Affects Rarotonga

N. Pacific Tidal Wave Affects Rarotonga

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, April 2.

RAROTONGA, too, has had its marine disturbances recently, although they were but a pale reflection of the disaster that originated in the North Pacific and overwhelmed Hilo (Hawaiian Islands).

People returning to business after the lunch-hour on April 1, were astonished to see the water rapidly receding from the Avarua and Avatiu harbours.

The levels fell until the rocky bottoms of both were revealed, the water from the surrounding shallows cascading down the jagged coral walls and draining a large area, while the streams which feed the harbours were forcibly emptied.

In a short time the water welled up again, overflowing the normal level apd washing inshore.

This “swilling” action continued, gathering momentum until the harbours were emptying and filling at about ten minute intervals. Considering the large body of water involved, the fluctuations occurred with surprising rapidity, the passages emptying and overflowing in the space of about two minutes.

A PECULIAR feature of the pheno menon was that though the har bours were fluctuating so violently, there was no particularly noticeable mis behavour on the part of the surf on the edge of the adjacent reefs. The ocean was farily quiet at the time, the tide low, and no abnormal disturance of the surface water was apparent. As the harbours drained, the seething water appeared to bank up steeply to meet the ocean level at the harbour mouth.

Masses of floating debris swept from the beaches shunted continually between the shore and the seaward end of the har bour. rE greatest fluctuations occurred at 4.30 p.m. The water from the over flows then crossed the road in front of the Administration buildings. Efforts were made to save the Union SS Co. motor launch which was plunging down the slope towards the deepest part of the harbour with each recession.

The launch was finally overwhelmed and filled, but with this extra weight it broke its last moorings on the next surge and was swept in to the beach where it was secured.

Three natives who had been outside fishing in their small one-man canoes, made a spectacular dash on one of the surges and landed safely.

Estimates of the difference between the rise and fall in the harbours during this period varied from 25 to 30 feet.

AFTER 4.30 the fluctuations gradually became less violent and of longer intervals. At the end of the follow ing day, the same motion was still notice able but to a much lesser degree.

The Avarua and Avatiu harbours are near to each other and both face north.

The Ngatangiia passage, on the eastern side of the island, was not noticeably affected, however.

Although it was realised that a sub marine disturbance had occurred some where, it was not until the early even ing radio news session that the residents became aware of the magnitude of the catastrophe that had occurred in the Northern Pacific.

At this date, no reports of any un usual occurrence have been received from any of the outer Cook Islands.