Christchurch a tragedy we've already forgotten

February 22, 2011 - a very shallow 6.3 earthquake ripped through the center of beautiful, historic Christchurch, New Zealand. Buildings already made unstable from previous earthquakes in September and December 2010, fell to the ground. Bricks and dry wall crumbled around thousands of people. Moments after I arrived in Christchurch to visit my friends Ben and Lisa, to support them post earthquake and to support New Zealand. I did consider canceling my trip but decided, now was not the time to abandon Ben and Lisa, nor was it the time to ignore Christchurch.

I was nonetheless shocked when I got off the bus, rerouted due to earthquake damage, all around me buildings were barely standing, entire walls , tops of chimneys gone, church steeples and roofs collapsed in heaps on the ground. The historic city center was blocked off and guarded by military. As I walked the streets of Christchurch there was an odd calm, no other pedestrians, few cars. The city more or less abandoned.

It was surreal. There were moments I felt like I was in some kind of post-apocalyptic horror film. It only took a few hours for me to realize there was nothing left to do in Christchurch. All museums closed. Most shops, cafes and restaurants closed. The few businesses that were open had limited hours. The people I did encounter were unfriendly and catatonic, still in shock or rendered apathetic. The February 22 earthquake in Christchurch was nothing short of tragic.

The 6.3 richter scale ratting is an inaccurate explanation for the magnitude and severity of the February quake, as it was so shallow in the ground the earth was moved at a force so strong the ground was rolled by rapid waves moving everything up and down and side to side. Aftershocks rattle through the area every few hours, some quick and jerking others slow and rolling. Just like the locals around me, I am getting by the best I can. Searching for the little joys and doing whatever it takes to improve the situation. I fear, the catastrophic events in Japan have quickly push Christchurch out of the hearts and mind of the international community.

This link is to a fifteen minute video of the damage done to central Christchurch and some of its most historic buildings. I will warn you, if you have previously visit Christchurch (or even if you have not)what you are about to see is devastating. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qbXJJN9ZSFc




Resources and More Info:
* Donate to help: http://www.redcross.org.nz/cms_display.php
* http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/
* http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Christchurch_earthquake
* http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/4838607/More-than-128-Christchurch-buildings-face-demolition