7.0 earthquake hits Christchurch, New Zealand

Just an update here folks,

There have been some very sharp, strong aftershocks within the last 30 minutes. (7pm to 7.30pm)

Not good for already weakened buildings.

These shocks arehappening so fast, by the time you run for cover the are stopping.

g

reply to post by XPLodER


once again, brilliant internet snuffling! that just proves the point. So I reckon your on the right track or at lest heading in the right direction. gotta go and drop the missus off, and I do believe it's time for a beer!
cheerio, nice chatting, speak again soon

Yes, we have just returned from outside after house shifted with last jolt half hour ago - now have our bike helmets on sat indoors - that last one was a very sharp jolt - I think it was 4.3?

Now we are experiencing the "boat" feeling - swaying and soft shuffles...

Liquefaction caused this fuel tank to rise out of the ground - today in Chch.

yfrog.com...

reply to post by MoorfNZ


thanks for the link love the fact that objects can float or sink because of relitive density of sub soil conditions

the sand volcanos are also caused by this effect?

xploder

I'm very glad there wasn't more people hurt.

I haven't read all the pages of replies (sorry, I usually do..) so I'm not sure if it's been mentioned yet or not, but apparently "More than 80 police officers from Auckland are on their way to Christchurch this afternoon to help maintain order in the city tonight. " - stuff.co.nz
80 doesn't sound like much if you live in say Vancouver or Osaka but in Christshurch, 80 additional officers would be about right for the situation. But it's the wording that strikes me: "to help maintain order". Seems like an odd choice of words to me. Maybe I'm just seeing shadows...

But this also grabed my attention: "Mr Parker said he requested Prime Minister John Key ask the army to maintain safety and security and help the police over the next 24 hours. " - stuff.co.nz
The Army helping the Police... maybe that's just prudent. And it is just the Mayor's sugestion at this stage.

Anyway, I thought it might be worth mentioning and keeping in the back of the mind as the next couple of days unfold.

reply to post by Recouper


puts tin foil hat on
you know the south caterbury finance callapse happened a couple of days ago and this event will shift focus away from that event
just sayin ya know

xploder

reply to post by Recouper


Perhaps to help maintain the curfew...

reply to post by XPLodER


Information regarding that here:
Economic reforms may be too late

Yes, there could be something lurking there. It's worth checking into... but I'm for bed soon, so not for me tonight.

reply to post by MoorfNZ


Sharp shot that.
Although, the reasoning behind the curfew seems understandable to me. But I'd say it's something else worth keeping in mind.

reply to post by Recouper


very interesting artical
i thank you
wounder bout the connection

xploder

This just got uploaded an hour ago:
Severe winds forecast tomorrow may be strong enough to further damage already fragile buildings after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Canterbury early this morning. - stuff.co.nz

Eartyhquake today, severe winds tomorrow... seems rather coincidental. But then there is this part:
"Normally gales, up to 130km/h, don't cause too many issues across Canterbury," WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan said. "However with so many buildings possibly teetering on collapse..." - stuff.co.nz

So maybe it is just coincidental. Funny, I've got this feeling like this whole situation is worth keeping a critical eye on...




*Edited to fix a typo*

[edit on 4/9/2010 by Recouper]

reply to post by Recouper


Thank you for your awareness and excellent reports.
I appreciate the info you slip in in your signature, what a dear you are to share info so freely!
Blessings to all in NZ, some of us are here for you in California, USA.
Much love.

About 3 metres offset on a road near Darfield!

reply to post by aorAki


nice pic best one so far
keep them coming please

xp

Originally posted by sweetpeanc
earthquake.usgs.gov...

[edit on 3-9-2010 by sweetpeanc]

Your link to USGS now points at a 5.3 (at00353174)

They do that the swine - they reuse numbers when they should not.

This is the link to the information now.

Originally posted by MoorfNZ
Yesterday (which was Friday here in NZ) we had a polar blast that blanketed us (near Darfield) with snow. Then the quake. I don't think they're related as the snow was also forecast.

The weather isn't being seen as unusual - just an annoyance considering we're rushing outside every hour ... latest jolt was an hour ago - mag 5.6 - and it was a really hefty jolt, too.

Should you not be heading into spring now?

BTW do you recall the conversation about NZ and the ark? I don't think I will take up your offer just now!!

Glad to see you are OK.

Source

Sort of a triple whammy then? I have heard of these complex events before - recall the 8+ recently that they decided was 2 x 8+ events. I am wondering if this is something new or has this always happened but we have not been able to detect it before?

Three might explain the effects.

All my rellies are OK, bit shaken though, if you'll excuse the pun.
Not in NZ, If I was, woulda been in CHCH...
Thanks everyone for your heartfelt messages, gives one great hope for us humans seeing/feeling all the beautiful people out there

Love you all.

Originally posted by PuterMan

Originally posted by MoorfNZ
Yesterday (which was Friday here in NZ) we had a polar blast that blanketed us (near Darfield) with snow. Then the quake. I don't think they're related as the snow was also forecast.

The weather isn't being seen as unusual - just an annoyance considering we're rushing outside every hour ... latest jolt was an hour ago - mag 5.6 - and it was a really hefty jolt, too.

Should you not be heading into spring now?

BTW do you recall the conversation about NZ and the ark? I don't think I will take up your offer just now!!

Glad to see you are OK.

Yes, it's officially Spring, but Sept snow showers aren't unusual down here in inland mid-Canterbury - short polar blasts! (Another passion of mine - snow!)

We're still getting a fair few aftershocks - GeoNet are only listing those of Mag 4.0 (or thereabouts) and over... have been around 6 in last 3 hrs of that mag.

[edit on 4-9-2010 by MoorfNZ]