Posted on 12/22/2011 7:24:15 PM PST by BlackVeil
New Zealand's earthquake-devastated city of Christchurch has been rocked by two powerful earthquakes in quick succession, damaging some buildings and forcing evacuations.
The shallow tremors, both measuring 5.8 in magnitude, were 70 minutes apart but police say there are no reports of any serious injury or damage.
It is being reported that one person was injured inside a shopping centre and has been taken to hospital.
The first quake struck 20 kilometres north-east of Christchurch at a depth of less than five kilometres at 1:58pm (local time).
The Christchurch airport and several other buildings in the area have been evacuated.
"It was incredibly violent," one witness told Radio New Zealand.
"All the water in my birdbath slopped out and I could hear everything falling over inside.
"When I walked inside, the cat streaked out the door, ornaments were all over the floor, contents of the pantry were lying on the floor, a little bit of smashed glass and picture frames lying over."
Police say there has been minor damage at a rockface at Scarborough, south of Christchurch.
Power has been cut in some areas and telephone lines have also been affected.
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker says at this point the damage is more psychological.
Photo: Liquefaction in Christchurch after the quake on December 23 (Twitter: @dyedredlaura) "There's more reports coming in of liquefaction, reports of small collapses around river banks," he said.
"But I think the big thing is the psychological impact of this coming right on Christmas eve.
"You just can't underestimate the ongoing stress that this has created for so many people."
The quake comes 10 months after a magnitude 6.3 quake flattened parts of the city and killed about 180 people.
Much of the destruction from February's quake was compounded after many of its buildings were weakened by an earthquake in September 2010.
My father was born in Christchurch...
It once was a beautiful city...
I wonder if the fact they have a Santa Claus Parade instead of a CHRISTMAS Parade contributed to their troubles...
earthquake 3-D software, free
I suppose the lack of more injuries means that everything that could fall and hurt someone already has.
I have a cousin in Christchurch. They narrowly missed having their chimney fall on them during the last earthquake. I hope they rebuilt very a strong chimney.
When we were in Phuket this summer, we met a couple from Christchurch. Nice folks. They said everyone was still distraught over the loss of life and physical damage of the large quake. Most of the population apparently expects more quakes and understandably fears them.
yes they do...
My sister said the one in Sept sounded like a speeding freight train was heading for their house
she said it sounded like it was coming through the air...
eventhough it was miles underground...
it was 3am so everyone was in bed asleep...
but the tremendous noise woke them up..
it makes me wonder if they didnt have a tornado along with the Earthquake...
unusual I know ...
as they dont have tornadoes there my sister didnt know what I meant when I asked her...
I can't even fathom how a brain like yours operates.
Yes you do seem to have that handicap...
Not again!
I had to recheck the date on this thread to see if this was old news.
Prayers up for these people. It was daytime there? People out shopping, etc.?
Seems like they have had more than their share.
MAP 5.9 2011/12/23 02:18:02 -43.491 172.844 4.9 SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
MAP 5.3 2011/12/23 01:06:25 -43.456 172.899 3.7 SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
MAP 5.8 2011/12/23 00:58:37 -43.489 172.977 4.7 SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND
Its about 5-6PM Friday...Christmas Eve
What cities are involved ???
Wasn’t the last earthquake here followed by the Japan earthquake a few weeks later? At the time, there was some scientist who said the events were related.
Latest Earthquakes in the World - Past 7 days
Looks like they added a fourth one of 4.2 . Guess they are updating info as they analyze the data. Looks like all four right at Christchurch.
Yes.
Scary to contemplate, esp. for the Japanese people.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.