6.3 and 5.9 Earthquakes Hit Christchurch New Zealand February 22 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

[Emily]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

http://www.geonet.org.nz/news/feb-20...arthquake.html

"Last updated February 22, 4:30 pm

Shaking intensity in the city was much greater for this earthquake than the magnitude 7.1 earthquake from last September, or any of the aftershocks. The highest shaking was recorded at Pages Road Pumping Station at 188 %g, with readings of 127 %g at Heathcote Valley Primary School and 107 %g at Hulverstone Road Pumping Station.

This is due to the proximity of the epicentre to the city and the shallow depth. The earthquake has a reverse faulting mechanism."

Ground acceleration reached nearly 2 g according to geologists on Twitter and that is considered very high - enough to topple modern buildings.

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

One thing I've noticed is that some of the seemingly new buildings "pancaked", i.e. the roof collapsed and caused all the lower levels to pile up like a stack of pancakes. This should NOT happen in well designed and built structures. I've seen EQ codes that require the roof to be supported separately to the ground, thereby preventing its collapse and taking the rest of the building down.

If it's like other major quakes in modern towns, the fault can lie with the workmanship.

It's good to see that some large buildings like the Christchurch cathedral, have good structural support for the roof, but suffered a little fascade damage (except for the separate tower).

.

[Emily]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

I can't vouch for this but someone on Twitter said Google created a people-finder tool for the earthquake:

http://christchurch-2011.person-finder.appspot.com/

It does caution that all information entered will become public.
ETA: I noticed that was tweeted by the New Zealand Herald.

http://twitter.com/#!/nzherald

------------------------------------


Brisbanetimes photos:

Big Pictures: Earthquake again hits Christchurch

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/chri...ake/index.html

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

NZ earthquake causes ice to break off glacier .


CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand -- The earthquake that struck Christchurch has caused some 30 million tons of ice to break off from New Zealand's biggest glacier.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/2...#ixzz1Eg9FKQhb

[Emily]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

One thing I've noticed is that some of the seemingly new buildings "pancaked", i.e. the roof collapsed and caused all the lower levels to pile up like a stack of pancakes. This should NOT happen in well designed and built structures. I've seen EQ codes that require the roof to be supported separately to the ground, thereby preventing its collapse and taking the rest of the building down.

If it's like other major quakes in modern towns, the fault can lie with the workmanship.

It's good to see that some large buildings like the Christchurch cathedral, have good structural support for the roof, but suffered a little fascade damage (except for the separate tower).

.

There is a video interview below and the man interviewed said that perhaps casualties were reduced because some of the least sound buildings were already damaged and condemned in the September quake. That meant that those buildings were not in use today.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/vi...lery_id=116920
Christchurch earthquake: A city destroyed
8:36 PM Tuesday Feb 22, 2011

[mixin]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

Sally Furniss, Vice President of FluTrackers, and her family are ok. I spoke to her on the phone from Christchurch and she tells me:

1. She can smell burning rubber,
2. There are fires,
3. The water service is out,
4. Sewer lines are broken,
5. Some roads are impassable,
6. The bridges are out.

I'm so thankful Sally and her family are ok. I hope our other NZ members check in as soon as they are able.

[makoto]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

12 Japanese students remain trapped under rubble

Rescue workers in Christchurch in New Zealand have pulled out 9 Japanese students and 2 teachers trapped under the rubble of a building badly damaged in the quake.

Officials said on Tuesday that a 19-year-old Japanese student remains trapped under the rubble, and 11 others remain unaccounted for....



Tuesday, February 22, 2011 21:25 +0900 (JST)
nhk world http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/22_51.html

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sA156UOySLA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Pathfinder]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

#CHCH #EQNZ Quake Update 13

0218 hrs

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred 10km south-east of Christchurch at 12:51, February 22, 2011. Depth (focal depth): 5km.

There have been 23 aftershocks greater than M4, with 4 greater than M5.

Considerable damage has been reported in the Christchurch CBD and in Lyttelton. A more thorough assessment of the damage will completed over the next 24 hours. Rescue work is likely to take days to complete.

Aftershocks are likely to continue and this could lead to further building damage or collapse.

See also: http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/

Damage assessment:
The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) is assessing information with the assistance of scientific advisors and Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups.

The National Crisis Management Centre has been activated.

• <LI type=disc>To minimise loading on the telecommunications network, people should use txt messaging to check if friends and family are safe <LI type=disc>There are reports of widespread building collapse (especially in the central city). <LI type=disc>There are 65 confirmed fatalities and numerous reports of injuries. This figure is likely to rise. <LI type=disc>The earthquake was felt widely across the South Island. <LI type=disc>Christchurch City declared a state of emergency at 1445 hrs. <LI type=disc>National agencies have been activated and are being coordinated via the National Crisis Management Centre.
• The National Crisis Management Centre is anticipating a need for temporary accommodation due to the extensive building damage.
  

