Earthquakes Recorded at Kew

Abstract

DURING the period December 1, 1943–February 1, 1944, eight strong earthquakes were registered at Kew. Of these, three were in December, four in January and one on February 1. Two earthquakes were registered on December 1, the first being at 06h. 18m. 50s. G.M.T. from an epicentre tentatively calculated to have been 14,600 km. distant. The maximum amplitude attained at Kew was 26μ. The second on December 1 was registered at Kew at lOh. 47m. 59s. G.M.T., and this also attained a ground amplitude at Kew of 26 μ. Its epicentre has been calculated by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey in co-operation with Science Service and the Jesuit Seismological Association to have been at lat. 20·2° S., long. 68·1° W., which is in south-west Bolivia. Its depth of focus was probably near 100 km. On December 23 an earthquake was registered at Kew at 19h. 21m. 32s. G.M.T. and attained a maximum amplitude at Kew of 115μ. Its epicentral position has been calculated by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey to have been near lat. 6° S., long. 152° E., which is east of New Guinea. Other earthquakes occurred on January 5 (two), 10, and 16. The earthquake on February 1 registered at Kew at 03h. 27m. 59s. G.M.T., had a maximum ground amplitude at Kew of l,000μ it has already been mentioned in the columns of NATURE as having occurred in Turkey.