South Island quake

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: - 115 comments
Categories: christchurch earthquake, disaster - Tags:

[As of 7:50am standing down from “live” updates – plenty of coverage in the media now (RNZ was brilliant right from the start), over and out]

Felt all over the country. Hope everyone is OK – especially Christchurch.

Now turning in to a system of quakes…

Reports of bad damage in Cheviot and Kaikoura. A rail bridge at ferry terminal down in Wellington. Power outages. Now sounding like widespread and significant damage. Casualties likely in Kaikoura and possible elsewhere.

BE CAREFUL ON ROADS. Sections of South Island SH1 and SH7 closed.

Beach and shore warning (original major Tsunami warning is over).

Wellington recommends avoid CBD today (all trains cancelled).

Schools from North Canterbury to Wellington are closed.

Scholarship exams today are postponed, NCEA exams proceeding where possible (and “derived grades” elsewhere) – official link.

RNZ is doing excellent work, broadcast and online:
Earthquake: What you need to know
LIVE: Tsunami threat after earthquake rocks country

Ahh – The Herald has woken up and now has plenty of useful info.

And just for kicks – bad weather is predicted through the affected regions.

Geonet.

#eqnz

https://twitter.com/NaomiArnold/status/797875676288139264

https://twitter.com/viralpoet/status/797880825710657537

https://twitter.com/RobJStewartNZ/status/797889626530664448

Update midday – Two people have died, one in Kaikoura and one in Mount Lyford.

115 comments on “South Island quake”

Comment numbers have changed to permanent references. Older quoted numbers may no longer identify the same comment.

  1. 1

    Geonet is showing a lot of phantom quakes, thanks to their new Geonet Rapid system.

    So far there seem to have been the first quake +3 aftershocks that I’ve felt, but geonet is showing upwards of a dozen, with many showing in the north island that I’m sure aren’t happening.

        1. 1.1.1.1

          Felt small tremor just after 12am in Auckland so the west Auckland Quakes recorded are credible.

          Feel for everyone affected.

          Unbelievable there were so many Quakes around the country and that one was 7.8 – stay safe.

        2. 1.1.1.2

          Was awake when the quake happened off the West Coast of Auckland talking with a visiting friend, and noticed the lights swinging. So that is not a recorded ghost.

          1. 1.1.1.2.1

            It’s since been marked as Deleted by GNS because it was a ghost quake.

            You may have felt a quake around that time, but that doesn’t mean it was located where GNS pinpointed that one to.

  3. 3

    There’s at least a chance Donald Trump is currently boring a tunnel underneath New Zealand just to piss people off.

    2. 3.2

      Might have had something to do with the supermoon, though.

      My thoughts go out to all those affected – So much damage. So sorry for Christchurch to be hit yet again, and now all around Kaikoura of course.

      State of emergency has been lifted for Dunedin – those evacuated can go home again.

  4. 4

    RNZ report the tsunami warning from Civil Defense, and they’re saying to take it seriously. This is an hour after the quake. How many people have gone back to bed? Are the aftershocks big enough to keep people awake? Just wondering if I should start phoning people.

    No info on what high ground means, or how soon a tidal wave might arrive.

    RNZ just said this,

    3km from coast, higher ground.

    2km from coast, onto a hill.

      2. 4.1.2

        Natrad, RNZ doing an excellent job…have been all over this since the first quake.

        Personally, if I lived by the coast in an area under tsunami warning I’d be in a state of preparedness.

        Better safe than sorry.

        2m tsunami at Kaikoura, strange tidal movements around Wellington.

    3. 4.3

      Newstalk zb just said the kaikoura tsunami station recorded a swell up to 1 metre. Civil Defence has put out a warning.

  5. 5

    Felt strong enough to wake us up here west of Hamilton.

    Scary part was the water in the full underground tanks sloshing around for a good five minutes once the shaking stopped.

    111 system down throughout the country.

    Be safe everyone.

  6. 6

    Reports of damage coming in. A rail bridge for loading at one of the ferry ports (Picton? Welly?) has collapsed. Burst pipes. Glass damage. Cracked roads (Kaikoura?)

    1. 8.1

      We did in South Dunedin, went for at least a minute, possibly near 2 minutes, just went on & on, was a mild rumble rolling earthquake, I have felt 100s in my lifetime but this was one of the weirdest. Tomahawk & Brighton all evacuated, but not us in South D.

  9. 9

    Now the EQC merry go round will be starting back up again.

