Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes New Zealand. Tsunami warning issued...

aaronleland

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Powerful earthquake hits Christchurch in New Zealand sparking tsunami warning

An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 has struck near Christchurch, New Zealand, triggering a tsunami warning.

The quake hit 57 miles north east of the city, which is on the east coast of the country's South Island.

It struck in the early hours of Monday morning in Christchurch which was reduced to rubble by an earthquake just five years ago.

The tsunami threat is for the east coast of all New Zealand including Christchurch, Wellington and the Chatham islands.

I only hope coastal residents have the common sense to flee. I pray the damage done will be minimal, and nobody loses their life.
 
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Thomas Mead

@ThomasMeadia

More damage along Leader Road, just inland of SH1 #eqnzpic.twitter.com/reTkq2k4Wr

6:31 AM - 13 Nov 2016
 
Tourists being rescued in New Zealand...
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New Zealand plans rescue of tourists stranded by earthquake
Nov 14,`16 -- New Zealand is planning to send in military helicopters and a navy ship to rescue about 1,000 tourists and hundreds of residents who remain stranded in the coastal town of Kaikoura after a powerful earthquake on Monday cut off train and vehicle access. The magnitude-7.8 quake struck the South Island just after midnight. It left two people dead and triggered a small tsunami. It also brought down rocks and mud that swept across highways and cracked apart roads.
Home to about 2,000 residents, Kaikoura is a popular destination for travelers taking part in whale-watching expeditions or wanting a stopover with mountain views. But the quake knocked out water supplies and sewerage systems and left people with no easy way out. "From all directions, Kaikoura has essentially been isolated," Air Commodore Darryn Webb, the Acting Commander of New Zealand's Joint Forces, told The Associated Press. "There's a real imperative to support the town because it can't support itself." Webb said the military planned to begin using four NH90 helicopters on Tuesday that could each transport about 18 people out of the town at a time. He said a ship was also leaving Auckland on Monday night that could potentially pick up hundreds of people if weather conditions allowed. "We're going to get as many people and belongings out as quickly as we can," Webb said.

He said the weather forecast wasn't looking great and the operation could take several days. He said that if needed, a C-130 military transport plane could drop fuel, water, food and other supplies to the town. Elsewhere, strong aftershocks continued to shake New Zealand on Monday, rattling the nerves of exhausted residents. The country was largely spared the devastation it saw in 2011 when an earthquake struck the city of Christchurch and killed 185 people. That quake was one of New Zealand's worst disasters, causing an estimated $25 billion in damage. Monday's quake caused damage in Wellington, the capital, and was also strongly felt in Christchurch. Residents said the shaking went on for about three minutes. Police said one person died in Kaikoura and another in Mt. Lyford, a nearby ski resort. Several other people suffered minor injuries in Kaikoura, police spokeswoman Rachel Purdom said.

Prime Minister John Key flew over the destruction in Kaikoura by helicopter as aftershocks kicked up dust from the landslides below. Cars could be seen lying on their sides and parts of the road were clearly impassable. "It's just utter devastation," Key said. He later toured the area and met with locals. He estimated the cleanup effort would run into the billions of dollars and said clearing the debris and blocked roads could take months. Kaikoura resident Terry Thompson said he was out of town when the quake struck but managed to reach his wife on her cellphone before the phone died. "She said the glass exploded right out of the double ranch-slider," he said. "The neighbor's chimney was gone, there were breakages and things smashed everywhere." Thompson said his wife helped a 93-year-old neighbor and a tourist into her car and drove to higher ground. "They stayed in the car all night but couldn't sleep," Thompson said. "They're all very, very tired and concerned about the state of their property."

