Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Again: Is everyone okay?

897 Responses

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  • nzlemming, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    Haven't we been here before?

    Same shit, different day. Sigh.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • Dismal Soyanz,

    As Matthew pointed out before, given a strong/violent enough shake, even the most modern and well-designed building will be at significant risk of collapse (or at least extreme structural damage). Ultimately the building standards are about minimising the risk of harm.

    Aside from the issue of how hard the national/local government pollies are willing to push the issue (and this will require some line being drawn on cost given that we can never be 100% safe), this underscores my wondering about just how robust many of the buildings we live and work in are even if they are relatively new, and thus what sort of damage we can expect in the event of a biggish earthquake. Given that it will ultimately be quite some time before any additional strengthening takes place (if ever) to our existing stock of buildings, we need to be cognisant of the likely damage we will face.

    Speaking as a Wellingtonian, I have major concerns for the CBD where we have some 700 "suspect" multilevel buildings. Having just moved to a brand new building that is supposedly at the top end of the scale for earthquake resistance, I am happy in a selfish manner but every time I look out the window on the other parts of the CBD I wonder how many will withstand a shake like that seen in ChCh.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2010 • 310 posts Report

  • Greg Dawson,

    We've definitely been looking around Wellington out the office windows and (apart from wondering how screwed we'll be) wondering just how an earthquake like ChCh had could result in less than tens of thousands of dead.
    Happy times :/

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 294 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    Wellingtonians: there's a container going down to Women's Refuge in Christchurch that leaves town tonight. They need personal hygiene supplies - wipes, nappies, hand sanitiser, sanitary pads, etc. Address for delivery is Level 2, 57-59 Courtenay Place.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Dismal Soyanz,

    Thanks Gio. I've got a bit of cash left this week so will hit MW and then drop it off. What's the cut off time?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2010 • 310 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Dismal Soyanz,

    Not sure, sorry, some time this afternoon.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Dismal Soyanz,

    ok. thanks. <skates>

    Wellington • Since Nov 2010 • 310 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    There was a young guy on TV1 last night who I believe was head of USAR for the Fire Service - he was magnificent. His description of how and why they were making decisions around building searches (why they were moving from CTV etc) was clear, detailed and still incredibly respectful. Amazing guy...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Gareth Ward,

    head of USAR for the Fire Service

    If you're meaning Jim Stuart-Black (I didn't see the interview), he's the NZFS National Special Operations Manager. Google says he's got international USAR experience, represents NZ on the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team (UNDAC), and is generally our USAR "God".

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    Have just been chatting with contact at GNS. He has pointed to a file of the accelerations of seismometers around Christchurch. Click on

    PGAs _raw_Christchurch_Feb_2011_M6.3_&_aftershocks.xls

    and sign on as annonymous to download it.

    Divide the mm/s/s by 10,000 to get gs. So 10,000 = 1 g

    Max was at Heathcote Primary school 2.16g vertically and 1.6 horizontal. Catapault territory!!! The kids there must have had an amazing ride!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    Yeah sounds like the guy Matthew but can't be sure (National Special Operations Manager rings a bell). Looked kinda like Bear Grylls too!

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    Times are GMT BTW. So Date shows day before and an hour early..

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Tom Semmens: I've deleted your last comment. It was nothing more than picking a fight.

    If you're tempted to continue in that vein, please don't. Or I will ban you.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    Latest news, two Japanese journalists arrested for trying to break into CHC Hospital to interview survivors.
    I thought it was only Aussie and American journos who were incapable of acting other than as twatcocks.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Andre Alessi,

    Just heard that my cousin hasn't been heard from since the quake. I didn't even realise she was in Christchurch, but I'm holding off real worry until the missing persons list is released.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Paul Campbell,

    Oh dear http://www.christchurchquake.net/index.html .... apparently it's the lesbian's fault ...

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    Oh dear http://www.christchurchquake.net/index.html …. apparently it’s the lesbian’s fault …

    We're agreeing that non-feeding of the troll is the appropriate response to that madman.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Che Tibby, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    damn lesbians filling my TV with their nubile cavorting and passionate kissi...

    i'm typing this out loud, aren't i?

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Greg Dawson, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    Holy sh*t. That is the utmost in class.
    I am raging like a Ranapia.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 294 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    Oh dear http://www.christchurchquake.net/index.html .... apparently it's the lesbian's fault ...

    Ignore. Please.

    ETA: Russell, snap.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Che Tibby,

    i sent a ToS complaint to server, am leaving it at that.

    have actual work to do.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Paul Campbell,

    I don't know - sometimes you need to call people on their crap - just haul them out in public and point the great big finger of public disapproval at them - "this is not OK, it exploitive of other people's suffering"

    (I was passed that link from offshore so it's going the rounds)

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report

  • Danyl Mclauchlan,

    I'd been wondering if Ian Wishart was okay . . .

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 927 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    it’s the lesbian’s fault

    That pun's intentional, right?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Che Tibby, in reply to Danyl Mclauchlan,

    probably up to his buttcheeks in leather-clad gents, the whole time fretting about being ‘a sinner’.

    hmmm.... aren't they *always* the biggest haters?

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

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