    Presumably this’ll kill the tax cuts, I believe the government has to pay for the first $1.5b in damages before the reinsurance kicks in

    1. 9.1

      Depends how big the residential bill is. If it’s relatively small it might simply come out of the NDF. (which you pay indirectly for by buying private insurance) All the damage to commercial buildings and property is covered by private insurance, not by EQC, so the Wellington CBD and similar damage won’t be covered.

      If it’s large enough to empty out the National Disaster Fund again (and I think it’s still pretty empty at the moment compared to the billions it had before the Christchurch events…) then yeah, the government would probably have to top up EQC, at which stage, goodbye surplus once again.

    1. 10.1

      Civil Defence says people on the east coast of both the North and South Island should move to higher ground immediately, as a tsunami was generated by a 6.6 magnitude earthquake at midnight.

      It describes it as possibly destructive.

      Civil defence says the first wave has arrived in the North Eastern Coast of the South Island and may hit the North Island shortly.

      It says the first wave may not be the largest and and waves may continue for several hours.

      It says people in all eastern coastal areas should stay out of the water, and off beaches, and listen to the radio or TV for updates.

      Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the 111 system is now back up and running.

      Live updates on RNZ http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/318002/live-tsunami-threat-after-earthquake-rocks-country

  13. 13

    WREMO ‏@WREMOinfo 11m11 minutes ago
    This is complex series of quakes on land and sea making it difficult to assess. We’ll keep you posted as info comes in #eqnz

  14. 14

    From listening to the radio tsunami sirens at New Brighton and some in Wellington went off about 2 hours after the initial quake. That seems way too late for people to react if it is life threatening. Both areas are experiencing heavy traffic as well as people get away. Also upgrading the magnitude from a 6.6 to 7.5 hours after the quake is not great for communicating the seriousness of the quake.

  15. 15

    They’re evacuating people in Dunedin apparently – CV – Let us know when/ if you’re okay? Report said they’re driving around with loudspeakers to get people out.

    (I slept through this one.)

  16. 16

    Outside, dogs are howling in the distance – some are barking, some are howling like wolves – weird sound that I have rarely heard. All the other animals and birds are silent.

  19. 19

    Last night was terrifying, was like the quake wouldn’t stop, woke us all up, huddled under beds waiting for it to stop. Kids ended up sleeping with me, listening to the wireless while the aftershocks carried on. We are in Motueka, was waiting for the house to fall down around us, really scary.

    Our place and the houses surrounding are on bore water, the water coming out of the tap this morning is brown. Bottled water for us today.

    Thinking of all kiwis, stay safe and please check on your neighbours, especially the elderly, whom may be scared after last night and need some reassurance, even if there is no damage in your area. Maybe while checking on the neighbours, let them know if anything like that happens again you will be there for them. I worry about the oldies, especially those living alone.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/86416547/cheviot-earthquake-what-you-need-to-know

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/86416880/cheviot-earthquake-tracing-the-source-of-the-quake

    1. 19.1

      Our place and the houses surrounding are on bore water, the water coming out of the tap this morning is brown. Bottled water for us today.

      Looks like rain today and over the next week for you so set up some sort of catchment system and you should be right.

      1. 19.1.1

        Good thinking, thanks.

        Just sent the kids around the oldies in the houses next door with some bottled water incase they need a cuppa.

  20. 20

    Had a peaceful sleep in Auckland. Just woke up to read about it on bbc world. Feels kind of weird.

    r0b: Good work getting this post up. Are your folks OK.

  21. 21

    It seems like it was much worse in Wellington than it was Christchurch. GNS say it was a complex event, with an initial 7m event, followed by a 100s quake consistent with a 7.9m – USGS has had it pegged at 7.8m since it struck.

    GNS are investigating the length of the rupture, and think that it may have extended up into cooks straight.

  22. 22

    Hope everyone’s OK. We’re just about to head to Heathrow for return to Wellington after 2 months in the UK.

    Freaking Hell !!!

    2. 23.2

      Yes Rob great stuff, I’ve just woken to this, interweb went down just after twelve so i went to bed had no idea, I’m out Taieri Mouth waiting for the super moon.
      Look after neighbours.

  24. 24

    Hope all are OK.

    Woke a little while ago and checked my email. An email from a friend in the UK just had a subject line saying it sounds awful & asks if I’m OK. Moved it to junk mail folder as I hadn’t emailed her that I had any problems.

    Then checked the news. Retrieved the email from junk folder.

    1. 24.1

      Movin emails like that to junk folder may mean the sender will get all emails automatically to junk. Junk folder can work differently to other folders ( depends on software you are using)

    1. 25.1

      Hope all are coping. Thanks Rob for setting up post. Amazing shot of the cliff tumble down at Kaikoura. Thanks for getting the image and thanks for putting it up. It will be the example of the damage to the countryside that we have received. Comment by Radionz reporter that it was lucky not in daytime Wellington as much glass on the ground. Just a shard would slice and dice you.

