NZ Earthquake.... 6.3 Christchurch

Oct 8, 2009
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Seems a lot of damage in Christchurch, New Zealand from a 6.3 earthquake

Reuters is reporting as many as 200 people still trapped. 65 dead.

Dr Grumps..... we need to to check in with the forum and confirm that you didn't cause it and that you're ok.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/22/new-zealand-earthquake-christchurch

At least 65 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch, collapsing buildings, burying vehicles under debris and sending rescuers scrambling to help people trapped under rubble.

The 6.3-magnitude quake struck the country's second largest city on a busy weekday afternoon.

The mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker, has declared a state of emergency and ordered people to evacuate the city centre.

"Make no mistake this is going to be a very black day for this shaken city," he said.
 
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PM of NZ, John Keys says this might be 'New Zealand's darkest day"

Apparently, the US are already on the ball..... sending specialists. Yay for us! Australia is sending help too.

God bless the people of NZ.
 
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lets hope the death toll will be light

I'm watching the news right now.... it does not look good for NZ. And their PM seems to be saying to expect a higher death toll.... they've been having after shocks from the last one, about six months ago.... now this. I hope Grumps is ok.
 
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I'm watching the news right now.... it does not look good for NZ. And their PM seems to be saying to expect a higher death toll.... they've been having after shocks from the last one, about six months ago.... now this. I hope Grumps is ok.
i think grump in in OZ isnt he?

I'm not sure. I always think he's in NZ.... but I could be wrong.
he's from NZ, but i think he said he lives in OZ
 
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Man, the news coverage looks bad. Whole buildings collapsed down on themselves... I'd be surprised if the dead toll doesn't climb considerably. Let's hope not but, damn, Christchurch is devastated.
 
Man, the news coverage looks bad. Whole buildings collapsed down on themselves... I'd be surprised if the dead toll doesn't climb considerably. Let's hope not but, damn, Christchurch is devastated.
yeah, for living in a known quake zone, they didnt build properly
 
Man, the news coverage looks bad. Whole buildings collapsed down on themselves... I'd be surprised if the dead toll doesn't climb considerably. Let's hope not but, damn, Christchurch is devastated.
yeah, for living in a known quake zone, they didnt build properly

Smaller quake than the 7.1 they had some months ago but, apparently, the damage is much worse. Maybe the first weakened the buildings.... I don't know... but watching the coverage it looks seriously bad for the poor people of Christchurch.
 
I just woke. Seeing the pictures. Looks pretty devasting. My best wishes to the people of NZ.
 
Dive is right

From NZ been living in Oz for three years. From the North Island, not the South where Christchurch is.
They say that although it was lower on the Richter scale it was more devastating for a couple of reasons 1) it was during lunchtime during the week (the last one was on a Sat morning) 2) it was a lot closer to the surface (5km under the surface, the last one was 10 km under the surface).

Dive
Up until the earthquake on Sept nobody knew there was a fault line under Christchurch, thus the buildings were not earthquake proof, unlike Wellington, which is built on a known fault line. Most buildings built in Wellington in the past 40 years have to be constructed to strict guidelines. Not so CHCH, although I guess that will now change.


CG et al, thanks for your kind wishes to my countrymen/women.
 
That's the thing, it wasn't a known quake zone - in fact the one last September took everyone by surprise.
Apparently since then they have had over 4,000 aftershocks...then this one.
Poor bastards there have been on edge for months.
 
Dive is right

From NZ been living in Oz for three years. From the North Island, not the South where Christchurch is.
They say that although it was lower on the Richter scale it was more devastating for a couple of reasons 1) it was during lunchtime during the week (the last one was on a Sat morning) 2) it was a lot closer to the surface (5km under the surface, the last one was 10 km under the surface).

Dive
Up until the earthquake on Sept nobody knew there was a fault line under Christchurch, thus the buildings were not earthquake proof, unlike Wellington, which is built on a known fault line. Most buildings built in Wellington in the past 40 years have to be constructed to strict guidelines. Not so CHCH, although I guess that will now change.


CG et al, thanks for your kind wishes to my countrymen/women.

Just don't think I was being nice to you or anything.

Heartbreaking images from Christchurch..... really, very sad. I just hope the get the help they need asap. I hear the Aussies are already there - and the US is on the way.... bet the Brits show up too pretty damned soon. Times like this, it's all hands on deck.
 
Damn shame. I love New Zealand and it's people.
I've got some friends there but way out in the boonies.

Dive Con was right though. I watched guys removing rubble. Where the hell is the rebar ?
Being " thrifty" has caused millions of lives over the years.
 
CG
Looks like everybody is helping out, which is cool..

Dougar
NZ is not thrifty when it comes to earthquake proofing buildings. In fact, NZ has some of the strictest building codes in the Western World. My old man's a builder, and I've jhelped him build a few houses. In my 40 years living in Auckland, there has only been one very slight tremor and that was three years ago. Like CHCH, Akld is not known for its earthquakes. Mind you, it's built on 40+ extinct/dormant volcanoes! And even then I didn't feel it the tremor. My wife did but she grew up in earthquake country. I didn't believe her, but sure enough 10 minutes later, the news said there had been a tremor.

Anyway, thanks all for good wishes and mucking in to help...
 
That's the thing, it wasn't a known quake zone - in fact the one last September took everyone by surprise.
Apparently since then they have had over 4,000 aftershocks...then this one.
Poor bastards there have been on edge for months.
Planet earth is a quake zone. Build accordingly.
Doc.
Glad to hear they have the codes in place but looking at some of those buildings they either weren't implemented or were built before they were mandated.
Anyhoo. Good luck to the Kiwis. They'll get it back together !
 
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Dive is right

From NZ been living in Oz for three years. From the North Island, not the South where Christchurch is.
They say that although it was lower on the Richter scale it was more devastating for a couple of reasons 1) it was during lunchtime during the week (the last one was on a Sat morning) 2) it was a lot closer to the surface (5km under the surface, the last one was 10 km under the surface).

Dive
Up until the earthquake on Sept nobody knew there was a fault line under Christchurch, thus the buildings were not earthquake proof, unlike Wellington, which is built on a known fault line. Most buildings built in Wellington in the past 40 years have to be constructed to strict guidelines. Not so CHCH, although I guess that will now change.


CG et al, thanks for your kind wishes to my countrymen/women.

Good to see you're alright! My best wishes and prayers for you and your countrymen/women.
 

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