Thread: Quake shakes up Christchurch

Originally Posted by genghis61

apart from work-related my main reason for visiting Chch was swimming comps, sea or pool - have not seen any news on how the main public pools are after the quake?.

Heard from someone yesterday that QE2 pool only opened last week. Don't know about the others sorry.

Severe aftershock hits Christchurch
October 19, 2010 - 12:27PM

Another major aftershock has hit Christchurch in New Zealand, disrupting power and causing damage.

Reports were coming in that power was out to some parts of the city and that mobile networks were overloaded.

New Zealand's geological agency GNS Science said the magnitude 5 quake hit at 11.32am (9.32am AEDT) today.

It was centred 10 kilometres south-west of the city, and just nine kilometres below the surface.

It was among the strongest of almost 2000 aftershocks that have hit New Zealand's second largest city since a 7.0-magnitude tremor on September 4 caused widespread destruction.

GNS Science duty seismologist Sara Page said the latest quake was closer to the city than previous aftershocks, magnifying its impact.

"That would be the biggest, closest one we've had for a while," she told The Press in Christchurch.

Christchurch Airport said flights had been suspended while runways were inspected for damage, while electricity supplier Orion said 10,000 homes lost power for about 15 minutes.

Four other quakes have hit this morning. A 4.0 magnitude quake struck at 10.54am, 20 kilometres south-west of Christchurch.

A 3.3 quake hit 10 kilometres west of Kaiapoi at 9.43am, a 2.8 hit 10 kilometres east of Darfield at 7.48am, and another 2.8 quake hit 10 kilometres south of Christchurch at 3.19am.

Fiona Fidow at the Cupcake Collection shop in Westfields Mall, Riccarton, said it was the second biggest shock they had felt since the original quake.

"This was very loud, very strong shaking. All our china is smashed in our kiosk. The mall alarms are going off and the mall has been evacuated. Quite a few people are crying and hysterical. There are a lot of frightened people."

Resident Jordan Hornblow said the shock knocked his plates all over in the kitchen.

"It gave [me] one hell of a fright while trying to study," he said.

Christchurch resident Sean Scanlon said it felt as if it was well over magnitude five.

"The house was rattling and books fell off the shelves," he said.

His wife, Lucy Scanlon, was forced to take cover at work in central Christchurch.

stuff.co.nz, agencies

started new thread for major earthquake 22 February 2011 (New Zealand earthquake 'multiple fatalities')

wow australia and new zealand taking some heavy hits lately
pictures are amazing
glass broken, a minimum
hard times ahead ,, many homes and buildings will have to be demolished
and new ones built.
R.I.P. to the victims.

Some of chch oldest and most well know landmarks have been destroyed, both cathedrals are in ruins...

the pictures say it all really.

Nearly EVERY street in eastern chch has some sort of damage...