Christchurch NZ Hit by 7.8 Earthquake!

[YellowRose]

The Land Of The Long White Cloud has been hit by a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake today, in the Christchurch area. It has caused considerable damage, and a tidal wave of about 3 meters has hit the country so far. We have three Tbird owners on the Forum that live in that area of the country. We hope that they have survived the damage. Check the Drudge Report, and other news sources to see pictures of the damage caused by this huge earthquake. Those of you who have been effected by this please let us know how you are when you can.

[Dan Leavens]

Our thoughts and prayers are with all at this time.It is hoped that all will get to higher ground and be safe until this disaster resides.

[scumdog]

Well after a run of night-shift I got to bed after midnight and slept like a log and never felt a thing!
But down here in Otago province we were not affected at all, there have been one or two people in Otago that claim to have felt the earthquake but it was so minor and no damage reported - and no death or injury.

Hopefully other Kiwi Thunderbirder fared the same and will report in.

[simplyconnected]

Well after a run of night-shift I got to bed after midnight and slept like a log and never felt a thing!
But down here in Otago province we were not affected at all, there have been one or two people in Otago that claim to have felt the earthquake but it was so minor and no damage reported - and no death or injury.

Hopefully other Kiwi Thunderbirder fared the same and will report in.

7.8 and two people felt it??? How can that be possible?

[Dan Leavens]

Tom glad to hear that you and others are okay in your area. Let's hope that others report no injuries or fatalities as well. That was massive as Dave states 7.8

[bird 60]

Tom probably didn't feel it, as Balcklutha where he's from is a couple of hundred miles away. Last I heard 2 people confirmed dead.

Chris.....From OZ.

[scumdog]

Tom probably didn't feel it, as Balcklutha where he's from is a couple of hundred miles away. Last I heard 2 people confirmed dead.

Chris.....From OZ.

Dead right Chris.

And a trucker has not been heard of since the time of the 'quake, possibly under one of the massive landslides up in Kaikoura area, about 7-8 hours from here..

[simplyconnected]

Thank God your loses were minimal. When I hear about 7.8 it brings my mind back to San Francisco.

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake struck the coast of Northern California at 5:12 a.m. on April 18 with an estimated moment magnitude of 7.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme).

I realize you don't have the population in NZ but this intensity leveled nearly everything, set the building on fire and starved the survivors of drinking water and food. It was one of the worst the USA has ever had.

Click on the picture:


Any 7.8 that results in a death toll of three is a miracle. - Dave

EDIT...
This picture interests me a lot because the steel structures did well but all the bricks and cement are on the ground:

[scumdog]

Dead right Chris.

And a trucker has not been heard of since the time of the 'quake, possibly under one of the massive landslides up in Kaikoura area, about 7-8 hours from here..

Update: the trucker has been found, he and his rig were trapped on a section of road blocked by landslips on front of him and behind him and in an area devoid of cell phone coverage, there are many areas of New Zealand that you're still not fully covered by cell phone.
Also one death was actually a medical event possibly triggered by the trauma of the earthquake.
Luckily the epicentre was in an area of very low population.

[Dan Leavens]

Tom great news and we are all praying the losses of life are few from this disaster. We can only imagine how lives have changed as the rebuilding of homes and lives start to unfold for many families.