Christchurch Shakes

This is completely off-topic, but I wanted to share it to give people some idea of what is going on in Christchurch, New Zealand, where quakes have been destroying infrastructure, homes, and businesses, leaving people shaken and in shock, separating families from their homes and belongings, and killing and injuring many:



This started in September last year. Donations to the NZ Red Cross will benefit the victims of this awful series of disasters directly.

Christchurch

If you feel at all inclined to help those whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake the NZ Red Cross is the best option.

People finder:



Thank you Google.

Christchurch Crumbles

My country is New Zealand. It is located to the south-east of Australia, and is made up of two islands, each astride a major fault-line (the country's spine is made up of upsurge from tectonic activity). Just before 1 PM today (NZDST) a major earthquake struck the South Island, devastating the city of Christchurch, killing and injuring people, completely destroying some buildings, and seriously damaging others. The ground has cracked, surged, vomited up all its water, creating floods of mud, water, and sand. Emergency services are struggling, and people are screaming from under rubble. Power is out, sewers are broken, water supplies are cut, and it's heartbreaking.

This follows another major earthquake that struck in September last year, and from which the city was just beginning to recover. This earthquake was rated lower on the Richter scale than September's, but because it was shallower it has done much more damage, and cost many more lives. Spare a thought for NZ.