Powerful 7.1 quake hit Christchurch, New Zealand

Oh dear! Another disaster - a powerful 7.1 quake hit Christchurch, New Zealand, this morning causing much damage to infrastructure but fortunately, no loss of life though two people have been badly injured. One man was hit by a falling chimney and was in serious condition in intensive care, while a second was badly cut by glass. A state of emergency has been declared.

There were cases of looting but police is dealing with it. It's been reported that there is quite significant damage and that some people were trapped in damaged houses. 13 mostly freight trains had been halted on South Island lines, with some damage already confirmed to rail lines north of Christchurch.

Christchurch International Airport was closed after the quake as a precaution, as experts checked runways and terminal buildings, according to a spokesman.

The quake, which hit 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of Christchurch according to the state geological agency GNS Science, shook a wide area, with some residents saying buildings had collapsed and power was severed. No tsunami alert was issued.

I have vivid memories of my visit to New Zealand and I remember Christchurch as a very beautiful city with their black swans on the river and the awesome cathedral which is so tall I remember I had a tough time capturing the whole structure on camera. I hope and pray that all will be well again in the shortest time.

While Indonesia is on the Pacific Plate Ring of Fire, New Zealand is smack on the Indo-Australian Plate. Below is an image borrowed from Wikipedia for a better understanding.



Sources:
- The Star
- Wikipedia