier rumble. Many persons reported having distinctly experienced the shock, among those who reported the occurrence to the Observatory being Dr. Angas Johnson, and the Hon. E. Lucas, of Medindie.

One resident of Beulah Estate, Norwood, had an uncanny experience. He was seated in a room, the door of which was about six inches ajar. “Then,” as be explained it,” the windows on the eastern side of the house began to rattle, although perfect calm prevailed at the time; then the windows on the western side also rattled, and the door banged to. The noise seemed to creep along the ground.” A Magill resident stated that the windows and doors of his house shook as in a heavy gale, the sensation being noted by all the inmates of the house at the time. The Observatory officials stated that a report had been received from Belair to the effect that the shock had been experienced there, but, owing to the lateness of the hour, it was not possible to ascertain whether it had been felt in other parts of the country. Reports received from all quarters showed that the residents of all the suburbs felt the shock, and in several cases more than passing alarm was occasioned.

The duration of the tremors was between four and five seconds. The seismograph at the Adelaide Observatory has proved valuable in recording earth shocks, even at great distances, and last night’s occurrence was, of course, recorded on the instrument.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Friday 29 June 1917, page 7

An Earth Tremor

Severe Shocks in the Hills.

PEOPLE RUSH INTO THE STREETS.

Residents in the city and suburbs and also in the hills were startled by a loud rumbling noise and a slight earth tremor at about 10.40 p.m. on Thursday. The uncanny visitation was not of long duration, but there was sufficient quaking to alarm nervous people. The rumbling sound could be heard approaching. Windows and crockery rattled in the houses which in many cases were quickly evacuated by the occupants, and those who had retired for the night were awakened from their slumbers. Reports which were received at “The Advertiser” office shortly afterwards show that the earthquake was felt over a wide area.

The Government Astronomer (Mr. G. F. Dodwell) stated that the tremor was recorded by one of the instruments at the Observatory at 10.39 p.m., the shock having lasted, he thought, about six seconds.

He heard a slight rumbling, which was followed by a heavier one, and the building was shaken a little. The earthquake, as he experienced it, did not appear to be severe.

Our Hope Valley correspondent telephoned that the earthquake was very severe in that district. He was in bed, and heard a rumbling noise for fully 20 seconds before the walls began to shake and the roof to rattle. He could hear the noise in the distance for about a minute after the tremor.

Mr. D. Williams, of Belair, stated that the vibration lasted for about 20 seconds in that locality. Similar reports were received from residents at Blackwood. On the summit of Mount Lofty the tremor lasted but a few seconds. A lady resident of Hectorville declared in nervous tones that she was sitting by the fire when she heard a terrible report like that of a cannon, and it seemed to come from underneath the house. “It seemed to me as if the earth was opening,” she added.

Windows were caused to rattle and chandeliers to swing in North-Adelaide and the suburbs. It is generally believed that the direction in which the earthquake travelled was from north-west to the south-east.

The Cause of Tremors.

Advances in the study of seismic disturbances leave no doubt that their most frequent cause is to be found in those rock-folding processes which have given us the hills around Adelaide. These processes are ordinarily so gradual as to be imperceptible, but through various causes they sometimes undergo a sudden acceleration. We have to suppose that the earth’s crust rests on a nucleus steadily contracting through loss of heat. A sudden displacement will produce the effect known as an earthquake, and the phenomenon may extend over a wide area.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Friday 29 June 1917, page 5

SHARP EARTHSHOCKS.

“Like Two Explosions.”

At 10.39 p.m. on Thursday two distinct earthshocks in quick succession were felt in many parts of the metropolitan area, and reports of the occurrence came also from the hills. The Government Astronomer (Mr. G. F. Dodwell) stated that the disturbance had registered itself on the barograph, or self-recording barometer, the pen-line of which indicated the tremor and the exact time at which it occurred. Mr. Dodwell had felt it as a distinct double earth tremor lasting several seconds, travelling from east to west, and accompanied by a rumbling or muffled sound, and the Observatory had received reports from Belair, as well as various parts of the Adelaide Plains. The Hon. E. Lucas, M.L.C, was the first person who telephoned to The Register his experience. He felt his house shaken by two sharp shocks, following each other in quick succession, and accompanied by a double explosion rather than a rumbling noise. A resident of North terrace, Kent Town, said vases on the mantelshelf were shaken, and that a next-door neighbour had reported that a door which moved easily on its hinges shut to at the moment of the earthquake. Dr. Angas Johnson felt a shock in Pirie street, heard a rumbling noise, and noticed a slight displacement of several pictures on the walls. A suburban lady reported: — “It was pretty severe, and I thought by the noise that it was a bombardment.” Mr. A. Sheard, of Park terrace, Wayville, said the tremors were plainly felt in that suburb. Mir. A. B. Black, Stanley street, North Adelaide, reported ”two sharp shocks, pretty severe.” Other accounts came from Glen Osmond and Malvern. Our Blackpool correspondent telephoned on Thursday night that an earthshock lasting several seconds, had caused excitement in that locality at about 10.45 o’clock. The disturbance, which appeared to travel from north-east to south-west, caused windows to rattle and some local residents to temporarily vacate dwellings.

Figure 21 Felt area of the earthquake in the Adelaide Hills, epicentre near Lobethal on 29th June 1917 at 9am CST. The Eden-Burnside Fault is marked by the topographic relief between basin and hills.

