Yesterday a massive earthquake stuck one of the main cities in New Zealand: Christchurch. They had a big earthquake back in September 2010, and this one is technically an aftershock. Although the reading on the richter scale is 6.3 (smaller than the Sept quake) it was shallower and centred right in the city. These people have suffered 6 months of aftershocks, with over 5000 tremors, only to have another big shake devastate their city.
 |
| Christchurch Cathedral, before and after the earthquake. |
The damage is extreme, with massive high-rise buildings collapsing into themselves, killing many people (death toll currently sitting at 75, there are still 300 missing). Rescue workers are currently searching desperately for survivors.
Liquefaction has appeared, with the soil turning to soft grey sludge swallowing cars. Roads have been torn up. Power has been cut, because the sub-stations have sunk into the mud. There have been landslides with boulders and rocks the size of houses squashing buildings. Cars in the central city have been crushed by falling bricks and building facades. Sewer lines are broken and water supplies too, so there is no fresh water. It's unbelievable. I'm watching the extended news coverage showing image after image of terror.
Learn more at the links below, or Google "Christchurch earthquake".
You can also
donate to the New Zealand Red Cross here.
Image slideshow of quake damaged Christchurch
News article, most damage in the CBD of Christchurch
Aerial video of damage in Christchurch district
A
map of the Christchurch earthquake and aftershocks
New Zealand is a small country and this disaster has just been declared our first ever National State of Emergency.
I heard this had happen but haven't seen any pictures yet. Hope you, your family and the ones you know are safe! Nature has such a power creating these things.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about you over the last couple days. Where are you located in comparison to Christchurch? I have some friends who were supposed to land there and were diverted to Wellington. Will be keeping your country in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThe whole country is in such shock. Everyone I know has let out many tears. Being such a small country, it seems we all know someone directly affected by this disaster. It's so difficult not being able to help (although I did give up my husband and our holiday so he can help report and get out info!). Still, nothing like going down there and comforting people, moving rubble, etc. I guess this is a selfish wish, it's just so hard not doing anything when you see people suffering.
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand really does need donations, despite our amazing banding together and unity as a country, we can't cope with a disaster of this proportion on our own. I hope the generosity continues!
Much love to you!
Your neighbours in Australia are thinking of you all. I hope you and your family are safe
ReplyDeletethank you for posting this. glad to hear you ok, but keeping your country in our thoughts for sure.
ReplyDeleteI've been following the developments following the devestating earthquake (aftershock) in NZ and I hope that you and your loved ones are safe. I'm so sorry for what you and your nation are going through right now.
ReplyDeleteICLW
#38
Hi everyone thanks for you thoughts and wishes for those in Christchurch.
ReplyDeleteMost of my family live in the Taranaki region, on the North Island, so we are absolutely fine. But many of my friends and colleagues have family in Christchurch so there have been some urgent phone calls happening to track people down! My colleague was actually on the phone to his father down in Christchurch when the quake hit, and the line went dead...minutes later the news came in that it was a quake, so the whole office was really worried - luckily he managed to make contact with his Dad and he was ok. But SCARY!!!
I was really impressed that Google made the Google People Finder available, and this enabled me to locate two people, both safe and sound, as much as they could be in the circumstances.
WaitingVicky, I wondered if that was where your husband was off to when you said you had to cut your holiday short. Good on him :)
Hi everyone thanks for you thoughts and wishes for those in Christchurch.
ReplyDeleteMost of my family live in the Taranaki region, on the North Island, so we are absolutely fine. But many of my friends and colleagues have family in Christchurch so there have been some urgent phone calls happening to track people down! My colleague was actually on the phone to his father down in Christchurch when the quake hit, and the line went dead...minutes later the news came in that it was a quake, so the whole office was really worried - luckily he managed to make contact with his Dad and he was ok. But SCARY!!!
I was really impressed that Google made the Google People Finder available, and this enabled me to locate two people, both safe and sound, as much as they could be in the circumstances.
WaitingVicky, I wondered if that was where your husband was off to when you said you had to cut your holiday short. Good on him :)