New [21 Feb '11] 6.3 earthquake strikes Christchurch, NZ

[JRM]

Very strong quake in NZ, epicenter located about 55km from Christchurch (originally 7.4, then downgraded). It was followed by a M5.7 aftershock in less than an hour (very typical, actually).

Details coming in all day:

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/0 ... index.html

USGS info: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/ ... 10atbj.php

[Rye Catcher]

Re: 7.0 earthquake strikes Christchurch, NZ

Oh no. Not in my favorite country. But they're tough and resilient. No running to Uncle Sammy.

[JRM]

Re: 7.0 earthquake strikes Christchurch, NZ

Photos of damage, from MSNBC:

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20 ... ew-zealand

[catson52]

Re: 7.0 earthquake strikes Christchurch, NZ

Christchurch, as seen in early 1977 by this observer, is one of the nicest cities anywhere. Our thoughts and prayers go to the residents of the area, as they rebuild.

[JRM]

Re: 7.0 earthquake strikes Christchurch, NZ

Another one, much worse than the first (although smaller magnitude)

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Deadly Quake Rocks New Zealand, Topples Buildings

Reuters/Yahoo! News

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A strong quake hit New Zealand's second-biggest city of Christchurch on Tuesday for the second time in five months, toppling buildings, causing "multiple fatalities," trapping people beneath rubble and sparking fires.

Local TV showed bodies being pulled out of rubble strewn around the city centre, though it was unclear whether any of them were alive, but police reported multiple fatalities after the 6.3 magnitude quake struck during the busy lunchtime.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/christchurch-e ... -buildings

[AS]

Re: 7.0 earthquake strikes Christchurch, NZ

New Zealand Prime MInister John Key has confirmed at least 65 people are dead after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Christchurch.

http://www.theage.com.au/world/we-may-b ... 1b356.html

Photos: http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/w ... tedImage=0

Enormous blow for a city still cleaning up from the Sept quake...

[El Toro]

Re: 7.0 earthquake strikes Christchurch, NZ

Photos of damage, from MSNBC:

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20 ... ew-zealand

I take that posting this link is a tacit admission that Luis Sancho is right re the LHC?

[AS]

Re: 7.0 earthquake strikes Christchurch, NZ

The scheduled Christchurch international track meet for this Saturday has understandably been cancelled. Let's hope any athletes in town already are all safe and sound...