May 19th, 2011 @12:39pm
* Grant Jacobs over at Sciblogs.co.nz has been constantly updating information on Christchurch since Day One. He is a font of information.
March 21st, 2011 @11:14om
*short segment on TVNZ on Animal Aid’s efforts to help pets
* from Sciblogs.co.nz – What Archaeologists are doing in Christchurch
* continued news, updates, multimedia from the NZHerald
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March 9th, 2011 @ 12:14pm
As you all know, I’m an animal girl. I would like to re-post links to a couple of sites which have comprehensive pet information – lost and found, pictures, donations, help, adoption, fostering, etc.
* Animal Aid: Christchurch Earthquake – it’s a Facebook page/group – it has many resources
* petsonthenet.co.nz – is another site that posts info all year round on pets and has added Christchurch Earthquake pets to its info – it also has a Facebook page/group, which looks like it’s super helpful on which they have also been specifically posting pets lost in the earthquake
also, more images from space of the earthquake area
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March 8th, 2011 @ 3:10pm
I got a couple of new links for you today.
* Before and after the quake photos – drag and slide the panes to reveal the pics
* Satellite pictures from Japan’s Alos spacecraft of the ripples caused by the earthquake in Christchurch plus solid article with sciency stuff from a scientist at Oxford who knows about these things:)
Also, I’ve created a new category for this post and related posts in the Categories menu over on the right, so you can always find it there. (I’ve stopped messing with the time stamp on the post.)
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March 7th, 2011 @ 1:57pm
Is it really March? Eeek. Time goes fast! Here are some more bits I picked out for updating purposes. I am no longer going to mess with the dates on this post, but I did create a new (temp) category on the menu to your right: Christchurch Earthquake.
* No bodies was found in the cathedral, which is good news. It was thought that there were more people in there when it collapsed.
* Unfortunately, families are continuing to report missing loved ones.
* The National State of Emergency will be in place for a while.
* keep up-to-date with NZ Herald – other stories here.
* Video project called “Voices of Christchurch“. Hear from our people about what they’re doing.
* AirNZ extended it’s 50 dollar fares to and from Christchurch until the end of March. Now THAT is how an airline should act!
* Some comic relief as a boulder that fell through a Cantabrian’s house goes up on sale at TradeMe. Read the comments – lol! And, this morning, the boulder sold – for 10,500 – all proceeds going to the Christchurch Earthquake Relief Fun:)
* Finally, we all know dogs are awesome. Here’s yet another reason. We love you Kiwi!
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March 1st, 2011 @10:10pm
* Two time capsules were found, surfaced by the quake in Christchurch. Anthropologically speaking, it will be really interesting to see what’s in them!
* A one week retrospective, and this TVNZ site is another good one for updates
* Well, the aftershocks will keep going for at least a year:( They do seem to be on some sort of predictable schedule, though.
* In the meantime, Wellington has had its own earthquake tonight. See next post. *Sigh* Feeling a little nervous about the land I’m standing on right now. Especially since the wind is ridiculously strong right now and is not helping, because the house is shaking from that right now also. Sleep will not be forthcoming tonight. I’m hunkering down and hoping my eyes get tired.
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Feb 26th, 2011 @ 5:00pm
Hello:) Spent a very pleasant day going to the Greek fair and stuffing my face with moussaka, risogalo and loukoumades, going to a street fair (found a birthday pressie for someone) and the to the Pasifika Festival down by the water in town where we listened to a brass band from Tonga for a bit and i had some shaved ice:) I hope you guys are going to have a pleasant weekend:)
On to the earthquake updates:
* from Animal Aid: Christchurch Earthquake (FB)
Below is the latest update. There is also need for kitty litter, etc. Go to the site on FB to see what there is to do. They have a lot of information.
URGENT CALL FOR VETERINARY NURSES: NZ: The Christchurch after hours emergency clinic has moved out of their damaged central city premises and are now operating out of Hornby Vet 7 Tower St. They are desperate for nurses if you know anyone who can help, please contact them on 03 349 5311. Other clinics are in a similar situation since they have lost staff who have left the area after their houses were lost.
* Around 800 student volunteers have descended upon Christchurch to help with the cleanup – like shoveling the massive amounts of liquefaction generated by the quake. Cheerful and helpful young people=always a good thing.
* Power is back for 80% of Christchurch. That still leaves some 37,000 people without, and it’ll be a while, but it’s still good.