      There was some pseudo on Radionz rabbiting on this morning as if he had something worthwhile to say. Actually he did and he said people to help each other, and wanted us to behave as if society exists! Right on John, that’s what we must do, pity it didn’t include you and your robber mates. (Jto look responsible and then only oke about a bum signwriter who painted business sign over car yard – Used Johns from Honest Car). This is how NZ is to be under National, coping with our own disasters, while the richies drop in bits of aid and then only when supplicated and then distance themselves to their places of retreat which only they know.

      Kia kaha Pike River women. I hope you on your brave and lonely vigil and your supporters are all right. And keep warm the climate change weather syndrome is bringing more rain than we can handle. Watch out that you don’t get blocked in by slips. It may be wise to sojourn in a safe place for a short time, regroup and plan further action,.

      1. 25.1.1

        Kia kaha Pike River women. I hope you on your brave and lonely vigil and your supporters are all right.

        Yes, the thoughts of many are with you.

      2. 25.1.2

        greywarshark,

        In the circumstances your comment is too political.

        From direct experience, the whole of government rallies around in an event like this. The Civil Defence HQ in the basement of the Beehive will be in full operation. All of the resources of the state will be mobilised, and contractors with heavy machinery will be getting stuck in.

        There will be a massive effort put into opening the roads and rail links, and supporting people in need.

        All sorts of people will be putting in long hours, from the PM, key Ministers, departmental heads through to the privates in the NZ Army or the drivers of heavy machinery and Red Cross workers delivering meals.

        New Zealand is pretty capable in dealing with these events, and our capability has improved as a result of the earthquakes in Christchurch.

        1. 25.1.2.1

          “New Zealand is pretty capable in dealing with these events, and our capability has improved as a result of the earthquakes in Christchurch.”

          now that we’ve come to an arrangement with the reinsurers…..lets hope EQC/EQR have learned the lesson of 10,000 plus re (and in many cases re) repairs 6 years on.

        2. 25.1.2.2

          @Wayne
          Everything in life is political (of or relating to the government or public affairs of a country) – that is off google. But when the private life of the people suffers from government interfering, as in most of the time with street cameras or phone tapping or infiltrating to monitor someone’s life or demanding private details from anybody connected to the person, then I claim that everything is up for grabs by gummint.

          My comment was particularly sharp when talking about Jonkey – it wasn’t a comment critiquing all the aid that goes in when under the spotlight. But I said This is how NZ is to be under National, coping with our own disasters, while the richies drop in bits of aid and then only when supplicated and then distance themselves to their places of retreat which only they know.

          That comment still stands. The aid is in the process of being dropped in at present. Then the Budget will start to resonate and balanced against that will be the preparation for next year’s election. Then the fine political tuning will really come into play.

        3. 25.1.2.3

          Perfect time to make the tough calls and can the uneconomic roads of national significance don’t you reckon? Get back to repairing the road (SH1) and rail links that our economy actually depends on.

          1. 25.1.2.3.1

            I am pretty sure that the repairs will be focussed on reinforcing this link. In practical terms it is a road of national significance.

            This event also reinforces why Transmission Gully is going ahead. To give the capital more resilience on the main access. Probably something similar is required for the vulnerable links near Kaikoura. No doubt quite an engineering challenge to design a practical alternative.

            2. 25.1.2.3.1.2

              Last I heard Transmission gully had 20 or so bridge crossings (some quite large) and looking at some of the elevation changes its going to have its own trouble with slips. If a big one hits money is going to have to be split between fixing the now 3 routes into-out of Wellington. That doesnt seem rational, building surplus infrastructure that doesn’t fix your access problem and stretches what’s left in the kitty even more so.

        4. 25.1.2.4

          The solution is to defund mental health services to pay for more roads. The market will provide, and when it doesn’t you can deny the problem far more easily.

  26. 26

    Hope everyone is safe.

    Still aftrshocks. Not too bad in the bay but Kaikoura I’m feeling for you and the other close spots. Fbook helped straight after the shaking my post of holy shit helped me. Kids slept through but not us. Bit nervey I have to say. Got text from US from someone just stopping fbook because of fears of youknowwho. we are connected. Stay safe.

  27. 27

    Insurance premiums will be rising further. Also I think there may be some insurance company bailouts – Tower was already not in the best shape thanks to Christchurch.

    1. 27.1

      The CHC earthquakes were probably the reason the government decided to quietly forget about opening ACC up to competition from private insurers.

