2007 Gisborne earthquake

Earthquake
title=2007 Gisborne earthquake
date= December 20 2007


magnitude = 6.8 M_L [ [http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/2839343g.html Geonet: NZ's geological hazard monitoring system ] ]
depth=convert|35.6|km|mi|1
location=coord|-38.842|177.930
countries affected = NZ
casualties = 1 dead, approx 20 injuredThe December 2007 Gisborne earthquake was an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 on the Richter scale which struck in the Pacific Ocean, 50 km off the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island at 8.55 pm NZDT on December 20 2007. The tremor mostly affected the town of Gisborne, but was felt throughout the North Island and in parts of the South Island.

Effects

The earthquake was initially reported to have caused no deaths, but an elderly woman in Gisborne was discovered to have suffered a heart attack and died shortly after the quake. [ [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10483683 One dead, up to 20 injured after huge quake] , "The New Zealand Herald", December 21 2007.]

A number of buildings in central Gisborne were damaged. The central business district was closed off to allow building inspectors to assess buildings for damage; three buildings had collapsed. There were blackouts immediately after the earthquake hit. [ [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1320238/1517721 Quake 6.8 magnitude hits east coast] , TVNZ, December 21 2007.]

As of 14 January 2008, the Earthquake Commission had received over 3100 insurance claims amounting to $16 million. [ [http://www.eqc.govt.nz/insurance/recent-events.aspx Recent events] , EQC Insurance. Updated and accessed 14 January 2008.] It earlier estimated that the cost of damage caused by the earthquake could rise to $30 million. [ [http://www.stuff.co.nz/4332985a11.html The $30m shockwave] , December 22 2007]

Image Gallery

References

See also

* Earthquakes in New Zealand

External links

* [http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/2839343g.html New Zealand Earthquake Report - Dec 20 2007 at 8:55 pm (NZDT)] (GeoNet)
* [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2007/us2007ldas/ Magnitude 6.8 - NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND] (U.S. Geological Survey)
* [http://www.jaysonsnet.co.nz/quake.html Photography By Jayson Kingsbeer, More Photos of the aftermath]