7.0 Earthquake Hits New Zealand
A 7.0 earthquake, which was originally assessed at 7.4, has struck the south island of New Zealand. It's epicenter was about four miles from Christchurch, a city of approximately 380,000. Sewer lines and power lines have ruptured in the city.
The shaking was severe enough that a resident was quoted as saying, "it turned my house upside down, with crockery breaking."
There was also moderate damage to the airport, as passengers took cover. The airport was evacuated, with flights currently being delayed.
New Zealands records more than 15,000 earthquakes a year, as it sits above an area of the Earth's crust where two tectonic plates collide. However, residents usually only about 150.
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