Incredible Picture of Christchurch taken on a hill seconds into the quake

Earlier reports I've read said the shaking lasted for roughly a minute though I haven't seen an official report. With this being taken seconds in, one can only imagine what it would be like if the quake had gone on even longer.

:(

up to 75 dead, hundreds still missing.

is unbelievable. In California damage would not be significant from a 6.3 level earthquake. California has building codes that make the damage experienced in New Zealand improbable at a 6.3 level earthquake. In San Jose, where I lived previously, watching the construction of our home. I noted that in the trench for the foundation, a 6 inch hole, at I judge, every 6 feet, was drilled and filled with steel re bar. We experienced several earthquakes through the years, including the 1989 Loma Prieta, and the house would sway but we never had any damage to the structure.

exceeds 500. This was a major disaster in the middle of the day.

Many buildings already had structural damage from the last quake but didn't collapse. This Quake finished them.

The team is made up of firefighters and paramedics rescue specialists, emergency room physicians, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, hazardous materials technicians, communications specialists and logistics specialists.

They carry 55,000 pounds of prepackaged search and rescue tools and medical equipment to conduct around-the-clock search and rescue operations.

"We will be flying in a commercial aircraft," said Jon Tripp, chief deputy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. "We will be taking 74 specially trained firefighters supported by doctors and civil engineers."

Los Angeles County fire officials say their search and rescue unit is one of the most highly-trained teams in the country.


http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=weather/earthquake_center&id=7974176

about 60 miles (or is that kilometers?) from Christchurch. She's an R.N. and he's a Vietnam vet with demolition experience, so they're both volunteering to help. It's a mess, and so very very sad. I spoke with him Sunday, and they're both exhausted but okay (their little town didn't suffer any damage). He said the dogs went nuts about the time the quake hit - 60 miles away. Don't tell me our furry friends can't tell when disaster is about to strike!

My prayers go out to the people of Christchurch, particularly those injured or killed and their families. :(

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8216244/aerial-photo-shows-christchurch-earthquake

apparently it was originally a Twitter photo. .