This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/nov/14/new-zealand-earthquake-evacuations-tsnuami-east-coast-south-north-islands

The article has changed 33 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
New Zealand earthquake: two dead as tsunami threat passes – live New Zealand earthquake: two dead as tsunami threat passes – live
(35 minutes later)
11.18pm GMT
23:18
Red Cross 'struggling to get relief workers in'
Andrew McKie, spokesman for the Red Cross, has said the organisation is struggling to get relief workers into affected regions. There were about 50 volunteers on standby with equipment trying to get into the area, he said. A disaster relief team from Blenheim has arrived and a team from Nelson was also on its way.
11.16pm GMT
23:16
Hello, I am picking up the blog from Michael as New Zealand continues to count the cost of the latest severe South Island earthquake.
A little update on transport problems caused by the quake:
Ferry and rail line updates #eqnz pic.twitter.com/AFbyyUuGZF
11.09pm GMT
23:09
I’m about to hand over to my colleague Bonnie Malkin. Before I go, here’s what we know so far.
10.59pm GMT
22:59
PM John Key confirms two people have died in the quake.
Updated
at 11.08pm GMT
10.57pm GMT
22:57
I just got this report in from a colleague in New Zealand:
Felicity Perry from Melbourne, Australia is visiting her mother near Wellington.
“I woke up and thought okay it’s an earthquake and stayed in bed, but it kept going and things started falling off walls.”
A cast iron pan flew from the back of stove onto the floor.
“I dived out of the bed, and starting holding on to doorway and screaming out for my sister.”
She says she has never been that scared.
“Growing up with earthquakes you learn to deal with them, but this was the scariest earthquake I have experienced.”
Her mother Glynis was in Hutt Hospital, housed in a building from the 1970s. She says it moved from side to side.
Glynis was barely able to move as she’d had major surgery.
She was on the fourth floor, but mustered all her strength to crawl from her bed.
Today there’s a major crack on the wall of the hospital, engineers have been walking around assessing the damage.
Felicity Perry described the roads around the Hutt Valley as being crazy as people fled Wellington heading for higher ground and hilly areas.
10.49pm GMT
22:49
Updated
at 10.52pm GMT
10.46pm GMT
22:46
GNS Science has a graphic on their website showing a history of “notable” earthquakes in New Zealand since 1848.
Here's a graphic showing the previous 24 "notable" quakes in NZ since 1848, from GNS. #eqnz pic.twitter.com/GGG2F4AqZo
GNS also has this info on its site about the biggest-ever quake in New Zealand, which involved some astounding land movements:
The biggest NZ earthquake - magnitude 8.2 Wairarapa earthquake in 1855.
On an international scale, the 1855 earthquake is of major significance in terms of the area affected and the amount of fault movement. About 5000km2 of land was shifted vertically during the quake. The maximum uplift was 6.4m near Turakirae Head, east of Wellington. The maximum horizontal movement along the fault was about 18m. This is the largest displacement along a vertical fault line ever recorded!
10.34pm GMT10.34pm GMT
22:3422:34
A press release from the New Zealand parliament confirms that prime minister John Key has postponed a trip to Argentina in the wake of the earthquakes.A press release from the New Zealand parliament confirms that prime minister John Key has postponed a trip to Argentina in the wake of the earthquakes.
Prime Minister John Key has today postponed his trip to Argentina, but intends to travel to Peru later this week to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting from November 19-20 if circumstances permit.Prime Minister John Key has today postponed his trip to Argentina, but intends to travel to Peru later this week to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting from November 19-20 if circumstances permit.
Mr Key was scheduled to depart tomorrow for Buenos Aires, Argentina for a series of meetings aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s trade, economic and political ties with the region, before travelling to Lima to attend APEC.Mr Key was scheduled to depart tomorrow for Buenos Aires, Argentina for a series of meetings aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s trade, economic and political ties with the region, before travelling to Lima to attend APEC.
As a result of last night’s earthquake, Mr Key has made the decision to postpone his visit to Argentina.As a result of last night’s earthquake, Mr Key has made the decision to postpone his visit to Argentina.
“The situation is still unfolding and we don’t yet know the full extent of the damage,” Mr Key says.“The situation is still unfolding and we don’t yet know the full extent of the damage,” Mr Key says.
“I believe it is better that I remain in New Zealand in the coming days to offer my assistance and support until we have a better understanding of the event’s full impact.“I believe it is better that I remain in New Zealand in the coming days to offer my assistance and support until we have a better understanding of the event’s full impact.
“I want to thank Civil Defence and emergency services around the country who responded so rapidly, and also those New Zealanders who supported the large number of people who were evacuated.“I want to thank Civil Defence and emergency services around the country who responded so rapidly, and also those New Zealanders who supported the large number of people who were evacuated.
“My officials have conveyed our apologies to the Argentine Government and I intend to call President Mauricio Macri in the next few days,” Mr Key says.“My officials have conveyed our apologies to the Argentine Government and I intend to call President Mauricio Macri in the next few days,” Mr Key says.