1917 02 28	11:40	-35.7	138.0	3.0	Penneshaw	This paper
1917 04 15*	01:45	-32.6	138.7	3.8	Booleroo Centre	This paper
1917 04 15	02:45	-32.6	138.7	2.5	Booleroo Centre	This paper
1917 04 17	05:40	-32.6	138.7	3.0	Booleroo Centre	This paper
1917 04 28	21:40	-32.4	138.2	4.6	Bruce	Dix/This paper
1917 06 28	13:09	-34.9	138.9	3.5	Adelaide Hills	Dix/This paper
1917 06 28	23:30	-34.9	138.9	2.5	Adelaide Hills	This paper
1917 11 03	00:25	-34.9	138.6	2.5	Prospect	Dix/This paper
1917 11 15	19:00	-33.9	138.0	2.5	Bute	Dix/This paper
1917 11 23	13:00	-37.6	140.3	2.5	Millicent	This paper
1917 11 26	12:15	-34.3	139.1	3.6	Truro	Dix/This paper

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1917

1918

The seismicity was dominated by a small swarm at Spalding with at least 17 felt earthquakes but without a single large earthquake. Tthe largest earthquake for the year, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake at Eudunda on 5 November 1918 was felt in Adelaide where a ceiling collapsed in the Post Office. An aftershock was felt at Burra and Terowie.

1918 02 14 at 17:59 UTC, Bagot Wells

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Saturday 16 February 1918, page 4

AN EARTH SHOCK.

FELT AT ANGASTON.

The Deputy Postmaster-General (Mr. E. W. Bramble) received the following message from the Angaston postmaster yesterday:—”We had a slight earth shock at 3.29 a.m. to-day. It appeared to be travelling in a north-westerly direction. The shock was also felt at Eudunda and Kapunda. Our Angaston correspondent wired yesterday severe earth shock was felt here at 3.30 a.m. this morning. Residents were awakened from their slumbers by the rattling of doors and windows. The tremors lasted a considerable time.”

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Saturday 16 February 1918, page 6

EARTHSHOCK AT ANGASTON.

The Deputy Postmaster-General has received a telegram from the postmaster at Angaston stating that a slight earthquake occurred there at 3.29 on Friday morning. It appeared to be travelling in a north-westerly direction. Our Greenock correspondent reports a sharp earth tremor which roused many persons from slumber at 3 a.m; and a similar communication comes from Kapunda.

1918 02 26 at 14:05 UTC and 17:30 UTC, Kooringa

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Wednesday 27 February 1918, page 1

Earth Tremor in Lower North.

Our Blyth correspondent telegraphed on Wednesday:—Slight earth tremor occurred on Tuesday night at 11.35. The sound resembled the rumble of thunder and the shock lasted for five seconds. It was travelling from south-east to north-west. The Deputy Postmaster-General received a telegram on Wednesday from the postmaster at Clare stating that an earthshock was felt there at 11.35 p.m. the previous evening. It was accompanied by a loud rumbling sound. The duration of the tremor was about 11 seconds, and it appeared to be travelling from the south-east to north-west. Our Kooringa correspondent reports that the tremor shook the contents of houses severely. A further shock occurred at about 3 a.m. on Wednesday, but it was not so severe as the previous tremor.

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 1 March 1918, page 2

EARTH TREMOR.

Another earth tremor was felt in Kapunda Tuesday evening, at about 11.45. It was much lighter than the one experienced a fortnight ago.

Blyth Agriculturist (SA : 1908 – 1954), Friday 1 March 1918, page 2

Blyth Notes and News.

EARTH SHOCK. On Tuesday night a slight earth tremor was feIt at 11 35. It sounded like the rumble of thunder, and caused the windows of houses to rattle. It appeared to be travelling from east to west, and was followed by a rush of wind from that quarter immediately afterwards, the night previously having been perfectly calm. It lasted about five seconds.

1918 05 01 at 00:30 UTC, Torrens Vale

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 11 May 1918, page 9

DELAMERE, May 2.— A slight earth shock was experienced here on Wednesday, about 10 a.m.

TORRENS VALE, May 2.— A slight earth tremor was felt here at 10 a.m. yesterday. It appeared to travel from west to east. At Yankalilla, five miles distant, it was not felt.

1918 05 08 at 10:00 UTC, Eurelia

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Monday 13 May 1918, page 5

EURELIA, May 9. A violent earthquake shock was felt yesterday at 7.34 p.m. The rumbling noise was heard for more than a minute. It travelled approximately north-east to South-west. This is the heaviest felt here since 1902.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Thursday 9 May 1918, page 5

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK

PETERBOROUGH RESIDENTS TERRIFIED.

PETERBOROUGH, May 8.

A severe earth tremor passed through, the town at 10 minutes to 8 o’clock to-night. Houses were shaken, furniture was moved, and crockery rattled. The tremor was the most severe felt here and several people were terrified. It was travelling from south-west to north-east, and lasted about five seconds.

1918 05 09 at 13:00 UTC, Torrens Vale

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Saturday 11 May 1918, page 6

AN EARTH TREMOR. The Deputy Postmaster-General received a message on Friday morning from the postmaster at Greenock stating that an earth tremor, travelling from north to south, occurred there on Thursday evening, at half-past 10. It was very severe, and lasted for about four seconds. A shock also occurred at 10.30 on Thursday night at Nuriootpa. There was a loud rumbling. The tremor was of short duration. Reports of seismic disturbances have also reached The Register, from its correspondents at Greenock, Carrieton, Hornsdale, and other places.

Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1912 – 1923), Friday 10 May 1918, page 1

SEVERE EARTH TREMOR.

In Barossa District.

The Deputy Postmaster-General received a message on Friday morning from the postmaster at Greenock stating that an earth tremor travelling from north to south, occurred there on Thursday evening, at half past 10. It was very severe, and lasted for about four seconds.