MORE

See also:

Nowhere to mooove: 3 cows stranded by New Zealand earthquake
November 14, 2016 — Three New Zealand cows looked like they could use a little help Monday after an earthquake triggered landslides all around them and left them stranded on a small island of grass.
Video taken by Newshub news service from a helicopter near the small town of Kaikoura shows two adult cattle and a calf stuck on a chunk of land in a paddock that had been ripped apart in Monday's magnitude-7.8 quake. The patch of grass was surrounded by deep ravines of collapsed earth, trapping the animals where they stood. It was not immediately clear who owned the cattle or what was being done to help them.

Kaikoura is close to the epicenter of the overnight earthquake, and where one of the two confirmed deaths occurred. The quake was strongly felt to the south in Christchurch but was far less damaging than a smaller 2011 earthquake that devastated the city and killed 185 people. New Zealand's 10 million cattle easily outnumber its 4.7 million people.

VIDEO
 
A comparison between 2011 and 2016 earthquakes in New Zealand...
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Comparing 2011 and 2016 New Zealand earthquakes
Tuesday 15th November, 2016 -- A powerful earthquake that struck New Zealand reminded many of the quake that hit the nation in February 2011 and devastated Christchurch, the country's second-biggest city, though Monday's quake was not nearly as destructive.
A comparison of the two quakes: MAGNITUDE AND DEPTH

Monday's quake, with a magnitude of 7.8, was much stronger than the magnitude-6.3 quake in 2011. But it also was much deeper - striking 23 kilometers (14 miles) below the earth's surface. The 2011 quake had a depth of just 5 kilometers (3 miles). The shallower a quake is, the more destruction it tends to cause.

LOCATION

The two quakes were centered around 90 kilometers (56 miles) apart. Monday's was centered in a rural area that's home to just a few thousand people, and caused some damage in Wellington, New Zealand's capital, more than 200 kilometers (120 miles) to the north. It was also strongly felt in Christchurch, 93 kilometers (57 miles) south of the epicenter, where residents said the shaking went on for about three minutes. The 2011 quake was centered almost directly beneath Christchurch, meaning tens of thousands of people were exposed to the most violent shaking.

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A relief worker walks past the earthquake-damaged Christchurch Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand following a magnitude 6.3 temblor. A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, reminding many of the quake that hit the nation in February 2011 and devastated the city of Christchurch, the country​

AFTERSHOCKS

Both quakes were followed by a large series of aftershocks, many of them strong. Since Monday's quake, at least four temblors of magnitude 6.1 or higher have been recorded in the region.

CASUALTIES

The 2011 quake killed 185 people and injured thousands. So far, the death toll from Monday's quake stands at two, with one person dying in the small coastal town of Kaikoura and another in Mt. Lyford, a nearby ski resort. Prime Minister John Key said authorities had no reason to believe the death toll would climb further.

DAMAGE

The 2011 quake gutted much of downtown Christchurch, with more than 1,000 central city commercial buildings and 10,000 homes destroyed. Monday's quake cracked roads and homes, but largely spared the country the devastation it saw from the 2011 quake.

COST

The 2011 quake caused an estimated $25 billion in damage. It's too early to tell what the cost of Monday's quake will be, but officials have estimated that the cleanup will run into the billions.

KTVB.COM | News | Idaho News on Demand

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After facing the strongest earthquake since 2009, New Zealand thrown into chaos caused by devastation from aftershocks, tsunami
Tuesday 15th November, 2016 - After being struck by the strongest earthquake since 2009, New Zealand experienced chaos and devastation, caused first by the massive temblor, followed by 45 aftershocks and a tsunami.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck central New Zealand just after midnight and led to a tsunami that struck the northeast coast of the South Island. Officials said that the quake was centered 91 km (57 miles) north-northeast of the South Island’s biggest city, Christchurch. The region was struck by a series of at least 45 aftershocks, with five strong ones ranging from magnitude 5.6 to 7.5 and nine others recorded as being ‘strong.’ Reports pointed out that thousands of residents fled their houses after the quake wrecked buildings, caused massive road destruction, demolished bridges and buildings across the islands.