Government help line
Call the Ministry of Social Development's Government help line 0800 779 997 for information about all government services and support.

Red Cross Person Enquiry Line now activated
The New Zealand Red Cross Person Enquiry Line is now activated.

People in New Zealand concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives in Christchurch should call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276).

If you are unable to contact a friend or relative in the Christchurch area, call the Red Cross Person Enquiry Line. Red Cross will be able to tell you if they have registered with Civil Defence.

People are encouraged to do this before reporting friends and relatives missing.

People enquiring from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199.

Urban Search and Rescue
All 3 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams are deployed. Task Force 2 (Christchurch) is operating at near full strength and non technical teams have also been deployed. Two USAR teams are on their way from Australia. New Zealand response teams are being mobilised to support USAR teams.

Hospitals and Medical Centres
Christchurch hospital is operational (contrary to some media reports) and one ward has been evacuated. Only attend A and E (accident and emergency) at the hospital if absolutely essential. For other injuries, contact your nearest after hours medical centre. The 24 hour surgery on Bealy Avenue is open.

Emergency triage centres for the injured are operating at Latimer Square, Canterbury University and the Sanitarium Building in Papanui.

The District Health Boards are communicating to coordinate support requirements.

Hospitals in other areas are prepared to receive patients if required.

Welfare centres
If you need emergency assistance and accommodation overnight, go to Burnside High School. A secondary welfare centre is also at Hagley Park North.

The welfare centre at Addington Raceway is closed due to high numbers.

Airport status
Christchurch International Airport is open for emergency flights only.

Port status
The harbour is closed for at least 24 hours. Some wharves have sustained serious damage.

Road status
All highways are open apart from Lyttelton Tunnel, State Highway 74 and Anzac Avenue Bridge for which a detour is available. There are reports of major damage to local roads in the city and liquefaction and surface flooding. There are also some road closures in the Selwyn District.

Electricity
Transpower reports that all supply is back in service. Orion is restoring power where possible and continuing to assess damage.

Telecomms
Vodafone and Telecom are advising customers to limit their calls or to use text only.

Water
There are reports of broken water pipes and associated flooding. Water supplies have been disrupted throughout most of the city. If it rains, residents are asked to collect water in buckets if possible.

Continue to boil water.

Waste water (sewerage)
There are reports of broken water pipes and associated flooding.

Police reinforcements
Police officers including those skilled in disaster victim identification roles are travelling to Christchurch as part of the emergency response.

About 200 staff have been mobilised as part of the immediate response with another 130 expected to travel in the next few days to support their Canterbury colleagues and other agencies.

Police are urging people to stay out of the Christchurch central city business area. Overnight rain is not helping the situation but emergency services and disaster response agencies are continuing all possible efforts to search buildings in the CBD and other parts of the city.

...

http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/

[Pathfinder]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

Christchurch quake: Fears toll will rise sharply as night falls

12:13 AM Wednesday Feb 23, 2011


Rescue workers on the collapsed Pyne Gould Guiness Building in central Christchurch. Photo / Mark Mitchell
More photos: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/im...116918#7380147


Excerpt:

Construction workers and search and rescue specialists are toiling under floodlights on a cold and wet night to dig out survivors and the dead from buildings flattened by the earthquake that ripped the city apart today...

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker tonight said more than 100 people were trapped in about six sites - but it was possible more were trapped in individual houses.

TV3 has had unconfirmed reports that the death toll could reach between 200 and 300.

The Government is holding a press conference at 5.30am this morning where more details will be revealed...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708102

[Treyfish]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

pics http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/im...116912#7380552
Provincial Chambers

[Shiloh]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

Google Person Finder, Christchurch Earthquake link:

http://christchurch-2011.person-finder.appspot.com/

[Pathfinder]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

Recent New Zealand Earthquakes

Reference Number: 3468883
NZDT: Wed, Feb 23 2011 1:21 am
Magnitude: 3.9
Depth: 12 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468875
NZDT: Wed, Feb 23 2011 0:57 am
Magnitude: 3.9
Depth: 4 km
Details: 10 km south of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468871
NZDT: Wed, Feb 23 2011 0:43 am
Magnitude: 3.7
Depth: 5 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Akaroa

