7.4 magnitude quake strikes Christchurch, New Zealand
 

awaiting more info....

Dayum, thats a big first number, hope it wasn't so bad.

damn that's a big'un

(Reuters) - A strong earthquake of 7.4 magnitude hit New Zealand, just 4 miles south-southeast of Christchurch, in the middle of the night local time, the U.S. Geological Survey said Friday.

USGS earlier said the quake measured 7.3 magnitude.

CNN - USGS: 7.2 magnitude quake hits near New Zealand

[Updated at 1:02 p.m.] A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has struck near New Zealand, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake struck at 4:35 a.m. Saturday (12:35 p.m. ET Friday) about four miles southeast of Christchurch, a major city in New Zealand, the survey reported.

The quake was 10 miles deep.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The quake is not likely to generate a tsunami, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

[Posted at 12:49 p.m.] An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck Friday near New Zealand, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake , which was 21.1 miles deep, was 4 miles south-southeast of Christchurch, New Zealand, according to the USGS.

LINK


:2 cents: conflicting depths and magnitudes. :helpme

That is big! Glad to hear no injuries! Surprising with no damage... Good to know. :2 cents:

Believe it or not I'm on the USGS emai list; They are reporting 7.2. Still, that's fucking huge.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/im...ealand.map.jpg
[LINKHOTTED]

[Updated at 1:11 p.m.] A man who was at the international airport in Christchurch described the scene.

"The entire terminal started shaking," he said. "I knew it was an earthquake.There was not much you could do at that point."

Radio New Zealand described the quake as ?severe? and reported that power was out across the city. Some residents posted Twitter alerts reporting damage and large aftershocks.

The USGS predicted only light damage based on its Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.

Christchurch is New Zealand?s second-largest city and the largest on the nation?s southern island, with a population of about 350,000.

?Significant damage? reported after New Zealand quake - Sep 2010
Water, power out across city of 350,000; no tsunami expected

http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/C...e.grid-6x2.jpg
[LINKHOTTEN]

The national government said the earthquake was ?a big one? and that it would decide soon whether to activate its National Crisis Center. Christchurch authorities reported ?substantial infrastructure damage? to utilities, particularly sewer and water facilities.

No casualties were immediately reported, but some residents posted Twitter alerts reporting damage and large aftershocks. Roads around the seaside suburbs of New Brighton and Sumner were choked with cars as worried residents tried to flee the city.

?It is very important that you do not panic,? a Radio New Zealand announcer told residents, urging them to check immediately on elderly relatives and neighbors. Story: ?Significant damage? reported after New Zealand quake.

The Press newspaper of Christchurch reported that many residents fled into the streets in their pajamas. ?Oh my God,? said one of them, Colleen Simpson. ?There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me.?

Kevin O?Hanlon, another Christchurch resident, said he had ?never felt anything like it.?

?Just unbelievable. I was awake to go to work and then just heard this massive noise and, boom, it was like the house got hit. It just started shaking,? he told the paper.

LINK

7.0 is the report now followed by a 5.7 aftershock.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquak...70_-45_eqs.php

New Zealand Herald news article - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news...ectid=10671049

349,900 of them are sheep.

one before & after pic...

http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/C...p.grid-6x2.jpg
[LINKHOTTED]
Before-and-after images of damaged buildings on Victoria Street in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Authorities said there was extensive damage across the city and there were scores of minor injuries but that so far no major casualties were being reported. Civil Defense officials said there were numerous collapsed and damaged buildings and reported that power and water services were out across the city. Christchurch Airport was closed, and rail service was shut down across the south island. Several bridges were impassable.

The national government said numerous aftershocks had followed the earthquake, which it described as ?a big one.? It said more aftershocks were expected.

another one:

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/WOR....visionary.jpg
[LINKHOTNESS]

damn, now thats an earthquake!

Interesting how much of a role Twitter plays communication during catastrophies.

That's fucked up...

My brother lives there really freaked me out luckily all is ok

:thumbsup good to hear