ArticleTake Directory | Free Articles | New Articles Daily | New Zealand's South Island was hit by a powerful 7.1 quake

Much of the South Island of New Zealand was shook by a strong earth quake of 7.1 magnitudes early Saturday. The quake caused considerable damage, but only two reports of serious injuries.

The earthquake, the 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of the southern city of Christchurch proposed agreement with the State Geological agency GNS Science, rocked a wide area, say some residents, the building had collapsed and power was cut.

GNS Science at first reported the quake as magnitude 7.4, but afterward downgraded it quickly after re-examining quake records. The U.S. Geological Survey, in America, measured the quake at 7.0.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker declared a talk about of emergency 4 several hours quickly after the quake rocked the region, warning individuals that continuing aftershocks could cause masonry to fall from broken buildings. The emergency meant factors inside the local community will be closed away and some properties closed as unsafe.

The quake hit at 4:35 a.m. (1635 GMT) shaking thousands of residents awake, New Zealand's National Radio reported. Some 12 aftershocks have rocked the region since, ranging from 5.3 to 3.9 in magnitude, GNS Science reported on its web site.

Prime Minister John Key, Carter and vitality Minister Gerry Brownlee have been to fly to Christchurch to inspect harm and evaluation the situation, officials said.

Civil defense company spokesman David Millar stated a minimum amount of 6 bridges inside the area experienced been badly damaged, in spite of the simple fact the fact that historic Empire inn inside the port local community of Littleton was "very unstable" and in danger of collapse. Roads, stores on top of that to other properties in farm towns near to Christchurch experienced also suffered damage, with some store fronts knocked along inside the jolt.

Inspector Coleman stated residents inside the city's low-lying eastern suburbs experienced been advised to turn into ready to evacuate their properties, quickly after power, gas, sewerage and consuming water options have been minimize over the quake.

Resident Colleen Simpson stated panicked residents ran to the path within their pajamas. Some properties experienced collapsed, there is no power, as well as the cellular phone system experienced failed.

Kiwi rail transport team spokesman Kevin Rams haw stated 13 mainly freight trains experienced been halted on South Island lines, with some harm previously confirmed to rail lines north of Christchurch.

Christchurch global Airport was closed quickly after the quake getting a precaution, as authorities checked runways and terminal buildings, a spokesman said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning center stated "no destructive widespread tsunami danger existed, centered on historical earthquake and tsunami data."

New Zealand sits above an area inside the Earth's crust especially where two tectonic plates collide. The nation information extra than 14,000 earthquakes a twelve weeks -- but only about 150 are felt by residents. Fewer than 10 a twelve weeks do any damage.