NURIOOTPA, May 10. An earthquake shock occurred at 10.30 on Thursday night. There was a loud rumbling. The tremor was of a short duration. A splendid rain has fallen, and is invaluable to producers.

1918 05 23-25 at many times, Spalding swarm, multiple events

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Thursday 30 May 1918, page 3

EARTHSHOCKS AT SPALDING.

From “YAKILO,” Spalding:— On May 23 there were heard here eight earth tremors. On the 24th there were shocks at 7.10 a.m., 7.30, 7.45, and 9, three at 9.20, and others at 11.15, 1.20, and 1.30. Some say there were 14 tremors in all. On the 25th three more were felt, some were fairly heavy.

1918 05 30 at 11:30 UTC, Kensington – doubtful with only one reporting it

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Saturday 1 June 1918, page 6

A SLIGHT EARTH TREMOR.

A Resident of Kensington telephoned to The Register Office last night that an earth tremor had been felt in that neighbourhood at about 9 o’clock. When an officer at the Adelaide Observatory was asked whether he had noticed the shock, he replied that he had not. After having consulted the seismograph, however, he stated that that instrument indicated “just the barest trace” of a tremor, which appeared to have occurred at about 9 o’clock.

1918 10 24 at 18:30 UTC, Bugle Range

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Monday 28 October 1918, page 3

BUGLE RANGES, October 25.—At 4 a.m. to-day an earth tremor shook houses and windows.

1918 11 05 at 00:44 and 01:40 UTC, Eudunda – felt Adelaide – Parliament House rocked

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wednesday 6 November 1918, page 2

EARTH TREMOR.

An earth tremor occurred in South Australia shortly after 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning. According to the reports received by the Deputy Postmaster-General (Mr. E. W. Bramble) the meteorological officer (Mr. Bromley), the Government Astronomer (Mr. Dodwell), and others it extended from Terowie, in the north, to Meadows, in the south. The whole pedestal of the seismograph at the Observatory was shaken, and the record showed that the movement began at 14m. 24s. after 10, and reached its maximum 21 seconds later. The centre of the disturbance appears to have been near Morgan. From some localities, it was announced that two distinct tremors were felt, and that the movement was from north-east to south-west. Mr. Bromley, who was in his office at the Observatory, noticed the weight attached to one of the barographs oscillating, and an examination revealed that the pen had made a mark of about half an inch amplitude. The passage of the tremor was felt in many of the buildings in the city and suburbs, and here and there articles were dislodged. In a chemist’s shop at North Adelaide some bottles were shaken from shelves, and Parliament House rocked slightly. Mr. Dodwell estimated the duration of the tremor at from one half minute to a minute.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Wednesday 6 November 1918, page 6

WIDESPREAD EARTH TREMOR. An earth tremor of slight to moderate intensity occurred in South Australia shortly after 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning, and, according to the reports received by the Deputy Postmaster-General (Mr. Bramble) the Meteorological Officer (Mr. Bromley), the Government Astronomer (Mr. Dodwell), and others, extended from Terowie, in the north, to Meadows, in the south. The whole pedestal of the seismograph at the Observatory, was shaken, and the record showed, that the movement began at 14m. 24s. after 10 a.m., and reached its maximum 24 seconds later. The centre of the disturbance appears to have been near Morgan. From some localities it was announced that two distinct tremors were felt, and that the movement was from northeast to south-west. Mr. Bromley, who was in his office at the Observatory, noticed the weight attached to one of the barographs oscillating, and an examination of the recording cylinder revealed that the pen had made a mark of about half an inch amplitude. The passage of the tremor was felt in many of the buildings in the city and suburbs. Parliament House rocked slightly. Here and there articles were dislodged. A chemist’s shop at North Adelaide reported that some bottles were shaken from shelves. So far as Mr. Dodwell was able to judge the duration of the tremor was from half a minute to a minute. Our Nuriootpa correspondent reported: — “An unusually severe earthshock was felt at 10.15 a.m., accompanied by a rumbling noise.” At the Burra the tremor lasted about 15 seconds, and was reported as having been, severe. About an hour later a second and less pronounced shock followed. Terowie, Angaston, Murray Bridge, and Point Pass recorded a similar disturbance.

Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 – 1954), Friday 8 November 1918, page 2

WIDESPREAD EARTH TREMOR

An earth tremor of slight to moderate intensity occurred in South Australia shortly after 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning, and, according to the reports received by the Deputy-Post master General (Mr. Bramble), the Government Astronomer (Mr. Dodwell), and others, extended from Terowie, in the north, to Meadows, in the south. The whole pedestal of the seismograph at the Observatory was shaken, and the record showed that the movement began at 12 m. 24 s. after 10 a.m., and reached its maximum 24 seconds later. The centre of the disturbance appears to have been near Morgan. The shock was also felt at Mount Barker about 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning the rattling of windows being very distinct.

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Tuesday 5 November 1918, page 1

EARTH TREMOR FELT IN ADELAIDE, A DISTINCT VIBRATION.

A slight earth tremor was recorded in various parts of South Australia on Tuesday at about 10.15 a.m. It was felt by many people in the metropolitan area. At North Adelaide in some of the houses the pictures on the walls were seen to move, and in a chemist’s shop one or two bottles were shaken over. The shock was distinctly felt at Parliament House, one of the most solid buildings in Adelaide. In a number of offices in the centre of the city the vibration lasted for several seconds. The upper storey of the General Post-office was so shaken that the occurrence caused a mild sensation among the staff. The Deputy Postmaster-General (Mr. E. W. Bramble) felt a movement of the table at which he was seated, and he went to a window overlooking King William-street to see what sized waggon could have caused the building to shake in such a manner. In the telegraph operating room the tremor was very noticeable, and plaster was shaken down from the ceiling. At the West-terrace Meteorological Bureau Mr. Bromley heard the windows rattle, and on looking up saw that the shock had been sufficient to oscillate the mechanism of the barograph or self-recording barometer. This instrument is bolted to the wall, and has a heavy weight adjustment.

