BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)

Subject: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 08:33 PM

Sadly, the 2nd major quake in 5 months near Christchurch

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 08:58 PM

Early reports say that there is more devastation than the earlier 'quake, because although this was 'only' 6.3, it was closer and shallower, and it happened at lunchtime, not early in the morning. The news is full of pictures of broken buildings, fallen masonry burying cars and 'buses, buildings that were repairable from earlier are now destroyed, and the spire of the beautiful cathedral is down.

Four confirmed reports of fatalities so far, but we are only an hour into it. It would surprise me if that was all, considering the devastation. Phones and cellphones down, water, power, sewerage out, the airport closed.
People are behaving as you would expect, leaving the central city as ordered, some wandering in shock, some trying to dig the trapped people out, but the debris needs equipment to move, and this is 'Downtown.'

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: DebC
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 09:21 PM

I hope Little Robyn and family are okay, though I know they are near Hastings.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 09:36 PM

Oh no. How awful.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 11:33 PM

We're all fine - nowhere near Canterbury. Thank you for thinking of us Deb.
My brother left his home in Kaiapoi and shifted up to Palmerston North just before Christmas.
However, we do have friends - folkies who live there.
I just hope they're all OK.
I heard there were two buses crushed under falling buildings.
The news people are saying multiple fatalities.
It sounds terrible - worse than the first one because it was closer to the city centre and happened at lunchtime.
Oh, dear.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Feb 11 - 11:41 PM

photos

story & links to others

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 12:19 AM

One official report was that this shake was from another fault, not the one before, although both are very near Christchurch. The city centre contains many buildings from the victorian era, many of which are severely damaged. Even some structures that were built quite recently are destroyed. There is one building on fire, they are unsure if it is entirely evacuated.
The city is gridlocked. All city ambulances are in use, but more are needed and are coming from all over. Police cars are being used as makeshift ambulances. The military are on the job.
The main hospital is fully operational, hospitals around the country are sending non-essential-surgery patients home so that they can take the overflow, even as far away as Auckland.
At least 17 people are known to be dead, according to the news. One building alone has about 30 people trapped, under their desks.
Help has been offered, from America, and I'm sure also from Australia.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 12:24 AM

65 dead in the latest update. More expected.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: GUEST,Ana
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 01:34 AM

It's just horrible - I'm gutted. Selfish to celebrate that family are alive when 100s are still missing. Folkies are doing an internet headcount. Have a clearer picture in 24 hours. Starting to get dark now.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Brian May
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 01:40 AM

My daughter lives in Lincoln, just south of Christchurch and just west of this epicentre.

Fortunately I've got the message that they're all OK and the house is undamaged. I'm supposed to be there on Friday . . . They've no power, water is disrupted, but SAFE.

It makes you realise what is important in life . . . the rest is trivia.

Best of luck to all those involved, and the rescue services. Sounds like they're on the ball.

Brian

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 01:41 AM

NZ folkies have heard from friends including Libby Stuart.
We think Libby and Davy are OK but their house is a mess. Davy Stuart is a well known musician and instrument maker. His web site is here.

Lindsey Shields is ok, making her way out of the square - she works in the information centre in the Cathedral.

We haven't yet heard from Dave Hart, Russ Gillies, Jane Edmed (used to be Hart), Denny Stanway and Jimmy Young and several others.

It looks as though one folk venue, Harbour Lights has gone, along with a number of other buildings in Lyttleton.

There's a girl Ann Voss, on telly at the moment who is trapped under her desk and talking to the news people on her phone. She's waiting to be rescued - she has phoned her family to say goodbye.....

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 01:56 AM

Just heard
Denny, Gracie and Jimmy are OK, but really upset
and Dave Hart is fine.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 02:20 AM

Terrible. Very sorry to hear about this. Thoughts are with everybody in New Zealand.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: My guru always said
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 02:20 AM

Awful news, hoping that the worst is over. Sending positive thoughts.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: mouldy
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 02:31 AM

There must have been so much property weakened by the last quake too...I so hope you all find your friends and family safe.

Thoughts and prayers are with you. What more can one say at the moment?

Andrea

Subject: Earthquake New Zealand
From: skarpi
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 03:47 AM

I just saw this , are there any mudcatters there ??
but my thougts are with the people ..wish we could do someting
all the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: Earthquake New Zealand
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 03:58 AM

Here is a short article.

