EARTHQUAKE OF MAGNITUDE 7.4 HITS 91 KM NNE OF CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - USGS

[Mark]

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 stuck 91 km (57 miles) north-northeast of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand at 1102 GMT on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.


https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/earthquake-of-magnitude-74-hits-91-km-nne-of-christchurch-new-zealand-usgs/ar-AAkelRF?li=BBqdmGR&ocid=spartanntp

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[TokWW]

Re-Ranged to M6.6 15 mins later.  Felt up here in Tokoroa surprisingly (very soft isolating soils on independent monoliths) but the whole network of stations has recorded it.  Othershocks are happening at Culverdon, Kaikoura, Wellington.  More to come!!

[JennyLeez]

First report from stuff.co.nz

The quake was strongly felt in Christchurch, Wellington, Taranaki, Hamilton and Auckland.

In Hamilton, Wayne Timmo woke to the kitchen blinds banging against the window and said the quake felt like a "long slow, rolling or almost rotating motion".

"The water in the neighbour's swimming pool was left sloshing around for about a minute and people woken by the quake came out onto the street to talk about it.

The cat has disappeared and the neighbours dog is upset."

Power and phones were out in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast.

In Nelson, resident Jo Davis grabbed her children and sheltered in a doorway as the quake seemed to "go on forever".

The former Christchurch resident said it was a much longer, more rolling motion than the 2010 Canterbury quake.

Davis, who lives in the central city suburb of The Wood, said she was surprised there appeared to be no damage to the house.

"It really shook for a long time."

A Christchurch Police spokeswoman said the only call they had initially regarding the earthquake was a hole in the road in Hundalee, North Canterbury.

She said there hadn't yet been any calls about damage in Christchurch.

"Just be careful on the roads in case there's damage," she said.

St John Ambulance says they have no reports of injuries from the quake.

"We are monitoring the situation but at this stage we have not activated our emergency operations centre (EOC)", they said.

"We encourage everyone to check on their neighbours, family and friends, especially those who live alone or are frail."

"It is also important to have your emergency kit, torch and other emergency supplies ready."

A resident in the seaside Nelson suburb of Tahunanui said the power had been cut after the quake.

[Mark]

A severe 6.6 earthquake has North Canterbury and was felt as far away as Auckland.

The quake had a magnitude of 6.6, a depth of 16km and struck 20km southeast of Hanmer Springs.
The quake was strongly felt in Christchurch, Wellington, Taranaki, Hamilton and Auckland.

In Hamilton, Wayne Timmo woke to the kitchen blinds banging against the window and said the quake felt like a "long slow, rolling or almost rotating motion".
"The water in the neighbour's swimming pool was left sloshing around for about a minute and people woken by the quake came out onto the street to talk about it.
"The cat has disappeared and the neighbours dog is upset."
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Hataitai resident and reporter Rachel Thomas said her flatmates woke up to their weatherboard house groaning.
"Our cockatiel fell off his perch. The aftershocks just keep coming. Three of us are huddling under the kitchen table in our dressing gowns with a trembling bird in between."
Power and phones were out in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast.
In Nelson, resident Jo Davis grabbed her children and sheltered in a doorway as the quake seemed to "go on forever".
The former Christchurch resident said it was a much longer, more rolling motion than the 2010 Canterbury quake.

Severe 6.6 earthquake hits Hanmer Springs, felt as far away as Auckland | Stuff.co.nz

[JennyLeez]

Update in Brief:

- a 6.6 quake has hit near Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury

- Civil Defence warns a tsunami is possible on the coasts of the South Island

- 111 emergency calls are down. In case of emergency, contact your local police station

- the quake was widely felt throughout both the South and North Islands, and has caused severe damage in some places

- multiple quakes have since followed in both islands

- power is out in several towns and cities

[JennyLeez]

Morning Headlines from NZ Herald.

• 7.5 quake strikes at 12.02am not far from Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury in the South Island - country still being hit, with more than 100 aftershocks so far

• At least two people have been killed amid reports of many other casualties - one victim suffered a heart attack, another was killed in a historic homestead in Canterbury

• Residents flee homes in the wake of tsunami threat - police now investigating three cases in which vacant houses were ransacked by burglars

• Kaikoura and other South Island towns have been essentially cut off, with the famous SH1 road and rail tunnels blocked by slips

• A massive slip has also closed SH70 to Waiau in north Canterbury

• Wellington is also badly hit, with damage to buildings and roads - people are being told to avoid the Capital CBD

• Affected Regions warned aftershocks could continue for several months.