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Power shortages, telecommunication shut down and cuts in water supply was experienced in many areas like Kaikoura, Picton and Blenheim on the east coast of the South Island. Kaikoura, a major tourist destination was affected the most, the Marlborough Emergency Management Group said in a statement. Emergency response teams to rescue and evacuate residents were deployed in the affected areas.

In an official statement, GeoNet, that monitors seismic activity in New Zealand said, “It looks like we've got two separate but related quakes going on. Our reports indicate that the combination of these two quakes lasted two minutes, with the most severe shaking at around 50 seconds. It's quite a complex quake. It looks like two events happening almost simultaneously. We can say one thing with certainty: there will be more earthquakes to come in this area.” About 10 hours after the huge quake hit, GeoNet had recorded 232 aftershock events. One of those tremors was of 6.1 magnitude. By noon AEDT close to 300 shocks had been recorded.

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U.S. Navy P-3C Orion aircraft Helping New Zealand Recover from Earthquake...

Navy Plane from Hawaii Helping New Zealand Recover from Earthquake
Nov 16, 2016 - A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion aircraft out of Hawaii is assisting with a survey of ground damage in New Zealand after an earthquake hit the South Island. BBC News said two people were killed in the 7.8-magnitude quake near Christchurch Monday, blocking roads and causing some building damage.
The air crew with the Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squadron 47 accompanied by two Royal New Zealand Air Force airmen took off from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base in Whenuapai today on a five-hour mission to assess the area surrounding Kaikoura, the U.S. Navy said. "We are very glad to be able to render assistance during this disaster," Cmdr. Jim Imlah, executive officer of VP-47, said in a release. "Both our aircrew and our aircraft maintainers understand the urgency of these missions and are working around the clock to provide maritime patrol and humanitarian support to the people of New Zealand." The crew was able to identify impassable roads covered in debris. Additionally, bridges were assessed that were cracked and buckling due to damage by the earthquake.

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Shane Lewis, with the Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, examines a chart of New Zealand with an airman from the Royal New Zealand Air Force.​

The P-3C Orion was participating in Exercise Mahi Tangaroa as part of the New Zealand International Naval Review when the earthquake occurred. The squadron left Kaneohe Bay on Sept. 20 on its last deployment out of Hawaii. VP-47 is the second of three Hawaii squadrons to make the move to Whidbey Island, Wash. following deployment for transition to newer P-8A Poseidon jets. The Navy said in September that aircraft and personnel deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, and Comalapa, El Salvador. The P-3C Orion is a four engine, turboprop maritime patrol aircraft, with the endurance and ability to conduct wide-area maritime search operations, the Navy said. The Navy said the destroyer USS Sampson with two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters is on its way to Kaikoura to support disaster relief efforts.

The Sampson recently conducted an at-sea exercise with HMNZS Endeavour, a Royal New Zealand Navy fleet replenishment oiler. "American presence matters, as shown yet again today," Adm. Harry Harris, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, said in a release. "Our prayers go out to our friends in New Zealand as they deal with another devastating earthquake on the South Island." The Navy said Sampson was transiting the Western Pacific en route to Auckland to participate in the Royal New Zealand Navy's International Naval Review commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Sampson's visit to New Zealand is the first in more than 30 years for a U.S. Navy ship following a disagreement over New Zealand's anti-nuclear rules, which led to a port visit impasse.

Navy Plane from Hawaii Helping New Zealand Recover from Earthquake | Military.com

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New Zealand quake evacuees get food, shelter, wifi in Christchurch
Wed Nov 16, 2016 | Hundreds of survivors stranded by a huge earthquake that struck central New Zealand three days ago reached Christchurch by a naval ship early on Thursday, as engineers in the capital, Wellington, assessed the state of dozens of damaged buildings.
Around 450 tourists and residents from the small seaside town of Kaikoura were taken by the New Zealand navy's multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury 150 km (90 miles) south to Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, overnight. Most tourists had continued their journeys, but around 130 people were being housed temporarily in Canterbury University's student halls. A student volunteer army, formed after a 6.3 magnitude tremor that killed almost 200 people in Christchurch in 2011, had mobilized to help the evacuees, said university spokeswoman Margaret Agnew. "They've set up to feed people, house people, they've got all the facilities they need," she said. "We've set them up with wifi, that was one of the things they were asking for."