Subject: RE: Earthquake New Zealand
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:00 AM

I put that link on the thread from last fall.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: mouldy
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:21 AM

Just spoken to my son in Wellington. He knows somebody who is trapped: an American guy who stayed a couple of days (along with his partner) with them last week.
Apparently this was, like the last one, not on the major fault, although it is a known one this time. He says the real danger now is from the aftershocks. It seems that Christchurch was still experiencing them from the September quake, and buildings are so weak. Apparently there is a massive chunk of a glacier that has fallen as well.

He also says that as a GIS officer for the council, he might be brought down to Christchurch to help co-ordinate the plans (mapping type stuff) for the work ahead. Unfortunately they are down to only 4 people in his office, so they will have to make sure they don't leave Wellington without enough support, should something similar happen there. The civil defence bunker was cracked in the last quake, so that probably isn't in use, so he's not sure what is going on yet. He's quite prepared to go, but says he may yet not be sent.

I hope that everybody is accounted for here.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Earthquake New Zealand
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:34 AM

Oops... see... BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand

Subject: RE: Earthquake New Zealand
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:50 AM

blicky for NZ earthquake thread

check out Little Robyn's posts re safety of folkies

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:58 AM

our radio folks were interviewing a woman in Christchurch who spoke about the time it took to contact her parents at home & her husband in his office.

The mobile/cell network was down for quite a while & after she established contact it took forever to drive home due to many damaged roads. She experienced one of the aftershocks while driving & saw the car ahead stop in the middle of a roundabout & the shocked look on the driver's face, which she knew was the same as the look on her face.

interactive quake map check out the fault line

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 05:00 AM

click on the 43 quakes listed on the right side to see each details of each one.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: SylviaN
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 05:09 AM

All our thoughts are with those in NZ and their families.

Sylvia & Keith

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: scouse
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 08:30 AM

My heart goes out to all those mixed up in this terrible tragedy.. Good healing thoughts from here in The Netherlands.
As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 11:33 AM

Like many others on the Mudcat, I'm sure, I am reading and thinking and commiserating but basically speechless.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 11:44 AM

Speechless here, too, Ebbie, filled with tears. May all be found, quickly and alive.

Christchurch looks like such a beautiful city and the old cathedral...so sad, but of course it's the people who matter the most.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Brian May
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 12:09 PM

For anyone (like me) who needs to monitor what's going on geologically:

http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz

Try that and you can see what is happening where at what magnitude, my family are in Lincoln which is too close for comfort.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 12:41 PM

6:30am here. The fatalities figure has been revised downwards, the 65 reported by the government is currently inaccurate, and 32 is now quoted by the Civil Defence. This includes a 9month-old baby who was crushed under a falling television set.
Work has continued throughout the night. It is raining. All services are disrupted, but cellphone coverage seems to be working again, trapped people are reporting in. Portaloos being rushed to the area, water tankers, generators, food. The airport is up-and-running, emergency traffic only at the moment.
Help coming from specialist teams around the Pacific. Japan was among the first to offer, and there are more than 20 Japanese citizens trapped, language students.
Must contact John Jones, 'Professor Fiddlesticks' as my son knows him.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 01:23 PM

Ditto what Ebbie said.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 01:48 PM

The Ellerslie Flower Show (similar to Chelsea) was being organised under huge waterproof tents - very handy. They are now accommodating evacuees, many of whom are tourists from the hotels in the centre of the city. And special flights are being offered to take these people to another city so they can go home if they wish.
The worst carnage is in the CBD, some people who had been working in the collapsed offices but lots more in cars or on the footpaths, under the collapsed buildings. Rescue workers are concentrated there.
The situation is described as "bleak". Trapped people are still phoning to say they're OK but stuck and rescuers are trying to get to them but it's a slow process. At least the overnight rain has eased.
In the surrounding suburbs some roads are broken, others are covered in water and people are being told to "Stay Home!" For at least 3 days.
There are trucks delivering water to distribution points - 80% of the city has no water and power is still out.
Other roads - the main ones in to Christchurch, are full of vehicles leaving. Someone described it as "peak hour traffic" and some have said they're not coming back!
Why would you?
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 01:52 PM

