New Zealand Travel Answers

It is just awful--I pray all are safe.

I've heard from Sissi. But no real news other than I heard from her. Looks like many injured.

Great news that you've heard from her and all ok. Unfortunately this time it seems there are "multiple fatalities". What a nightmare for that suffering, beautiful part of our country.

I have just seen the reports on the Misc. Forum. Kiwi, I have been off Vt for a week and just came back when I heard the news. Being from an earthquake area like Southern California and I always fear the big ones. I am praying that it is not as bad as it sounds but I watch the earthquake website every day to see where the pattern may be. I trust that you are okay and not near the earthquake zone. Best wishes to all the kiwis. :-)

If you want to follow the world earthquakes the website is: earthquake.usgs.gov/earthqua...

Thoughts and prayers coming from NJ. Hope all VT'ers are well. God Bless.

There is news from Sissi (see my post in the thread on Misc) - she and her husband are so far okay, their house is still standing but suffered some damage.

All our support , prays and best wishes for all the people that is suffering at this moment

Glad you heard from Sissi, Pam :-) I think communications lines are being reserved mostly for emergencies, as per the mayor's advice..

Christchurch .You are in our and thoughts prayers .

Such good news that you have heard from Kapako2 - Sissi gave me so much help last year when my husband and I were backpacking in New Zealand. So so sad to see the damage and loss of life in and around Christchurch. Very much hope that all our VT friends are safe. Sending our prayers from England. Claire & Carl

> So so sad to see the damage and loss of life in and around Christchurch. Right :( Coz it was a shallow earthquake this time..

Unfortunately they have confirmed 75 deaths and I think most are from central Christchurch. They are expecting more. My bosses mum and sister are both OK which is great to hear. The social networks have been a blessing for people trying to find out about loved ones especially as it frees up resources from handling queries. Our thoughts are with those affected.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I have posted a lengthy report in the Misc Forum thread. Also a link to photos on my HP. A very important fact about the huge impact of the earthquake is that the epicentre of the September quake was 70 km from the CBD and this time only 12 km. A seismologist said the September quake stressed the modern buildings only to 20 per cent of their design limit and this one to 120 per cent. Older buildings never had these building regulations for a start, so it is not surprising that the historic buildings, the ones made of stone and brick, just collapsed like houses of cards.

Right! It was amazing to see individual bricks in the rubble! Glad to know you are safe and great to hear from you :-) Thanks, OP, for the post coz some of us hardly go to the Misc Forum - I certainly would have missed it! Take care, Sissi! God Bless!

sissi, some great photos of the damage in New Zealand. Reminded me of my days as a copy boy for a major newspaper and watching the AP tapes. Another look at Christchurch is from our fellow member Guy "FishandChips" and his travelogue on the quake. His photos are few but the impact is there right down to the dust cloud from the falling bricks. See his TL: "Christchurch Earthquake 22 Feb 2011" - Personal Page by fishandchips