185 people died in a matter of seconds

by sizemik 35 Replies latest social current

• 

  palmtree67

  I've visited ground Zero in NYC twice and was overcome by tears both times.

  So I can't even imagine the extent of your grief, Sizey.

  Comfort and stength to you,

  Palm
• 

  karter

  Hey buddy there is always a room in my place for you & family if your up this way.

  karter.
• 

  finally awake

  I'm so sorry sizmik
• 

  ziddina

  Good grief...

  I am so sorry.....

  The photo in the OP - it looks as if the worst of the damage was close to the - the bay???? Was that area built up on landfill dumped into seashore marshes, to build up the business districts???

  Have the areas of liquefaction been located, and have the buildings in that zone been relocated or heavily reinforced???

  So sad...

  I've commented before; it is so ironic that many bustling towns and cities were established in dangerous zones in the 18th - 19th century, before humanity's knowledge of quake zones developed...
• 

  elderelite

  Thoughts and prayers size
• 

  Broken Promises

  Thoughts and virtual hugs to you, your family and everyone else affected by the CHCH earthquake.

  (((Sizemik)))
• 

  sizemik

  Twitch, troubled mind, charlie b jnr, designs, BOTR, umadevi, Palm, karter, finally awake, zid, . . . thanks for all of your posts.

  I guess a good many of us come to experience these things in a lifetime . . . I appreciate the empathy.

  I've commented before; it is so ironic that many bustling towns and cities were established in dangerous zones in the 18th - 19th century, before humanity's knowledge of quake zones developed... . . . ziddina

  Wow that's a bullseye here . . .

  Much of the eastern city was built directly on drained swamp, including the CBD . . . no landfill even. Liquefaction was a major problem as was the unstable land. Many buildings were unreinforced masonry over 100 years old.

  One of the sad facts for me . . . was that GNS Science's website warned of aftershocks of 6 or more (as many as 4) over the proceeding 12-24 months after the initial 7.1 rupture in Sept 2010. The people being listened to weren't saying the right things . . . and the people saying the right things weren't being listened to. Consequently the public were utilising unsafe conditions while being totally unaware. Sad, but the tragedy of 22/02/2011 was almost inevitable . . . and totally avoidable.
• 

  ziddina

  Oh, that is TERRIBLE!!!

  So very tragic!!

  Such a brutal way to learn..... Well, to learn an important lesson....

  So sad....
• 

  sizemik

  Zid . . . what is gratifying is that lessons have been learned.

  Wellington, seen as our most quake prone city (and capital), is instituting strict new regulations to quake proof old buildings or demolish within 2 years . . . at owners expense. All buildings are going to be graded according to risk and the information posted on the front door to inform the public of the relative risk of entering. It's been criticised by some as knee-jerk, but is something I applaud loudly. Hopefully the rest of the country will follow suit . . . this is a shakey part of the world after all, and that's not going to change.
• 

  glenster

  Theres nothing anyone can say but you're glad they try. Hope you heal in
  time.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Christchurch_earthquake