Big Quake (7.2) near Christchurch
 

About an hour ago (it's the middle of the night in NZ).

Hope everyone is okay!

Don't expect nor try to reach anyone by cellphone or regular phone. Some power outages are reported.

Report on USGS
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquak...s2010atbj.html

More here on another thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...ew-zealand.cfm

It looks like it may have "only" a 7.0, although that is bad enough. Hope there are no serious injuries.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

I send all my good wishes to everyone in New Zealand that are in the area where the earthquake hit. I saw horrifying pictures of the damage, I am so sorry. Having lived in the SF/ Bay Area (Northern California) all of my life I know how jarring and scary it can be when an earthquake hits. I hope that there is not anyone that was killed or seriously injured.

Best regards from Northern California to all of you in New Zealand.

I live in San Francisco, and when we feel a quake, we talk about it for hours, sometimes days. You guys are a strong bunch! Only 3 posts here of which 1 is from California :)

Maybe later...their power is out!

Our power has just been restored, but many areas in the city are still out. That was one experience that I would definitly not want to repeat.
We have been lucky. We have only minor damage to our house, one ornament broken and a bottle of wine smashed in our cellar. Others have not been so lucky. There is major damage to the central city. We are still experiencing strong aftershocks. There was another one as I was typing this.
Rob.

Glad you are all right, kiwi_rob. We are looking at TV1 at present, and cannot believe the damage to a city we know so well. We have several family members in Chch, and a 92 year old friend in Darfield, and just hope they are all right. Thankfully the weather is fine today. My thoughts go to all Cantabrians, from a nervous Wellingtonian.

Hoping all is ok...Bay Area, CA here and we've been through it too. We'll be in NZ in February, 2011.

And now nine believed killed in an air crash at Fox Glacier. Not a good day.

I just checked all the coverage on TVNZ. Whew!

I was in Christchurch July 31-August 14 and was impressed by the hospitality I received from many New Zealanders. I am still waiting to hear from my friends there, but emailing me is probably not a priority.

I was so glad to hear that no lives were lost.

I was also sorry to hear about the crash of the small plane as well.

Not a good day for the South Island.

I am sure the South Island and Christchurch will come back from this but it will take time.

Best wishes to all.

Sending prayers and best wishes for a quick recovery to all who have been affected by the quake. I was listening to the radio on the way home from work (in CT, USA) with half an ear. Heard South Island, but thought the reporter was talking about Japan, somehow. When he carefully enunced "Christ Church", that sure got my attention. We'll be paying careful attention to the news as it develops.

We're planning to be in Christchurch in December, looking forward to it -- but hanging loose just in case plans have to change.

Hi Rob,
Was thinking about you - glad you & yours are ok.

Rob, just logged on to see if there was a post from you. Glad to find out that you have suffered little damage to your own house but it will take a lot longer to get over the shock/fear factor and there will be a lot of disruption for some time yet. I was quite shocked by the pictures on TV. It was much more extensive then I had expected. I have no doubt that the resilience of the Kiwi's will shine through though.

Thanks for all the good thoughts and wishes. We are still trying to come to grips with the reality that this has happened in Christchurch. As our Mayor said tonight, the adrenalin has worn off now, and everyone has started to come to grips with the enormity of the clean-up ahead.

We visited friends today who live in one of the areas of town where the liquefaction was significant. They are still in shock. The damage is scarcely credible. There are large piles of silt dumped along the sides of the streets where people have shoveled it off drives, paths and lawns. It has been forced up through the surface of the ground as if it was boiling water and everywhere you look there are these "silt volcanoes". It will take a long time to get back to normality.

That said, the city will be functioning again within the coming week. There should certainly be no need for you to think of changing your plans for December, SB Travlr. One or two hotels may have suffered a little damage but, by and large, the more modern buildings seem to have escaped any major calamity. We are just hoping that the gale-force winds that are predicted for tomorrow do not do further damage.

Rob.