* The kind people at Contact Energy have offered free gas at select service stations – 9kg LPG gas bottles can be filled:)
* Tragically, as of this morning, the death toll is now at 123, with approx. 200 people still missing.
* And, again, a very important, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW to get on in Christchurch right now page. Again, at the NZ Herald website, you will see the little black box, with more relevant links, news, and eyewitness accounts.
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Feb 25th, 2011 @21:53pm
I don’t know how many of you heard/saw/read about the Australian woman who was trapped under her desk in the Pyne Gould Guinness Building. She had her cell phone and was talking to reporters, her son, etc. Rescuers finally got her out today. And she’s recovering in hospital. That is good news, and I will be posting the good news as well.
Some more interesting stuff. So, Steven had a meeting this afternoon that was canceled. (For those of you who don’t know, he’s a Labour Economist). This meeting was related to the NZ census that is done on March 8th of every year. I just read that as of today, the census, which is supposed to be every five years and was slated for this year, has been canceled. But, apparently in order for it to be canceled, it takes a big old change of law. Didn’t know that. So, now this whole legislation thing and official revocation thing has to be done by March 8th to ensure that Statistics NZ is not in breach of the Statistics Act of 1975. Read more about the implications of this here. Wow. Filed under things I don’t normally think about in these situations.
Feb 25, 2011 @ 11:54am
For those of you able to help our furry cousins and the people who love them, there is a group on FB that is posting resources, links, missing pet information, numbers etc. The following is the latest update.
URGENT MESSAGE: There is concern for animals without families within the cordoned area of the CBD. Many residents have left and animals are thought to have been left behind, and possibly trapped inside without food or water. Do you know of addresses where animals are left inside homes that need immediate attention? Accurate information and detail is important. Email safe@safe.org.nz
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Feb 25, 2011 @13:15pm
Hello again!
I’ve decided to simply append this update to the original “Hi, We Live in Wellington, which is far enough from Christchurch and we’re okay. Do Not Worry” post and keep updating the post with news, information, technical stuff, and helpful and relevant links to this post as I find them. I’ll just keep resetting the date on the post to make it show up as a new post.
I can’t really handle talking about my friends who’ve lost people right now, so I’m going to get right into the links and info. The technical stuff helps me understand the science behind these disasters. And, that’s what I like to read up on at times like these, not the least of which because there are at least four active fault lines around the Wellington region and one big one running underneath Wellington. We lived in LA, and Seattle and I’ve been in a few tornadoes, having grown up in Ohio. So, I’m not normally overly freaked out, but I have to read about the science, or I just can’t cope. It calms me. I’m kind of like that.
First, Where you are, What do you see in Christchurch, Report what residents need to know – numbers to call, free shortcode texts, map
1. Help Christchurch by Reporting
So, this earthquake was actually an aftershock from the last earthquake in September, which actually created a new fault line! That earthquake was a 7.1, but even thought this aftershock/earthquake was less strong at 6.3, it was shallower – at between 3-5 km deep (as opposed to September’s earthquake – 10km deep). Here are a few sites with more information.
2. BBC News: New Zealand Earthquake: Depth and Location Key
3. NZ Herald: Hamish Campbell: Technically, It’s just an Aftershock
4. NZ Herald:Seismologists explain aftershocks (specific to Christchurch – video around 1.5 min)
5. scienceblogs:Why Does NZ have so many Earthquakes? – I got this link from Snowy (thanks, Snowy!)
The NZ Herald has been running 24/7 coverage and updates on Christchurch – there’s a little black box on most of these pages with more links – there are many articles, pictures and videos, including these
6. Christchurch earthquake updates (by time)
Thank you to everyone.
7. NZ Herald: Who’s Sending Help
8. NZ Herald: Christchurch earthquake: What you Need to Know (Where to get help)
There is also a group set up on Facebook to help people, which is basically a lost and found for pets. It has lots of information and helpful links
9. Animal Aid: Christchurch Earthquake
Finally, I’m going to re-post the link to the interactive Quake Map – it is a time lapse visualization of the earthquakes and aftershocks in Christchurch – it has detailed quake map+depth and notations of the quake/aftershocks that happened on Tuesday in Christchurch (and I think all since September as well as since Tuesday): First, you must chose the correct date on the drop-down menu (Tuesday 22/02/11). Then, the time counter starts at 0:00. Just wait for the hours to go by. As each quake happens, the data comes up and the map lights up. You can zoom in and zoom out.
11. If you keep scrolling down this post to the original bit, there is also a map of NZ, so those of you who don’t know where the cities are situated here can see locations and topography and so forth – click through the map twice, and you can get to the bigger version.
