Christchurch earthquake: Rockfalls, liquefaction, injuries after quakes - National - NZ Herald News

Did you experience the earthquake?

Send us your photos and video
Email here

View Larger Map

Expand

The scene at a Christchurch supermarket after the 1.58pm quake. Photo / Nathan Mercer (Twitter)

A series of earthquakes have terrified many already-frazzled Christchurch residents this afternoon, starting with a 5.8 magnitude tremor at 1.58pm.

It was followed by a 6.0 magnitude aftershock at 3.18pm, centred 10km east of Christchurch in South New Brighton.

Initial reports said one person had received minor injuries, although St John had responded to 19 earthquake-related emergency calls in and around Christchurch.

They ranged from complaints of chest pain and seizures, to a panic attack.

Five people had collapsed, and one suffered a knock to the head.

St John said all injuries were minor.

Police say there is no tsunami threat, and they have no reports of serious or widespread damage or injury.

Rockfalls and damage

People were urged to stay away from hill suburbs because of risk of rockfalls, and Coastguard had rescued four people who were trapped by rockfall in Boulder Bay.

Police said there had also been a significant rockfall at Redcliffs, a stopbank on New Brighton Road had collapsed, a partly demolished building on the corner of Barbadoes and Kilmore Streets collapsed, and a vacant house at 81 Aynsley Terrace collapsed.

Road damage and liquefaction

Major holes in the road were reported to have opened up on Broadhaven Avenue, and liquefaction was reported in Avonside.

Drivers were urged to slow down and be patient as congestion built up in some areas.

Police said Christchurch residents should stay off roads if at all possible, and text rather than phone.

Christchurch Hospital, the Princess Margaret Hospital and Hillmorton are all fully operational. Burwood is operating on emergency power.

There are no reports of damage and no injuries to staff or patients who were at the board's facilities at the time of the quake.

The DHB said people can access 24-hour non-emergency care through their general practice, and are asked to help keep the Emergency Department clear for genuine emergencies. The 111 service is operating normally for emergencies.

The Christchurch mayor said his heart breaks for Cantabrians shocked by a series of earthquakes this afternoon.

The first, a magnitude 5.8 tremor, struck at 1.50pm. Its focal point was at a depth of eight kilometres, 20km off the coast of Lyttelton.

Key: 'My heart goes out to the people of Christchurch'

Prime Minister John Key said Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, will be heading to Christchurch this afternoon to access the situation.

"My heart goes out to the people of Christchurch and Canterbury at this time," Mr Key said.

"However, residents can be confident that the authorities are onto the situation and government resources stand ready to assist wherever they are needed.

"The Government's resolve to work with the people of Christchurch and Canterbury to rebuild remains unchanged following today's two aftershocks."

Mayor Bob Parker has now booked to fly back to Christchurch from Taupo, where he was holidaying.

He told TVNZ he was getting a lot of reports in from the east of the city of minor damage.

"On the east there's more reports coming in of liquefaction, in Avondale ... and there's small collapses around riverbanks."

He said while initial reports tell of minor damage to the city, today's shake would have taken a large emotional toll on people.

"Many of them just sitting around and in tears. You just can't understand the ongoing stress."

"We were just getting over that feeling, I think, and it sets people back."

Chlorine had finally been removed from the waterways two weeks ago, and today's quake could have set infrastructure progress back, he said.

'Very violent... constant rolling'

Jacqui Taylor said she was working in the Lyttelton library when the first magnitude 5.8 quake hit.

"It was very violent, with constant rolling for a very long time, we left the building and people gathered in the main street. there were more aftershocks while we were in the street.

"I luckily made it through the tunnel and back home in Addington, feeling one more shake while i was in my car at the lights."

Power outages

Electricity distributor Orion reports power is out from the New Brighton area through to Shirley. It is thought 15,000 customers in the eastern suburbs including New Brighton and Dallington were without power. Electricity was also out in Springston in central Canterbury.

Orion said its crews were out assessing damage. It said it appeared power is out due to tripping caused by shaking rather than damage to equipment.

Neanwhile New Zealand Post said there will be no mail deliveries in Christchurch. The Christchurch Mail Centre has been evacuated as a precaution and will not re-open this evening.

The next scheduled mail deliveries following the statutory holidays will be December 28.

Emergency Operations Centre

The Christchurch City Council has established an Emergency Operations Centre in the city. There has been a rockfall behind containers at Scarborough, and liquefaction at Parklands, the council said.

Police are doing aerial reconnaissance to check for damage across the city.

All Council buildings will be closed until they can be assessed as safe to occupy. People should assume all Council buildings are closed until they can be assessed and declared safe.

Cantabrians are being warned that more aftershocks could be on the way before Christmas.

GNS: More aftershocks to come

GNS seismologist Ken Gledhill told TVNZ "this is part of a series of earthquakes that have been set off by what happened in September 2010.

"In the coming days the most likely scenario is that there will be a series of aftershocks in a similar location.

"This is just a reminder that this area is more active than what it was before September 2010."

He said GNS were doing the best they could with information and the situation in Christchurch.

- APNZ

By APNZ

via nzherald.co.nz