IMPORTANT UPDATE:
The authorities in New Zealand are asking people who are trying to contact those in the affected area to use TEXT MESSAGING not voice.
They are trying to keep the voice network available for emergency calls, and would like all non-emergency contact to be via text, which uses much less bandwidth.
There's not much info available yet.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...
There has been a large earthquake in Christchurch this afternoon. The quake was described as "violent" by Herald reporter Jarrod Booker who was in his Christchurch home when the quake hit.
Please keep our New Zealand Brothers and Sisters in your hearts.
UPDATE:
The initial quake has just been followed by another, minutes ago, which people are reporting to be larger than the first.
ZL3AI Another large quake, might be bigger than the 5.8 earlier. #eqnz
5:18 PM PT: An update on twitter saying:
LittleCatDesign Alison Sammes
RT @BreakingNZ: #EQNZ UPDATE -- A preliminary estimate places the latest Christchurch earthquake at 6.2, being felt as far south as Dunedin.
5:19 PM PT: Another twitter feed says 5.8:
earthquakeBot Earthquake Robot
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake occurred 16.16 mi ENE of Christchurch, New. Details: eqbot.com/kyu Map: eqbot.com/kyd
5:23 PM PT: Epicenter just off the coast:
5:32 PM PT: Air traffic being diverted away from Christchurch:
ArizonaNewsnet
Qantas Flight #QF45 Sydney to Christchurch has been diverted to Wellington due to earthquake.
5:34 PM PT: twitter post from a person in NZ:
robineccles
5th shake......no flights in or out.....roads blocked and malls evacuated christchurch quakes
5:38 PM PT: Personal tweets from affected area now showing up under #eqnz hash tag.
"Project7NZ_eqnz Project7 - EQNZ
UPDATE: One injured at Eastgate Mall #eqnz"
"yngmamac Carla Krantz
if you have to turn your mobile phones off, please change your voicemail to say that you are ok, saves a lot of worry #eqnz"
5:44 PM PT: This is a good sign:
RVAREGal Bettie
#eqnz RT @mpoppel: BREAKING -- New Zealand police say no serious injuries or widespread damage reported at this stage. #BNONews
Let's hope it remains that way!
5:48 PM PT: Liquefaction has started:
FlankerLady7 profile
FlankerLady7 RT @Y7News: The airport and local Westfield mall have been evacuated. Liquefaction has begun in some areas #eqNZ
5:54 PM PT:
Shane Briggs
Briggsys Shane Briggs
Civil Defence heading out to do reconn. NCMC activated. #earthquake #eqnz #chch
TommyppMM Hamish
Omg #EQNZ Helicopters probably flying to Christchurch, I hear them from my house!!
6:00 PM PT:
paulallanwhite 3 big shakes in #chch lots of dust coming off the hills due to rockfall p.twimg.com/AhT6EHCCMAAUja… #eqnz
6:10 PM PT: Photo of liquefaction submitted to twitpic by @dyedredlaura
http://s1-05.twitpicproxy.com/...
(twitpic isn't an approved host, so no embed)
6:15 PM PT: Impressive image of dust cloud from falling rocks posted by
chrissobrookso Christine Brooks
Sumner. Lots of breakages. On the deck at time. Down to beach for safety. Scary. #eqnz pic.twitter.com/fROzgvAf
Direct photo link:
https:/twitter.com#!/chrissobrookso/status/150022488972197888/photo/1/large
6:41 PM PT: Reports starting to say that the 2nd quake today was a 6.2. USGS etc. not updated yet...
jrooneyfox Jane
The 2nd EQ was 6.2. The ol' fore-shock that you didn't know about till another even bigger one comes along. #eqnz
7:32 PM PT: Looks like Geonet is saying the second quake was a 6.0:
testpatern
I knew it was bigger! RT @geonet Quake: mag 6.0, 6 km deep, Fri, Dec 23 2011 3:18 pm (NZDT), geonet.org.nz/3631380g #eqnz
7:46 PM PT: Orion NZ (power company) says 26,000 without power.
http://www.oriongroup.co.nz/...
7:46 PM PT: I have to head out for a bit, more later....
8:20 PM PT: The count is now 3 earthquakes greater than 5.0 in under 2 hours:
@getmeoutnews: Wow! #NZ > 5.8 Magnitude @ 1:58 > 5.3 Mag. @ 2:06 > 5.8 Mag. @ 3:18 http://t.co/... - USGS #eqnz #chch
8:25 PM PT: And now a 4.0:
NZquake NZDT: Fri, Dec 23 2011 5:08 pm. Mag: 4.0. Depth: 9 km. 10 km north-east of Christchurch. Report: http://t.co/...
8:35 PM PT: For New Zealanders who were planning to fly out today, Air New Zealand is offering 2 additional flights out from Wellington at 9 pm and 9:30 PM.
8:39 PM PT: More good news for New Zealand air travelers:
Christchurch Airport has reopened. Runway inspected and OK.
Contact your airline regarding travel arrangement updates.
8:44 PM PT: In an interesting development, police are asking Christchurch residents not to drink alcohol.
8:47 PM PT: Christchurch City Council reports, at this time, water and toilets are safe:
ChristchurchCC As far as we can ascertain, water does not need to be boiled, and toilets are safe to use #eqnz #Chch
8:52 PM PT: For New Zealanders affected by the earthquakes who need help, an Earthquake call center line is now live: 03 941 8999.
9:01 PM PT: A 5.3 just hit Mindoro, Phillipines.
9:05 PM PT: USGS just reported another: 5.9 in Christchurch.
9:14 PM PT: And now a 4.8...
9:35 PM PT:
Christchurch City Council
CD says situation in the city similar to what was experienced in June in terms of damage and liquefaction #eqnz #Chch
9:37 PM PT: Emergency Numbers for New Zealanders affected by the quakes:
If your property is damaged and requires urgent emergency repairs, call EQC on 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243)
If you have any welfare related issues or concerns, call the Christchurch City Council on (03) 941 8999
9:44 PM PT: Emergency Shelter for Christchurch residents:
Windsor School hall will be open by 8pm, for overnight shelter only. Bring your own supplies
9:52 PM PT: From Civil Defense aerial survey:
Rockfalls in the Port Hills particularly Redcliffs, Scarborough and Whitewash Head, Peacocks Gallop and Richmond Hill; but no major landslips and no obvious impact on properties and lifelines on the Port Hills. There are more rocks on Evans Pass Road.
Building damage Further damage to the Christchurch Cathedral’s western wall and to other buildings in the city.
Liquefaction the east of the city – particularly Dallington, Wainoni. Avonside and Parklands. Bexley is the worst area and there are reports of cars stuck in liquefaction. There do not appear to be any new areas of liquefaction. There has also been flooding on some roads, particularly around Pages Road.
9:56 PM PT: Power companies are doing a fantastic job restoring power! Down to 13,000 customers w/o power from high of 26,000, according to Project7NZ_eqnz
10:08 PM PT: I need to toddle off to sleep, now. Hopefully, the big rumbles are done....
Have a peaceful night, New Zealanders (and everyone else, too).