New Zealand cliffs collapse in Christchurch earthquake
Cliffs have collapsed in New Zealand during an
earthquake in the city of Christchurch on the
South Island.
No serious damage or fatalities were reported in the
Valentine's Day quake that struck at 13:13 local time
(00.13 GMT).
Beaches to the east of Christchurch were busy with
swimmers and surfers when rocks began to fall into
the sea.
The 5.7 magnitude quake occurred days before the
anniversary of a deadly one in 2011.
That destroyed the city centre and killed 185 people.
New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the
line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that
circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.
New Zealand's seismological body GNS Science
classified Sunday's earthquake as "severe",
recording that it took place at a depth of 15km (nine
miles) and 15km to the east of the city.
Resident Stephen O'Dwyer said he was on the beach
with his wife walking their dog when the cliff in
Sumner started to collapse.
"The ground started to go soft. Water was coming up
under the sand and people were sinking down to the
ankles as the ground went soft. It shook for about 20
seconds," he told the BBC.
The quake sent large clouds of dust billowing over
the suburb.
"I have to say that it was business as usual 15
minutes after the fact," said local Richard Loffhagen,
who took a photograph of the dust and debris rising
from Scarborough Beach.
During the tremor, which was reportedly felt across
the South Island, some shops in Christchurch were
evacuated and photos on social media showed items
that had fallen off shelves.
A Polish couple posted a clip on YouTube showing
the cracks their house suffered, saying it was their
first experience of an earthquake in Christchurch and
they had not expected it to be so intense
earthquake in the city of Christchurch on the
South Island.
No serious damage or fatalities were reported in the
Valentine's Day quake that struck at 13:13 local time
(00.13 GMT).
Beaches to the east of Christchurch were busy with
swimmers and surfers when rocks began to fall into
the sea.
The 5.7 magnitude quake occurred days before the
anniversary of a deadly one in 2011.
That destroyed the city centre and killed 185 people.
New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the
line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that
circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.
New Zealand's seismological body GNS Science
classified Sunday's earthquake as "severe",
recording that it took place at a depth of 15km (nine
miles) and 15km to the east of the city.
Resident Stephen O'Dwyer said he was on the beach
with his wife walking their dog when the cliff in
Sumner started to collapse.
"The ground started to go soft. Water was coming up
under the sand and people were sinking down to the
ankles as the ground went soft. It shook for about 20
seconds," he told the BBC.
The quake sent large clouds of dust billowing over
the suburb.
"I have to say that it was business as usual 15
minutes after the fact," said local Richard Loffhagen,
who took a photograph of the dust and debris rising
from Scarborough Beach.
During the tremor, which was reportedly felt across
the South Island, some shops in Christchurch were
evacuated and photos on social media showed items
that had fallen off shelves.
A Polish couple posted a clip on YouTube showing
the cracks their house suffered, saying it was their
first experience of an earthquake in Christchurch and
they had not expected it to be so intense
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