Magnitude 6.3 quake rocks NZ

22 February 2011

At around 23:51 GMT (Feb. 22, 12:51 PM at epicenter, around 7 AM PST), a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch city in New Zealand. According to US Geological Survey, the quake is part of the “aftershock sequence” of the Sept. 4, 2010 earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 and inflicted around US$3 billion-worth of damage but has no death recorded.

The epicenter is located 3 kilometers away from Christchurch and with a depth of 4 kilometers.

According to sources, quoting Prime Minister John Key, today’s quake is “… a scene of utter devastation.” Also, news report says, the city was still rebuilding from the previous aftershocks when the temblor hit Tuesday. As of press time, there were 65 deaths recorded and authorities said that it may rise.

Sources: inquirer.net, Time.com, USGS