Oh yes, another thing. If any of you happen to actually live in or near Wellington, like we do, there is a something called “The Great Sunday Bakeoff” happening.
I hope you all find these links helpful and informative. If you have an questions or need a link to something, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to find the information for you.
Tomorrow (Saturday), I’m going to spend the day with my best Kiwi friend. Her husband was in Christchurch on business during the earthquake, is fine and home in Wellington. He was in his car, 100 meters away from the Pyne Gould Guinness Building and saw it collapse. (One of his colleagues was not so lucky and did not survive the earthquake.) We have other friends who have lost loved ones. New Zealand is so small, we are all affected in one way or another.
Please take the time to tell your loved ones how much you care for them and how much they mean to you. Hug them hard:)
And, thank you all for your concern, wishes and thoughts. You are a very treasured community of mine, and I appreciate each and every single one of you. Good night, my Peeps:)
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Feb 22, 2011 @21:55
Hello all! We are fine here in Wellington. It is far enough away from Christchurch. Do not worry!
It’s just terrible. Really, Really Terrible. I was actually out at a mall with one of my very good friends and her new baby. We were in the mother’s room/bathroom while she was feeding her daughter . There’s a television in there and it was all over the news. My friend was a bit confused at first, because she thought it was just footage from the last big one. But, no, it wasn’t. It’s SO awful. It happened in the middle of the day. (The last big one happened at night, so there were very few people in the CBD). There are many, many casualties this time. Christchurch hasn’t recovered from the last one. My heart goes out to them.
Below is a relief map of New Zealand, so you can see where we live, in relation to Christchurch. (If you click on it – two times through – you’ll get the bigger one.) It is an hour flight time to Christchurch from Wellington or a three 1/2 hour ferry + four hours of driving – to give you an idea – 3ookm/186miles.
Also, here is a link to some aerial photos taken today of the damage – and another to some on-the-ground photos here.
And, I just found this interactive quake map of the Christchurch quake from today and the ensuing aftershocks: First, you must chose the correct date on the drop-down menu (Tuesday 22/02/11). Then, the time counter starts at 0:00. Just wait for the hours to go by. As each quake happens, the data comes up and the map lights up.
Glad to hear you are OK, Paikea. So sad to hear of the deaths and destruction of lovely Christchurch. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones.
Yeah, obviously knowing us, we could be anywhere. Probably why everyone is always like, where ARE you.
Thanks, Snowy. Canterbury is having a terrible year. It’s just not good that they have to go through this again. And last time, I think they lucked out, sadly, by it being in the middle of the night. This time…*sigh*.
The brother of one of my friends in German class is in CC. She was super freaking out until she finally got a hold of him. And another’s whole father’s side of the family is there. NZ is so small that everybody knows someone there.
What’s worse is the whole psychological factor. One of Steven’s co-workers (and good friend), whose whole family is down there said after the last time, her sister just couldn’t sleep. It’s going to be be a while. We’re hoping her family is okay, but we don’t know yet.
Christchurch was one of many high points on our trip a couple of years ago. I remember going through a cathedral near the city centre, so it is very likely the one that lost its steeple. Such a shame that such a lovely part of the world has suffered such a disaster. I guess some people will be so traumatised that they will leave. Those that remain will have the nasty feeling that it could all happen again. Not a pleasant thing to live with at all.
Snowy, the cathedral was beautiful – i did read somewhere that they were going to rebuild it – when Steven and I hit Christchurch, we always get Asian food – i do hope our favorite restaurant made it – such nice people who own it
I’m so sorry to hear of the destruction and loss of life. Very glad, of course, that you are ok.
But, what a horror for those people to go through again. 😦
My heart goes out to them.
Hi Lauri – it has been difficult – and also for the people who just happened to be there, like my friend Mary’s husband – we’re all doing what we can
OK, you answered my question. SO glad you are OK. Watching it on CNN now. So so sad.
hi dora:) One of the first things i did was get on FB and then get on here and update people. i do appreciate that New Zealand geography is not on the uppermost in everyone’s minds. my friend, chezza was kind enough to post for me at first because she knew that I was not coming home till late that day. technology is a help. thank you for thinking of me:)</font
So glad to hear that you are ok, this is such a terrible thing to happen! My thoughts to all kiwis!
