This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/366772-zealand-quake-damage-threat/

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Tsunami hits N. Zealand after powerful earthquake, aftershocks (PHOTOS) Tsunami hits N. Zealand after powerful earthquake, aftershocks (PHOTOS)
(35 minutes later)
New Zealand authorities have issued a tsunami warning, urging people along the entire east coast to move inland or to high ground, after a powerful earthquake hit northeast of Christchurch, the biggest city on South Island. New Zealand authorities have issued a tsunami warning, urging people along the entire east coast to move inland or to high ground, after a powerful earthquake hit northeast of Christchurch, the biggest city on South Island. Casualties are now feared in Kaikoura.
READ MORE: Destruction caused by New Zealand earthquake captured on camera (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)READ MORE: Destruction caused by New Zealand earthquake captured on camera (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)
The tremor, with a magnitude initially estimated at 7.4 before being scaled up to 7.8, had a depth of 23km, according to the US Geological Survey. New Zealand's Civil Defense puts the depth at 15km.The tremor, with a magnitude initially estimated at 7.4 before being scaled up to 7.8, had a depth of 23km, according to the US Geological Survey. New Zealand's Civil Defense puts the depth at 15km.
It was centered 46km from the town of Amberley with about 2,000 people, 70km from the town of Kaiapoi with 10,000 residents and 91km north-northeast of Christchurch.It was centered 46km from the town of Amberley with about 2,000 people, 70km from the town of Kaiapoi with 10,000 residents and 91km north-northeast of Christchurch.
“There have been several severe earthquakes in the Seddon and Kaikoura region. Strong earthquakes have been felt in Wellington. Early indications are that the quakes originated from the Hope Fault,” NZ Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management (MCDEM) said in a statement.  “There have been several severe earthquakes in the Seddon and Kaikoura region. Strong earthquakes have been felt in Wellington. Early indications are that the quakes originated from the Hope Fault,” NZ Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management (MCDEM) said in a statement.
Civil Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee told a news conference that he received some reports about casualties from the Kaikoura area. “There are some reports of casualties in the Kaikoura area but the extent of that is not yet reported,” he said. At least ten aftershocks with magnitudes from 4.9 to 6.2 have struck South Island of New Zealand, USGS reports - while the NZ Herald tweets of more than 45 follow-up quakes.
Civil Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee told a news conference that he received some reports about casualties from the Kaikoura area.
“There are some reports of casualties in the Kaikoura area but the extent of that is not yet reported,” he said.
There are also reports that houses in Cheviot have been badly damaged.
The MCDEM issued a tsunami warning for the eastern coasts of North and South Islands, saying waves of 3-5 meters can be expected.The MCDEM issued a tsunami warning for the eastern coasts of North and South Islands, saying waves of 3-5 meters can be expected.
“New Zealanders should stay off the beaches, stay out of the water, and not go sightseeing. People are encouraged to keep themselves informed and follow the advice of their local civil defence groups as the situation develops around the country,” the warning says.“New Zealanders should stay off the beaches, stay out of the water, and not go sightseeing. People are encouraged to keep themselves informed and follow the advice of their local civil defence groups as the situation develops around the country,” the warning says.
Thousands of people fled their homes and moved to higher ground following the warning. Meanwhile, helicopters carrying medical and rescue personnel were sent to areas located near the epicenter of the quake.Thousands of people fled their homes and moved to higher ground following the warning. Meanwhile, helicopters carrying medical and rescue personnel were sent to areas located near the epicenter of the quake.
“The first tsunami waves have arrived but it is too early to know what damage or casualties there may have been. Further waves should be expected and may be larger or more dangerous,” the MCDEM said, commenting on initial tsunami reports.
WeatherWatch.co.nz reports that a “sizeable tsunami wave of around 2 meters” has been recorded in Kaikoura.WeatherWatch.co.nz reports that a “sizeable tsunami wave of around 2 meters” has been recorded in Kaikoura.
“Now much smaller, but still very dangerous, tsunami waves are showing up in [the cities of]  Wellington, Castlepoint,” the website added.“Now much smaller, but still very dangerous, tsunami waves are showing up in [the cities of]  Wellington, Castlepoint,” the website added.
“The first tsunami waves have arrived but it is too early to know what damage or casualties there may have been. Further waves should be expected and may be larger or more dangerous,” the MCDEM said, commenting on initial tsunami reports.
A surge of up to one meter was recorded in North Canterbury region of the South Island, Anna Kaiser, a seismologist at GNS Science told Radio New Zealand.
"That's reasonably significant so people should take this seriously," she added.
Chris Hill from Cheviot, which is located along the coast, said officials went door to door evacuating residents.Chris Hill from Cheviot, which is located along the coast, said officials went door to door evacuating residents.
“Everyone seems OK here,” he told RNZ. “There's a lot of debris in houses, but at this stage it doesn't look like anything too bad has happened.”“Everyone seems OK here,” he told RNZ. “There's a lot of debris in houses, but at this stage it doesn't look like anything too bad has happened.”
At least ten aftershocks with magnitudes from 4.9 to 6.2 have struck South Island of New Zealand, USGS reports - while the NZ Herald tweets of more than 45 follow-up quakes.
There are reports that houses in the towns of Kaikoura and Cheviot have been badly damaged.
“I hope everyone is safe after the earthquake tonight. [New Zealand] Civil Defense is looking into the impact of the quake,” John Key, NZ Prime Minister wrote on Twitter.
In Wellington, 214km from the quake's epicenter, some windows and chimneys were smashed and the power was knocked out in several places, AP reported.In Wellington, 214km from the quake's epicenter, some windows and chimneys were smashed and the power was knocked out in several places, AP reported.
According to Wayne Timmo, a resident of the town of Hamilton, the quake felt like a “long slow, rolling or almost rotating motion.”According to Wayne Timmo, a resident of the town of Hamilton, the quake felt like a “long slow, rolling or almost rotating motion.”
“The water in the neighbor's swimming pool was left sloshing around for about a minute and people woken by the quake came out onto the street to talk about it,” he told Stuff.co.nz news website.“The water in the neighbor's swimming pool was left sloshing around for about a minute and people woken by the quake came out onto the street to talk about it,” he told Stuff.co.nz news website.
“It really shook for a long time,” Jo Davis from the town of Nelson also told the news outlet.“It really shook for a long time,” Jo Davis from the town of Nelson also told the news outlet.
The quake damaged power lines in several neighborhoods and power may not be restored until morning.The quake damaged power lines in several neighborhoods and power may not be restored until morning.
Back in 2011, Christchurch was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 185 people and injured hundreds.Back in 2011, Christchurch was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 185 people and injured hundreds.