New Zealand rattled by strong quake

[Amelia]

By the CNN Wire Staff

February 21, 2011

(CNN) -- A 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Tuesday afternoon, seriously damaged the city's cathedrals, burst water mains, buckled streets and shut down phone service, according to media reports.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck just before 1 p.m. Tuesday (7 p.m. Monday ET), and a 5.6-magnitude aftershock struck about 15 minutes later.

The New Zealand Herald reported that phone lines in the area were out, roads were cracked -- in some cases lifted as much as a meter (1 yard) -- and water mains had burst, flooding several streets.

New Zealand's transit authority told TVNZ that it had been unable to reach its staff in Christchurch and at the Lyttleton Tunnel, which is near the epicenter.

Christchurch police told TVNZ that the city's 106-year-old Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was badly damaged, and a Herald reporter said that half the building had collapsed.

TVNZ reported that the 147-year-old Christchurch Cathedral's spire had toppled, Christchurch Hospital was being evacuated and the airport was closed.

"The airport is currently closed until further notice," an airport employee told CNN.

All planes headed for the airport were being diverted, and no planes are currently allowed to take off. No one was injured at the airport, he said. The employee did not give his name and wanted to clear the phone line to continue emergency work.

The quake caused significant damage to several older buildings, the Herald reporter said.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said he would attend an emergency cabinet meeting in Wellington and then fly to Christchurch if conditions allow.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker told Radio New Zealand that the rumbling tossed him across the room, that he knew of injuries in the city council building and has heard unconfirmed reports of serious injuries.

"That was, in the city central anyway, as violent as the one that happened on the 4th of September," he said.

Parker added that streets were jammed as people tried to get out of the city, and he urged people to avoid the water supply.

"We've been through this before this once, we now need to think what we did at that time," he said.

Southern New Zealand has been plagued by a series of quakes since September, when the area was shaken by a 7.1-magnitude temblor that New Zealand authorities said was the most damaging quake to hit the region since 1931. The earthquake struck in the predawn hours of September 4. Authorities said the deserted streets at that time likely kept injuries to a minimum.

There were no deaths from that earthquake.

Both the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the Anglican Christchurch Cathedral were undergoing repairs after being badly damaged by the September quake.

The quake struck in the "worst possible location," Kevin Fenaughty, data center manager for GNS Science, told the Herald.

"It's a nightmare," he said. "A lot of people were just getting back on their feet after the original quake."

TVNZ also reported that its newsroom in Christchurch was badly damaged.

*I have relatives in Christchurch, Waiting for news.

[Jeannieb43]

And all airline service in and out of New Zealand has been suspended, because the air traffic control for the whole country was operated out of Christchurch and is now unavailable.

Let's pray for the people there in N.Z.

[Stan]

Reports of 65 death so far.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110222/new-zealand-earthquake-110221/

[Stan]

Sanitarium Health Food Company providing refuge, food and water.

http://record.net.au/items/president-urges-prayer-for-earthquake-victims

[hch]

By the CNN Wire Staff

February 21, 2011

(CNN) -- A 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Tuesday afternoon, seriously damaged the city's cathedrals, burst water mains, buckled streets and shut down phone service, according to media reports.

[phkrause]

Looks pretty bad.

[Dottie]

Here is the site for a first-hand report from David Asherick, who is in New Zealand conducting meetings

http://www.ariseinstitute.com/news/posts/frontline-report-february-22-christchurch-earthquake.html

Very thought-provoking!