There was a variation of fully half an inch in the amplitude of the pen arm at 10.15 a.m. At the Observatory the Government Astronomer (Mr. G. F. Dodwell) stated that he had received reports of the tremor from various parts of the suburbs, including Wayville, Glenelg, and Glen Osmond. It was generally stated to have been felt for the short space of 5 to 10 seconds, but the seismograph record shows the actual period of duration to have been 30 sec. The seismograph is a delicate instrument for recording important shocks to cause vibrations of the earth’s surface for immense distances. Tuesday morning’s tremor was local in character, and caused a displacement of the whole pedestal.

Reports from the country showed that the earthshock had been felt, among other places, at Terowie, Whyte-Yarcowie, Eudunda, Greenock, Morgan, Clare, Clarendon, and Meadows. The times given varied from 10:13 a.m. at Morgan to 10.17 at Eudunda, and 10.13 at Clare. The centre of the movement is believed to have been some miles to the north or north-east of Adelaide.

MORGAN, November 5.—To-day at 10.15 a.m. a severe earth tremor occurred here. It travelled from east to west, and lasted several seconds. The rumbling was distinct. The severity of the shock is borne out by the fact that a 2¼-in. wire line, which was holding a barge, which had been pulled up on the Murray bank for repairs by the Ellen, was broken by the vibration. Capt. Alexander asserts that the wire was very taut, and at the time of the shock snapped.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 6 November 1918, page 7

EARTH TREMOR. FELT IN ADELAIDE. A DISTINCT VIBRATION.

A slight earth tremor was recorded in various parts of South Australia on Tuesday at about 10.15 a.m. It was felt by many people in the metropolitan area. At North Adelaide in some of the houses the pictures on the walls were seen to move, and in a chemist’s shop one or two bottles were shaken over. The shock was distinctly felt at Parliament House, one of the most solid buildings in Adelaide. In a number of offices in the centre of the city the vibration lasted for several seconds. The upper storey of the General Post-office was so shaken that the occurrence caused a mild sensation among the staff. In the telegraph operating room the tremor was very noticeable, and plaster was shaken down from the ceiling. At the West-terrace Meteorological Bureau Mr. Bromley heard the windows rattle, and on looking up saw that the shock had been sufficient to oscillate the mechanism of the barograph or self-recording barometer. This instrument is bolted to the wall, and has a heavy weight adjustment. There was a variation of fully half an inch in the amplitude of the pen arm at 10.15 a.m. At the Observatory the Government Astronomer (Mr. G. F. Dodwell) stated that he had received reports of the tremor from various parts of the suburbs, including Wayville, Glenelg, and Glen Osmond. It was generally stated to have been felt for 5 to 10 seconds, but the seismograph record shows the actual period of duration to have been 30 sec. The seismograph is a delicate instrument for recording important shocks that cause vibrations of the earth’s surface for immense distances. Tuesday morning’s tremor was local in character, and caused a displacement of the whole pedestal.

Reports from the country showed that the earthshock had been felt, among other places, at Terowie, Whyte-Yarcowie, Eudunda, Greenock, Morgen, Clare, Clarendon, and Meadows. The times given varied from 10.13 a.m. at Morgan to 10.17 at Eudunda, and 10.18 at Clare. The centre of the movement is believed to have been some miles to the north or north-east of Adelaide. Our Burra correspondent telegraphed: One of the most severe shocks of earthquake for over 20 years was experienced here this morning at 10.18, travelling from north-west to south-east. A lighter shock occurred at 11.30. Our Terowie correspondent also refers to a slighter movement at about 11.24.

Petersburg Times (SA : 1887 – 1919), Friday 8 November 1918, page 2.

Local and General News

Earth Tremor—An earthquake shock was experienced in Peterborough at 10.45 a.m. on Tuesday. It appeared to be travelling from the north.

Blyth Agriculturist (SA : 1908 – 1954), Friday 8 November 1918, page 2

EARTH TREMOR. An earth tremor was felt in Blyth on Tuesday morning last, about 10 o’clock. The shock lasted five or six seconds, and the vibration could be distinctly felt.

Leader (Angaston, SA : 1918 – 1954), Thursday 7 November 1918, page 2

At about 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning, an earth tremor, lasting for several seconds, was experienceed in this district: but beyond swaying thing a bit, had no ill effect.

Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 – 1951), Friday 8 November 1918, page 2

EARTH SHOCK.

A severe earth shock was felt in Kapunda on Tuesday morning last, shortly after 10 o’clock. It lasted some time, and the effect was very noticeable on windows, doors, crockery, &c. The Adelaide observatory authorities report that the centre of the disturbance was supposed to be near Morgan.

Northern Argus (Clare, SA : 1869 – 1954), Friday 15 November 1918, page 1

Blyth Earth Tremor. An earth tremor was felt at Blyth on Tuesday morning last, about 10 o’clock, The shock lasted five or six seconds, and the vibration could be distinctly felt.

