The recent earthquake that hit Christchurch registered as a 6.3 magnitude shake caused 65 deaths, trapped about 200 people, and destroyed a lot of public and private properties. This was a less powerful earthquake compared to the September earthquake but the effects have been more deadly. Some areas have been declared unsafe for excavation by the rescuers and the death toll is expected to rise in the next few days.

New Zealand is in the Pacific Ring of Fire which is a big region where volcanic and seismic activities occur on a regular basis. This ring spans from Chile on one end to Indonesia and Japan on another side.

Experts have pinpointed 100 faults in and around New Zealand. Christchurch is about 12 miles from some of these faultlines. Geologists have expressed concern that the area may experience major jolts once in every half a century.

The earthquake a few days ago is far more destructive than last year’s earthquake because of reasons like its proximity to Christchurch and its shallow origin where the major movement of the earth took place.

A lot of people were just six to twelve miles from the major fault that moved and severe shaking of the earth is expected within a radius of ten to twelve kilometers from the rupture.

The USGS or Unite States Geological Services measured the earthquake at 6.3 magnitude at a depth of only 2.5 mile about 3 miles from Christchurch which has a population of around 350,000.

Last Tuesday, several aftershocks were felt. More damages were done when two major aftershocks measured 5.5 and 5.6 magnitude hit the cathedral city.

Since the shake last September, Christchurch has experienced 4,000 aftershocks of different magnitudes.

Another factor to consider the reasons for the severe damages with the recent earthquake is that it hit this part of New Zealand at 12:51 pm, Tueday, a very busy weekday.

Earthquake recovery in Christchurch

Meanwhile, tourists are being advised to leave the city as rescuers go through rubbles and as the authorities assess the severity of the damage. As of today, the place is still declared as a no go zone.

According to the department of tourism, the area is cordoned off as problems are being addressed. The government is also encouraging locals to temporarily move to other parts of New Zealand while they deal with the emergency.

The airport is open for both local and international flights but the authorities advise incoming tourists to first check with their airlines. Those who are scheduled to arrive in New Zealand are also being discourage to proceed to Christchurch since a lot of hotels and places are still inaccessible.

Tourists who are trying to get out of the ciy are having a difficulty because of the damaged roads.

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