Kaikoura, a fishing community and popular whale-watching base ringed by steep mountains, had been completely cut off by large landslides that covered road and rail links. With damage expected to take months to repair, the government announced a NZ$7.5 million ($5.3 million) package to support small businesses in Kaikoura for two months. "This is a situation where the whole of Kaikoura and surrounding towns are literally out of business," Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce told reporters. "These companies ... are going to have a sustained reduction in their turnover to the point of almost nothing for a long period of time and that's why we think it's appropriate for the government to step in," he said.

Two people were killed and dozens injured by the magnitude 7.8 quake - two nearly simultaneous tremors that ruptured faultlines across the top of the ruggedly beautiful South Island. The timing of the quake - shortly after midnight on Sunday - combined with the epicenter being in a sparsely populated region prevented a higher toll, authorities said.

STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

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Evacuation of quake-hit town nearly complete
Thu, Nov 17, 2016 - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told the owners of businesses in Kaikoura that the government would help them weather the summer
New Zealand’s military leaders yesterday said they had almost completed the evacuation of more than 700 tourists and residents from a small coastal town, two days after a powerful earthquake cut off train and vehicle access. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake left two people dead, triggered a small tsunami, and brought down rocks and mud that swept across highways. Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand acting commander Air Commodore Darryn Webb told reporters that crews were loading about 380 people and three dogs onto a Royal New Zealand Navy ship. He said the ship was due to leave yesterday evening for a six-hour trip to a port near Christchurch. Webb said it had evacuated another 340 people by helicopter since Tuesday.

Other tourists have left by chartering helicopters or having air transport provided by their embassy. Some have chosen to stay until an inland road reopens. “I think it’s gone really well,” Webb said. “We were fortunate to have a reasonable break in the weather today.” Webb said warships from Australia, Canada and the US were due to arrive soon and would help restock the town with water, fuel and other supplies, as well as transport needed equipment. Australian honeymooners Kurt and Kailah Sapwell were among the tourists stuck in Kaikoura, but they did not seem too bothered by their ordeal. They said they had all the essentials they needed: a place to stay, food and water. “It’s been a shaky experience, all good though,” Kurt Sapwell said when New Zealand Prime Minister John Key paid a visit to the town. His wife added that their honeymoon had been “memorable.”

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Evacuees from the earthquake-hit town of Kaikoura, New Zealand, rest aboard the HMNZS Canterbury yesterday.​

Flying over a large landslide in a helicopter, Key expressed surprise at the amount of debris. “Look at this road here, this is really stuffed and there’s thousands of meters of it,” Key said. “I just don’t see how you can ever repair that bit of road. The whole mountain has moved over.” Home to about 2,000 residents, Kaikoura was a popular destination for travelers wanting to go on whale-watching expeditions before the earthquake hit. Yesterday, Key promised business owners the government would provide financial assistance for them through what was going to be a tough summer. Authorities yesterday also managed to clear an emergency inland road to Kaikoura, although it was only open for military vehicles.

NZ Transport Agency Highways and Network Operations Group Manager Neil Walker said the road remains high-risk and unsuitable for cars, although crews were working to open it to the public by the weekend. In the capital, Wellington, several streets remained cordoned off after engineers determined that a nine-story office building was in danger of collapsing. New Zealand Fire Service regional commander Brendan Nally said engineers were completing an inspection of the building on Tuesday when they found a major vertical beam had failed above the fifth floor. Wellington Mayor Justin Lester told reporters that the building would likely have to be demolished. He said he did not believe it posed a risk to public safety because of the precautions authorities had taken in evacuating the area around it.

