7.0 magnitude quake shakes New Zealand

[Jason[98.EL]]

Hope our NZ counterparts are all safe


there is a video s well in the link below

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has rocked New Zealand's second largest city Christchurch, causing injuries and widespread damage, including the collapse of some buildings and power outages, witnesses and the US geological survey say.
The Civil Defence ministry says the national crisis management centre has been activated.

"We've had a wide range of reports of some serious damage," a civil defence spokesman said.

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said a state of emergency has been declared.

Although many people with minor injuries sought treatment, hospitals said there were no reports of any serious injuries although doctors were on standby because of the intensity of the quake and the damage to buildings.

The quake struck at a depth of 16.1km about 30km northwest of Christchurch at 4:35am (0235 AEST) on Saturday, the USGS said.

Roads in the seaside suburbs were packed with cars as residents moved inland but there were no tsunami alerts issued.

Aftershocks are ongoing and police say damage is widespread throughout Christchurch, with electricity supplies cut to about half of the city of about 340,000.

Sewer lines were damaged and residents are being urged to conserve water supplies.

Local resident Colleen Simpson told the Stuff website that many people had run out onto the streets in fear, while the mobile phone network was failing.

"Oh my God. There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me," Simpson said.

Kevin O'Hanlon, from Mairehau in Christchurch, said: "Just unbelievable. I was awake to go to work and then just heard this massive noise and, boom, it was like the house got hit. It just started shaking. I've never felt anything like it."

The damage included structural harm to houses, broken glass and damaged bridges and vehicles.

John Ristau, a seismologist at the government's GeoNet geological monitoring service, said the intensity was strong enough to cause structural damage to buildings.

"It would most probably be the weaker buildings that have major damage to them," he said.

An aftershock of magnitude 5.7 was felt at 4:53am (0253 AEST), the USGS said, while local media said a series of shocks continued to roll across the city.

The quake was felt through much of New Zealand's South Island where Christchurch is located on its east coast, local media said.

Christchurch International Airport, the main international gateway to the South Island, has been closed and rail movement in the South Island has been stopped while facilities are checked.

The magnitude was revised downwards from an initial estimate of 7.4, the USGS said.

Although there was no evidence of a tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said an earthquake of this magnitude could generate a local tsunami.

"Earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometres of the earthquake epicentre," the centre said.

"Authorities in the region of the epicentre should be aware of this possibility and take appropriate action."

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/795...es-new-zealand

[MAGPIE]

I'm about 100km from where it struck, was the most terrifying 60 seconds of my life, thought it was never going to stop & the noise was phenomenal

[MAGPIE]

Another aftershock just hit now, that makes it 17

[MAGPIE]

Holy smoke theres another one, that was a goodie

[nstg8a]

2012 is getting closer every day....

[98TLS]

All good down in Oamaru,have been in touch with my mother who lives in Christchurch,apart from having lots of stuff end up on the floor she came out ok thankfully.Theres does seem to be plenty of damage in some parts though.There talking evacuation of people in some parts on the tele as i type.

[nstg8a]

ive been watching the news up dates on tvnz.co.nz and 3news.co.nz definitly a lot of damage.
facebook is going nuts lol, most of my family ad friends are spread between dunedin and nelson.

[GORDZ]

my old housemate is landing in christchurch in the next few hours! Hope the runway is still straight!

[MAGPIE]

Still getting aftershocks...

And now a plane crash on the coast has killed nine people...

what a day

[Jason[98.EL]]

just saw that on ninmsn home page

keep your heads up guys and be safe

hope it is all over asap for you all

Jason

[My poor XF]

Crickey that's a big quake! Any word on how things are up around Nelson? Have grandparents there.

[LTDHO]

Wow, felt as low as Invercargal

[MAGPIE]

Just had the 29th aftershock...

only 7 of these were under magnitude 4.0, the biggest a 5.4, was the Boss of the aftershocks

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by My poor XF

Crickey that's a big quake! Any word on how things are up around Nelson? Have grandparents there.

They probably felt it, unlikely to have any damage though.

[nstg8a]

yeah nelson felt it, most slept through it lol.

[GORDZ]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Just had the 29th aftershock...

only 7 of these were under magnitude 4.0, the biggest a 5.4, was the Boss of the aftershocks

lol. I see what you did there.

[dave351cid]

looks a mess on the news tonight. hope everyone is ok.

and the plane crash on same day , not good.

[banarcus]

We only left Christchurch last Saturday. Never would have thought.

[MAGPIE]

23 aftershocks in the past 12 hours with a big 5.1 rumbling us at 5:20 am

Over 50 aftershocks in total now

[smoo]

Just as well it didn't hit 4 hrs earlier when people were still on the ****.
IMO the worst part of this is all of the damage the old buildings have.