Christchurch earthquake

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7.8 Quake Hits New Zealand; Tsunami Warning Issued

People belatedly advised to move to higher ground

(Newser) - A powerful earthquake has struck New Zealand near the city of Christchurch, with strong jolts felt over 120 miles away in the capital, Wellington. There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries, reports the AP . The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at first reported that there was no risk...

New Zealand Quakes Made Earth's Crust Weaker

Geologists find weakening for 3 miles around crust

(Newser) - How nasty were the deadly quakes that hit New Zealand one after another in 2010 and 2011? So bad that they appear to have seriously weakened the Earth's crust, scientists reveal in a new study. Geologists had previously believed that the strength of the Earth's crust was more...

Shoddy Design Blamed for NZ Quake Deaths

 1 Shoddy Building 
 Killed 115 in 
 NZ Quake 
NEW REPORT
Dec 10, 2012 1:27 AM CST

1 Shoddy Building Killed 115 in NZ Quake

Two-thirds of deaths were in building that should never have gone up: report

(Newser) - Almost two-thirds of the deaths in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake happened in a building that should never have been approved, according to a New Zealand government-ordered report. The collapse of the CTV building killed 115 of the quake's 185 victims, and the report found that the engineer who designed...

Yet Another Quake Hits Christchurch

4.7-magnitude quake rattles NZ city

(Newser) - One of the stronger of the thousands of earthquakes and aftershocks to hit Christchurch since last year's devastating 6.1 quake struck the New Zealand city today. No reports of serious injuries or damage were received after the 4.7 quake, reports the New Zealand Herald . Authorities closed the...

Strong Quakes Rock Christchurch

Only minor injuries, damage reported

(Newser) - A series of strong earthquakes shook Christchurch, New Zealand, today, 10 months after a major quake killed 182 people and destroyed much of the downtown. A 5.8 quake was followed by a 5.3 quake minutes later, and a 6.0 quake an hour after that, along with many...

Quakes Rattle Christchurch
 Quakes Rattle Christchurch 
Jun 13, 2011 1:21 AM CDT

Quakes Rattle Christchurch

5.2, 6.0 shakers rock city already destroyed by massive quake

(Newser) - Two new serious earthquakes rattled tremblor-weary Christchurch today, sending boulders plunging down hillsides and injuring residents. The 5.2 and a 6.0 quakes struck just 20 minutes apart around lunch time, sending panicked New Zealanders into the streets. Two men were rescued from rubble that collapsed on top of...

Honeymooning Couple Survives 6 Natural Disasters
Honeymooning Couple Survives 6 Natural Disasters
in case you missed it
Apr 9, 2011 7:09 AM CDT

Honeymooning Couple Survives 6 Natural Disasters

Stefan, Erika Svanstrom make it through snow, cyclone, flood, fire, quakes

(Newser) - When Stefan and Erika Svanstrom of Stockholm set out on a four-month-long honeymoon in December, they probably weren't expecting to immediately get stranded in Munich during one of Europe's worst snowstorms. They almost certainly weren't expecting to then survive a cyclone in Cairns, Australia. And it's safe to say they...

Big Quakes Trigger Small Ones—Not Other Big Ones
Big Quakes Trigger Small Ones—Not Other Big Ones
study says
Mar 28, 2011 9:37 AM CDT

Big Quakes Trigger Small Ones—Not Other Big Ones

So rest easy, California, your risk is no higher than normal

(Newser) - Over the past 15 months, large earthquakes have struck China , Haiti , Chile , New Zealand , Japan , and Burma . But those quakes weren't connected, and they won't trigger any other big ones, seismologists say. A new study shows that, even when they seem linked, large and distant quakes likely aren't—and while...

One in 3 Buildings Face Demolition After NZ Quake

Hundreds of suburban homes might come down as well

(Newser) - Just how powerful was that earthquake in New Zealand? One structural engineer assessing the damage estimates that one in three buildings in the city center of Christchurch might have to come down, reports BBC . In addition, hundreds of suburban homes look to be doomed as well. Damage from the 6....

Quake Survivor Marries Fiance—Who Rescued Her

New Zealand couple marries 3 days after her ordeal

(Newser) - Emma Howard married Chris Greenslade today. What's so special about this wedding? Three days ago, the bride didn't know whether she would live to see it. Howard was at work when her building collapsed after the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. Buried under the rubble, she sent a text message...

New Zealand Quake Has Sober Message for California

Even modern safety codes can't stand up to a powerful tremor

(Newser) - Look out, California. Some of the buildings brought down by this week's earthquake in New Zealand were relatively modern, reinforcing the notion that a big quake with the right characteristics can wreak havoc even where safety codes are up to snuff, reports the Los Angeles Times. "We still have...

Text From NZ Rubble: 'Mommy, I Got Buried'

Family holds out hope even though texts stopped

(Newser) - Stats about the missing and the dead say so much about tragedies like the one that struck New Zealand—the reality comes through in harrowing texts, like that from 23-year-old Louise Amantillo. "Mommy, I got buried" she texted on Tuesday from the rubble of her collapsed language school in...

New Zealand Losing Hope for 223 Still Missing

Nearly 100 already dead in Christchurch earthquake

(Newser) - The devastating earthquake that hit New Zealand has already claimed 98 lives, but as rescuers comb through ruins in Christchurch, officials fear there may be no hope for the 223 still missing. The wreckage of the Canterbury TV building, under which 120 people were trapped, and Christchurch cathedral is thought...

NZ Rescuers Refusing to Give Up Hope

Search for quake survivors joined by teams from around the world

(Newser) - Hopes are fading for the hundreds of people still missing after Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Christchurch but rescue teams are continuing to comb the ruins. Exhausted New Zealand rescuers have been joined by hundreds of specialists sent by countries around the world, including the US and Japan, the BBC reports....

New Zealand Woman Pulled From Rubble 24 Hours Later

One of 30 people rescued from Christchurch office building

(Newser) - After being trapped for 24 hours, a woman was pulled from the rubble of the Pyne Gould Corp. building in Christchurch today, a rare bright spot on a dark day in New Zealand. Ann Bodkin had taken cover under her desk during yesterday’s 6.3-magnitude earthquake, and “the...

New Zealand Quake: 75 Dead, 300 Missing

Number of people pulled out alive is shrinking

(Newser) - New Zealand continues the frantic hunt for survivors from today's 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Christchurch. The death toll is at 75, with another 300 missing. About 120 people have been pulled alive from the rubble, but the numbers are dwindling. "There is incredible carnage right throughout the city,"...

Christchurch Earthquake Death Toll Hits 65
 65 Confirmed Dead in NZ Quake 
Feb 22, 2011 7:42 AM CST

65 Confirmed Dead in NZ Quake

PM: 'We may be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day'

(Newser) - The devastating earthquake that hit Christchurch today killed at least 65 people and the death toll is expected to rise, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key warns. The 6.3-magnitude quake struck just before 1pm local time, causing widespread destruction. Many people are still trapped in buildings and a state...

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