New Zealand quake
 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10708166

God smiting semen drinkers? (This was, perhaps, insensitive. But I will leave it and take my lumps. It was meant as an inside joke/reference to the thread Glatt points out. Obviously the event itself is a sad thing.)

What... horses are kosher, aren't they?

Yeah, anyone who didn't come from that recipe thread is going to miss the joke and think we're assholes here.

I've been to Christchurch. When I close my eyes, I can imagine I'm there now. This was a pretty devastating earthquake for that city.

I said in another thread, I have relatives by marriage around the Christchurch area.
They are all safe and well - the majority have been lucky with property also.

I'm quite liking hearing the NZ accent on TV though - we usually only get the Aussies.
Kiwis substitute the vowel sound I for E. And sometimes for A.
Listen out for it.

A good friend of mine is from there and his family is still there. I wish them well. Some of the initial pics reminded me of the pics from Haiti. I hope it is not that bad.

It is very bad, possibly "hundreds" still trapped in the rubble. Latest from the NZ Herald.

Their earthquake six months ago was stronger: 7.1. But was also about 30 miles away. This quake was only 6.3. But was only a few miles from the city center. And only 5 km deep.

The quake was followed by two 5.5 quakes and at least six 4+ quakes over the next two days.

A most dangerous civilized region for a quake is on the Mississippi river near TN, MO, KY, IL, and AR. In the past week, Little Rock Arkansas has suffered at least 50 earthquakes between 2 and 5. Concern for the New Madrid area. But these so many and unusual events have all been in Central Arkansas - distant from the 'hot' zone.

Unknown is how serious Christ Church built to withstand earthquakes. But a New Madrid quake has been long overdue. Towns such as Memphis TN have done almost nothing for earthquake protection. Watch these events also to learn from them.

Just off to the east is a cyclone. Fortunately for NZ, this storm should pass to the north.

Glad my ex-sis-in-law is on the North Island, in Napier. When things like this happen I have to bring up a map because I can't remember exactly where anything is. Very sad.

Well a very very heavay - uh - heaveh burtation tonight. We had a very darist-darison, by, lets go hit teret taysan those to the bet who had the pet.

Pics:

http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/w...electedImage=0

OK, so it did happen.

Pretty sad looking at all those historic buildings and chruches in crumbles...

Not to mention the 100s dead...

I looked at the second picture. Five buildings. Only the defective one collapsed. Let's not forget what makes disasters worse in some places. Humans.

Hurricane Andrew went through FL. A picture showed blocks of houses flattened. But I viewed houses around the perimeter. None damaged. A photographer enthralled by his emotions will take pictures only of damaged buildings. A true photojournalist will show the bigger picture.

Then viewed close up pictures of damaged homes. Missing were the required blocks and nailing in every corner. Where every wall met another. And the overlapping plates. Houses were built defectively. From doing work in some venues, I discovered this problem is carpenters who never learned those blocks are essential - and why.

Five buildings. Only one is damaged. Why? That was the useful picture.

In Haiti was a picture that truly defined a problem. During the quake, that picture showed dust rising from most every building as each was collapsing. What made Haiti so tragic are so many builders who built crap. Let's for one minute not forget what (who) creates so many of these problems.

A major and new hotel collapsed in Christ Church? Why? Was the purpose of building it for profit? Or to make a better product to advance mankind?

What really created victims? The expected quake? Or humans who failed to do their job?

Need we mention Memphis again?

The whole country is prone to quakes tw.

Maybe everyone should just move out? Oh hang on, they are! (lots of kiwi's in OZ. It's a running joke)