New Zealand Earthquake

[Lynn Allen]

I was reading a line off the NBAA board and they said that Christchurch, New Zealand had a massive earthquake (6.3) several hours ago, (7ET). The tower at the airport has collapsed and the airport is close. My thoughts and prayers go out these people. Can any of the Kiwi's chime in and give us an update?

Lynn

[DaveM2]

Lynn

Yes 6.3 magnitude at only 5km depth and 10 kms out. So even though technically an 'afterschock' in relation to the 7.1 back in September it is much worse. Unfortunately it was around lunch time-so looks like multiple fatalities as everyone at work and in the city when some buildings collapsed (no doubt weakened by the first quake). The quake in September happened in the wee hours of the morning so no one was killed. The famous Cathedral has suffered severe damage with the spire coming down.
Christchurch airport -where the US Deep Freeze operations are based, was evacuated and now the runways are being inspected for damage.
Its now about 4 hours after the event and rescues are well under way. Our Aussie mates are sending some search and rescue teams and offers have come in from the US and Japan amongst others.
I have emailed RNZAF Wigram to see how the guys there are doing and what damage to the Museum.
Some tough weeks ahead for the people of our second largest city-one which I never thought would suffer a major earthquake ( even in earthquake prone NZ!)

Dave

Last edited by DaveM2 on Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bdk]

Best wishes to all and condoleces to the families of those that have lost loved ones.

[daveymac82c]

I hope Christchurch is able to bounce back from that one. Scary stuff considering there is no decent warning for such a natural disaster. At least you can kind of tell when there'll be floods, or tornados or hurricanes, or bush fires, but with an earthquake it's just... bang.... it happened.

Take care everyone down in New Zealand. You've got lots of friends around the world who can help if you need it.

Peace,

David

[happymeal]

Glad to read you are doing well Dave. My thoughts are with the Christchurch people, I really did like that town, where I have stayed a few times, its central square and cathedral, and most of all its people.

[Dragonflydh90]

Got a little shake down our way but nothing major, footage on the news just recently is horrific. Death toll currently at 65 and expected to rise.

Best wishes to those closer to the disaster.

Ryan

[DaveM2]

Glad to read you are doing well Dave. My thoughts are with the Christchurch people, I really did like that town, where I have stayed a few times, its central square and cathedral, and most of all its people.

Xavier

Thanks.I am about four hours north by car, so no problems here. I lived in Christchurch for 10 years, so very sad to see the damage and hear of the deaths in the 'Garden City.'
Cantabrians are a tough bunch of people-so will get through no doubt.

Dave

[avenger2504]

I was reading a line off the NBAA board and they said that Christchurch, New Zealand had a massive earthquake (6.3) several hours ago, (7ET). The tower at the airport has collapsed and the airport is close. My thoughts and prayers go out these people. Can any of the Kiwi's chime in and give us an update?

Lynn

Yes the Airport is closed but the Tower is fine, don't know where that story came from, central city is badly damaged, minor damage at my house with a block wall partially collapsing onto my garage breaking a window and minor cracks in brickwork. We got off very very lightly and of course are alive! Lots of little (and not so little) aftershocks, been two since I started typing this!!

[JDK]

I posted this in the General Discussion forum:

Shocking news from a beautiful city - I was showing some friends around the RAAFM when the story came in. Quoting Dave Homewood:

Following on from the big earthquake last year and months of rumbling, sadly Christchurch city in Canterbury, new Zealand, has had a massive, devastating quake this afternoon and though it was less than the initial quake (6.3 magnitude this time) the pictures on TV and reports seem like it's much worse.

The iconic Cathedral in the centre of the city has been destroyed, and many more buildings have come down and cars been crushed.

There are also unsubstantiated reports of fatalities this time. The first big quake was miraculous in that no-one was killed.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the city.

It's very upsetting, Christchurch is a wonderful place and my favourite city in the world. There are also some important aircraft collections there.

Since Dave's post on Plane Talk, the current death toll stands at 65, and will definitely rise. International offers of help have been made, and a search and rescue team is heading over from Australia, I'm pleased to say. On Dave's NZ forum, most of the Christchurch forum members have checked in.

Currently no news from the RNZAF Museum on Dave's forum, fingers crossed though, it is apparently on more 'solid ground' than the city - right now there are more important things to worry about, of course.

Good wishes and (for those who do) prayers will be appreciated by our Kiwi cousins.

Here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=39805

There's a good deal of discussion on Dave Homewood's Kiwi aviation forum; follow the thread here: http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?bo ... read=12932

[JDK]

At least you can kind of tell when there'll be floods, or tornados or hurricanes, or bush fires, but with an earthquake it's just... bang.... it happened.

Yes and no, Dave. The terrible flash flood in Toowomba Queensland was a real 'out of the blue' (a flood on a mountain plateau?!) and the 2009 bushfires that cost 173 lives here in Victoria caught everyone by surprise by their speed, severity and extent. The fact is we humans often think we are on top of nature - we aren't.

Meantime I'm pleased to report that more help will be heading out across the Tasman. This from ABC News:

[Australian] Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, says 148 people will be sent to Christchurch, with 74 from New South Wales and 74 from Queensland heading off tomorrow morning.

A 40-person search and rescue team is already en route to Christchurch and both the Government and Opposition have vowed to do whatever possible to help the rescue effort.

Glad to see (from posts on Dave's forum) that NZ's defences forces are heading in and supporting the rescue effort. The RNZAF will be making a difference. The transport and maritime recon guys don't get the recognition other elements often do, but with the helicopter crews, they're the ones that are going to be making the difference.

Again, best hopes from Aus,

[happymeal]

James, speaking of Toowoomba, any news from Annette Zuccoli ?

[JDK]

James, speaking of Toowoomba, any news from Annette Zuccoli ?

I haven't heard anything beyond the airfield (and Oakey) being essentially unaffected. No news on that front I'd *assume* is good news.

[Invader26]

Terrible news from CHC indeed.

RAAF C-130's x 2 carrying Aussie rescue and recovery crews on the way [first one landing about now].

* Zuccoli Collection all OK. No damage here from floods apart from some rain ingress to hangar. Fixed with a couple of mops!

[JDK]

Thanks for the updates, Invader, appreciated. Both good news items too.

[shepsair]

Dave

Glad you are OK. I am sure I meet you in Christchurch 5-6 years ago but now see from your report you have moved - assume when you pick up the magazine job!

Parents are heading to NZ in the next two weeks including a stay at Christchurch. Might be a change in plan in the offing.

Makes me wonder whether it would have been worse at night than during the day.

Thoughts go out to all those effected in Christchurch.

MS