It is an unstable area and has been from the beginning when the first quake in September 2010 which was a 7.0. The first quake reduced buildings to rubble, but, quiet to everyone's surprise there was no deaths.
The second major quake occurred in February 2011 with a rating of 6.3, but, this time it killed 185 people. New Zealand has embarked on a major restoration effort and fuels some of the GDP of the nation's economy, but, the land just isn't cooperating by instilling confidence in the future of the areas.
This quake today is the first in several months. The area is between the sea and mountains. It is just unstable. The longer the shaking goes on the longer it will go on simply because of the repeated reduction in particle size of the land called a phenomena called liquefaction.
7:52 PM Friday May 17, 2013
Cantabrians have been advised to check on friends and neighbours, (click here) after the first strong earthquake to rock Christchurch in months.
No reports of injuries or emergency calls were received after the magnitude 4.1 quake this afternoon.
The quake was located 25km south-west of Christchurch, near Darfield, at a depth of 7km.
GeoNet gave the tremor a 5 rating for Mercalli Intensity - the power with which it was felt on the earth's surface.
St John South Island Communications Advisor Ian Henderson said the first sizeable quake felt in Canterbury for some time may have come as a surprise or shock to some.
"We encourage people to keep in touch with each other and check on their friends, family and neighbours, especially people who are on their own.''
Quake-hardened Cantabrians went on social media to record their experiences of the rare jolt, which hit at 3.59pm....
The export markets are reacting to New Zealand's restructuring of their government agencies.
7:13 PM Friday May 17, 2013
The export markets are reacting to New Zealand's restructuring of their government agencies.
7:13 PM Friday May 17, 2013
A name change for a government ministry (click here) has resulted on New Zealand meat being blocked at Chinese ports, Labour has claimed.
Labour primary industries spokesman Damien O'Connor said hundreds of tonnes of meat was sitting on a wharf in China waiting for the right name to be put on documents to satisfy Chinese customs officials.
"The Government's enthusiasm and determination to restructure major government agencies has led to this confusion, and the simple requirement for correct customs certification has obviously been overlooked by officials in the new Ministry of Primary Industries,'' Mr O'Connor said....
