February 22, 1913 Earthquake: Tasman Sea, New Zealand

On February 22, 1913, at 12:38 [local time] a destructive earthquake occurred in Westport, the strength of which was estimated at 7 degrees (VIII according to the Rossi-Forel scale). The shock was preceded and accompanied by roaring noises similar to artillery barrages or mine explosions, and they continued for almost a minute. The first vibrations were strong, then abated, increased again for 20-30 seconds, and then subsided. Many ovens cracked, although none were completely ruined. The chimneys had either partially collapsed, cracked or were turned slightly. A brick building had shifted almost 1 cm from its foundation. In stores and houses (wooden houses with sheet metal roofs) objects were generally thrown from their shelves. Several window panes were broken; all the inhabitants fled into the streets, and there were some cases of seasickness.

The earthquake had a similar effect in the narrow coastal zone for a distance of 15 km north of Westport. Here, as in Westport itself, the soil consists mostly of weakly consolidated pebbles and sand lying on rock beds.

At Cape Foulwind, the earth developed cracks from which mud was ejected. South of Westport, the earthquake was still severe even in Greymouth. Here, fireplaces were damaged, objects were thrown from shelves, bells rang by themselves, an most of the inhabitants fled into the streets. Some and people had the sensation of being seasick.

Further inland, in the mountains on bedrock, the tremors were less severe. Here the earthquake had caused small cracks in the roads which cut across the mountain slopes, and some trees were uprooted. In the coal mines of Deniston and Millerton the tremors were not very strong, but the accompanying roar was deafening.

The earthquake was rather strong in Caramia, and it was felt in Nelson and Hokitika, but not in Wellington. Over the next two or three weeks many weak shocks were recorded in Westport. Moreover, there were about the same number of shocks with rumbling sounds as without, and again as many rumbling sounds without a shock being felt.

The earthquake occurred two hours after an equinoctial-like flood tide hit Westport. Soon after the earthquake, the sea level rose to a high mark and all the stalls on the beach were flooded.

(above from reference #415)

References #79 and #132 list the date as February 26, 1913.