Rob:

I think that the big problem for tourists will be getting to where they need to go on the roads. The area of intense damage that would concern tourists is in the CBD of Christchurch. Most tourists use Christchurch as a "jump off" point for places such as Arthur's Pass, Mt. Cook and then go farther south to Queenstown. I would guess that within 2-4 weeks the main problems for tourists should be resolved. I don't think anyone should change plans for December.

I am very glad that I returned to the US on August 16th and missed all of this. It certainly would have been a different vacation to have been there for the earthquake--and not a vacation as I would have wished.

I am very glad there was no loss of life. Also glad the cathedral survived. Hard to imagine Christchurch without it. It is the central point where everyone hangs out--including the coffee shop.

I so appreciate your taking the time to respond, kiwirob.

We plan to wait a week or so then contact the places in the area where we are planning to stay, just to make sure that all is well. And of course, assuming that tourist bucks would be helpful as the area recovers from this shock -- my guess is yes.

In CT, we just had a near miss from a hurricane that went out to sea then dwindled away. It could have been a very different story. Wherever you go in the world, M. Nature has a way of reminding us of our relative value in the universe!

I am sending good thoughts to you in Christ Church and the surrounding areas as I hear that a gale storm is anticipated which will add to the problem with buildings and houses that are already destroyed to be further damaged due to the storm. Again, many good wishes from Northern California as you deal with the after shocks, the anticipated storm, the bad water, etc. Be safe dear friends. You are in our thoughts.

We will be traveling overland from Greymouth to Christchurch in the early part of November. Our route takes us across the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Plains. Is that a problem?

A walking tour in CC takes us to the Botanic Gardens and Cathedral Square. Is that a problem?

Also, we plan to take a nature cruise around Akaroa. A problem?

Do you know if there was any damage to the GrandChanelllor Hotel?

Our hearts go out to all of those affected by the earthquake. I just can't imagine what a horrendous experience it was and is. Keep the faith. Best wishes from North Georgia.

So far, none of the first three would create any difficulty, Bettyboop. I am not aware of any damage to the Grand Chancellor, but central city buildings are still being checked. There is still further damage being caused by the aftershocks. We had another bad night, with at least 5 heavy ones, 2 of them at 5.4 strength.
Rob.

I am so glad I found this thread. My son is doing a semester abroad in Brisbane. For spring break (Sept 23rd -Oct 3rd) he and a few friends are going to New Zealand. They are doing a lot while there. But I'm thinking some of his plans will have to change. Does anyone know if these areas have been effected?

Oct 1st
Tranz Alpine, Greymouth to Christchurch

Super Shuttle, Christchurch Railway Station to City Hotel

Oct 1st - Oct 3rd

Base Backpackers (Hotel)

Lord of the rings tour

Super Shuttle, christchurch city Hotel to airport

I am a Canadian who travelled to Christchurch two years ago and has many fond memories. My heart goes out to the people but I know they are resilient and will get through the tremendous clean-up ahead. Just know that there is great concern for all of you and we send you our best wishes.

Thanks kiwi_rob. We will be watching, listening, and thinking special thoughts for you. If you gather anymore info, please pass it on.

Hi Rob,
Gee, you could have done without those big aftershocks! I'm hoping the media reports here are worse than the damage there.

Rob, I wonder if by chance you would have any idea how Moncks Spur Road fared? I have friends between Mandalay Lane & Rapanui Ridge Road. Haven't wanted to clog up the lines by calling them.

Best wishes from this side of the ditch.

I haven't heard of too much serious damage to properties on the Port Hills, Bokhara. Moncks Spur is over the other side of town from where we live, so I have no direct knowledge of the conditions there. Most of the damage reported so far has been on the flat, so I expect that your friends will probably be ok.

We haven't had any significant aftershocks since around 3.30 this morning. Hopefully, things might be starting to settle down.
Rob.

Not too sure about Base Backpackers yet, MsBees. Barring any further major incident, I can see no reason why any of the other parts of your son's itinerary should be affected.
Rob.

Thanks Kiwi_Rob.

I hope you are doing well.

Thanks Rob - much appreciated.