A large earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey, causing buildings to collapse and burying vehicles under debris. Prime Minister John Key said at least 65 people had been killed.
Damage was extensive and people were trapped inside buildings, The Associated Press reported.
Video from the scene by 3 News New Zealand showed extensive damage to the city’s main cathedral, as well as people running through the streets to safety. One person called it “the most frightening thing of my entire life.”
And this appears already out-of-date – more and more current info here for those following it:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4688671/Christchurch-quake-latest-info
“God, we pray for the residents of Christchurch. We pray first for calm and a settling of fear. We pray for rescue for anyone still trapped. Give them strength and wisdom for those working to restore order. We pray for healing for those injured and comfort for those who have lost loved ones. In Jesus’ name, bless New Zealand in the midst of this tragedy.”
From here and more news here and an appeal here
The real problem with this particular earthquake is that it was so incredibly shallow — about 13,000 feet, compared to a much more common 20 to 60 miles — that damage is far out of proportion to magnitude. A 6.3 at that depth is FAR worse than the 7.2 of six months ago, which occurred some 25 miles west and six miles down. Today’s quake was almost certainly an aftershock of that 7.2, which was about 30 times more powerful.
My family, North Islanders, are unaffected, but the geologist of my earlier years absolutely shudders for the new circumstances of those anywhere near the epicentre ( = that point on the surface directly above the release of energy ).
Heart-breaking times for all concerned.
My son and my brother and his family are all in Christchurch – all safe, but all sounded very, very shaken. The aftershocks have been large, frequent and very sharp as well.
My brother had to drive across town to get his mother-in-law yesterday about 4 hours after the big quake said it was like driving through a war-zone, even though he was keeping out of the centre city and going around through the suburbs. It took him nearly two hours to do what should have been a 20 minute trip because so many roads were impassable.
Incredible devastation there. My daughter’s family survived, thanks be to God, but she and our 2-year old grandson had some scary moments before they were able to get out of the house. All three of them had a terrible night last night, Dad and Mom waking up with every aftershock and trying to protect the baby from anything that might fall from the ceiling. (Dad is in construction and deemed the house safe, but you can’t tell for sure, especially if its a strong aftershock.) Tonight they are on their way up to Blenheim to find lodging until things settle down in Christchurch. Pray that God gives them a safe trip and adequate lodging.
Pray mostly for the heroes who are at this very moment trying to reach survivors trapped in the rubble. With many of these folks, time is of the essence. Then of course pray for all the injured, and for those who lost their lives, especially for their families.
Don’t know how many of you saw the pics of Christchurch cathedral, but I spent a fair amount of time there when we visited back in December. What terrible devastation occurred there. But, as the dean of the cathedral said in an interview, at the end of the day, it’s just a building, and it’s the people there we care about most.
Bart Hall:
That would have been around Lyttleton, from what I understand. I read this morning that EVERY OTHER STRUCTURE in Lyttleton was severely damaged.
My sister and her children are OK, thanks be to God.
The Cathedral was a truly lovely building inside, and climbing its tower a really tourist experience. Was there anybody in the tower at the time?
Besides the Anglican and Catholic Cathedrals, St John’s Latimer Square, the leading Anglican evangelical church of the city, is wrecked, so is Oxford Terrace Baptist Church.
Damage is estimated at $12 billion – that equates to about $2800 PER PERSON for the whole nation, which is in recession.
I fear it will be like New Orleans, with thousands forced to leave.
Here’s a fascinating piece from 2008 about the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch with a strangely (and unintended) prophetic picture:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/lifestyle/mainlander/582350