Widespread devastation after 7.0 quake in N. Zealand
A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused widespread devastation in New Zealand’s second largest city of Christchurch Saturday, with officials saying it was “extremely lucky” no one was killed.
Initial estimates put the damage at up to two billion dollars (1.44 billion US) as buildings collapsed, gas, water and sewage lines were ruptured, some bridges became impassable and electricity supplies were cut.
Frightened residents fled from their homes to find streets covered in rubble and glass, but despite the extent of the damage only two people were seriously injured in the city of 340,000 people.
The quake struck just before dawn when few people were on the streets as building facades crashed to the ground, crushing parked cars and showering the roads with shattered glass.
A state of emergency was declared in Christchurch and a 7:00 pm to 7:00 am curfew imposed in the city centre as residents were warned to stay away from damaged buildings for fear of further collapses as severe aftershocks continued to rock the city.
“I think we’ve been extremely lucky as a nation that there’s been no fatalities… we’re blessed actually,” Civil Defence Minister John Carter said after being briefed on the impact of the quake.
He described it as a “significant disaster” and urged people “don’t panic” as strong aftershocks continued throughout the day. Facts:Quake among New Zealand’s worst
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said he was “horrified by the amount of damage” which daylight showed was considerably worse than first thought.
“We’ve decided to declare the state of emergency in the city. It just makes it a bit easier for us now to move people out of buildings if necessary, close streets down,” Parker announced on national radio.
“There would not be a house, there would not be a family in our city that has not in some way have damage done to their person, to their property.
“I think it’s like an iceberg; there is … below the visible line, significant structural damage.”
The quake, initially recorded at a magnitude of 7.4, struck at 4:35 am (1635 GMT Friday) at a depth of five kilometres (three miles) some 45 kilometres west of Christchurch, the US Geological Survey said.
“Oh my God. There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me,” resident Colleen Simpson told the Stuff website, adding that many people had run out onto the streets in fear.
Christchurch Hospital spokeswoman Michele Hider said two men in their 50s were seriously injured — one was hit by a falling chimney and the other was cut by falling glass.
Police closed the centre of the city as looters targeted damaged shops, police Inspector Mike Coleman said.
“There’s considerable damage there, and we’ve already had reports of looting. Shop windows are broken and obviously it’s easy pickings for displays and things.”
In the hours immediately after the quake, roads in the seaside suburbs were packed with cars as residents moved inland, but there was no tsunami.
Kevin O’Hanlon, from the Mairehau area of 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.”
Mayor Parker said he was in bed when the quake struck and he was “absolutely scared. I’ve never felt anything like it and I’ve experienced, like most Kiwis, a number of good shakes.” Related article:City ‘wobbles like jelly’ in powerful quake
The quake, felt throughout the South Island and the lower North Island, was the most destructive in New Zealand since the 1931 tremor in Hawke’s Bay that killed 256 people.
It caused the temporary shutdown of Christchurch International Airport, forcing the diversion of inbound international flights to Auckland and Wellington until it reopened Saturday afternoon after being assessed for damage.
New Zealand sits on the so-called “Ring of Fire”, the boundary of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, and experiences up to 15,000 tremors a year. It averages at least one a day that is magnitude 4.0 or stronger.
Meanwhile, as residents took stock of the quake damage they also had an eye on looming bad weather with destructive gale-force winds up to 130 kilometres (80 miles) an hour predicted.
“Winds of that speed can be damaging and with many buildings extensively damaged (by the earthquake) it could cause a major headache for emergency services,” a weather service spokesman said.
Source: http://news.malaysia.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4315582
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch , New Zealand with no casualties is considered very lucky. But sadly many buildings collapsed and in total lost, with gas, water and sewage lines were ruptured, some bridges destroyed and so forth. Could imagine the damage done by the earthquake. New Zealand lies on the boundary between the Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate, which is prone to earthquakes. More than thousands of people reported feeling the strong magnitude earthquake. It caused great damage, many people were affected and need to be relocated . The city mayor then declared the state of emergency in the city.
We Malaysian are lucky enough as not been in the zone of disaster plate where we do not experience it.
May those people affected have recovered , stay strong and in good health.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Malaysians should rejoice to have taken rebirth in this land with almost no natural disasters except for that freak tsunami in Acheh that affected our shores. Yes, we experience flood water in low lying areas during the annual monsoon period but nothing compared to other countries when huge typhoon and hurricane hit with full force.
We also live above the poverty line, cost and standard of living is better than some countries, 24 hours convenience stores and mamak stalls, etc.
To some other less fortunate people, they may see us living in a paradise.
It’s quite miraculous that there were no fatalities as a result of this natural disaster. However, today, the New Zealand weather forecaster Metservice issued a severe weather warning due to gale-force winds that are expected to be dangerous for structures already weakened by the quake. There could be more damage to buildings and infrastructure. Also, heavy rain forecasted for Tuesday will exacerbate storm water problems. So let’s pray that the weather will be kind to Christchurch and its embattled residents during this stressful time.
Thank you Rinpoche for the hot news regarding the 7.0 magnitude earth quake in Christ Church New Zealand. There were only 2 people seriously injured. O ne hit by a falling chimney and the other cut by broken glass. These 2 people must have heavier karma then the majority of people.I have not been to New Zealand but I have heard that people say that New Zealand is a country very peaceful and nice to relax. But after this big calamity. I wonder if people change their mind about the country being peaceful and nice. With earth quakes and hurricane and typhoons.