hi fatcat. we are okay. i actually haven’t brought myself to watch anything on our tv. it’s too big. i have been reading and looking at pictures on my laptop. technology is a blessing and a curse sometimes. there are very personal stories coming out. people talking on their cell phones to others, etc. and then it’s heartbreaking to learn that some of these people didn’t make it. so close to home. thank you for your kind thoughts:)
Glad that everything is ok in your area. Poor Christchurch though! That interactive map is really interesting. Do you guys have as much seismic activity? (I suppose I could go find that out, but I’ll ask anyway)
hi stephel:) as it happens, i did, of course, look stuff up when you left. i already knew we had lots of seismic activity here, having felt many teeny quakes. but, i never looked up the specifics. turns out, we have at least four active faults in the area around Wellington and one very big one running through Wellington. we are due, definitely, for a big one. of course, the time frame is rather large, something like within 500 years. but then, no one thought Christchurch would get big ones before we did. i do have some links for you, if you’re interested:) like i said above, the science of things helps me deal with stuff like this. i’ll give you one of the links – it has lots of stuff. and, the video is quite educational (i just watched it today, and it was certainly an education for me!) – http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Learning/Science-Topics/Earthquakes/New-Zealand-s-Fault-Lines/Major-Faults-in-New-Zealand/Wellington-Fault
I know it’s an active area since you’re in the Ring of Fire, but never really thought about how active. Hehe. Thanks for the link. Gonna go read 😀
Thanks for letting us know you are ok. My thoughts are with all New Zealanders – such sad scenes.
hi Emjay: something i remember the most from one of our recent trip to Europe, when the floods hit Australia. i was sitting in the Frankfurt airport, watching the footage on the news, and all of the sudden Echuca was up on the screen, which is the home of my best friend in Australia. my stomach dropped through the floor. so glad for cell phones.
Thanks for the update.
I was fairly sure you were in Wellington, but not absolutely sure. Good to know you and your husband are safe, but it’s such a tragedy for the people of Christchurch.
hi Beeeze:) a lot of queries i get from friends begin, “You guys are always traveling, I never know where you are,” so i pretty much updated that we were fine everywhere i could! thank you for checking in. Christchurch didn’t need this. they’ve had a hell of a time since the last one in September. one of Steven’s co-workers, who’s famil is from Wellington says her sister was having such trouble sleeping after the last one. they kept getting aftershocks, but i’m not sure they expected another big one. and worse. it’s not something you want to think about.
Glad to hear that you’re ok and were well away from the awful events happening out there. The pictures we’re getting here look absolutely horrific.
hello, Vicola: my friend, Mar and I were talking today about the pictures. there’s one of the first ones of this guy, which the whole world saw on tv, i guess (i haven’t been watching the footage on tv – just finding stuff out on m computer). apparently, after having that picture taken, he’s disappeared. his family can’t find him. there’s also another picture of a woman looking at a crushed car that her husband just pushed her out of. that woman is the sister of one of Mary’s friends. it’s like 6 degrees of earthquake victims here. (and mostly you only have to go 2 deep) – NZ is so small
I join the chorus in relief that you and yours are well away from the carnage.
This is simply terrible.
The city looks like a beautiful place, but the pictures I’ve seen are terrifying.
I hope they continue to find survivors, but fear the worst for most of the missing.
Christchurch is a really pretty city with so much around it. and, the buildings were already shaky from the last earthquake in September. it all was so terrible, especially with it being in the middle of the day this time. and the missing. every new day that goes by. one of Steven’s co-worker’s good friends was missing. they gave up looking because it was just too dangerous to be in the building. she was in one of the big buildings that crumpled. it’s been awful, really.
The interactive map is very helpful; I’ve just sent it to a few family members.
Been reading this in the news and from Jack Yan’s blog. A tragedy indeed as he realized he had met someone who had perished.
hello jak. yes, i’ve been at Jack’s blog and have been reading about the scumbags who looted Jack’s acquaintance’s house. people like that ought to be hung. sad excuses for human beings.
the interactive map is really something. i’ve kind of been addicted to it. it’s strangely hypnotic in a sciency way.
Hello everyone – I am sorry for not replying to you all individually yet, but I have been running around visiting friends and trying to make sure people are okay. My best, best Kiwi friend had a scare because her husband was there on business. He was in his car, driving around Christchurch when it happened. He did got a text out to her that he was just fine and he’s back in Wellington now. One of his colleague is missing, though. We have other friends who were equally lucky to be fine or have relatives and friends who made it physically unscathed, but we also do have friends who have missing friends and family as well. This is a difficult time for our country.
I will be updating this particular post with other relevant and helpful links as well – tonight or tomorrow.
