Christchurch NZ Earthquake

[Ross]

Christchurch NZ had a 7.4 Earthquake at 4:35am today. It was strong enough to get me out of bed to make sure my TV wouldn't fall over lol. But still getting lots of little aftershocks. Luckily no damage done here. It was centred only 30km from Christchurch. I have work in a hour and it isn't much use trying to sleep now as the bed keeps giving me a massage lol.

[Dave]

"A 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck off New Zealand's South Island, the US Geological Survey has said.

The epicentre was 6km (4 miles) south-east of the city of Christchurch, at a depth of 34km (21 miles), it added.

There have so far been no reports of any damage or casualties."

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11183685

Shocking, I hope everyone's OK in Hayley's home town.

Dave

Edit for Ross I think this deserves its own thread; I've merged everything into this one, glad you're OK.

[milewalker]

I dont know if this was posted earlier, but MSN is reporting a substantial earthquake (7.4) 4 miles from Christchurch. There are reports of damage and power outages.

Jon

[Ross]

Still getting aftershocks. Looks like some parts were hit worse than others. Here is a report from Stuff.co.nz.
www.stuff.co.nz/national/4094986/Massive-7-4-quake-hits-South-Island

[jimg]

Hayley tweeted this a few minuits ago.

HayleyWestenra Ahhh... 7.4 Earthquake in Christchcurch, NZ.... Just called my family. All ok, but argh, hate being so distanced from them....

[Ross]

Well I am off to work now. I am pleased Hayley's family is OK and hopefully Belinda, Scoobydoo are OK too. Hopefully my workplace is OK. Might have trays of mushrooms everywhere lol.

[mihizawi]

I am so glad Hayley's family is fine! Hope there Hope the damages aren't too big and there's really noone injured...

Michal

[grant]

Hello everyone

Only just heard the news! Hayley must feel very far from home at times like this and my thoughts and prayers go out to her, her family, and anyone affected by the earthquake.

Initial reports suggest some damage and power outages but no casualties.

Drew posted the following about an hour ago

drewbone @hayleywestenra Tilley says Fi shaken but OK.

Best wishes
Grant

[spiderman]

for tecnically minded people:

www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3366146g.html

Reference Number 3366146/G
Universal Time September 3 2010 at 16:35
NZ Standard Time Saturday, September 4 2010 at 4:35 am
Latitude, Longitude 43.54°S, 172.23°E
Focal Depth 33 km
Richter magnitude 7.4
Region Canterbury
Location

* 10 km south-east of Darfield
* 20 km east of Coalgate
* 30 km west of Christchurch

as recorded on seismographic drums:
dunedin: www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/drums/odz-drum.html
chc: www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/drums/mqz-drum.html

the lat/ long given are right on top of a small town named kirwee, i hope its still there

and yes, i do hope everyone is ok... im just trying to check up on my family in dunedin. i know how hayley feels its noy good to be so far away and not able to do anything

the spiderman

[Dori]

I'm so glad Hayley's family, and everybody else in Chch is ok. It was a BAD quake. I was quite concerned.

Dori

[martindn]

My prayers and sympathies are with all in Christchurch. Poor Hayley must have been worried sick, I know you feel so helpless when you are half a world away and hear about such a thing. I hope there wasn't too much damage.

7.4 is a big earthquake. I can remember a 4.something here, and that was bad enough. If there are no casualties, it will be a miracle.

Martin D

[roger]

From guardian.co.uk:

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck New Zealand's South Island tonight.


People stand outside a building damaged by an earthquake in central Christchurch.
Photograph: David Alexander/AP

The quake hit 19 miles west of Christchurch, on the south of the island, at 4.35am local time. It shook a wide area with some residents reporting collapsed buildings, bridges and power cuts.

Christchurch, which has a population of around 400,000 people, was also rocked with a series of sharp aftershocks. Minor injuries have been reported but no deaths.

Colleen Simpson, from Christchurch, said panicked residents ran into the street in their pyjamas. She said some buildings had collapsed, there was no power, and the mobile telephone network had failed. "There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me," she told the Stuff news website.

Another person from Christchurch, Kevin O'Hanlon, said the jolt was extremely powerful.

"I was awake to go to work and then just heard this massive noise and 'boom'," he said. "It was like the house got hit. It just started shaking. I've never felt anything like it."

Bruce Russell, 50, said that although he lives in Lyttelton, a port town to the south of Christchurch, which is on firmer volcanic ground, the earthquake had been "very alarming."

"We were woken up at 4.30am and it swayed like a ship at sea," he said. "It was very alarming. We have no power, which is a problem across [Christchurch]. We're listening to reports on a wind-up radio. It's still very frightening."

Russell said he had not experienced an earthquake on this scale before.

There were local reports of looting on one of Christchurch's commercial shopping streets and police were advising residents to stay inside until given an all-clear.

The geological agency GNS Science said the earthquake struck at a depth of 21 miles below the Earth's surface and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said "no destructive widespread tsunami threat existed, based on historical earthqake and tsunami data".

New Zealand lies above an area of the Earth's crust where two tectonic plates collide. The country records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year – but only about 150 are usually felt. School children in the country often undertake earthquake drills.

Roger

[jimg]

Another tweet from Hayley about the earthquake

HayleyWestenra I really hope everyone back home is safe... Thinking of you all xxxxx

And a reply From Dori,

Sukayna88 @hayleywestenra HI Hayley, everyone is fine, how is your family? Is there house and everything ok?? Thinking of you!xxx

[Dori]

I hope her family home is alright!

Dori

[grant]

Hello everyone

This is very worrying - I've just been looking at the latest Stuff NZ update which makes for quite distressing reading. Apparently Central Christchurch has been cordoned off because of the amount of rubble in the streets and to stop looting and a State of Emergency has been declared.

Some 5% of the city's buildings have suffered some degree of damage and some areas may have to be evacuated because of the risk of flooding from burst pipes - there are no trains and the airport is closed.

I hope Hayley has managed to get in contact with her family but she must be very worried nontheless.

My thoughts and prayers are with New Zealand - I don't think sleep will come easily for me tonight!

God bless
Grant