Christchurch NewZealand Earthquake

[colddiesel]

Only 6.3 but very shallow. Epicentre only 10 kilometres south of city.

65 confirmed dead so far, 250 trapped in destroyed and damaged buildings.

City centre particularly bad, many older structures including the iconic cathedral destroyed.

 

[Byron999]

Terrible tragedy... absolute devastation of buildings and shattering of people's lives. Saddened by the immense suffering and losses

Thank you to Australia Europe UK USA Japan and the UN for offers of specialist recovery teams to assist in finding people in collapsed buildings.

 

[trysail]

Feb 22 2011 - Christchurch badly damaged by magnitude 6.3 earthquakeChristchurch has experienced a major earthquake centred south of the city, and severe damage and casualties have been reported.

Last updated February 22, 4:30 pm

Shaking intensity in the city was much greater for this earthquake than the magnitude 7.1 earthquake from last September, or any of the aftershocks. The highest shaking was recorded at Pages Road Pumping Station at 188 %g, with readings of 127 %g at Heathcote Valley Primary School and 107 %g at Hulverstone Road Pumping Station.

http://www.geonet.org.nz/news/feb-2011-christchurch-badly-damaged-by-magnitude-6-3-earthquake.html

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/us/b0001igm/us/usb0001igm_ciim.jpg

http://www.geonet.org.nz/images/earthquake/quakes/3468672gm.png

http://www.geonet.org.nz/images/earthquake/quakes/3468672gi.png

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[1sickbastard]

Some more detailed info:

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?edis=EQ-20110222-29661-NZL

Hit the tabs for the different information


And a related event:

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?edis=UEV-20110222-29670-NZL

 

[3113]

Only 6.3 but very shallow. Epicentre only 10 kilometres south of city.

Very bad! 6.3 is a strong quake and with the epicenter that close....

I hope they get all those poor trapped people out and safe.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Very bad! 6.3 is a strong quake and with the epicenter that close....

I hope they get all those poor trapped people out and safe.

If I had the capacity to concentrate on just one activity, I'd become a search dog owner/handler. Those animals do such amazing work.

 

[colddiesel]

Confirmed dead up to 75 but there are no signs of life from the 50 people known to be trapped in the CTV building. 200+ still missing.

In the related event covered in the link in post 4 from 1sickbastard, a 30million ton lump of ice has fallen off the front end of the Tasman Glacier some 120 miles from Christchurch. This sent a 15 foot wave down the length of the lake which took 30 minutes to settle. The link includes some good photos.

 

[Byron999]

Excellent links and info people. The scale of this tragedy is unprecedented in our quiet corner of the planet. But we DO all live on or near the convergence of the tectonic plates that have formed our famous Southern Alps and the thermal areas!

Some news items and graphic photos (not the usual Lit "graphic"!)
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/02/earthquake-in-new-zealand/100013/

 

[colddiesel]

Update

Death toll has increased to 326 with the identity of 113 confirmed. Large number of young and very young died as two of the worst hit buildings accommodated a baby creche, and a language school for Asian students learning English.

Damage reported to exceed $ 10 billion. My brother who lives 20 K's from the epicentre had no structural damage at all. He reports that community support effort is amazing.

No more survivors found in last 48 hours.

 

[SamScribble]

Not looking even vaguely good. This is a serious disaster. If you can do anything to help, please do.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/