The official fatality number of 32 dead is only based on those identified (now 38). There are many unidentified in the temporary morgue as well as still trapped under rubble in cars and buildings. The focus must remain on retrieving the living. As the rescuers have said - they aren't here to gather statistics. Realistically the toll is likely to be hundreds. The injured are many.
Watching it unfold is like watching one of those computer graphic'd disaster programmes. It seems very unreal - but not if you happen to be living there. Christchurch was a beautiful city.
The epicentre was nearby Lyttleton - not 'built-up' like Christchurch, it's a small heritage town and access has become problematic. News is slow coming out, but it's thought that 60% of buildings have had catastrophic collapse. Aftershocks continue, and more large are expected.
My rellies are safe, but like many - still waiting to hear of friends. We are all so helpless. It's desolation.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 03:28 PM

Rescue teams are in transit from America, Japan, Singapore, and Britain. At least those. A team from Australia is already in NZ, another in transit.

The Prime Minister of Australia declares unlimited support. "Anything you need!"
More than 20 aftershocks over 4 so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: skarpi
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:29 PM

I am sure our rescue team who went to Haiti would come also , but I think you are a little to far ..but who knows ...

thoughts are with the people .....
I live in earthquake land with Ice and fire , but we don´t build
house with Bricks , our house are build to get out of 9.0 magnitute
earthquake but that does not mean that we are save, but last year we had 6,5 on C ,,and some house got damage
but they where old houses build before we change the buildings .

I pray for those who are hurt both in mind and body .

all the best Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 08:41 PM

Thank you, Skarpi. Most of the destroyed buildings were designed in the earlier days of settlement, and built using English practice.
Not all of them, though.
One of the sites has been temporarily abandoned, as the remaining people are judged to have been asphyxiated by smoke.

The apparent fluctuation of the fatality figures has been explained by the Prime Minister talking of bodies found (he says something over 70 now) and the Civil Defence talking of identified people known to have been killed.
A team from Taiwan is also on its way here.
I've been out sick-visiting and am not up with the latest news. More later.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Janie
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 08:58 PM

Not selfish, Ana. One can feel joy and relief that loved ones are safe and at the same time ache with fear and grief for others.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 01:32 AM

I pray for those who are hurt both in mind and body . Skarpi

One can feel joy and relief that loved ones are safe and at the same time ache with fear and grief for others. Janie

Oh, yes.

It also occurs to me that cell phones (mobiles) are worth their weight in gold.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:08 AM

Gurney said:
Most of the destroyed buildings were designed in the earlier days of settlement, and built using English practice.

My Gr,gr,grandfather and his brothers, the Henwood brothers from Wadebridge, Cornwall were builders in stone and they took their skills to Canterbury in 1856.
Horatio Henwood, the youngest brother, was Clerk of Works for several years and was involved in building the Prison at Addington and other important buildings at that time. He lived in Lyttelton, James was in Christchurch and John Henwood, my 2xgreat grandfather had his family at Kaiapoi. Both James and John helped with some of the buildings, which would have been the best they knew how to make in those days.
I don't think they ever experienced an earthquake - my Mum always said Wellington had earthquakes but not Canterbury.
We lived in Wellington - we always had lots of smallish quakes and our house was a wooden one that would sway uncomfortably, but safely.
No-one expected this. They still can't believe it.
Lots have been pulled out in the last 24 hours, but others have gone quiet.
Too sad.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: mouldy
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:36 AM

My heart is aching for you all. New Zealanders are made of amazing stuff, and will be very pragmatic and stoic about the whole thing, but there must be such anguish within.

I had planned, before my house move, to visit NZ around now for my Granddaughter's birthday on March 13th, and I was going to visit Christchurch first, and then tour the South Island for a bit.

Be assured that a hell of a lot of people are holding you all in our (virtual) arms.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:49 AM

Thinking of those who are lost and those left behind. Just dreadful.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:40 AM

This is dreadful news, my heart goes out to the people caught up in this disaster. Hugs to all X

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 01:59 PM

No more people pulled out overnight but they know there are still people alive under some buildings.
There are 71 bodies in morgues but there are others they know of but still have to collect - the effort has been towards the living and those that are dead will wait.
Many of the tourists have been evacuated but there's a group of Japanese students who came here to learn English and their Language school was in the building that caught fire. It's possible they may still be alive but toxic fumes, smoke, fire and the collapsed building suggest that's unlikely. The building housed the Canterbury TV studios (the local station, CTV, not the main Television network) and there are still many workers from there who haven't been found yet. Family and friends are keeping vigil.
In the wider part of Christchurch, supermarkets and petrol stations are starting to open up again and water is being brought in by tankers. Still no electricity in some places but it's slowly coming back to life.
Water that isn't bottled needs to be boiled first, to avoid disease but if you don't have any way to cook, you're in trouble!
There's a young man on radio right now - Sam Johnson, who has organised a 'student volunteer army', using Facebook, to help where needed (but not in the middle of the city - only the official rescuers are allowed in there at the moment). He had a group working last time - students who were unable to continue their study so they helped in practical ways. Good lad!
There are lots of positive stories coming out.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:00 PM

