Earthquake

Everyone in the world seems to have heard that there was a big earthquake in New Zealand on Wednesday night. According to local sources, it measured 7.8 on the richter scale, New Zealand's biggest earthquake since the 1930s, and the world's biggest earthquake this year. (According to the U.S. Geological Survey, it was only a 7.6.) It was located way down in the southwest corner of the South Island in Fiordland, far from where we are in Christchurch.

We still felt the shaking though! Apparently, they felt it all the way into the southern parts of the North Island. Crazy shaky times.

There have been loads of aftershocks since Wednesday. Today it's reported that there was another one measuring 4.5. Here's the story:

Fiordland was hit by another quake this morning, the 14th since Wednesday night's massive 7.8 earthquake.

The latest quake. measuring 4.5 on the richter scale, struck at 8.25am. It was located 80km west of Te Anau at a depth of 10km and would have been felt widely in the area.

Southland Civil Defence regional controller Neil Cruickshank said last night the aftershocks were a normal consequence of the 7.8 quake, the biggest recorded in the world this year.

He warned people not to be complacent about the apparent lack of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.

"The scientists are still considering what combination of geographical and geological factors have influenced the impact of this particular earthquake," Mr Cruickshank said.

"People in coastal communities need to be aware that the quake did generate a small tsunami on Wednesday night, and that the potential for a damaging tsunami exists with every large earthquake."

The Earthquake Commission had received more than 500 claims by yesterday afternoon, but none was for major damage.

"They're all still looking very small – things like ripped wallpaper and cracks in the ceiling and outside walls," commission spokesman Lance Dixon said.

-NZPA

The earthquake reminds us that we should have an emergency kit at home. This is apparently common practice here. Lindsay's office has an emergency cabinet that includes food, water, blankets, and other supplies to take care of 25 people for three days. Really hoping we never need to open that cabinet...

Our regional government recommends that we include the following in our Disaster Survival Kit:

• water - at least 3 litres per person per day for three days
• food - at least three days' supply
• alternative cooking source and utensils - BBQ, can opener, knives
• warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes
• emergency blanket
• important family documents
• medications, baby supplies
• soap, wet wipes, toilet paper
• torch (flashlight) with spare batteries
• radio with spare batteries
• notebook and pen
• first aid kit

All of these items make sense except the notebook and pen. Maybe for doodling, to combat the boredom of disaster survival?

It's a little frightening to have to prepare for an earthquake, but it beats preparing for a terrorist attack.