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Posts Tagged ‘6.0’

Strong 5.8 Earthquake Rattles New Zealand’s Christchurch, Sends Terrified Shoppers Into the Streets

12/22/2011 1 comment

“A strong earthquake struck the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday, sending goods tumbling from shelves and prompting terrified holiday shoppers to flee as buildings shook. There was no tsunami alert issued and the city appeared to have been spared major damage.

One person was injured at a city mall and was taken to a hospital, Christchurch police said in a statement. But there were no immediate reports of serious injuries or widespread damage in the city, which is still recovering from the devastating February earthquake that killed 182 people and destroyed much of the downtown area.

The 5.8-magnitude quake struck Friday afternoon 26 kilometres north of Christchurch at a depth of four kilometres, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue an alert.

The city’s airport was evacuated and all city malls shut down as a precaution.

Warwick Isaacs, demolitions manager for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, said most buildings had been evacuated ‘as an emergency measure.'” Read more.

Update: More quakes rattle New Zealand, including a 6.0 “aftershock” …

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Washington Monument May Be Tilting, Stones Fall Off Washington National Cathedral After Strong and Shallow 5.9 Earthquake

08/23/2011 9 comments

“(AP) – A spokesman for Washington National Cathedral says at least three of the four pinnacles on the central tower have fallen off and the central tower appears to be leaning.

The pinnacles are the top stones on the cathedral’s towers.

Richard Weinberg, director of communications for the cathedral, said the cathedral has been evacuated and stone masons are assessing the damage.

The Washington National Cathedral is an Episcopal Church landmark in the capital. Located in the northwest quadrant of the city near foreign embassies and the vice president’s residence, the gothic-like structure is among the tallest in the city. It’s historically been the site of funerals and memorials for presidents and statesmen.” Source.

FNC reports Washington Monument may be tilting from quake jolt – “A 5.9 magnitude earthquake that was centered in Richmond, Virginia and felt as far as New York City and New England. Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly reported at 2:30 pm that their bureau received information from a producer saying that a Captiol Hill Police officer says that the Washington Monument may actually be tilting as a result of the earthquake.Seismologist John Rundle joined Kelly on her show and confirmed that the Washington Monument could very well be tilting as a result of the earthquake and the structure should be checked out. Two nuclear reactors have reportedly been taken off line near the epicenter of the earthquake.” Read more.

Cracks Discovered in Washington Monument – “Cracking was found in the stones at the top of the Washington Monument Tuesday evening, the National Park Service reported. The National Park Service temporarily closed the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and the Old Post Office Tower as a precaution following Tuesday’s earthquake. The cracking in the Monument was discovered during a secondary inspection. Structural engineers will evaluate the cracks Wednesday and determine how to repair them before the Monument is reopened.” Read more.

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