Great
Earthquakes In Diverse Places
Boxing Day shoppers hit by New Zealand earthquake
Masonry and glass rained down on Boxing Day shoppers as a
magnitude 4.9 earthquake rocked Christchurch on New Zealand's
South Island
12:07PM GMT 26 Dec 2010
The Telegraph UK
No one was injured, but at least 20 buildings in the city's centre
were damaged by the tremor, which scientists said was the latest
of hundreds of aftershocks since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck
Christchurch in September. That quake caused extensive damage and
a handful of injuries, but no deaths.
The quake came a few hours after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck
under the sea near Vanuatu. There were no reports of damage or
injuries from that quake, though it generated a small tsunami
wave.
New Zealand and Vanuatu are situated on the Pacific "ring of fire"
– an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones stretching from Chile in
South America through Alaska and down through the South Pacific.
The quake struck Christchurch in the late morning as shoppers
thronged central city streets to take advantage of traditional
Boxing Day sales. Although masonry and glass fell across
sidewalks, no one was hurt, according to police.
Large parts of the central business district were cordoned off
after the quake and power was cut temporarily.
Monitoring agency GNS Science said the quake occurred at 10:30am
within 3 miles of Christchurch at a depth of 8 miles.
It was the largest of more than a dozen aftershocks that rattled
Christchurch throughout Sunday. Scientists said the temblors were
related to the September quake and could continue for some time.
Earlier on Sunday, a 5.9 magnitude quake was felt across New
Zealand's North Island, but no damage or injuries were reported.
The quake was centred north of volcanic White Island off New
Zealand's east coast.
New Zealand sits above an area where two tectonic plates collide.
The country records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year – but only
about 150 are felt by residents, and fewer than 10 a year do any
damage.