WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck much of New Zealand’s South Island early Saturday. No tsunami alert was issued and there were no reports of injuries.
The quake, which hit 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of the southern city of Christchurch, shook a wide area with some residents there saying buildings had collapsed and power was severed.
Christchurch police reported some road damage in parts of the city of 400,000 people, with a series of sharp aftershocks rocking the area. Police officers cordoned off some streets where rubble was strewn about from the quake.
Christchurch resident Colleen Simpson said panicked residents ran into the street in their pajamas. Some buildings had collapsed, there was no power, and the mobile telephone network had failed.
“Oh my God. There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me,” Simpson told the Stuff news website.
Another person from Christchurch, Kevin O’Hanlon, said the jolt was extremely powerful.
“I was awake to go to work and then just heard this massive noise and ‘boom,’ it was like the house got hit. It just started shaking. I’ve never felt anything like it,” he told the news website.
The earthquake was 21 miles (33 kilometers) below the Earth’s surface, the geological agency GNS Science said. Radio reports said items were tossed from store shelves and roof tiles cracked by the strong temblor.
The quake hit at 4:35 a.m. shaking thousands of residents awake, New Zealand’s National Radio reported.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said “no destructive widespread tsunami threat existed, based on historical earthquake and tsunami data.”
New Zealand sits above an area of the Earth’s crust where two tectonic plates collide. The country records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year — but only about 150 are felt by residents. Fewer than 10 a year do any damage.
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freshwind78
Posted on September 5, 2010 at 5:41pmLove the Blaze. . . Thank you Glenn Beck. . family and staff for all you do. The fact is that the Truth will out last all the attacks and lies over time. We must just live and stand in the Truth and watch IT work!
Jeremiah 23:29
Report Post »Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]? (Amplified version)
Tazzy
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 8:10pmPrayers for all in this country .
Report Post »momisaverb
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 6:28pmhttp://www.newzeal.blogspot.com/
Report Post »cwguapo
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 1:48pmWon’t someone please think about the Hobbits!
Report Post »Skwerl
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 10:50amOur friend in Liberty Trevor Loudon of http://newzeal.blogspot.com/ is safe and sound per his post on Facebook. Why not drop him a line on his Twitter @newzealblog ?
Report Post »tobias01
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 7:23amI live in Christchurch, I can tell you it was a terrifying experience to say the least. thankfully my family and friends are all safe.
A few updates: although there have been many minor injuries, unbelievably there have been no deaths recorded thank god. If it had been in the middle of the day, there could have been a very different outcome. There are a few cases where people are in critical condition however.
Power has been restored to approximately 90% of the city, phone lines are restored and water flowing to most areas also, however there has been major damage to sewage and water infrastructure, so in some areas water is unsafe to drink, however alternate water sources are being made available. As power was being restored, damaged wires caused some buildings to catch fire, but emergency services have managed to contain them. Emergency shelters are coping well, caring for anyone that has lost their home. people have been charitable wherever they can, neighbors helping neighbors and people donating their time wherever they are most needed. current damage estimates are 2Billion NZDollars.
Aftershocks still continue, in fact as i type there has been another one. we are told to possibly expect a large aftershock sometime in the early morning, so i think it will be a sleepless night for most people in the region, including myself.
Thank you all so much for all your prayers to the people of New Zealand’s south island. We pray that anyone injured makes a full and speedy recovery.
Report Post »KendallHagan
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 9:54pmI know this is a long shot, but I have been trying to reach Frances Hood, whose husband died a year or so ago.
Report Post »jkincaid
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 10:59pmI agree birth pains,jesus come quickly
Report Post »LJ_4_JESUS
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 10:44amAmen ( Revelation of John 22:20 ) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Report Post »jayb
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 10:36pmI agree with Rocktruth‘s statement about the ’birth pangs’…these earthquakes are getting closer and closer, and they seem to be bigger, as we read about in the Bible…
Report Post »Statesman
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 10:35pmI pray for everyone’s safety and that utilities are restored quickly. For three years I feared the big one living 7 miles from the San Andreas fault and was so happy I was moving away from it. Now I live less than 2 miles from the San Jacinto fault. Out of the frying pan so to speak,
Report Post »TomBombadil
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 9:33pmGod be with those hit with this quake! Keep them safe.
Report Post »gbear041
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 9:05pm@RockTruth….So true….so true
Report Post »icesk8rgirl96
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 8:51pmDear Lord,
Report Post »Protect these people, your children, and let’s pray that rescue efforts will be effective!!
AMEN
stephenb.net
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 8:48pmGod bless them. We are praying for you New Zealand!
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 7:14pmLord, we pray that the people and families of New Zealand are safe and any rescue efforts would be effective.
Report Post »Justme22
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 9:42pmAMEN
Report Post »Jarhead K.S.
Posted on September 4, 2010 at 12:26amAMEN
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 3, 2010 at 7:03pmBirth Pangs.
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