Second earthquake in New Zealand in six months

For the second time in about six months New Zealand was shaken by a major earthquake that caused massive damage to the city of Christchurch.

This past week the city of Christchurch, the largest city on the southern island of New Zealand and the second largest in the country felt an earthquake that measured 6.3 on the Richter scale.

According to CNN news the death toll from the 6.3 magnitutde earthquake that demolished part of Christchurch, New Zealand has climbed to 145.

The death count was initially placed at 65 on the first day and after days of searching for hundreds of others many rescue attempts have been changed to recovery attempts since no one has been found alive for the last 72 hours.

I personally have an interest in this story because I have friends that live in Christchurch that my wife and I spent two weeks with for our 25th anniversary.

Maria Stack and her parents live in a quiet residential section on the southern edge of Christchurch that is nestled up next to coastal hills.

The first earthquake in Christchurch registered a 7.1 in September of 2010 and caused enough damage to their house that it was condemned by the city.

This earthquake occured while we were sleeping and the first news that I heard of it was from Maria's post on Facebook where she assured her friends that she and her family were safe.

Maria posted on her facebook page on February 22: "Hey everyone... me and family are all good. Things are crazy here.... i cant believe this. And to all those we lost today. RIP friends"