[editor-surveyor]

Yep, here in California we get quakes and fires, but the loss of life in NZ is high, especially for a 6.3 quake.

[shaggy eel]

,,, the September 4 2010 quake was 7,1 but the 6,3 on Tuesday was quite shallow. I can't help thinking the 7,1 loosened up some of those structures.

We've got our first ever national state of emergency over this... it would be good if they declared marshall law - that way looters could be shot.