71 known to be dead, 300 missing, more than 130 serious injuries.
The missing may not be trapped, of course, but some may simply have gone away as they were initially told to.
Rescue teams from other countries have relieved the exhausted locals. The site that was abandoned is still afire, still threatened by a 25story building shakily hanging over it, but the Japanese team is working on it. Body recovery, not rescue, say the authorities. It is going to be a bad one. There was a language school there.

It will likely be a month before sewage and water infrastructure is anything like repaired. The broken sewers, helped by the broken water-mains, have flooded many streets and homes. There are vehicles half buried where the liquids have brought the silt over the surface. ChCh is on an alluvial plain.
Flights out as fast as they can go, in military and civilian 'planes, foreign embassy staff replacing abandoned travel documents.
It is going as well as you could expect, but it's a horrible situation.
No-one is going hungry. Locals have rallied around, HMNZS Canterbury was in port and is supplying food non-stop.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 02:07 PM

This just in from an NZ Folk member:

It looks like the RNZ Sound Archives are not sound.
Here's a message from staffmember, Marie O'Connell:

I am okay! To be graphic and in shock still, I had just had a pee, washed
my hands (as good people do) and opened the loo door on the ground floor. I
got thrown against the door and hit my head, saw some stars as I saw the
stairwell crack open whilst clinging to the door. I yelled help a LOT and
heard rumbling but it was the people in my building running down the stairs
and finally we all managed to get out thru the imploded front door. The
historic Methodist church across from us was demolished and the dirt in the
air was incredible. Still, I managed to light the cigarette! Addiction and
terror is an incredible thing.

We then had another huge aftershock and everyone in the street dropped to
the cracked tarmac, then the liquifaction just rose up at an amazing rate
and stench and the last I saw was the bottom of our building filling with
water and sh*t.

I am now safe at my sister's place, 40km from the city plus my dog is here
after being saved by my niece and I just know Sound Archives is in a VERY
bad way.

Thanks all for your concern and wishes.
Marie and Jack xo

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 12:00 AM

92 dead. 'Grave fear for another 200.'
At the CTV building, where the search was abandoned and then restarted with Japanese rescuers, only 'about 5' bodies were brought out today. There are thought to be 125 or so in there. No signs of life reported in there.
In the suburbs, liquifaction, the bringing of silt to the surface, has caused some houses to sink noticably.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 01:58 PM

Only bodies removed since yesterday afternoon. Things are looking grim for all the students who were attending the international language school. Rescues are turning into recoveries.
All folkies/friends that we have heard from are OK physically but their houses are not so good.
Lots of others are just leaving town. The radio is playing "Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again......"
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: vectis
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 07:08 PM

Thanks for letting us know the names of folkies who are safe. Very relieved to know that Dave Hart is OK.
My family is all safe in North Island thank goodness.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 04:55 AM

A very good friend's daughter and s-i-l work in the area (but are safe). Relief for them, but not good for so many others.

I'm watching all those aftershocks on the map linked above (I think it's fascinating), and how they're accumulating in one area - and getting shallower, too, on average. I'm not a geologist, but I did interpret aerial photos for a living once upon a time.

It looks to me like something is trying to reach the surface on the edge of the flooded caldera near Lyttleton.

It might just be a fault, but I don't think I'd want to be anywhere near whatever-it-is when it does!