1918 02 14	17:59	-34.3	139.1	3.2	Bagot Wells	This paper
1918 02 26	14:05	-33.7	138.9	3.2	Kooringa/Burra	This paper
1918 02 26	17:30	-33.7	138.9	2.5	Kooringa/Burra	This paper
1918 05 01	00:30	-35.6	138.3	3.1	Torrens Vale	This paper
1918 05 08	10:00	-32.98	138.83	3.5	Eurelia	Dix/This paper
1918 05 09	13:00	-34.5	139.0	3.0	Torrens Vale	Dix/This paper
1918 05 23	21:40	-33.5	138.6	3.0	Spalding swarm	This paper
1918 05 23	22:00	-33.5	138.6	2.5	Spalding swarm	This paper
1918 05 23	22:15	-33.5	138.6	2.5	Spalding swarm	This paper
1918 05 23	23:30	-33.5	138.6	2.5	Spalding swarm	This paper
1918 05 23	23:50	-33.5	138.6	2.5	Spalding swarm	This paper
1918 05 24	01:45	-33.5	138.6	2.5	Spalding swarm	This paper
1918 05 24	03:50	-33.5	138.6	2.5	Spalding swarm	This paper
1918 05 24	04:00	-33.5	138.6	2.5	Spalding swarm	This paper
1918 10 24	18:30	-35.1	138.9	2.5	Bugle Range	This paper
1918 11 05	00:44	-33.6	139.0	4.8	Eudunda felt Adelaide	Dix/This paper
1918 11 05	01:40	-33.6	139.0	2.5	Eudunda	This paper

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1918

1919

As happened last year, an earthquake swarm occurred at Spalding in November and December, the mainshock on 1 December, at least magnitude 3.5, walls were reported cracked, and plaster and pictures fell to the ground. As now, the cause of these earthquake swarms was unaccountable. The year’s largest earthquake, at Orroroo on 21 October, was only magnitude 3.6, a very quiet year to end the decade.

1919 01 04 at 20:00 UTC, Eucla WA

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Wednesday 8 January 1919, page 6

BELATED EARTHSHOCK TEtDEGRAM

The Postmaster-General’s Department received the following telegram to-day (communicated our Melbourne representative on Tuesday night) from the post-master at Eucla:— A very pronounced earth tremor was felt here at about 5 a.m. on Sunday. It lasted about 20s. Buildings shook and the telegraph sounders rattled as if reversals were being sent.

1919 02 22 at 20:45 UTC, Carrieton

Petersburg Times (SA : 1887 – 1919), Friday 28 February 1919, page 3 Eurelia

On Sunday at 6.15 a.m. a slight earthquake shock was felt at Eurelia. There was a low, rumbling noise lasting about 20 seconds. The shock was travelling from north to south.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Wednesday 26 February 1919, page 6

EARTHQUAKE REPORTED.

Our Carrieton correspondent wrote on Sunday:— A very severe earthquake shock was felt here this morning at 6.25. Buildings were shaken and articles of crockery rattled. The apparent direction was from west to east.

1919 03 01 at 00:45 UTC, Gladstone/Appila Yarrowie

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 8 March 1919, page 31

EARTH TREMORS.

APPILA-YARROWIE, March 1.—A severe earth tremor was experienced here this morning. It lasted several seconds, and was accompanied by a rumbling noise. Windows, roofs, and crockery rattled.

GLADSTONE, March 2.—On Saturday morning at 10.15 o’clock, a severe earth tremor occurred here. It appeared to be travelling from west to east, and rumbled like a passing train. Crockery and glass-ware clattered, and other articles moved perceptibly. The teachers and scholars of the Methodist Sunday School had a surprise when they went to open the school on Sunday. They found the front door would not open, and when finally an entrance was enected it was ascertained that half the ceiling of the premises had fallen, class partitions had been broken, forms smashed, and the lighting arrangements disarranged. Lath and plaster filled practically half the hall. The school adjourned to the church. The damage is estimated at about £50. It is most fortunate that the occurrence happened when it did, for if the mishap had taken place when school was in progress a large number of scholars would have been injured.

GULNARE, March 3.—A smart, though brief, earthquake was felt here at 10.15 o’clock on Saturday morning. The disturbance resembled an explosion more than the usual rumbling.

HORNSDALE, March 2.—At 11 a.m. yesterday a sharp earthshock was felt. It travelled from north to south, and lasted a few seconds. Stone houses shook, and crockery rattled.

TEROWIE, March 3.—Many local residents felt an earth tremor on Saturday morning shortly after 10 a.m.

JAMESTOWN, March 3.—On Saturday a severe earthquake was experienced here at a quarter-past 10 o’clock in the morning. Buildings, doors, and windows shook perceptibly. The disturbance was preceded by a low rumbling noise, and appeared to be travelling in a north-easterly direction.

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 – 1954), Monday 3 March 1919, page 3

Earthquake Near Pirie

MORE NOISE THAN MOVEMENT.

Gladstone, Saturday.

A sharp earth tremor was experienced at Gladstone at twenty-five minutes past ten this morning, apparently travelling from south-east to north-west. There was more noise than movement, although it caused windows to rattle violently. Some folks thought it was a collision or derailment at the station. The noise was as though three or four trollies had crashed into galvanised iron wall. The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was perfectly clear at the time. The temperature was 74.0 degrees in the shade.

Figure 22 Damaging earthquake near Gladstone on Saturday 01 March 1919 at 10:15 am CST, magnitude 3.6 from felt area.

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA :

1919 – 1954), Monday 3 March 1919, page 3

DURATION OF FIVE SECONDS.

Jamestown, Saturday. A very heavy shock of earthquake was felt here at 10.16 this morning. It

lasted about five seconds, and appeared to be travelling from east to west.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Tuesday 4 March 1919, page 6

EARTH TREMORS.

REPORTS FROM THE NORTH.

