Video: Earthquake in Christchurch
posted at 10:15 pm on February 21, 2011 by Allahpundit
It’s too soon to tell how many are dead but USA Today says it’s safe to say “many,” with at least two buses crushed by debris and multiple buildings collapsed. CNN reports that the center of the city, along with the hospital, is being evacuated as the aftershocks strike and tsunami fears grow. Three videos for you, one of an eyewitness describing the terror and two more capturing the aftershocks in action. (The last contains some profanity.) Not even tectonic shifts can stop video documentaries in the YouTube age.
Lots of grim news to come tomorrow. Let’s hope for the best.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Whew, my daughter just left there 48 hours ago.
faraway on February 21, 2011 at 10:20 PM
I know, I know….totally unrelated…./
ted c on February 21, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Shock and Grief on the faces……..I’m surprised that a 6.3 causes that type of damage. I thought they would have less since they are in a quake prone area.
Terrible.
PappyD61 on February 21, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Danny Glover to tell the cause in 5.4.3.2..
Electrongod on February 21, 2011 at 10:23 PM
New Years 2013 is Gonna be the greatest celebration evah!!1!!
Indian Outlaw on February 21, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Are you a member of Michelle Malkin’s site?..:)
Dire Straits on February 21, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Global warming.
Badger40 on February 21, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Yes, since you’re asking everyone but me.
Knucklehead on February 21, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Hank Johnson vindicated! Islands can tip over!
Good luck, New Zealand!
SouthernGent on February 21, 2011 at 10:27 PM
I’m sure that Mother Gaia is only upset about cap n’ trade not getting passed, so she’s shaking up a few Kiwi’s.
ted c on February 21, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Yep. Signed up in the last hour. I love the smiley faces. :)
Electrongod on February 21, 2011 at 10:27 PM
LOL
Electrongod on February 21, 2011 at 10:28 PM
I think I did ask you a while ago!..I can’t remember the post..Then I saw on MM site where you commented..I am glad to be with you in the MM community!..:)
Dire Straits on February 21, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Christchurch, beautiful city. Votes like Berkeley.
Apologetic California on February 21, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Good Deal!..:)
Dire Straits on February 21, 2011 at 10:30 PM
There is a body in the second video, at the end…Wow. Wish them the best.
Chudi on February 21, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Prayers…!
Seven Percent Solution on February 21, 2011 at 10:30 PM
wow, just wow…
TBinSTL on February 21, 2011 at 10:30 PM
I’m going by Knuckles over there. My pooch Knucklehead had to be put down this weekend.
Knucklehead on February 21, 2011 at 10:32 PM
I’m sure that Mother Gaia is only upset about cap n’ trade not getting passed, so she’s shaking up a few Kiwi’s. – Ted
Nah, she’s mad because the city is called Christchurch!
Prayers going up for the victims.
Tony737 on February 21, 2011 at 10:33 PM
My pooch Knucklehead had to be put down this weekend. – Knucklehead
Sorry to hear that :-(
Tony737 on February 21, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Just saw the videos. Wow. Not good. My prayers to them.
Electrongod on February 21, 2011 at 10:35 PM
If I recall correctly the magnitude refers to the estimated energy released by the earthquake, which often correlates to the level of destruction. The destruction caused by an earthquake is also influenced by geology, frequency, duration, direction of oscillation, and other numerous factors.
Hopefully most were able to escape injury and prayers with those that are there.
Samuel Marlowe on February 21, 2011 at 10:35 PM
I’m sorry about your Puppy dog!..That had to be tough!..
Dire Straits on February 21, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Sorry about your puppy Knucks.
darwin-t on February 21, 2011 at 10:37 PM
I hope the trolls and other assorted liberal whackos didn’t register also.
Amjean on February 21, 2011 at 10:39 PM
:( So sorry. I love my doggies too & I know that is hard.
I still miss my little red heeler/dingo Jack.
Prayers to all of these people.
Badger40 on February 21, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Oh come on. That makes it more exciting.
For instance, look how miserable things are since TheRaceCard & other assorted rotten trolls got banned here.
I don’t laugh near as much anymore!
Badger40 on February 21, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Today’s date…
…
(Queue the scary music)
/
Seven Percent Solution on February 21, 2011 at 10:41 PM
All dogs go to Heaven…
… my condolences.
Seven Percent Solution on February 21, 2011 at 10:43 PM
I had forgotten about TRC. He went ballistic that day.