Paws

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Little Robyn
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 03:59 PM

There was another biggish aftershock just a couple of hours ago - 4.1 this time but there were several slightly less overnight.
Still no more survivers.
Lots of statistics being produced -
123 confirmed dead
Many in hospital - 164 serious, 11 in IC
They believe there are people from 20 different countries - many at the language school but also others who were just being tourists in Cathedral Square. Some people were seen up in the lookout/bell tower in the Cathedral and others inside or just nearby when the spire and half the tower came down. It's still too unsafe for workers to get inside and start digging but they think there are 22 people still in there. The rescue dogs haven't found anyone alive.
There are still over 200 missing but some of those may have already left the area - lots have been evacuated to Wellington, Auckland or other places and many families have jumped in their cars and driven away.
About 30% of the CBD has been or will need to be demolished.
About 60% of the CBD is badly damaged but can be saved.
100,000 homes without sewerage.
1,000 Portaloos are being delivered and 5,000 chemical toilets have been distributed.
An enterprising kiwi bloke has started making outdoor loos for people in his area - a wooden box with a toilet seat attached and his mate is digging the deep hole for it to be placed over, in the back garden. Then it's up to the household to arrange some sort of privacy/shelter around it. Back to the days of dunnys and longdrops!
Help is arriving from all around the world - Interpol, a Japanese rescue team, firemen from everywhere, police teams from Australia as well.
The original rescuers have been able to catch some sleep now.
The Mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker, is giving TV and radio interviews, giving an excellent picture of what is happening. But then, before he got into politics, Bob was a really good TV reporter and newsreader. He says this is like an iceberg - 10% can be seen but the other 90% is happening unseen - the scale is immense! The restoration of services is crucial.
Meanwhile, teams of students, groups of farmers and others are out there this morning, digging up all the mud and sand that covers roads and properties in the suburbs.
I work at Hohepa Homes, a farming community with handcraft studios, as well as the school for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, here in Hawke's Bay - hundreds of miles and a whole island away from the earthquake zone. But there is a branch of Hohepa in Canterbury and some of our staff have gone down to help, to relieve the staff there, to look after any residents that are traumatised and to assess the damage to the homes and farm. I believe they have sent many of the residents home, especially if they are from out of town but there are still about 20 who are high needs, who need special care.
It's Saturday morning here in NZ but in Canterbury nobody is having a relaxing weekend! No sports either.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: DebC
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 04:07 PM

The news out of NZ is being usurped by Libya and our own political issues here in the USA. Still, my thoughts are with the victims in and near Canterbury and thank you for the updates.

Big hugs,
Debra

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 01:59 AM

Saturday at 4pm. 145 confirmed/identified dead. Still around 200 missing, some of which are surely at the morgue awaiting identification.
No-one found alive since Wednesday.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: gnu
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 10:01 AM

Gosh...

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Brian May
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 10:35 AM

Yes, the news is usurped by the prospect of a nutter killing his own people to hang on to power. He loves his people so much, he's stolen billions from them over the years.

I'd much rather hear about the rescue and/or recovery work in Christchurch.

My daughter had a recovery team leader and his family around for a meal and shower yesterday as their house is without water. My thoughts are SO with those teams who have a harrowing task. The authorities and emergency services with volunteers have my deep respect for their efforts and professionalism. As for the looters . . . shoot them summarily, what kind of low-life profits from distress on this scale?

Still no sign of my grand-daughter who is obviously comfortable where she is despite being 10 days overdue . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 03:02 PM

Brian, there is some troubles with communications still. Stems from so many people having cordless phones on their land-lines. So, no power, no phone, despite the phone-lines being OK. A call has gone out for old-fashioned wired phones.

Scammers are advertising for contributions to the ChCh appeal, "please send your credit-card details." Utter arseholes this world produces, along with absolute heroes.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 08:01 PM

Tourist captures quake chaos on camera

CBD amateur footage emerges from NZ quake

posts on social media

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 01:36 AM

Something I found rather poignant - the statue of John Robert Godley, known as the founder of Christchurch, lying on the ground, bent and broken into about 4 pieces.
Here's the statue, the way it was.

Police are now saying it may be impossible to identify some of the bodies that have been burnt in the CTV building - where the language school was.

There's still hope for a miracle - maybe people caught in a pocket within a building, but nothing so far. Just heartbreak.

The adrenalin that kept everyone going for the first few days has started to flag. Many people have just had enough. Lots are leaving or sending their kids away to family far from Canterbury.

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 02:44 AM

I could see what I thought was a complete statue on the ground but didn't know it was in pieces. thanks for the pic of it in it's glory.

My NZ neighbour was talking to friends today - one had lived in the basement of his damaged house since the first quake,

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:50 AM

The statue of Robert Falcon Scott is down too.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:54 AM

Here's Scott's statue.