Thank you all for your thoughts and wishes. It really helps to know you’re all behind us.
You being ok is definitely good to hear!
And I have to admit that I, with great curiosity, read about how you learned to deal with disasters like that. Very interesting.
For me it’s a “nature … sigh”
hi irony:) – i know, right. after something like this, one has so many thoughts. and then, because it’s simply the earth doing it’s thing, you can’t help things. it doesn’t really do any good to super stress about it. or be super paranoid. it’s just like you say, it’s a “nature…sigh” of course, it’s the Earth doing its thing. i’m thinking, well, we have plenty of water and drinks and canned food and other stuff in the house, and a stove that runs on a gas bottle. we’re almost on top of a hill, but not at the edge, there’s land under us, etc. yeah, and then i get on the internet to look facts and stuff up. science comforts me. i’m not the praying kind. i see no use for it. thank you for checking in, irony:)
Thank you for keeping this updated… I know it’s a scary time for you and the ones you are close to. I’m so sorry for that. …I will keep some hope alive that your loved ones find a good outcome for their loved ones.
I watched the timelapse from the past 7 days. Wow. Consdiering all the direct, localized activity, it seems odd that no evacuation or public training was done? (I know… read the links; I’ll get good info)
I live in a state in the US with an active volcano or two (techically 5 or so) that tend to wrestle up a lot of earthquakes… I think with that kind of activity the US scientists would have gone mad. Our most recent big one was a 7.0, in 2004? but it was “deep.” That’s what ‘saved’ us in Seattle and beyond.
I know there is more information and I’ll go look for the answers. That was just my first observation. Wow… it was so isolated… In the Pacific Rim, you can usually be assured that one quake in one spot will have a reaction in another spot along the rim. With Christchurch, it was all in one spot, no where else. That’s astounding.
I’m so sorry N… My heart goes out to you and your loved ones. I”ll probably send a donation to the pet outfits you have listed if it works from the US, but if there is something else I can do from the US, please let me know.
hello ilo:) i’m seriously impressed you seem to be reading all of this stuff i’ve been putting up!
i’m not sure anyone expected another big one in CC. we have earthquakes all the time in Wellington – little ones. i guess when you live with them, it’s not that big a deal and the official take them in stride as well. and, we’ve never really left the whole earthquake zone thing. lived in Seattle for five years and LA for two. you know, there was a decent one that put a crack in the wall in my grad student housing at UDub (lived in Seattle from roughly 1995-2000) – and, i grew up in a state (Ohio) with tornadoes as well (did the whole get into the closet with my whole family, the dogs, cats, birds, flashlights, radio and snacks. there were no cell phones – lol! at least not ones smaller than my head:)
Anyways, the Pacific Rim. a laugh a minute, huh. sheesh. CC this time had no chance, with the quake being so shallow:(
thank you, ilo:)
Okay! So, I just got through to DogWatch’s voicemail — I was hoping the time difference led into their opening hours, but no.
I’ve written down my window to call them tomorrow (1:30 to 4:30 Friday Pacific Time equals 10:30 to 1:30 Saturday Wellington Time, right? And Christchurch is on Wellington time? Please help an American dolt?)
Provided all that works out, I’m going to donate directly. I wish I could take animals in like they really need. 😦
you are so cool! i did write on your WP that your time conversion sounds about right. also, one of my favorite sites: http://www.worldtimesaver.com 🙂 all the time, all the time! really helps a person NOT prank call people in the middle of the night – lol! i was just telling Steven the other day, i’m sure that they’re going to have animals that need homes. *hint hint* our kitty died a couple of years ago, and i really would like/need another furry thing. i’m going to be keeping an eye out for that. we’ll be moving South to Dunedin in Nov/Dec. Might be easier to convince him then. Lol! so, i’m with you on the wanting to take in all the animals who really needed it, ilo:)
Thanks for sharing this info. It must be overwhelming for you…something that hits much too close to home. As you said to Irony, staying rational is a comfort; knowing what we can and cannot control is the most useful and helpful response. You mentioned the tornadoes in Ohio; the town we live in was slammed by an F4 several years ago. It came much too close to our house. Not to be flippant about it, but it cut right through a Baptist church building, slicing it neatly in half. Nature doesn’t play favorites, does it.
hi phantom:) – tornadoes are scary, huh. i don’t really miss them. as to the other, no, Nature sure doesn’t play favorites. if you saw some of the pictures, some of biggest damage happened to the landmark cathedral in Christchurch. ..