      1. 28.1.1

        Lets hope EQC can get around all the schools today so they can open tomorrow

        Heard that it’s all schools from North Canterbury up to Welly, that’s loads of schools. Hope parents are coping re work etc.

        Edit… just had another aftershock.. on Geonet, turns out wasn’t an aftershock, rather a quake centred in St Arnaud

  30. 30

    SO did the traffic from Lyall Bay leaving [because of the tsunami warning] pass the traffic heading to catch the early flights as the airport remained open? WTF

    1. 31.1

      How can you even drink it – Its Graded E /D by Waikato Regional Council
      E for the distribution system and D for the source.
      Do you not have roof tanks ?

  32. 32

    It was strong enough to wake us up here in Christchurch. Well, not all of us. One teenage boy woke up this morning at about 8am and had a puzzled look on his face when he realized the drama he missed during the night. But he was always like that through all the quakes. But with the other one it will take another round of recovery 🙁
    We are tired. So, so tired and it doesn’t look like there will be an end to it.
    Our thoughts with the people and families of those who died and are in the centre of it. Hard time is ahead of them.

  33. 33

    Someone was on Radio Live 5 mins ago saying that it was just after another quake that Pike River happened, and that all mines should be closed now until the main aftershocks are over and they are sure that all is safe.

    1. 33.1

      The pike river disaster had nothing to do with the quakes, and everything to do with the lax safety environment at the mine, and management pushing for profits ahead of everything else. The mine was also poorly designed and didn’t have a proper alternative escape route.

      In the weeks before the disaster, miners had been covering up the gas sensors, because every time I’ve went off they had to stop production and exit the mine, which took about 2 hours before production could resume.

      1. 33.1.1

        Yes, nevertheless Pike River happened one month to the day following a major aftershock of that 2010 Canterbury Quake.

        How safe are the other mines? If they’re not 100%, it might be a good time to stop and check and do upgrades.

        1. 33.1.1.1

          if they are checking the schools surely they will be checking the mines as well, surely it would be part of their OSH policy. Regardless of whether or not Pike was earthquake related.

        2. 33.1.1.2

          The thing to keep in mind is that in general underground things like tunnels or mines behave differently to those structures above ground.

          eg Lyttleton tunnels were completely undamaged in spite of being very close to the Feb earthquake epicentre ( Heathcote valley), where the ground g was the massively high.

  35. 35

    Been visiting enough pages with “hanmer springs” on them, that Google is now showing me ads for the thermal pools there. A bit ironic.

  38. 38

    Is it me or just saying the 111 system fail is ‘deeply worrying’ more than a bit of a b.s response from the P.M. He the guy that smiles and says everything is alright all the time, then another systemic failure on his watch, and the media let him get away with ‘deeply worrying’.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/earthquakes/news/article.cfm?c_id=184&objectid=11747731

    Oh wait is that too political, too soon, can’t ask hard questions at this time, and our media never bloody will. So next time more people will die, because this lot wreak, and no one is stopping them.

        1. 38.1.1.1

          I recall a similar scenario re pike river.
          An Aussie journo got dissed by.the local scribes for questiong the wisdom of having the local bobby leading the ‘rescue team’.

          Too sensitive my backside!

  39. 39

    Kaikoura will have to be evacuated , theres a sealed inland road, but that of course will be damaged and takes you to the Waiau area which will be damaged too.
    But theres really no choice.

    No power, no food, no water in the Kaikoura area. Coast roads wont be opened for 9-18 months, such as the scale of damage. Cant even get in to look at damage till quakes calm down as its too dangerous to remove the landslips.

    1. 39.1

      A bit hasty there. Main Power the local lines company says :
      Following this morning’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake, power has now been restored to the greater part of the MainPower electricity distribution network, including Hanmer Springs and some parts of the Kaikoura township.
      Areas still without power include Culverden and Cheviot (approximately 1,200 homes).

        1. 40.1.1.1

          A positive from the quake then.

          If the rail is out too, it won’t just be the hospital food though, there will be lots of changes to food distribution in the SI. I guess they can ship to Lyttleton and Port Chalmers.

          1. 40.1.1.1.1

            Roads from Nelson south are open.
            Theres an inland route from Blenheim south , that goes near Hamner Springs and Waiau, but the damage around there should be more quickly fixed than the coastal route ( up to 18 months or more)

            Virtually no coastal shipping anymore, so dont count on that.

            1. 40.1.1.1.1.1

              “Virtually no coastal shipping anymore, so dont count on that.”

              A clever company, like say, a company that has both trucks and ferries, might like to consider loading at Wellington and unloading at Lyttleton for a while. Reverse would apply.

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