Electrongod on February 21, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Apparently, this 6.3 was very shallow compared to other earthquakes of the same magnitude. That’s why the damage is heavier this time. Last year’s 7.1 was much deeper, but didn’t do as much damage, nor were there fatalities.
behiker on February 21, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Christchurch. Is that near the city of Mohammadmosque?
Bishop on February 21, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Just south of Qaddafiton
blatantblue on February 21, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Unbelievable. Prayers sent to New Zeal, and to all in that beautiful country.
Kini on February 21, 2011 at 10:54 PM
I think they are going to up that to a 6.8 or bigger in a few days.
Gwillie on February 21, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Life on the edge of a tectonic plate.
YehuditTX on February 21, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Flashback: Christchurch had a major earthquake back on Sept. 4. How horrible to have the back to back like this.
Mayhem on February 21, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Lot of buildings weakened and under repair from a 7.0 that hit a few months ago.
Jim708 on February 21, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Praise God. That’s amazing…so glad she’s safe.
Bee on February 21, 2011 at 11:09 PM
I just heard the airport there is shut down. If I’m not mistaken the big international departures/arrivals is in Auckland.
Prayers to them. Always wanted to visit. Love their white wines, and Dame Kiri TeKanawa.
Marcus on February 21, 2011 at 11:10 PM
The difference is that this one was much shallower than the earlier one.
Going there for the World Cup later this year. Hopefully they will benefit from the business and can recover quickly.
lexhamfox on February 21, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Life on the edge of a tectonic plate. – YehuditTX
Exactly. NZ is right ON TOP OF the “Ring of Fire”.
Tony737 on February 21, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Try live on one volcano brah, ho!
Kini on February 21, 2011 at 11:20 PM
Try live on one volcano brah, ho! – Kini
I’d like to visit and take a few pix … then go home to my boring Delaware! haha
Tony737 on February 21, 2011 at 11:22 PM
I was in the 6.2 quake that hit Los Angeles in 1971. I recall that a hospital collapsed (not Los Angeles County, obviously, since that was where I was, attending nursing school at the time) and there was some damage, but I don’t recall it being anything like this.
hachiban on February 21, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Oooh. I hope people are ok. Two of my nicest customers are in Churchchrist.
jawkneemusic on February 21, 2011 at 11:33 PM
I was pregnant with my daughter during the 1994 Northridge earthquake and remember being very scared.
A lot of the university buildings came down and we drove to see that Northridge Mall that just pancaked and had to close and it took years for it to re-open…
CCRWM on February 21, 2011 at 11:38 PM
Well there had been predictions of increased earthquake activity due so the recent solar activity, but the predictologists said *northern* hemisphere. Hmmph. Prayers are aimed around the world!
desertdweller on February 21, 2011 at 11:43 PM
So very sorry.
katy the mean old lady on February 21, 2011 at 11:45 PM
We should be flying in supplies and material as we speak!
I wonder if there is an Amphibious Ready Group close by; they could use the manpower and the heavy lift capability.
The depth of the quake has a lot to do with the degree of damage, as does the type of ground you’re on. The Pacific Northwest would have been flattened in 2001 when the Ash Wednesday quake hit except that it was 40 miles deep.
Bubba Redneck on February 21, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Prayers for NZ. That was serious damage and destruction.
Jaibones on February 22, 2011 at 12:11 AM
It’s all that extra CO2 pushing down on the crust that caused the fault to rupture. Al Gore
chemman on February 22, 2011 at 12:14 AM
How is it that Wisconson’s woes are more important than a true disaster?
I don’t get Fox News. After 11pm, Rerun rerun rerun no live coverage.
Ugly on February 22, 2011 at 1:04 AM
Prelim depth: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Location uncertainty is a bit high and uncorrected as yet (horizontal +/- 12.2 km (7.6 miles); depth +/- 0.6 km (0.4 miles)
The 7.0 last September was also 5 km deep (3.1 mi), but more distant from Christchurch (45 km west, 30 mi), hence the difference in damage.
Yoop on February 22, 2011 at 1:25 AM
BTW, this is considered as the largest aftershock related to the 7.0 event of the 9/3/10.
Yoop on February 22, 2011 at 1:32 AM
Sorry, when commercials have to be endured, I pass.
leftnomore on February 22, 2011 at 1:39 AM
Did you see that guy in the 2nd vid at 3:30, lift that huge block of masonry and toss it like it was driftwood?
leftnomore on February 22, 2011 at 1:44 AM
As I recall, recent sesmic at Christchuch was on a newly documented faultline. Hell of a time in geological terms (give/take a few thousand years) for it to kick in. I don’t think Christchurch was as prepared for a quake as Wellington, where they learned about earthquake proofing the hard way.
