Strong quake hits New Zealand (Christchurch))

[cali]

Monday, February 21, 2011; 7:32 PM

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch on Tuesday, and there were reports of damage to some buildings.

Radio New Zealand reported that a church near the city center collapsed. The station also said staffers in its Christchurch newsroom had to cling to their desks during the shaking, with large filing cabinets toppling over.

"What I can see from where I am in the central city is that there are significant amounts of additional damage," Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor was centered 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the city at a depth of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers).

<snip>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/21/AR2011022104255.html

Connected?

107 Pilot Whales Dead on New Zealand Beach
By Elena Arteaga - Web Producer
Monday, February 21, 2011 - 4:01pm

STEWART ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND— More than a hundred whales have died on a remote New Zealand Island.

All members of a pod of 107 pilot whales died after they were stranded on the beach near Cavalier Creek on Stewart Island off of the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island. Officials had to euthanize 48of the 107 whales.

The whales were found by hikers on Sunday.

Conservation department staff flew to the location where half of the group was already dead and others were dying.

The whales were too far up the beach where the tide was receding, resulting in a small chance of keeping the whales alive until more rescuers arrived to help.

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http://www.ktsm.com/news/107-pilot-whales-dead-on-new-zealand-beach

[malaise]

1. Wow

That's serious

[AnOhioan]

2. They were hit with a quake back in late 2010 as well