Reference Number: 3468863
NZDT: Wed, Feb 23 2011 0:18 am
Magnitude: 4.3
Depth: 5 km
Details: 20 km south-east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468858
NZDT: Wed, Feb 23 2011 0:02 am
Magnitude: 4.4
Depth: 5 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468837
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 11:05 pm
Magnitude: 4.0
Depth: 9 km
Details: 10 km south-west of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468820
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 10:18 pm
Magnitude: 4.0
Depth: 5 km
Details: Within 5 km of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468819
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 10:16 pm
Magnitude: 4.0
Depth: 5 km
Details: Within 5 km of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468805
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 9:38 pm
Magnitude: 4.1
Depth: 7 km
Details: Within 5 km of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468797
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 9:21 pm
Magnitude: 4.8
Depth: 7 km
Details: 10 km south-west of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468779
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 8:22 pm
Magnitude: 3.4
Depth: 5 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468765
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 7:43 pm
Magnitude: 5.0
Depth: 12 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468758
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 7:28 pm
Magnitude: 4.6
Depth: 5 km
Details: Within 5 km of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468757
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 7:25 pm
Magnitude: 3.5
Depth: 5 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468746
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 6:59 pm
Magnitude: 4.6
Depth: 5 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468738
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 6:39 pm
Magnitude: 3.5
Depth: 11 km
Details: 10 km south of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468731
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 6:23 pm
Magnitude: 3.1
Depth: 3 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468729
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 6:17 pm
Magnitude: 3.9
Depth: 15 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468722
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 6:03 pm
Magnitude: 4.3
Depth: 5 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468720
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 5:56 pm
Magnitude: 4.0
Depth: 15 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468715
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 5:30 pm
Magnitude: 3.5
Depth: 6 km
Details: Within 5 km of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468709
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 5:29 pm
Magnitude: 3.6
Depth: 11 km
Details: 10 km east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468705
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 5:19 pm
Magnitude: 4.6
Depth: 15 km
Details: 10 km south-east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468689
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 4:46 pm
Magnitude: 4.2
Depth: 11 km
Details: 10 km north-west of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468688
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 4:43 pm
Magnitude: 3.7
Depth: 6 km
Details: 10 km east of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468682
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 4:32 pm
Magnitude: 4.2
Depth: 10 km
Details: 10 km north of Lyttelton

Reference Number: 3468679
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 4:24 pm
Magnitude: 4.4
Depth: 5 km
Details: 10 km south of Christchurch

Reference Number: 3468672
NZDT: Tue, Feb 22 2011 4:04 pm
Magnitude: 5.0
Depth: 12 km
Details: Within 5 km of Christchurch
...

http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/recent_quakes.html

Also see post #17 for previous earthquakes

[makoto]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

Japan to send rescue team to New Zealand

Japan's government has decided to send an emergency team to quake-hit New Zealand to rescue those trapped in collapsed buildings, as early as possible. The trapped include Japanese.

The decision came after Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara met New Zealand's Ambassador to Japan, Ian Kennedy, on Tuesday. Maehara offered condolences to the families of those who died and sympathy for those affected. He also expressed respect for rescuers working hard now....



Tuesday, February 22, 2011 20:09 +0900 (JST)
nhk world http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/22_49.html

[Pathfinder]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

People still being pulled alive from buildings
23 February, 2011 - 04:02

A large number of people have been pulled alive from collapsed buildings as rescuers have continued to work throughout the night under floodlights.

There are two buildings within the city which suffered major collapse while there were significant numbers of people inside. These are the PGG building on Cambridge Terrace and the CTV building on the corner of Madras and Cashel Streets.

Superintendent Russell Gibson said that since 1pm yesterday 22 people, including two with serious injuries, have been rescued from the PGG building. A further 22 people are believed to be still trapped. There is communication with at least three of these people and it is understood they are not hurt.

Eight people have also been rescued from the CTV building. It is thought a large number are still unaccounted for and work is ongoing to match up reports of missing people with specific locations and buildings.

Police are also aware of there being a number of deceased people in both buildings.

The focus of Police and Urban Search and Rescue at this stage is the rescue of those still trapped, rather than the recovery of the dead.

Supt Gibson said: "It is difficult to speculate on the total death toll as it is such a rapidly evolving situation. We know it will be significant and we know there are a lot of people going through the nightmare ordeal of waiting for news of their loved ones. All of the agencies involved in this operation are working as hard as possible to bring some clarity to the situation and some answers families and friends."

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/27215.html

http://www.police.govt.nz/

[sharon sanders]

Re: 6.3 and 5.6 Earthquakes Hit ChristChurch New Zealand February 21 2011 - Heavy Damage - Deaths

Sally has been able to contact Kiwibird. She and her family are ok too.