The decision on whether the trip to APEC will go ahead will be made later this week.The decision on whether the trip to APEC will go ahead will be made later this week.
10.31pm GMT10.31pm GMT
22:3122:31
Here are a few updates about the situation in various areas affected by the quakes, with thanks to colleagues in New Zealand who helped gather this:Here are a few updates about the situation in various areas affected by the quakes, with thanks to colleagues in New Zealand who helped gather this:
BlenheimBlenheim
Road from Blenheim to Picton is closed, Interislander ferry service between Picton and Wellington is not operating, with passengers stranded in both Picton and Wellington. Some traveller are staying inside the New Zealand Parliamentary buildings, in the beehive.Road from Blenheim to Picton is closed, Interislander ferry service between Picton and Wellington is not operating, with passengers stranded in both Picton and Wellington. Some traveller are staying inside the New Zealand Parliamentary buildings, in the beehive.
Emergency services are reporting they expect the ferry service to begin operations some time today.Emergency services are reporting they expect the ferry service to begin operations some time today.
Port Marlborough expecting to have Picton ferry terminal operational again today. No immediate return sailing: https://t.co/L0q626stvDPort Marlborough expecting to have Picton ferry terminal operational again today. No immediate return sailing: https://t.co/L0q626stvD
KaikouraKaikoura
Kaikoura, is cut off on both sides by large slips that have tumbled down the dramatic cliff faces along State Highway 1, the coastal highway.Adjacent to the coastal highway is a railway track that runs alongside the cliff, the force of the earthquake has lifted it up, toward the opposite side of the road and almost into the sea.Kaikoura is town on the east coast of the south Island of New Zealand, located on State Highway 1, 180km north of Christchurch. It has a population is about 2,000.Residents are still cut off from communication, with all mobile communication and emails down.Kaikoura, is cut off on both sides by large slips that have tumbled down the dramatic cliff faces along State Highway 1, the coastal highway.Adjacent to the coastal highway is a railway track that runs alongside the cliff, the force of the earthquake has lifted it up, toward the opposite side of the road and almost into the sea.Kaikoura is town on the east coast of the south Island of New Zealand, located on State Highway 1, 180km north of Christchurch. It has a population is about 2,000.Residents are still cut off from communication, with all mobile communication and emails down.
WellingtonWellington
The Wellington railway station has been closed and will undergo inspection due to the damage from the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.The Wellington railway station has been closed and will undergo inspection due to the damage from the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.
New Zealand’s Civil defence have advised people to stay off beaches and out of the water. They have advised people to stay indoors and not go sight seeingNew Zealand’s Civil defence have advised people to stay off beaches and out of the water. They have advised people to stay indoors and not go sight seeing
10.26pm GMT10.26pm GMT
22:2622:26
I just received this from a colleague in New Zealand:I just received this from a colleague in New Zealand:
Blenheim resident Chris Thoms, 60, was in bed In Blenheim with her husband when the earthquake struck.Blenheim resident Chris Thoms, 60, was in bed In Blenheim with her husband when the earthquake struck.
“It started off slowly, and then escalated beyond anything we’ve ever felt. I held my husband’s hand and said ‘this is it, I think it’s all over’.”“It started off slowly, and then escalated beyond anything we’ve ever felt. I held my husband’s hand and said ‘this is it, I think it’s all over’.”
She described what felt like severe sharp jolts, that threw items off shelves and from the cupboards throughout their houses.She described what felt like severe sharp jolts, that threw items off shelves and from the cupboards throughout their houses.
Once the quake stopped, they left the house, stood on the streets with all their neighbours checking in with each other.Once the quake stopped, they left the house, stood on the streets with all their neighbours checking in with each other.
10.18pm GMT10.18pm GMT
22:1822:18
Caroline Little from GeoNet in New Zealand said on Radio New Zealand the movement of parks of South Island 2 meters north was “pretty incredible”.Caroline Little from GeoNet in New Zealand said on Radio New Zealand the movement of parks of South Island 2 meters north was “pretty incredible”.
Here's the readings from Cape Campbell, showing how the ground there suddenly moved 2m after the quake. #eqnz pic.twitter.com/lpxkIbWQMGHere's the readings from Cape Campbell, showing how the ground there suddenly moved 2m after the quake. #eqnz pic.twitter.com/lpxkIbWQMG
Little said that while some of the major earthquakes in New Zealand over the past decade have involved a lot of vertical movement, this quake was dominated by horizontal movement.Little said that while some of the major earthquakes in New Zealand over the past decade have involved a lot of vertical movement, this quake was dominated by horizontal movement.
10.02pm GMT10.02pm GMT
22:0222:02
Here’s a little info about the history of quakes in this Northern part of South Island.Here’s a little info about the history of quakes in this Northern part of South Island.