Mrs. Apostic is from NZ. She spent all eve making sure family and friends are OK. (All her contacts are unharmed.) We’re tearful for the many dead and the loss of the spire on the cathedral. At least the spire can be replaced….
apostic on February 22, 2011 at 2:05 AM
The earthquake was closer and shallower, hence the greater damage.
Christchurch thought it was over all the aftershocks after the September earthquake and they were working on rebuilding the city.
Today’s quake came without warning. A TV interview with a seismologist said that at a discussion only yesterday, his colleagues rated another aftershock at 4% – in otherwords, this thing came out of nowhere.
As of 8.30pm AEDST 65 people are confirmed dead. It’s worth noting that NZ’s population is something like 7 million people.
The Thin Man Returns on February 22, 2011 at 4:32 AM
Australia and New Zealand have been enduring nature’s wrath lately. Floods, Cyclones (Hurricanes), Fires and Earthquakes.
NZ’s population is 4.4 million.
Crux Australis on February 22, 2011 at 6:14 AM
prayers going out to the victims and their families…
cmsinaz on February 22, 2011 at 6:18 AM
Christchurch itself is a bit more than 300,000 people.
NZ Herald has several stories and sets of photographs. There are some aerial shots of the city, including flooding.
gh on February 22, 2011 at 6:42 AM
In that second video, I expected to see more people trying to help out. If you lack the physical strength, go find some bottled water and offer it to those who are moving the rubble.
Blake on February 22, 2011 at 7:54 AM
Yes it was a 6.3, less than the the 7.1 quake in September although expected – warning issued four days ago. But it was also very shallow (5km), hence the violent shaking and widespread destruction this time. Over 20 aftershocks and counting.
The Kiwis emergency crews are well trained, experienced – they don’t call New Zealand the Shaky Isles for nothing – and Australian search and rescue teams are also on their way to assist.
American teams too I believe.
Heartbreaking for the people of Canterbury, still recovering from the last quake, for all New Zealand and for us their neighbours in Australia. Kiwis are like family.
S.S. on February 22, 2011 at 8:17 AM
Oh Lord, this is terrible news!!! My son stayed with a wonderful family in Christchurch on a student trip in 2008. I hope they are OK. He said it was a beautiful town.
This is the fitst earthquake in New Zealnd that I can remember, and I am over 50. I hope they have good emergency procedures and equipment.
rockmom on February 22, 2011 at 8:45 AM
I work for a tech company based in Christchurch NZ, the folks in that office are rally good people.
Alden Pyle on February 22, 2011 at 8:46 AM
The focus for this earthquake and last September’s are both resolved to be the same depth: 5 km.
The greater damage in Christchurch this time is most likely caused by the fact that the epicenter is much closer.
Yoop on February 22, 2011 at 8:47 AM
As explained to me by a New Zealand scientist, the true population is 54 million.
50 million sheep. 4 million people. General good wishes heading their way and may all the trapped be rescued.
NaCly dog on February 22, 2011 at 9:00 AM
Wikipedia still says 10 for the 2010 quake but their second reference (most likely your source :-) agrees with you.
Thanks for the correction.
This Map lets you examine data for the current quake and aftershocks by clicking on the squares.
gh on February 22, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Yep. It’s really all about the direction of the accelerations, the frequencies that get delivered to the buildings, and the actual motions that occur. It may be possible, for instance, to have mostly a vertical acceleration component, or a sustained lateral movement in the ground motion, which can be utterly devastating without showing up in the Richter scale value.
TexasDan on February 22, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Yes, the USGS is always my go-to for seismic details. As the data ages for any given event their site is where you will find the best overall updates. Their ‘active’ aftershock map is informative.
Their seismic and volcanic sites are both very good. They put a lot of effort into being accurate.
Their field mapping, OTOH, can be a bit suspect at time. Two errors of theirs, in particular, led to decent contracts and projects for us. :-)
Yoop on February 22, 2011 at 10:20 AM
As an update, the Richter scale is no longer used by most seismologists to define event values. It has been replaced by the moment magnitude scale aka MMS (denoted as MW, with the ‘w’ shown as a subscript, but I can’t get the post to show that). The formulas for the two scales are different but the new scale (MMS) has the familiar magnitude values defined by the older one.
For the USGS the MMS is now the scale used to estimate magnitudes for all modern large earthquakes.
Yoop on February 22, 2011 at 10:38 AM