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New Zealand earthquake: two dead as tsunami threat passes – live New Zealand earthquake: two dead as tsunami threat passes – live
(35 minutes later)
12.23am GMT
00:23
The New Zealand department of foreign affairs and trade has published some information for visitors to the country and New Zealanders overseas following the quake.
It says visitors should continue to follow instructions of civil defence authorities in your region and the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) website. Those overseas with concerns about loved ones that they cannot reach directly should contact their local embassy or high commission.
12.14am GMT
00:14
State highway 1, which runs up the east of South Island, seems to have sustained a significant amount of damage.
Images as they come in of the #eqnz damage: Slip impact on State Highway 1 pic.twitter.com/KOpahqedg5
The New Zealand Transport Agency has said that part of SH1 between Blenheim and Wairapa is closed due to earthquake damage.
This is what the road looked like before the earthquake struck:
12.04am GMT
00:04
Stuff.co.nz have modelled the swarm of aftershocks that hit following the quake.
#Watch : The quake swarm that followed the big oneA swarm of after shocks rumbled on after #eqnz https://t.co/V9OBO6hPsN pic.twitter.com/zJoZBOoyzd
Updated
at 12.05am GMT
11.59pm GMT
23:59
At least 25 buildings damaged in Wellington
25 buildings in Wellington CBD have so far been identified as having suffered potential structural damage in last night's earthquake. #eqnz
11.53pm GMT11.53pm GMT
23:5323:53
The latest weather forecast includes rain and severe gale warnings, all of which could hamper rescue efforts.The latest weather forecast includes rain and severe gale warnings, all of which could hamper rescue efforts.
Here's those warnings for the wind and rain expected this evening as two images. Keep safe out there. https://t.co/Sd5C6lrsSL ^TA pic.twitter.com/aonTurUWzbHere's those warnings for the wind and rain expected this evening as two images. Keep safe out there. https://t.co/Sd5C6lrsSL ^TA pic.twitter.com/aonTurUWzb
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.55pm GMTat 11.55pm GMT
11.50pm GMT11.50pm GMT
23:5023:50
'Like a massive firework display''Like a massive firework display'
Nathaniel Ballard was in Hamilton, in the top of the North Island, when the quake hit. He sent in this description:Nathaniel Ballard was in Hamilton, in the top of the North Island, when the quake hit. He sent in this description:
We felt the quake all the way up here in the North. Our house was rocking and all electricity was lost. Every transformer surrounding our neighbourhood literally blew up. It was like a massive fireworks display. Definitely spooky as we’ve never experienced an earthquake before .We felt the quake all the way up here in the North. Our house was rocking and all electricity was lost. Every transformer surrounding our neighbourhood literally blew up. It was like a massive fireworks display. Definitely spooky as we’ve never experienced an earthquake before .
Neighbours were all outside at 12.30am scared and hugging each other. Fortunately nobody was hurt near us but still quite terrifying.Neighbours were all outside at 12.30am scared and hugging each other. Fortunately nobody was hurt near us but still quite terrifying.
11.45pm GMT11.45pm GMT
23:4523:45
This house is situated right on the Kekerengu fault line, near Kaikoura.This house is situated right on the Kekerengu fault line, near Kaikoura.
A house at Bluff Station btw Blenheim & Kaikoura. Right on the Kekerengu fault line. Sue Murray says Simon, a farm worker was in the house pic.twitter.com/n1gxBJqX8sA house at Bluff Station btw Blenheim & Kaikoura. Right on the Kekerengu fault line. Sue Murray says Simon, a farm worker was in the house pic.twitter.com/n1gxBJqX8s
11.41pm GMT11.41pm GMT
23:4123:41
Fears over swelling Clarence RiverFears over swelling Clarence River
Eleanor Ainge Roy reports that the Clarence River in South Island has had a major landslip and is rapidly swelling. There is a threat to farms downstream if it bursts.Eleanor Ainge Roy reports that the Clarence River in South Island has had a major landslip and is rapidly swelling. There is a threat to farms downstream if it bursts.
#BREAKING: Dart Stream, which flows from Clarence River in the Kaikoura District, is blocked #eqnz (Photo: NZ Herald) pic.twitter.com/uCzWAfqYf0#BREAKING: Dart Stream, which flows from Clarence River in the Kaikoura District, is blocked #eqnz (Photo: NZ Herald) pic.twitter.com/uCzWAfqYf0
#Kaikoura There is a landslide blocking the Clarence River near Dart Stream with a large volume of water behind it. Please keep clear.#Kaikoura There is a landslide blocking the Clarence River near Dart Stream with a large volume of water behind it. Please keep clear.
Updated
at 11.55pm GMT
11.39pm GMT11.39pm GMT
23:3923:39
Images are emerging of the extensive damage to roads resulting from the quake. This photograph was taken near Oaro, south of Kaikoura.Images are emerging of the extensive damage to roads resulting from the quake. This photograph was taken near Oaro, south of Kaikoura.
11.36pm GMT11.36pm GMT
23:3623:36
Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has joined the rescue effort.Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has joined the rescue effort.
All Blacks great Richie McCaw has joined the deadly earthquake rescue efforts #EQNZ https://t.co/AmhsoknJoq pic.twitter.com/DOgraVrTL1All Blacks great Richie McCaw has joined the deadly earthquake rescue efforts #EQNZ https://t.co/AmhsoknJoq pic.twitter.com/DOgraVrTL1
11.33pm GMT11.33pm GMT
23:3323:33
A tsunami warning is still in place for some marine areas and beaches.A tsunami warning is still in place for some marine areas and beaches.
The marine and beach tsunami threat warning remains in place for Wellington to Bank Peninsula#eqnzhttps://t.co/JRkjCodKqg pic.twitter.com/J3rc1LzTI0The marine and beach tsunami threat warning remains in place for Wellington to Bank Peninsula#eqnzhttps://t.co/JRkjCodKqg pic.twitter.com/J3rc1LzTI0
11.28pm GMT
23:28
Reports of looting
Sadly, there have been reports of looting in the aftermath of the quake.
New Zealand’s Newshub website reported that a Christchurch family who fled their home after the earthquake returned hours later to find they had been been robbed.
They’ve just ransacked the house, it’s horrible, it’s terrible,” said Melissa Mill.[We’re] pretty shaken, pretty disgusted, disheartened.”
11.22pm GMT
23:22
Wellington a 'ghost town'
Witnesses have described the capital as a “ghost town” after authorities warned people to stay away from Wellington.
#eqnz this is at my brothers flat down Victoria street in Wellington #quake #RNZ pic.twitter.com/gqZnlEeNkB
11.21pm GMT
23:21
A little bit of news that might cheer up students in the wake of the earthquake - some school exams have been postponed.
Kristine Kilkelly, the New Zealand Qualifcations Authority chief executive, has said high school scholarship exams have been cancelled. National high school examinations will go ahead in schools that were unaffected by the earthquakes, she said.NZQA said students from schools that were closed would be able to resit exams, but schools could also apply for grades to be assessed based on the results of their trial exams. NCEA exams will continue as normal for all schools unaffected by Monday’s earthquakes.
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 its latest severe earthquake.
A little update on transport problems caused by the quake:
Ferry and rail line updates #eqnz pic.twitter.com/AFbyyUuGZF
Images of rail lines in the affected area show some of the problems with getting trains through.
Railway crossing.#EQNZ pic.twitter.com/uJaGYYUQm3
Kekerengu fault - very clear rupture here pic.twitter.com/zPBg3I6Eaf
Updated
at 11.24pm GMT
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. 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.
Updated
at 11.24pm GMT
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!