Quake felt in Wellington

Ally Dykes, manager of Liquor King Gisborne, amongst some of the thousands of dollars worth of destroyed stock he is left with after the earthquake in Gisborne. Photo / Alan Gibson

I felt an earth quake this evening at around 8:59. Shook for 2-3 seconds! Wow!  My first tremor felt since living here! Pretty cool. There have been 11 earthquakes over 5.0 on the Richter scale in New Zealand this year, 2007. Here's a map that shows Wellington from Gisborne.(natural response, MAKE A MAP- from news days working in tv! couldn't help myself) oh... AND GET IN ON THE AIR ASAP!

While watching "Californication", (our new favorite show starring David Duchovny), there was a lower 3rd banner roll (on the tv):

NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: A 6.8 quake, 50 meters in the ocean from Gisborne just before 9:00 tonight. 

--------------

News reports at 10:30:

Minor damage, broken glass, some buildings awnings fell, a couple roofs collapsed. No one seriously hurt. Many drove to high ground in case of a tsunami. One or two after shocks were also felt.

------------

Gisborne is around 8 hours by car NE of here. Three hours north of Napier. I'll be flying to Gisborne for a few days in February then down to Napier for four days. 

------------

Friday morning: 

AP Associated Press

Strong Quake Rattles North New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A strong earthquake struck New Zealand on Thursday night, collapsing at least three older buildings in one coastal city on North Island, sparking small fires and forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency there.

more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hl87YKCC55-8JOLqfN1Kq6kHst7gD8TLBDMO0

Only 10 minor injuries were reported in the port city of Gisborne, which was hit hardest by the quake and suffered the most property damage, although it was felt all over the country, officials said.

The magnitude 6.8 quake, which struck at 8:55 p.m. (2:55 a.m. EST) was centered in the Hikurangi undersea trench off North Island, 25 miles below the surface, and about 30 miles southeast of Gisborne, the GNS Science geological agency reported.

Related News

• Tears and chaos in quake city
  New Zealand Herald - 3 hours ago
• Gisborne quake damage 'extensive'
  Stuff.co.nz - 3 hours ago
• Distance saves Gisborne
  Stuff.co.nz - 3 hours ago

____________________________________________________________

Massive quake causes Gisborne chaos

Stuff.co.nz | Friday, 21 December 2007

QUAKE AFTERMATH: A state of emergency has been declared in Gisborne after a massive 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the town shortly before 9pm last night.

Gisborne and the East Coast were waking to scenes of destruction today after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake caused widespread damage and fear last night.

more:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/4332467a10.html

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------