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Janie
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 10:46 PM

Spent the weekend in West Virginia, (USA), with my ailing and aged parents who follow world news closely and with great empathy. They asked that I post to pass on their care and concern.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 02:27 AM

Thank them for us, Janie.
It has been, and still is, a very bad time for ChCh, two major and several hundreds of minor shakes, in an area that hasn't experienced anything like this in the time since European settlement. There are still about 50 people to find, and the casualties are of more than 20 nationalities, tourists and foreign students as well as locals. Some may never be identified.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: maeve
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 07:21 AM

Here's another story, this time from a couple from Scarborough, Maine. Grateful Mainers express gratitude- earthquake

While somewhat distracted by our own challenges, TL and I are closely following the reports from New Zealand. May peace and renewed hope be yours.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: gnu
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 01:10 PM

Good article... thanks, m.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 08:04 PM

amazing survival of those Mainers

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 08:27 AM

It is hard to believe the mentality of the looters but when the stories of bravery comes through it makes them look the very pathetic lowlifes they are.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: freda underhill
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 08:41 AM

There was anothe quake today, 4.5 on the register. They had two minutes silence today, exactly a week after the last big quake, to remember the people who died. Search and rescue efforts continue but no-one has been found alive since Wednesday last week.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 12:49 PM

The final toll is expected to be "about 240 people."
Well over 1000 private homes have been 'red-stickered' as uninhabitable or dangerous.
Everyone is advised to stay off the beaches as they are pumping sewage directly into the sea.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: vectis
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 08:01 PM

The river outfall behind the southern end of New Brighton is always full of sewage so nothing new here.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 10:16 PM

Good story in the Herald today. One guy whose home was wrecked by a huge boulder rolling down the hill has put it for sale on TradeMe.
He isn't offering to deliver it.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 01 Mar 11 - 11:59 PM

Apparently one of the "looters" is actually an autistic lad who is fixated on light fittings. He was just following his instincts but the authorities were not aware of his disability and nabbed him.
I hope he's been rescued from jail.
I'm wondering how the alcoholics are managing, when the pubs are mostly closed. Or smokers who aren't able to access cigarettes.
Death toll currently 160.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:19 AM

Quake-hit NZ students offered Aussie places
Hundreds of tertiary students from Christchurch are being offered the chance to study in Australia as the New Zealand city recovers from its devastating earthquake last week.

Adelaide University has announced a plan to take up to 500 students from the University of Canterbury to study in Australia for the current semester. (more)

NZ economy to suffer in wake of earthquake

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:45 PM

On the news this morning is that the two buildings CTV and PGB were built on land that is prone to liquifaction. This stuff has been a significant problem in this crisis, oozing up over the paving in thousands of tons, and currently dried out and blowing around. News footage shows most people wearing dust-masks and safety glasses, all over the affected area, not just rescuers in the inner city.
There was a glimpse of a tanker truck spraying water on the TV. Directly behind the anchor man. Bet it got him.

No thanks are enough for the support we have received from around the world. Rescue teams from as far as 11000 miles away are here.
Australia could not be more supportive if NZ was part of their country, with a military field hospital set up in case of epidemics, police officers augmenting ours, and several S&R teams, and the offer from Adeleide University.
Many students are currently shovelling dried-up liquifaction in the suburbs.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:05 PM

that rock auction

The comments are hilarious.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 02:16 AM

wonderful - I've sent it along to some lucky friends!

brilliant, tho I didn't read them all or I'd still be reading!

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 04:01 AM

Sure would, Sandra. There are 126 witticisms awaiting reply....

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 04:45 AM

Well done! At $7000 & 139 unanswered now. I only read several dozen. Time for a break.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Tangledwood
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 04:17 PM

Good find Jack, I've passed it on.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 02:52 PM

Better news. The radio news announced that searchers have cleared the cathedral and there are no bodies there. It was feared that there were up to 20 tourists, but it seems that nearly all got out.
Also, I have finally got in touch with John, my pal, and he and his are unhurt, escaping with a few cracks in the house, although he had a worrying time driving home after the initial shock, diverting for impassable obstacles. It was two days before they learned how severely ChCh was hit.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 03:27 PM

