Tuesday, September 7, 2010

After the Quake - Tuesday: When will they stop?

Last night was not an easy night for sleeping. Here is a report of earthquakes felt during the prime 'falling asleep' hours:
"Reference Number: 3367749
NZST: Mon, Sep 6 2010 11:40 pm
Magnitude: 5.4
Depth: 9 km
Details: 20 km south-west of Darfield
Reference Number: 3367748

NZST: Mon, Sep 6 2010 11:38 pm
Magnitude: 4.0
Depth: 15 km
Details: 20 km west of Christchurch
Reference Number: 3367742
NZST: Mon, Sep 6 2010 11:24 pm
Magnitude: 5.2
Depth: 9 km
Details: 20 km south-east of Darfield"

Other tremors happened, but some were below 4 on the scale and, in our house at least, they may not be felt. But those over 4 rattle the house, and those over 5 seem to go on for a long time (though not as long as Saturday morning's 7.1 quake).

Reports of damaged churches continue to be published. Here is a report on some South Canterbury churches, including damage to 'iconic' Holy Innocents at Peel Forest.

The novelty has well and truly gone from this experience. It would be good to know the quakes have stopped.

Relating to a post below, this is probably the starkest image of damage to a church in the region: St John's Hororata:

4 comments:

Roscoe Mishmack said...

Dear Peter,
It's worth remembering at times like these that uncertainty and fear of the unknown can be much more stressful than the event itself. (Experto crede on that one.)

It might also be helpful to reflect on the fact that no one was killed (unless we count the heart attack) and so far only two people have been seriously injured. There's a lot to take heart from in that.

It might also be an opportunity for us all to revisit Romans 8.35-39, and have a go at applying it in our own lives.

Kia kaha.

Peter Carrell said...

Indeed!

Anonymous said...

Images...and words like these redouble the efforts of those who pray for you.

May an unshakeable God be with you

Brother David said...

Doubly sad was to hear that the pipe organ was directly below the roof where the tower fell into the church. So that will be much more costly to replace than just repairing the roof and the tower.