M7.8 quake strikes New Zealand, killing 2

Hoping my friends down there are all ok!!!

Two or three weeks before Japan's big 3/11 Christchurch had a really large one, too.

I hope this isn't a repeat.

Been revised to a 6.6 but tsunami warnings in place for the east of the South Island. Must have been huge to have been felt right up to Auckland... even 2011 wasn't felt that far.

Been revised to a 6.6 but tsunami warnings in place for the east of the South Island. Must have been huge to have been felt right up to Auckland... even 2011 wasn't felt that far.

Actually, it's been upgraded to a 7.5. I believe the 2011 quake was 'just' a 6.3 so was very localised. This was obviously much stronger especially given the damage in Wellington and as far north as Hamilton.

At the time of my posting the quake had been revised to a 6.6, but then upgraded again shortly after to a 7.5. I would have updated further but can't double post. The additional 6.6 earthquake was an aftershock. I was following info from a lot of sources. This link shows modifications to the data since it happened. https://www.geonet.org.nz/quakes/region/newzealand/2016p858000

Pretty scary stuff with a lot of damage.

NZ is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The people are wonderful. How can we help?

@CrazyJoe - I'm not sure if there is anything anyone can do at the moment. Looks like a bit of a mess but kiwis are quite resilient and very supportive of each other in times like this. Haven't seen any info at all about websites or places to go for anyone wanting to offer assistance of any kind. Just offering your thoughts to kiwis you know would be enough at this time I think.

I lived through a 6.2 quake here in California, and about 60 people were killed in that one. The 6.2 quake was unbelievably bad, and I can't even imagine what a 7.8 quake would be like. The quake of which I speak happened the day before a lunar eclipse. Tonight there will be a "super moon," in which the full moon coincides with the moon being near its orbital perigee. The chances of gravitational influences triggering terran quakes may, perhaps, be greater at such times.

Earthquakes happen all the time regardless of the moons position. There is also a US seismic survey ship just off the coast of New Zealand now. That is more likely to cause a tremor than the moon. Kaikoura is shut off from the rest of the country by road and rail (no train freight moving north or south for a number of days to come) but Kiwi's are by nature very resilient and will get on with things very well. Watch out Springs Junction you are going to be very busy these next few weeks. Arthurs pass also closed by slips but should be open later today. Hamner maybe tomorrow.

You don't often read bout 7.8 quakes. I can't remember hearing bout that big in the last 30-40 years. By the way, I'm in earthquake town, San Francisco.

Good luck to all. To help, visit there.

My cousin has just sent his diggers and trucks up to Kaikoura to help out; Kiwis have a good volunteer spirit and 'can-do' attitude; NZ '8-wires' are famous as concert roadies. Just look at the container-based shopping centre, bars and houses in Christchurch!