I’m sure many of us are watching the various news reports about the 6.6 earthquake in Wellington yesterday , and when they say “felt from Auckland to Dunedin” that pretty well covers both islands. When you have internet power and news (reassuring, I hope), would you let us know more. When one has been there, it is forevermore part of you. and those people are like family.
Loyce McKenzie
Madison, Mississippi
Hi Everyone,
Once again New Zealand has been struck by a series of major earthquakes, fortunately no where near as serious as the tragedy in Christchurch.These quakes have had an epicentre at the top half of the South Island and as has been reported have been felt to varying degrees throughout New Zealand. Wellington in particular got quite a jolting with subsequent mayhem on the streets with people trying to get home without any trains operating.
The fortunate thing is that there has been little apparent damage to buildings and infrastructure.
I spoke to Denise McQuarrie yesterday afternoon who said that they felt the quakes strongly at Ngatimoti but suffered no damage, lets hope all our other daffodil friends are in the same situation.
On a brighter note the daffodils are progressing nicely, the season seems late in the Waikato area but rain last night will bring them on rapidly.
Thank you for your posting Loyce, it really shows that the world (especially the daffodil world) is a very small place.
I agree with Robin’s remarks, Loyce, and thank you for your concern. The Friday earthquake caught us all by surprise and out here in Porirua, was very similar to the July one – a long jolting movement with nothing actually falling over. Since then we only feel the aftershocks that are greater than 5 on the Richter scale and then just as little shudders. Those in high rise buildings or who live on alluvial/sand are noting every tiny movement. However, everyone is very alert and our Saturday evening visit to the old reinforced Opera House in central Wellington to see ‘The Gypsy Baron’ was unlike any Saturday night that George & I have ever experienced there. Very eerie with minimal buildings lit up & few people on the streets or traffic on the roads. Parking buildings closed – the usual vibrant pub crowds waiting to enjoy the annual Bledisloe Cup Rugby match with Australia, were non existant. The show went well with one small shake experienced at half time reminding everyone to double check the exits. Public trains& buses are running again today and the planes never stopped.
My blooms are opening earlier than usual so our local show in the Paremata School Hall on the 31st August and 1st September, ( Central Members please note – all are invited) should be a good one. Again Thanks for your concern.
Blessings
Margaret Seconi Wellngton NZ
Margaret, Robin, and all:
Indeed, I believe Loyce spoke for many of us, and certainly for me. I’m glad to know that the damage has been so minimal, and sympathize with the uncertainty that comes with living on the edge of a tectonic plate, as we do also, here in California. A plate map that I saw in one of the news articles showed the boundary between Australian and Pacific plates as separating the North and South Islands. I hadn’t realized that. I knew there was a subduction zone west of the South Island, but hadn’t known what occurred north of the Strait. I’ll hope that the earth finds gentle ways to release these stresses, and that you all remain safe.
Melissa