Evacuation of quake-hit town nearly complete - Taipei Times
 
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Tourists being rescued in New Zealand...
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New Zealand plans rescue of tourists stranded by earthquake
Nov 14,`16 -- New Zealand is planning to send in military helicopters and a navy ship to rescue about 1,000 tourists and hundreds of residents who remain stranded in the coastal town of Kaikoura after a powerful earthquake on Monday cut off train and vehicle access. The magnitude-7.8 quake struck the South Island just after midnight. It left two people dead and triggered a small tsunami. It also brought down rocks and mud that swept across highways and cracked apart roads.
Home to about 2,000 residents, Kaikoura is a popular destination for travelers taking part in whale-watching expeditions or wanting a stopover with mountain views. But the quake knocked out water supplies and sewerage systems and left people with no easy way out. "From all directions, Kaikoura has essentially been isolated," Air Commodore Darryn Webb, the Acting Commander of New Zealand's Joint Forces, told The Associated Press. "There's a real imperative to support the town because it can't support itself." Webb said the military planned to begin using four NH90 helicopters on Tuesday that could each transport about 18 people out of the town at a time. He said a ship was also leaving Auckland on Monday night that could potentially pick up hundreds of people if weather conditions allowed. "We're going to get as many people and belongings out as quickly as we can," Webb said.

He said the weather forecast wasn't looking great and the operation could take several days. He said that if needed, a C-130 military transport plane could drop fuel, water, food and other supplies to the town. Elsewhere, strong aftershocks continued to shake New Zealand on Monday, rattling the nerves of exhausted residents. The country was largely spared the devastation it saw in 2011 when an earthquake struck the city of Christchurch and killed 185 people. That quake was one of New Zealand's worst disasters, causing an estimated $25 billion in damage. Monday's quake caused damage in Wellington, the capital, and was also strongly felt in Christchurch. Residents said the shaking went on for about three minutes. Police said one person died in Kaikoura and another in Mt. Lyford, a nearby ski resort. Several other people suffered minor injuries in Kaikoura, police spokeswoman Rachel Purdom said.

Prime Minister John Key flew over the destruction in Kaikoura by helicopter as aftershocks kicked up dust from the landslides below. Cars could be seen lying on their sides and parts of the road were clearly impassable. "It's just utter devastation," Key said. He later toured the area and met with locals. He estimated the cleanup effort would run into the billions of dollars and said clearing the debris and blocked roads could take months. Kaikoura resident Terry Thompson said he was out of town when the quake struck but managed to reach his wife on her cellphone before the phone died. "She said the glass exploded right out of the double ranch-slider," he said. "The neighbor's chimney was gone, there were breakages and things smashed everywhere." Thompson said his wife helped a 93-year-old neighbor and a tourist into her car and drove to higher ground. "They stayed in the car all night but couldn't sleep," Thompson said. "They're all very, very tired and concerned about the state of their property."

MORE

See also:

Nowhere to mooove: 3 cows stranded by New Zealand earthquake
November 14, 2016 — Three New Zealand cows looked like they could use a little help Monday after an earthquake triggered landslides all around them and left them stranded on a small island of grass.
Video taken by Newshub news service from a helicopter near the small town of Kaikoura shows two adult cattle and a calf stuck on a chunk of land in a paddock that had been ripped apart in Monday's magnitude-7.8 quake. The patch of grass was surrounded by deep ravines of collapsed earth, trapping the animals where they stood. It was not immediately clear who owned the cattle or what was being done to help them.

Kaikoura is close to the epicenter of the overnight earthquake, and where one of the two confirmed deaths occurred. The quake was strongly felt to the south in Christchurch but was far less damaging than a smaller 2011 earthquake that devastated the city and killed 185 people. New Zealand's 10 million cattle easily outnumber its 4.7 million people.

VIDEO

I hear the cows have since been rescued.
 

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