The rescue workers have spent all day and half the night carefully clearing out the rubble from the Cathedral, expecting to find about 20 bodies under the bell tower mess and guess what?
Nothing!
No bodies in or around the Cathedral!
I suppose you could call that a miracle????
So, everyone in there must have managed to escape.
Not so lucky in the CTV building because that one caught fire and anyone inside was already squashed down into the ground. That's where the International students were and the local TV station workers too. That hunt is continuing but unless there's a pocket of safety down below in there, most bodies will be mangled and burnt. Very hard to identify.
Many families have shifted out of Christchurch, taking their kids, who were becoming traumatised, to a new town or city, moving in with family elsewhere for a break or just relocating forever. Schools in other towns have suddenly enrolled hundreds of new kids.
But other people who don't have somewhere else to go (mainly the poorer families) are just stuck in suburbs with no power, water or toilets still and with no income and very few supermarkets within reach. Thousands of people have lost their jobs - their place of work ruined. Builders, plumbers and electricians will be OK - plenty of work for them once the clean-up is over.
The Salvation Army and other groups are bringing in food and water and a few individuals who have spring water on their land are sharing it with the neighbors. The residents are all pulling together and helping anyone who needs help. And volunteers from all around the country are going down to help sort things out and give the locals a break.
Things will come right but the face of Christchurch is changed forever.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Brian May
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 05:53 AM

I'm glad to say that at about 1700, my daughter gave birth to a healthy and complete little daughter in Christchurch's Womens' Hospital.

The staff were wonderful, considering what they've all been through these last two weeks (in particular).

That is SUCH good news about the Cathedral.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 10:04 AM

congratulations to the parent & proud grandparents.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 10:06 AM

parent? what about the other parent??

I'll start again -
congratulations to the parents & proud grandparents.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 01:38 PM

Congratulations.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: gnu
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 03:16 PM

Congrats!

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 06:28 PM

The recovery work in the CTV building is now complete but there's no mention yet of the number of bodies from in there.
Parts of the city are being reopened so that people can get into their homes or workplaces, to check the damage and retrieve important stuff.
But the centre of the city is still closed off.
They had another 7 aftershocks last night, between 7 and 11pm, some over mag.4, so there's still a chance of buildings coming down.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 06:38 AM

Christchurch residents return to broken city

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 02:09 PM

An interesting link from Sandra's post shows before and after pictures.
Fascinating!
On the news this morning someone says the Port Hills have risen 40 cm!!! (That's about 16 inches if you don't think in metrics.)
But the plains seem to have sunk a little.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 02:29 PM

166 people are known and identified dead this morning, they no longer tell us how many others are unidentified. Some may never be properly identified.

Bright side, about 60% of ChCh is undamaged or has trivial damage.

Sandra's link above, ABC News, contains the term 'fortnight.' I've never heard Americans use the word, an abbreviation of 'fourteen nights.'

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 10:10 PM

The rock went for $50,000! All proceeds to the fund, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 01:05 AM

is the winner taking it away?

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Gurney
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 02:09 PM

No idea, Sandra. Might as well blow it up in situ, I suppose, I don't know if the house is going to be pulled down anyway as unsafe, as some on that area are, where the ground that they stood on has gone away, or the rocks above threaten.

Maybe not. The ad said to take it away "being careful of our neighbours.'
The last-minute bid jumped $40,000.....

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 04:08 PM

$50k! Good stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: vectis
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 04:36 PM

The company that bought it are planning to load it on a low loader and plant it in their car park.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 11:46 PM

Rocky is even on facebook (why am I shocked? everyone except me is there)

Re Facebook - go to the search box and type in "Rocky ChCh", you will see a bunch of fan pages..the official page is "Rocky - Fictional Character" - he also has by far the most fans.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Mar 11 - 11:54 PM

NZ quake boulder raises $44,000 for charity (converted to Oz dollar)

second highest bidder is also giving her bid to charity

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Mar 11 - 07:38 PM

what people are building while the sewerage services are not available
This website has been set up to showcase all the creative Long Drops that are popping up around Christchurch. There are over 100 Long Drops already.

a New Zealand term for a pit toilet or outhouse

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jun 11 - 12:38 PM

Christchurch.... "5.2-magnitude quake struck during lunchtime; just over an hour later, a 6.0"

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 14 Jun 11 - 12:21 PM

"...a 9month-old baby who was crushed under a falling television set."

You know, when all is said and done, there is no excuse for allowing that to happen.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 07:45 PM

One year on: "What it means to live in Christchurch"

And the aftershocks are still happening.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 07:58 PM

The memorial service, one year on.

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Feb 12 - 08:05 PM

Here is a list of the 185 people killed in the earthquake.