According the the US Geological Survey, this plate boundary has a large history of major quakes, but last night’s M 7.5 was the largest there since 1929.According the the US Geological Survey, this plate boundary has a large history of major quakes, but last night’s M 7.5 was the largest there since 1929.
In June 1929, there was a M 7.3 quake 100km to the northwest of last night’s quake. That event occurred just three months after another major quake just 90km west-southwest of last night’s.In June 1929, there was a M 7.3 quake 100km to the northwest of last night’s quake. That event occurred just three months after another major quake just 90km west-southwest of last night’s.
And of course, around Christchurch, about 100km north of the new quake, there was a series of very damaging quakes between 2010 and 2015. That included a M 7.0 one west of Christchurch in September 2010, and another M 6.1 directly beneath the city in February 2011.And of course, around Christchurch, about 100km north of the new quake, there was a series of very damaging quakes between 2010 and 2015. That included a M 7.0 one west of Christchurch in September 2010, and another M 6.1 directly beneath the city in February 2011.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.12pm GMTat 10.12pm GMT
9.44pm GMT9.44pm GMT
21:4421:44
The US Geological Survey says the quakes occurred in a very complex tectonic region, making interpreting the exact nature of the quake hard to infer.The US Geological Survey says the quakes occurred in a very complex tectonic region, making interpreting the exact nature of the quake hard to infer.
But it appeared to happen on or near the boundary between the Pacific and the Australian plate in South Island, New Zealand.But it appeared to happen on or near the boundary between the Pacific and the Australian plate in South Island, New Zealand.
In that region, the Pacific plate moves at about 40mm southwest each year, into the Australian plate.In that region, the Pacific plate moves at about 40mm southwest each year, into the Australian plate.
Earthquakes occur when tension built up by that movement is finally released, as the two plates slip past one another.Earthquakes occur when tension built up by that movement is finally released, as the two plates slip past one another.
There is confusion about the nature of the quake, since the size, depth and structure of the quake suggests it occurred in a subduction zone but it wasn’t thought that a subduction zone extended into that area.There is confusion about the nature of the quake, since the size, depth and structure of the quake suggests it occurred in a subduction zone but it wasn’t thought that a subduction zone extended into that area.
The US Geological Survey also confirms what we reported earlier, saying there could be more than one fault involved in the quakes.The US Geological Survey also confirms what we reported earlier, saying there could be more than one fault involved in the quakes.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.56pm GMTat 9.56pm GMT
9.30pm GMT9.30pm GMT
21:3021:30
Some of the images coming in of the land movement in Kaikoura are quite amazing. Here is one of Stuart Smith, the MP for Kaikoura, standing in a giant crack in a road.Some of the images coming in of the land movement in Kaikoura are quite amazing. Here is one of Stuart Smith, the MP for Kaikoura, standing in a giant crack in a road.
Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith stands in a road destroyed by the quake #eqnz pic.twitter.com/nzh7lUIWXqKaikoura MP Stuart Smith stands in a road destroyed by the quake #eqnz pic.twitter.com/nzh7lUIWXq
More photos from North Canterbury showing how the roads have stood up to the quake. 'Not well', apparently:#EQNZ pic.twitter.com/5vq5X9Crj6More photos from North Canterbury showing how the roads have stood up to the quake. 'Not well', apparently:#EQNZ pic.twitter.com/5vq5X9Crj6
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.33pm GMTat 9.33pm GMT
9.23pm GMT9.23pm GMT
21:2321:23
There are now concerns about water in the affected regions, with farmers in Ward reporting they will have trouble keeping their stock watered.There are now concerns about water in the affected regions, with farmers in Ward reporting they will have trouble keeping their stock watered.
And some residents are saying drinking water has gone murky.And some residents are saying drinking water has gone murky.
Water in Ngaio Wellington has gone murky. Hopefully just a little sediment. #eqnzWater in Ngaio Wellington has gone murky. Hopefully just a little sediment. #eqnz
The water supply in Raglan is still affected. Please conserve water. Only use for drinking. You do not need to boil it first.The water supply in Raglan is still affected. Please conserve water. Only use for drinking. You do not need to boil it first.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.46pm GMTat 9.46pm GMT
9.15pm GMT9.15pm GMT
21:1521:15
If you are in any regions affected by the quakes in New Zealand and have photographs of damage, tweet them to me at @mikeyslezak and I’ll try to get them up on the liveblog.If you are in any regions affected by the quakes in New Zealand and have photographs of damage, tweet them to me at @mikeyslezak and I’ll try to get them up on the liveblog.
9.11pm GMT9.11pm GMT
21:1121:11
According to Kelvin Berryman from GNS Science, parts of New Zealand have moved 2 metres north as a result of the quakes. He said on Radio New Zealand GPS measurements at one of the northern measurements sites appeared to move about 2 metres after the quakes.According to Kelvin Berryman from GNS Science, parts of New Zealand have moved 2 metres north as a result of the quakes. He said on Radio New Zealand GPS measurements at one of the northern measurements sites appeared to move about 2 metres after the quakes.