APPILA-YARROWIE, March 1.—A severe earth tremor was experienced here this morning. It lasted several seconds, and was accompanied by a rumbling noise. Windows, roofs, and crockery rattled.

GLADSTONE, March 2—On Saturday morning at 10.15 o’clock, a severe earth tremor occurred here. It appeared to be travelling from west to east, and rumbled like a passing train. Crockery and glassware clattered, and other articles moved perceptibly. The teachers and scholars of the Methodist Sunday School had a surprise when they went to open the school on Sunday. They found the front door would not open, and when finally an entrance was effected it was ascertained that half the ceiling of the premises had fallen, class partitions had been broken, forms smashed, and the lighting arrangements disarranged, lath and plaster filled practically hall the hall. The school adjourned to the church. The damage is estimated at about £50. It is most fortunate that the occurrence happened when it did, for if the mishap had taken place when school was in progress a large number of scholars would have been injured.

GULNARE, March 3.— A smart, though brief, earthquake was felt here at 10.15 o’clock on Saturday morning. The disturbance resembled an explosion more than the usual rumbling.

HORNSDALE, March 2.— At 11 a.m. yesterday a sharp earthshock was felt. It travelled from north to south, and lasted a few seconds. Stone houses shook, and crockery rattled.

TEROWIE, March 3.— Many local residents felt an earth tremor on Saturday morning shortly after 10 a.m.

JAMESTOWN, March 3.— On Saturday a severe earthquake was witnessed here at a quarter-past 10 o’clock in the morning. Buildings, doors, and windows shook perceptibly. The disturbance was preceded by a low rumbling noise, and appeared to be travelling in a north-easterly direction.

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 – 1954), Tuesday 4 March 1919, page 2

Damages

AFTERMATH OF SATURDAYS SHOCK.

GLADSTONE, Saturday.

A startling discovery awaited the teachers and scholars of the Gladstone Methodist Sunday School on Sunday afternoon, for on attempting to enter the building they found the floor covered with the wreckage from the ceiling, no less than 500 square feet of which, together with the timbers supporting it, had fallen bodily, on to the seats and floor, smashing all but eight of the seats. It was fortunate that it all happened whilst the building was unoccupied, for had it taken place whilst school was assembled live classes would have been affected and a big loss of life resulted. The building is a solidly built structure of stone 40 x 25, and has been erected about 40 years. The porch at the entrance has been wrenched away from the wall fully six inches. None of the windows were broken nor the walls cracked. It is estimated that it will take from £80 to £100 to repair the damage.

Off that side of the town the earthquake shock must have been more severe than on the east side. At the residence of Mr Wynnes, where there is a large tank capable of holding 3000 gallons of water, it was noticed that the water oscillated for a full half minute and articles fell from the cheffoniere to the floor.

1919 07 14 time?, Caltowie

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Tuesday 22 July 1919, page 8

CALTOWIE, July 17.—A slight earth shock was felt here on the night of the 14th. travelling from the south-west to the north-east.

1919 07 29 and 1919 07 31 time?, Hornsdale

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 9 August 1919, page 11

HORNSDALE, July 30.—A slight earth shock was felt here last night. The tremour lasted five seconds, and passed from west to east.

HORNSDALE, August 1.—Another earth tremor has occurred here, lasting three seconds, and travelling from north-east to south.

1919 08 01 at 16:45 UTC, Caltowie

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 16 August 1919, page 10

CALTOWIE, August 4.—A very distinct earth tremor was experienced here on Saturday morning at 2.15. It appeared to be travelling from south-west to north-east, and its duration was about 16 seconds.

HORNSDALE, August 4.—On Saturday, at 2.30 a.m., a severe earth tremor was felt, the second that week, lasting 7 seconds, and passing from north-west to south-east.

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 – 1954), Saturday 9 August 1919, page 36

SHOCKS IN THE COUNTRY.

Caltowie, August 3.

Two distinct earth shocks were felt this morning. The first occurred at 12.30 a.m., and the second, which was much more violent, at 2.15 a.m. Both were travelling from south-west to north-east.

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Monday 11 August 1919, page 4
PORT PIRIE’S ‘EARTHQUAKE’
FOUL AIR BLOWS HOLE IN FOOTPATH.
Mild excitement was created here yesterday afternoon, wired our Port Pirie correspondent last night. Owing to an explosion of bad air in the sewer pipes which run down Alexander street about 8 or 9 square feet of the asphalt road was torn up. The noise could be heard a great distance, and many people thought it was an earthquake. The force of the explosion could be judged by the fact that the asphalt, both on the road and footpath, was of a particularly hard nature. The crack along the road continued for several yards. Simultaneous with the explosion the air shot through to the drain at the corner and scattered dirty water and mud in all directions. There were a large number of men at the corner who received a rude shock when they suddenly had a shower of mud thrown over them.
It is rather a coincidence that at the last meeting of the council a complaint was received from a business man of Alexander street regarding the offensive smell that emanated from the drain. The council decided to inspect it and on the morning following the meeting an inspection was made, and it was informally decided to erect ventilators. Councillor Jenkins stated that if the council did not erect ventilators there would be an explosion as the foul air had no outlet. After the explosion on Saturday it seems as if Nature was demonstrating the fact.

The Government Astronomer stated on August 5 that he had received a letter from Mr. J. C. Richardson, of Laura, saying that early on Saturday morning a severe tremor was felt in Laura, lasting about twenty seconds, and accompanied by rumbling, louder and more continuous than any that had been experienced in the district for a number of years.

1919 10 05 at 11:05 UTC, Farrell’s Flat

Burra Record (SA : 1878 – 1954), Wednesday 8 October 1919, page 3

FARRELL’S FLAT. At 8.35 on Sunday evening, two distinct earth tremors were felt.