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: maeve
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 06:34 AM

Thank you for the new links, Little Robyn. I've just been looking at the faces of those who died.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Brian May
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 05:01 PM

As my little grand daughter is approaching 1 year old, our thoughts are with all those still suffering in Christchurch

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 06:52 PM

I was especially moved by the article about what it means to live in Christchurch after 1 year. I cannot imagine how I would feel. I think I would either be clinically depressed or have suffered a nervous breakdown. I doubt I could cope. Thank you for all three recent links.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Feb 12 - 03:28 AM

I'm posting the article on Robyn;s first link as it says more than I can understand because I've never be in any disaster situation

What it means to live in Christchurch by Vicky Anderson

OPINION: After the shock, this is what it means to me to live in Christchurch right now.

It means waking up with uncertainty in my soul each morning.

It means to inwardly wince when my children jump at a car backfiring, mistaking it for an aftershock.

It means watching my 4-year-old son shaking his fist at the ground during an aftershock and cry "stop scaring me" and being powerless to stop his pain.

It means financial hardship and struggle.

It means watching your children lose a layer of innocence.

It means watching those you love battle unemployment.

It means an uncertain future

It means thinking "but I'm not over it" when you hear other people say how over it they are.

It means watching an elderly couple with poor health leave their once proud, now ruined, Avonside home of 40 years, with tears streaming down their faces.

It means getting upset when someone says: "Why don't you just leave?"

It means coming to work and having a colleague show you the photos they took of themselves on their cellphone when they were trapped by fallen concrete. And, when they say: "If things got worse I wanted them to know the body was mine". It means not knowing how to respond without weeping uncontrollably.

It means being described as "brave and resilient" when you feel scared and traumatised.

It means laughing for the wrong reasons at the Novus "show us your crack" TV commercial.

It means endless goodbyes at the airport, watching lifelong friends leave for a new life in another country.

It means watching people you love crack.

It means taking your car to the garage a lot for its munted suspension

It means telling people you live in Christchurch and feel forced to add "but the house I'm in is OK now".

It means getting used to moving house.

It means wherever you go you're usually outnumbered by people wearing fluoro vests.

It means witnessing on a daily basis people's ability for kindness and understanding.

It means being humbled by fellow Cantabrians' inventiveness and spirit.

It means acknowledging, more than ever before, the need to be more patient and understanding with everyone you meet.

It means always checking that the cupboards are full of dry food and the emergency kit is OK.

It means discovering who really cares about you and who just says they do.

It means trying to keep the car full of petrol in case "something" happens.

It means waking each morning knowing that today could be the day another big one hits.

It means thinking every day: 'Today might be the day we have to flee our house; am I prepared?'

It means watching my 12-year-old daughter mature overnight because of her earthquake experience into a caring, wise, young woman.

It means never parking your car under or close to a big building.

It means being frightened of simple things like catching a bus or going to a mall, and gradually conquering those fears.

It means only shopping where you feel safe, constantly aware of what is beside you and above you while you do so.

It means entering a building and immediately scoping out somewhere you could shelter if a quake were to hit.

It means always checking your cellphone is fully charged.

It means showering more quickly than you used to with a cellphone within reach. Who wants to be naked if "it" happens again?

It means truly cherishing each moment you have with those you love.

I want those who live elsewhere to understand that we still have the capacity to be happy.

But, yes, some days we feel as broken as the buildings in the CBD.

I want Kiwis around New Zealand and overseas to truly know how deeply we feel their kindness, how thankful we are of ordinary Kiwis who did their best to fill our brokenness with their heartfelt words, hugs, songs, offers of holiday accommodation and fundraising efforts.

I don't want to remember

But I cannot forget that day

I cannot forget the days the earth roared

I cannot stop imagining the pain and suffering of those who lost their lives or who were trapped or injured on February 22

I cannot forget the fear on the faces of my fellow Cantabrians

In the last year I have learned to make peace with the anxiety that walks beside me

But for now it is always there, just under the surface, like the faultlines.

Subject: RE: BS: Another bad quake in N.Zealand (22 Feb 2011)
From: Brian May
Date: 24 Feb 12 - 08:52 AM

Thank you for posting that.

Makes you wonder if it's 'brave' when you just haven't got a choice . . . personally I think it is.

My daughter is coming home with her family to UK - it got too much, that level of uncertainty is corrosive as you can see in the post above.

I so feel for them, there but for the Grace of big G could be any of us.