A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE SHOOK NEW ZEALAND’s South Island for about one minute Saturday morning just after 4:30 am. The initial quake registered 7.1 Richter Scale (revised downward from the initial report of 7.4) and was centered about 19 miles west of Christchurch, the south’s principal city with 400,000 residents.
NZPA / Alexander photo
Numerous aftershocks have been felt since then, many registering 4.0 to 5.5 and sending the area into chaos. Reports that we are getting say that every ambulance in the country is on the road with calls today. Early reports say that the town of New Brighton is the hardest-hit and the volunteer firefighters are on constant call despite their own homes having been damaged.
The Associated Press assembled this collection of raw video clips showing some of the damage:
The entire infrastucture of Christchurch has been destroyed. All electricity and water supplies are torn asunder. The roads are torn up and travel is minimal at best. Geologists say that there is an almost zero chance of a Tsunami occurring however.
Reuters has filed this video report:
This event is being widely covered by every news agency. We will be updating only with news that relates to the fire and EMS agencies. Check back later.
Thanks to Darren V.
Also on FireGeezer…
- Destructive Earthquake Strikes New Zealand – February 22, 2011
- Christchurch Earthquake Update – Day 3 – February 24, 2011
- Christchurch Suspends Rescue Operations – March 3, 2011
- Christchurch Earthquake Update – February 23, 2011
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