[veronica]

it was so quick we nearly missed it, thought at first a big lorry had gone past with a very quiet engine. but it was as quick as that.

The quake measured 4.3 on the Richter scale and struck at 9.12pm about 30 kilometres north of Christchurch at a depth of 40 kilometres.

[Tara Sage]

I know I felt it too scary!!!!

Never felt a quake before, how big do they get here?

How did you find out how big it was?

I don't know come to the other side of the world moved into earthquake zone I won't tell my parents they will think I have totally lost it. They think I am mad for moving here as it is.

[veronica]

go into xtramsn, click on news and then NZ news and have a look on the right hand side under regional news.

[markkellaway]

Hi Guys,

Take a look at this site:

http://www.geonet.org.nz/

Has information on Earthquakes and Volcanoes in NZ, including all recent events.

A very interesting site. :nice1

Mark. :D

[Raeven]

Hi, Mark,

I love that site.. I look at that one as often as I look at the USGS site for recent earthquakes in California. Someone predicted a big one in our region by today.. I'll be keeping an eye on the cats, who slink around nervously before quakes!!

Tara, I don't want to alarm you, but NZ is Ground Zero for a huge quake. They're way overdue for one. Huge being something between 8-9.0 The size of that is incomprehensible -- to me, anyway.

Here's a link to the story of the 7.8 quake in Napier in 1931: http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Childrens/NZDisasters/Napier.asp

It's a good read and gives you some idea of what a large quake will be like.

I'll say it again... take earthquake preparedness seriously. If you do, you'll most likely be just fine.

All the best, Rae

[markkellaway]

Hi Rae,

The "doomsayers" always talk of the "big one" though don't they. Was it this thread or another that talked about the volcanic eruptions? Im sure as a californian you are used to the talk of the next SF big quake, and the Yellowstone park volcano, me I'm just looking out as I cross the road!! :nice1

Interesting point about the cats though, anyone know where to buy a cat in Christchurch? :laugh :laugh :laugh

Cheers,

Mark. :D

[Raeven]

Hi, Mark,

LOL, good job keeping an eye out while crossing the road!! Definitely a bigger hazard than The Big One in terms of Things-That-Might-Actually-Kill-You!!

I am used to talk about the next big quakes all around us.. like hurricanes in Florida, if you live in California, you just have to assume they will happen. I had dear friends who lived in the Bay Area during the Loma Prieta quake in the Bay Area (6.9 magnitude, October 18, 1989), which was probably the scariest quake in California since 1906. The quake lasted 15 seconds and 69 people died, which is comparatively few when you figure there is a population in the region of over 6 million. My parents were in the Northridge quake in Los Angeles (6.7 magnitude, January 17, 1994). 51 people died in that one -- again, very few when you consider the population of Los Angeles. That quake also lasted 15 seconds and caused 44 billion dollars' worth of damage. I myself went through the San Simeon earthquake (6.5 magnitude, December 22, 2003). I got up close and personal with the carpet beneath my desk at work and rode it out for what felt like an eternity but was in reality only 4 seconds.. 2 people died and the aftershocks have been going on all year. If you live in earthquake country, they are going to happen. But the most important thing is to have a plan and be prepared.. and keep checking twice before you cross the road!!

It's funny about the pets, though.. it's not just cats, but dogs, horses, etc. They all seem able to sense when an earthquake is coming, but not by very much. Just about the time you notice their strange behavior and ask yourself, "What the...?" the earthquake hits... but cats are nice for lots of other things, too!!

All the best, Rae

[coastcat]

My cats always act strangely, so I doubt they'll be much help in alerting me to an earthquake. They're only good for reminding me when dinner time is approaching! :laugh

We discussed earthquake preparations in a previous thread (http://www.emigratenz.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32). All aspiring Kiwis should learn how to get ready, just in case. It's better to have water and batteries available but unneeded than needed but unavailable!

(and keep around a good supply of cat food for your mobile earthquake prediction units...)

[justin.g.s]

Hello Nostradamus my old friend, I've come to talk with you again. :roll:

First off, I was at U.C.L.A during the northridge earthquake on the fifth floor of my dorm(aging my self eh..)

