7.2 quake based about 10km from my house at 4:30ish in the morning, totally not cool!
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Not a nice way to wake up.
Collapse
X
-
Great photos! Thanks! I'll be amazed if it stands that no one was killed and serious injuries stay as low as reported so far. What an ordeal, and you never have any idea it's coming. I lived in San Diego for 30 years and went through a couple of dozen dancers. I live in Memphis now and we could have a Christchurch of our own in front of us.
Comment
-
Simpleboy, we all care. We all hope for the best outcome for all of our bros and sisses in NZ. It seems you all had a bit of well deserved luck and were better prepared than most for such an event. Our thoughts are with you. No matter what, it's a tough time for all NZers. Best to you.
Comment
-
Originally posted by Deadstick View PostSimpleboy, we all care. We all hope for the best outcome for all of our bros and sisses in NZ. It seems you all had a bit of well deserved luck and were better prepared than most for such an event. Our thoughts are with you. No matter what, it's a tough time for all NZers. Best to you.
Ive been out and about a bit more, the damage in some parts of the city is just unreal, public buildings are closed for a while, uni is shut for a week while its inspected. Parts of the city still have no power or water, and apparently sewage is likely to get in the drinking water right now. Some of the roads have been lifted or dropped by .5-1m in parts and i cant walk a block in any direction from my place without finding houses with parts missing or roofs or such partially collapsed.
We're expecting gale force winds tonight up to 130kmph which will be interesting. we had a nor west wind tonight so planes were flying in over the city, normally not a problem, but the rumble you hear from the jet engines is fairly similar to what you hear with all the aftershocks! Fairly unnerving especially since we're being told an aftershock of magnitude 6.0 could occur.Sam Rudge
A 5D3, some Canon lenses, the Sigma L and a flash
Comment
-
I've experienced 2 tremors whilst I've lived in Sheffield(15yrs). They were nothing on the scale of a 7 but still very scary to go through when you're not expecting it. I was sure a bus was coming down the hill outside my house at the time and was about to crash through the wall. The roar just got louder and louder and then the house started shaking. A few seconds later it was all over.
Glad to hear you're all ok though.
Comment
-
Simpleboy,
What areas were worst affected? A friend of mine was in Auckland and told me that they felt smaller tremors there, but he said that the Government was sending as much aide to Christchurch as possible. How are people coping? Are the highways and airports in operation? How are things at the moment? Have you guys felt the 6.0 aftershock that you guys were bracing for? Apart from that, does NZ prepare for earthquakes of this magnitude? Does the Government mandate that buildings be built to withstand them (as is done in California), or is this (the occurrence of an earthquake) completely unexpected?Whatever is necessary, is never unwise.
Comment
-
I've been in a bunch of cyclones and was in the "Canberra Fires" - I'm sure you know what i mean when i say that at times like that, you realise just how impotent the great human being really is. One feels totally powerless, and the police and other levels of order are no where to be seen! So its man against the elements just like our forefathers...And the stress lasts a long time after the event.
Australia is LUCKY that it just skims the "Rim of Fire" (you have to say that in a deep voice) - All our neighbours cop it though. I'm sparing a thought for you kiwis, rest assured Aussie will be there the moment you ask.
I thought for the Pakinstanis and the Victorians at the moment too...both are getting wet.
Comment
-
Hey guys,
Been out and about a bit sometimes with the camera, sometimes without. Town has now been pretty much sealled off, one of the big buildings in town may collapse. The army has been brought in to assist with keeping people out. Near the beach, the roads are pretty badly cracked and mud is just being forced through them with water, its kinda weird and surreal at the same time.
Got some more photos
Alex,
Christchurch and nearby towns are by far the worst effected, though ive heard reports of damage in both Nelson and Dunedin, 150 and 200 miles away respectively.
Theres a good map on wiki which ive stolen and is below which shows how bad the quake felt in diff locations.
Nelson is north of Blenheim but in the centre of the island and Dunedin is on the east coast just below where the map is cut off.
Many large local buildings have been converted to shelters, and apparently there its pretty bad, ive heard figures that up to 20% of homes here will have to be destroyed and rebuilt. AS for building codes and such, NZ is pretty well prepared for earthquakes, and our universities do a lot of research into the way earthquakes effect buildings and such. Most of the buildings damaged are older buildings. The geology department at uni believes there are over 100 fault lines running through canterbury alone, so for earthquakes we are reasonably protected. NZ has about 14000 earthquakes a year, however, noly about 200 get felt and only about 10 do any damage most of which is knocking down powerlines, this is the worst earthquake damage wise since 1931.
We've had a 5.0 aftershock and quite a few above 4.5, but at the moment, it seems pretty calm.
As for aid, im sure we will need it, but at the moment we're just trying to figure out if buildings will collapse, getting the waste water system up and running again, and restoring power and water to the last of the homes.
Hope ive addressed everything.Sam Rudge
A 5D3, some Canon lenses, the Sigma L and a flash
Comment
-
In general, people are pretty good. Immediately afterwards there were reports of looting in town, but now that the police and army are here i havent heard any reports.
One dairy (corner store) opened early and discounted all of this essentials and was giving stuff like batteries away for free, so yeah, its bringing out the best and worst in people.
Water is pretty good, though some parts have been confirmed its been contaminated, power is back on to pretty much everywhere in town, some rural areas may still be down though. I know many people who are staying outside their homes at friends places etc due to damage at theirs.
For people who dont use the central business district, its almost possible to live life as if the earthquake never happened, its just many busineses are shut.
Water is being ferryed in by rail and truck from down south and taken to the worst hit areas. Im not aware of any huge shortages at the moment.Sam Rudge
A 5D3, some Canon lenses, the Sigma L and a flash
Comment
Comment