Shit.

[haldoor]

There's been another massive earthquake in Christchurch today - it happened about an hour ago and it sounds worse than the one last September. It's not as big but is closer to the surface and has probably caused more damage because people were out and about this time (last time it was in the middle of the night, this time it's the middle of the day). There could be deaths. Please send any spare thoughts and wishes to the people in Christchurch.

I'm just grateful I live in Auckland and so few of our friends and relatives are down that way. Hopefully, the few people we do know there are all right.

Comments

[agdhani.livejournal.com]

did they give the numbers for how big it was?

hopefully at least some of the architecture is built with earthquakes in mind to lessen the damage. Having lived in Los Angeles through several, especially a really big one in 93, I know what they can do!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

It's 6.3, but the one last September was 7.1 and not nearly as severe due to the depth and time of day.

Unfortunately, because a lot of the buildings have only just survived a massive quake, so a lot of them are simply collapsing this time around, including the Christchurch Cathedral, which is of significant architectural significance (NZ has no buildings older than the 1840s, but the beauty of so many Chch ones is something it's very hard to see destroyed). Also, Christchurch has not been so prone to quakes before so this has not been as prepared for as in other parts of the country.

Worse though is the loss of life. So far 65 fatalities are confirmed and that will probably rise. We can only hope it isn't too high.

[agdhani.livejournal.com]

I've been reading bits of it online as I could today. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that - it's appreciated!