1919 10 21 at 21:50 UTC, Melrose

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Thursday 23 October 1919, page 6

EARTHQUAKE IN THE NORTH.

Our Orroroo correspondent telegraphed on Wednesday:— “A heavy earthquake was felt at 8 o’clock this morning, travelling from east to west.” From Hornsdale came the following message: — “A severe earthshock was felt here this morning passing from north to south.”

Figure 23 Felt area of the Melrose earthquake of 21 October 1919, magnitude 4.3.

Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 – 1954), Friday 24 October 1919, page 3

JAMESTOWN

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK ON WEDNESDAY.

At 7.20 on Wednesday morning a distinct earthquake shock passed through the town. The vibration was not severe. It lasted several seconds.

Transcontinental (Port Augusta, SA : 1914 – 1954), Friday 24 October 1919, page 2

A severe earth tremor was felt at Port Augusta about 7.30 Wednesday morning, and was passing from north to south.

Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA : 1919 – 1950), Friday 31 October 1919, page 3

EURELIA.

Oct. 27th.— On Wednesday morning last about half past 7 o’clock, old mother earth tried her best to throw the lazy people out of bed, rattle crockery about, over-balance pictures on the walls and upset things generally. It was the most severe tremor that has been noticed for years, and distant rumblings could be heard for quite ten minutes.

1919 11 17 at 22:30 UTC, Terowie

Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 – 1922), Wednesday 19 November 1919, page 2

Distinct earth tremors were felt at Terowie a few minutes after 8 a.m. on November 18.

Burra Record (SA : 1878 – 1954), Wednesday 19 November 1919, page 2

Two severe earth tremors were experienced at Leighton on Monday morning, about 8 o’clock. Windows rattled and buildings shook, but no damage was done.

1919 12 01 at 11:30 UTC, Spalding — large event of earthquake swarm late Nov- early Dec

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Thursday 4 December 1919, page 9

EARTH TREMORS IN THE NORTH.

Reports have been reaching the city for come time from the Booboorowie district that there were being experienced there a succession of slight earth tremors. Mr. G. F. Dodwell, B.A. (Govermnent Astronomer), when spoken to on the matter, stated that he had been communicated with from the country on the subject. The tremors appeared to extend for about a 20-mile radius round Booboorowie. They were slight in character. He had examined the seismograph record for the period from November 25 to 28 and had found that there had been slight tremors for a continuous period on November 26 and 27. The dry spell might have had some causative influence in producing the phenomena. There were considerable tremors in 1914, which were perhaps the result of a progressive shrinkage of the ground through the drying to a considerable depth of the moisture in the earth’s surface strata. Many of the deeper-seated springs had also failed at that time.

Bundaleer Springs, December 1.

Spalding, December 2.

Earthquake swarm – Spalding
Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 29 November 1919, p 28
EARTH TREMORS.
During the past three or four weeks (writes a Spalding correspondent) an average of about six earthquakes in each 24 hours has been recorded in this locality. To-day there have been two fairly heavy disturbances, and five or six smaller ones. Local people are becoming quite accustomed to the rumblings, but visitors are surprised somewhat.

The frequent occurrence of these tremors seems unaccountable.

Northern Argus (Clare, SA : 1869 – 1954), Friday 12 December 1919, p 5
District News.
SPALDING, December 4.
With regard to earthquake shocks, we have had about 39 or more, some during the last three weeks causing buildings to shake, and articles to fall to the floor. No damage to buildings has been reported.

the roar of a big flood as it rattled through the hills to the east of the town. It lasted fully ten minutes. Buildings quivered, windows rattled, crockery jingled on the shelves, walls were cracked, and plaster and pictures fell to the ground. This was quickly followed by three more tremors of less violence.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Wednesday 3 December 1919, page 7

A NORTHERN MYSTERY.

Six Weeks of Earth Tremors.

Mr. John Melrose, of Ulooloo, writes to The Register:— “Daily, for the last six weeks or more, residents round about this district have been watchin the press for some explanation of what has gone wrong with the works of the earth, or something having influence over it. So far as I have noticed, only one correspondent has remarked on the phenomena, and that one was, I think, from Spalding. In the last six weeks we have hardly missed a day without feeling earth waves or hearing rumblings. On some days there have been as many as a dozen; and they appear to me to be generally from the north-west, although many people think they come from other directions. The duration is usually short. Mostly they are simply rumbling sounds as of a heavily laden trolly, with which the horses have got away over hollow ground or over a large bridge. Others shake buildings and rattle the gas globes and loosely hanging articles. The tremors or noises average three or more in a day; so that I am well within the mark in estimating the total number heard or felt at something over a hundred. We would be glad to hear what our Government Meteorologist has to say on the subject, and whether the seismograph has recorded anything.”

—Governor Astronomer’s Statement.—

The Government Astronomer (Mr. G. F. Dodwell, B.A.), when shown the above letter, stated that he had received a somewhat similar communication from the post-mistress at Hallett, who stated that a great number of tremors, not of a severe character, had been felt there, accompanied by a noise like the rumble of a laden dray. At times they appeared to shake the house as the passing of a heavy vehicle would. The tremors were most severe on the Booborowie Plain, 10 miles distant, between the two ranges. Mr. Dodwell, continuing, said:— “I have examined the seismograph record for the period November 25 to 28, and find that the first-mentioned day was fairly quiet, but that on the other days— particularly November 27 and 28— micro-seismic tremors are indicated, more or less continuously, and mainly during the hours between 3 p.m. and 8 a.m. Similar experiences were recorded a few years ago, but not over so long a period as your correspondent indicates. The dry season may have some causative influence in these phenomena. At the time of the last drought, 1914, considerable tremors, which were perhaps the result of a progressive shrinkage of the ground through the drying to a considerable depth of the moisture in the earth’s surface strata, caused cracks to develop in buildings. Many of the deeper-seated springs also failed at that time. In places where there are geological ‘faulting’ and instability, such as occur in certain parts of our ranges, and particularly the Flinders Range, the effect of a dry season may thus be the factor in causing minor readjustments and consequent tremors.”

