Live updates: Christchurch quake (New Zealand 6.3 Fatalities Reported)

TVNZ ^ | 2/22/2011 | TVNZ

[Nextrush]

2:59 pm Civil Defense HQ in Wellington is on level 3-its highest level fo a domestic incident. They are struggling to reach staff in Christchurch.

2:58 pm NZTA confirms tht all its staff, including those at the Lyttleton Tunnel, are safe.

2:54 pm All AM radio frequencies are out in Christchurch. Newstalk ZB is broadcasting on....

[Verginius Rufus]

According to Wikipedia (not always reliable) there may be upwards of 30 fatalities.

There have been some larger earthquakes in the vicinity lately: a 7.8 quake in July 2009 and a 7.1 quake in 2010.

I remember that one of the quakes caused damage to classical artifacts at a university on the south island, I think the one in Christchurch, but I don't remember if it was the 2009 quake or the 2010 quake.

[SE Mom]

80% of Christchurch has no power.

[MamaDearest]

They've since had 5.5 and 5.6 quakes.

Earthquake datea imported from USGS feed

[Errant]

Looks like the whole western edge of the pacific plate is experiencing a lot of activity.

[null and void]

One, now.

[MamaDearest]

A flame fight was starting on the old thread.

An abundance of authorities on the topic (when they should be praying for the victims and families of victims of the quakes)?

[Ditto]

Prayers up for you Kiwis.

[Netizen]

bumping for later

[dfwgator]

I would have to think that was more than a 6.3 quake.

[TaraP]

Prayers up!

[Netizen]

for your perusal

[John W]

The shallowness has been the reason given for such devastation.

[CORedneck]

I was in Christchurch four years ago. Really sad to see the pictures of the Downtown Cathedral get trashed ! Christchurch was one of my favorite places in NZ !

[dragnet2]

I’s confident even those drooling in cups got the point.

[BlazingArizona]

“What is 6.3 fatalities?”

A rugby match?

[little jeremiah]

Thank you.

[BunnySlippers]

This sounds very much like the Long Beach quake back in the 1950’s here in So Cal. Lots of buildings built of brick. The bricks fall and kill people.

Very sad. Lots of building code changes in LA since then.

I would think NZ would have a fair mount of quakes.

Prayers.

[Publius]

This sounds very much like the Long Beach quake back in the 1950’s here in So Cal.

March 10, 1933, not 1950's.

[Daffynition]

Thoughts and prayers for all NZ.

Christchurch Quake map Buildings were weakened since the large quake 7.1 on Sept 4, 2010. Thoughts and prayers

[BunnySlippers]

Good for you. Great with dates!

I have been looking at the photos. It looks bad but it does look like a problem with brick buildings. Brick buildings, as I’m sure you know, have to be reinforced here in LA.