Huge adrenaile rush, but after it was over, I would repeat that again in a second, or 15 secs' over any other tramatic weather phenomenon.

FLOODS the big killers.

Anyway, after four years at U.C.L.A and a degree in Environmental Science; I have read enough "science" essay's , articles, papers, and other theoretical prograstinations to make your head spin.

The end result, Theoretical science, in MOST cases, is theoretical.

My experience is you don't take it with a grain of salt, you take it with the whole salt shaker.

So here is what you do, you contact the expert that is predicting the next big anything; and ask them what numbers are,"Ripe for being hit in the next lotto."

If I might paraphrase the enlightend Homer Sipmson, "statistics can be used to prove anything, 65% percent of the people know that."

[Moorf]

Well, from what I have read there is no point being worried about what might happen so, here are some questions from someone who has only ridden out a little quake in Greece (it was either that or I'd had too much Ouzo!)....

1. Are there any particular locations (i.e shore / hillside / lakeside etc) that are more at risk during an earthquake.

2. What should we look for in a house .. i.e earthquake dangers, etc.

3. Insurance - are there seperate insurances against quakes etc.

Thanks
Moorf

[Raeven]

Hi, Moorf,

You've got exactly the right idea!! Can't worry about 'em; still, good thinking to plan for 'em.

Building on a steep hill is a bit dicey.. I wouldn't worry about lakes, and if I had the chance (read money) to build next to the ocean, I'd probably say screw the earthquake preparedness and build anyway -- damn the tsunamis! But it is a consideration.

I would personally avoid living in a brick structure unless it is reinforced for earthquake activity. Historically, unreinforced masonry structures fare very poorly in large earthquakes. Most people die in earthquakes from things falling on top of them, so living in a house where bricks won't be coming apart and dropping on your head is prudent. Wood structures flex fairly readily and ride out quakes more or less intact. If you have a brick fireplace, look into reinforcing it or be prepared to rebuild it if you get a good shake. And stay away from it if the ground starts to move! One-story homes do better than 2 story ones. After that, it becomes a matter of securing heavy furniture and such to the walls. There are a variety of ways to do this and many commercial products made for the purpose. A quick searth on earthquake preparedness will bring up a few websites where they can be purchased. It's cheap insurance. Be sure to strap your hot water tank to the wall. My husband secured our pantry to the wall with a hunk of wood, so you can get creative.

Re insurance, here in California it's extremely expensive and doesn't get you much in the way of actual coverage.. at least that's my view. We decided to take the chance of not having it and so far (knock wood), that's been an ok decision. But a friend of mine who lives about 5 miles closer to the San Simeon quake epicenter lost her whole house. It was shaken off its foundations (OH! That's something else you can do -- make sure you home is secured to the foundation!) and ruined; she and her husband are now faced with selling their home for the land value, moving elsewhere and starting again. They cannot afford to rebuild, and the emergency funds provided barely made a dent.

I think the most important thing you can do is to have a plan and be prepared for the eventualities. For example, we keep a 3-day supply of water and a decent supply of canned foods for us and our pets. We both know how to turn off gas and water supplies at their source. We have a first aid kit, emergency lanterns, flashlights and candles. We have a plan of where to meet each other if we can't get through on our mobile phones. We learned after San Simeon that the phones will not work, so don't count on them.

That's really it in a nutshell!

Here's an earthquake preparedness website from the Los Angeles Fire Department that is pretty comprehensive: http://www.lafd.org/eqindex.htm

Hope this helps! - Rae

[Moorf]

Thanks Rae, great info - I have my earthquake plan here written down... it says "Find Rae...." :nice1

[Dave & Sandra]

I'm getting worried about my husband, I think he's integrating too well. I asked him about the earthquake and he said

No there was no earthquake felt, (or even reported in the paper as far as I could tell). You forumistas are all drama queens. You should eat more scones and drink more fresh milk and be (serally)* hearty like us weta-eating Kiwis.


* Can't guess what this should have been - serially, really????

[veronica]

he is in a different island to us so would have been more surprising if he had felt it. Doubt they felt it up the coast at Kaikoura.