1919 12 07 at 06:00 UTC, McLaren Vale

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wednesday 17 December 1919, page 8

AN EARTH SHOCK.

Middleton, December 15.—A slight earth-shock, accompanied by a loud rumbling noise, occurred here on Sunday afternoon about 3 o’clock.

McLAREN VALE, December 13.—An earth tremor was distinctly heard and felt here at about 4 p.m. on Sunday. Its disturbance appeared to be travelling from east to west.

1919 12 15 time?, Hornsdale

Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 – 1931), Saturday 3 January 1920, page 6

Rural Voice.

HORNSDALE, December 16.—An earth tremor was felt here last night, passing from east to west, and lasting 14 seconds. A strong north wind had been blowing all day, preventing reaping. The harvest is almost finished—much earlier than last year.

1919 12 14 at ~05:30 UTC, Delamere

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Friday 19 December 1919, page 12

DELAMERE, December 17 .– A slight earth tremor was experienced here on Sunday afternoon. It appeared to be travelling from north to south.

1919 12 16 at ?time, Jamestown

Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wednesday 17 December 1919, page 4

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

On the eve of the predicted “earthwobble,” which is supposed to eventuate to-day, more than one nervy citizen was on the qui vive for portents. Mr. Dodwell (Government Astronomer) stated last night that what was described as a rather severe earthshock was reported from Jamestown that day. Possibly it was one of the series with which the mid-northern districts in general are being favored just now. A lady resident of Parkside stated that she felt two slight earth tremors yesterday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The seismograph at the Observatory is examined twice a week, and will be scrutinised again probably on Thursday. Slight local disturbances are not always, however, recorded by the instrument.

Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 – 1929), Monday 15 December 1919, page 6

MYSTERIOUS NOISES. The great Australian bush is full of mysteries. Many of them escape all except the most observant eyes. Others, although plain to the sight, retain their mysterious character through all the years. Others, again, may be heard— occasionally— but cannot be seen. I was reminded of these facts (writes “Bandicoot”) during on interesting chat with Mr. A. W. Cocks, who for a number of years was owner of Wilgena Station, in the north-west. The building in which we happened to be was throbbing with sounds, all of which were unfamiliar to Mr. Cocks, who, in answer to a question, remarked, “Many times during my stay in the outback country I heard noises the cause of which never has been satisfactorily explained. They certainly could not have been made by man, because there was nobody in the vicinity to make them. As a rule they resembled blasting at a stone quarry. Sometimes the sound came from high in the air, and at others from gullies. Such reports I have heard after the bursting of meteorites. The most remarkable, however, was when I was travelling from Wilgena to Port Augusta, with my wife, child, nurse, and man, about the year 1902, in November. The time was about 5 a.m. The man was out after the horses, and the remainder of us were having breakfast. There was not a sign of a cloud. A loud, sharp crack was heard— undoubtedly over-head—like the report from a field gun. A few seconds later what seemed to be volleys of musketry occurred. After these sounds had proceeded for about a minute, I looked at my watch to ascertain how long they would continue. The sounds like musketry – still coming from the sky— gradually went out of hearing to the north-west. It was over four minutes from the time I looked at my watch until the sounds died completely away. On the man’s return to camp with the horses he reported that he had heard the same noises, which were also heard, we learnt later, by Mr. Yates (a district road inspector), at his camp, 25 miles from ours, to the north-west, at Ashton Hills Tank. They were also heard at Arcoona, about 25 miles to the north-eastward. There had been partial heavy thunderstorms the day previously, but at the time of the noises the sky was cloudless, and it continued so all day. There was no flash of light or earth tremor. I sent a report of the occurrence to Sir Charles Todd at the time. We subsequently had many conversations about the matter, but could come to no conclusion regarding the cause. Sir Charles tried to persuade me that the sounds must have come from the earth, and possibly had been due to a land slip. This is out of question. The sounds were distinctly overhead.”

1919 02 22	20:50	-32.4	138.6	3.0	Carrieton	This paper
1919 03 01	00:45	-33.2	138.7	3.6	Gladstone	This paper
1919 07 14	–	-33.2	138.4	2.5	Caltowie	This paper
1919 08 01	15:00	-33.2	138.4	2.5	Caltowie	This paper
1919 08 01	16:45	-33.2	138.4	3.0	Caltowie	This paper
1919 10 05	11:05	-33.82	138.78	2.5	Farrell’s Flat	This paper
1919 10 21	22:30	-32.84	138.14	4.3	Melrose	This paper
1919 12 01	11:30	-33.5	138.7	3.5	Booboorowie*	This paper
1919 12 07	06:00	-35.4	138.6	3.2	McLaren Vale	This paper
1919 12 14	05:30	-35.6	138.2	2.5	Delamere	This paper
1919 12 15	–	-33.1	138.5	3.0	Hornsdale	This paper
1919 12 16	–	-33.2	138.6	2.5	Jamestown	This paper

Earthquakes in South Australia, 1919

Note the earthquake swarm in November/December at Booboorowie, felt for 30km, Spalding and district, Booboorowie, Hallett and Ulooloo, an estimated 100 events.